The Portland daily press., 1888-12-08
GRANTS sToIcIsM.
General Hayes Tells a Clever Story
About the impassibIIIry of the ST.
lent Leader.

Ex-President Hayes was in reminiscent
mood at dinner of the Loyal Ligion recent
ly. The charming story which he told about
"Little Phip' Sheridan's first and last vote
was received with applause and there was a
cheer when he repeated Sheridan's simple
words, 'it Is my first vote, and it will per-
haps be my last; but want to vote for '0ld
Abe oncep' General Hayes then told, in his
characteristic way, with gestures that were
almost Coquelinesque in their expressive
grace story of General Grants stoicism in
the midst Of impending peril. GeneralHayes
said that 1t was story of the only, time that
Grant ever showed what might have been
called fear" had any one else but Grant
been the hero of the story.
Il met, said General Hayes, "at an army
dinner, some time ago, Colonel Bowers, a
ing the evening, What was the most striking
exhibition OF fear. anxiety or sense of re-
SponSi0lilty that you ever noticed in General
GrantY 'WeI,' replied Bowers, If there
was one instance above all others where he
seemed to be affected by the stress of crae it
was during the fine days fight down in the
Wilderness. On one Of the days, think the
fourth, the fighting commenced early in the
morning. and continued all through the day.
AT the end of the day there had been great
slaughter on both sides, and we had not
carried a point; we had been repulsed on
every side. There was not an absolute de-
feat. but we all felt that our army had been
shaken, and that possibly severe, deter
mined return attack by Lees army might be
disastrous.
Just at dark that night Bowers con-
tlnued, said General Hayes. I'VE were all
gathered about log fire that was built on
tne greensward at Grants quarters. ALI
Grants staff were about the fire, and as the
nlckering flames lighted up their faces it
could be seen that they were all oppressed
with the greatness Of the losses of the day
and the preceding days. Nothing was said
The log cracked and sputtered in the fire.
Grant stood by, looking at the bright flames,
his hands behind his back, a cigar in his
mouth. saying nothing. Suddenly there
broke out on the night air, a mile or two off,
heavy firing. 1t was evidently a deter
mined attack on our lines. The firing grew
as It came nearer. We all jumped up from
c9r places about the glowing fire and listen
ed eagerly AttDtH II at
Grant stood and listened intently 10 the
firing. He said to an officer after moment or
Two: "Ride forward; see what 1t is and
come back to me-" The officer leaped into
his saddle and salloped rapidly out into the
Darkness beyond the circle Of light made by
the campfire. Gradually the firing died
away, yolleys ceased and soon naught was
10 be heard save here and there the sharp re-
port OF a muSket. Grant Strengthened up,
yawned and said: 81 haven't slept any for
some time. and think I'll go to bed" He
entered his tent. s
Bowers, " said General Hayes, remarked
Grant hasn't slept for three or four nights.
he has been in the saddle every night, ex-
amining the lines and looking after the men >
Grant was in his tent. Through the fly,
which was open, could be seen the yellow
gllmmer Of flickering candle. Grant always
Kept a candle burning In his tent at night
when he slept. Bowers, with the rest Of the
officers who remained up, after a
While heard the thud, thud of horses hoofs
galioping rapidly toward headquarters, ana
soon the officer who had been sent out to see
what the firing meant, dashed into camp and
dlsmounted. Bowers got the news from the
effcer, and went in TO awaken Grant, for he
had gone to sleep. The news wasn't very
Important for the firing was simply the en-
emy strengthening its lines, or something like
that, not serious. Bowers went to Grants
tent. and looked in. He supposed the Gener-
al was asleep, and he didn't think the news
OF Importance enough to awaken him.
Grant was lying on his face and hands, and
when Bowers looked into the tent, he said,
We'll, Bowers, what's up, Grant had evil
IDENTIFY not gone to sleep at all, tired as he
was.
That query of Grants said Mr.. Bow
ers, was the most striking exhibition Of care,
anxiety, sensation, call 1t what you will, that
ever knew Grant TO exhibit
General Hayes had all through the story
the deepest attention of his hearers, and as
ne approached the finale of the story they
were all on the qui vive for something start
ling. 1t didn't come, and they all laughed.
The point Of General Hayes story was that
under no circumstances, be what they might,
danger or security, did Grant ever, by word
OF look, express the slightest fear or anxiety
about anything with which he had to do.