Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-10-17
TALES OF WAR HEROES.
Linooln's Kind eartsdnsss-Grans's Cool
ness and Determination.


prominent place as that which ex-
tana. filed during the soul-stirring
times of the civil war, have retired
from public life carrying with them so
completely the respect and good feel
ing of those with whom they were
allied or to whom they were opposed
as he. 1t is seldom that Mr.. Ashley
can be induced to refer TO the old days
when he played such II prominent part
in the National Legislature. and was
chosen to be the mover of one of the
most radical propositions ever made
before this country, and one which ut
the time demanded no small amount of
personal courage. Fearlessly he per-
formed the duty of moving the amend
ment to the Constitution abolishing
slavery in this country, at the close OF
the war.
A reporter met the Ex-Governor
few evenings ago at Delmonico's.
After having business chat Mr.. Ash
10y entertained the reporter for over
an hour with anecdotes of the war
times, about many of the prominent
men who were his contemporaries in
public life. Starting ont in political
life when only 20 years OF age, he WAS
intimately acquainted with nearly all
the men whose names have become
historical in connection with those tur-
bulent times before and during the
war.
Concerning all these men Mr.. Ash
ley has an inexhaustible fund of anec-
dotes, and although now in his Goth
year. his memory is rs clear and his
eye as bright as it was thirty years
ago. He told the reporter some in
teresting stories of President LincOln's
kind-heartedness. IL consider Presi-
dent Lincoln" he said. zone of the
most remarkable men who ever lived,
and his kindness of heart was shown to
oil men at all times. remember once
when Carl Schurz. who was with the
army. had sent letter TO the Presi-
dent without consulting his command
ing officer. OF course. this was
breach of discipline not to be counten-
anced. and he subsequently wrote a
letter of apology to Mr.. Lincoln. The
President replied by letter. Never
mind. come and see me- OF course,
when Sehurz went he began to apollo
gize profusely, but the President, see
ing how i'll ut ease he was smiled and
said in kindly tone Never mind,
Schurz. guess before we get through
talking You won't think l am so bad
man as some people say | am That
kindness broke Schurz all up.
Another time | saw him give par
don for n soldier sentenced to be shot.
on the supplication of the poor fellows
wife and daughters. OF course. there
was a most pathetic scene. and many
of the bystandess cried. After signing
the pardon the President said. well.
have made one Family happy. but l
don't know about The discipline of the
army"
Mr.. Ashley also told some good
stories about General Grant of whom
be was loyal and ardent admirer.
Among some he related was one of a
circumstance on the evening of the first
days battle of Shiloh. which had been
defeat.
Eat that time" he said. "whcn any
man might have felt disturbed. the
Guartermaster came 20 General Grant
and told him that ii he was again de-
feated on the next day he could not
transport the troops (about g. 900 ia
number) if it was necessary to cross
the river.
Grant asked him: How many ca
you handler"
lien thousand" replied the quarter
master.
We'll said General. quietly. If We
ara defeated. you will be able to carry
all that are left
$50 you see," said Mr. Ashley,
"what determination Grant had. He
simply determined to win or be ami
hilated."
Another story about Grants cooluess
was as follows; Sheridan. when ne
came East. was assigned by Grant TO
General Meade's command. General
Meade ordered him to go out with his
cavalry and recOnnoitre. but To be
careful aboutStuart, who was troubling
Meade's brigade. Sheridan. whose
blood was up. used some rather strong
language, aud said that he would
knock hell out of Stuart if he
could get ut him. General Meade. who
was quiet man. when he again met
Grant, said: Well General, that man
Sheridan you sent me is rather insub-
ordinate
"'How is thatp What has he been
doingp asked Grant.
General Meade repeated Sheridan's
remarks, and Grant replied: Did
Sheridan say that?'
Yes, sir; he did, replied Meade
em2hatically.
"Well.' said Grant quietly. why
didn't you tell him to 90 and do it,
General Meade went back, took the
hint, gave the order to Sheridan and
Stuart never troubled the command
again.
II could tell you stories all night"
said Mr.. Ashley. "but the war days
are over. and while am rs staunch
Republican as l ever was in my life,
devote my time to my railroad inter-
ests and seldom think of resuming
ac::y3 political J;fe."-M Y. Tribune.