Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-05-24
CAMPFIRE STORIES.
WHEN GRANT TALKED.
After n Cigar In tho Kitchen He Told
the Whole Story of tho War.

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spondent of tho Boston Globe of an oc-
casion whom the silent Grant turned
himself into one Of the rarest of story
tellers. 1t was in 1873, President Grant,
accompanied by a distinguished party
was visiting New England. A trip to
Bar Harbor and other points on the
Maine coast was planned. A revenue
cutter was taken and the voyage begun,
but bad weather compelled the party to
put in at the little island of North
Haven, and a neat and unpretentious
tavern became their retreat. In the
notable party were: Speaker James G..
Blaine, of the National House; United
States Senator Eugene Hale, of Maine;
General o. E. Babcock and Hon. Simon
Cameron, of the Cabinet; Hon. Lot NJ.
Morrill, ex-senator from Maine and ex-
Secretary of the Treasury; ex-Vice-
President Hannibal Hamlin; Hon. A. S.
Washburn; Governor Sidney Perham, of
Maine; John Neal, Portland's famous
poet; Ulysses Grant, Jr., Walker Blaine,
Hon. Thomas i. Reed and others of
nearly as great prominence whose names
the deputy collector can not recall, be-
sides some distinguished foreigners. An
appetizing supper was spead by Host and
Hostess Mullen, and the party resorted
to conversation, card playing, etc
According to Mrs. Mullen's statement
to neighbor, President Grant was very
social with her and her husband. He
came out into the kitchen, sat down on
a stool and talked with them for long
time.
He said that he preferred to sit in the
kitchen. where he could smoke without
disturbing those in the parlor. He
would say few words and then take
puff at his cigar. His conversation COW
cred wide range of subjects.
''He wanted no one to wait upon him" :"
remarked Mr.. Mullen, land made less
trouble in the house than young drum
mer on his first trip"
During his waking hours a cigar was
almost constantly in his mouth. Mr..
Mullen carefully preserves, as valued
memento of Grants visit, an empty
cigar box marked Colorado Claro," an
imported brand, an excellent likeness
of the General on the outside wrapper,
and half-burned cigar left by Grant.
''As the hours of evening wore on"
says Deputy Collector Smith, "and the
interest in the games and conversation
began to flag, President Grant re-enter-
ed the parlor and made us q proposition.
He said:
my friends, you can hardly imagine
the relief and pleasure | feel at now be-
ing able, for the first time in several
years, to open my mouth and speak
without having every word telcgraphed
all over the country and published in
the papers. Tonight we are cut off from
any communication with the outside
world, no gentlemen of the press are
present, and now, in case you care to
hear it, will give you an ofF-hand out
line sketch of my campaigns
The suggestion was applauded to the
echo" continues Mr. Smith, and
we at once grouped ourselves in listen
Ing attitude. Grant at once placed
plain hardwood chair at a convenient
place for addressing the company, with
the back of it toward us, seated himself
astride it, and commenced his narration.
And such n narration! 1t was like
Alexander the Great, gifted with the
descriptive power of a Kinglake, telling
the story of his experiences. 1t was
Grants Memoirs in condensed form,
clear in presentation, unified in arrange
ment, graphic with light and shade,
modest as regards personal mention.
He said little about himself, but touch
ed upon the merits of the leading Gen
erals, and bestowed unbounded praise
upon the soldiery.
"Beginning with brief account of
the first regular engagement at Belmont
in the autum of '6l, he took us through
the shifting scenes of Fort Donelson,
Pittsburgh Landing and Vicksburg;
thence to the mightier scenes of his
struggles and triumphs, ending with
the fall of Richmond. 1t was bril-
liant recital, and it was the unanimous
verdict of his auditors that we had then
and there obtained clearer and in
every way better idea of the war for the
Union than from any books or papers we
had ever read.
sit was indeed q treat to hear from
the lips of the leader of one of the
grandest armies the world ever saw the
story of his plans and their execution,
interspersed with spirited word pictures
of an incidental or personal character.
His narrative occupied two hours, and
when the last scene on the panorama
had been presented there was not
sleepy eye in all that gathering. Fas-
cinated, absorbed, we listened silently
throughout, and when we retired for
the night and lulled by the storm, sank
to slumber between the white sheets of
Mrs. Mullen's cottage beds, it was to
dream of Grant and the stupendous
drama Of which he was the central
figure.
SAT seasonable hour in the morning
the party rallied again in the dining
room and partook of hearty breakfast.
The President, like the others, selected
the plainest food, but the venerable,
somewhat outre-dressed General Cam
eron scored a point on his illustrious
chief by asking Mrs. Mullen if she could
give him some cold potatoes
The proposed trip to Bar Harbor was
abandoned, and, after cordial adieu to
their hospitable entertainers, the Pres
idential party was rowed TO the revenue
cutter, and soon North Haven and its
,,ln tnks -. ~.