Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-08
STORIES OF WAR HEROES,
Lfncoln's Kind eartedness - Graut's
Cool Determination.

1rom the NOW YORK tribune.
Few men who have occupied as prominent a
place as that which Ex-Governor James N.
Ashley of Montana filed during the soul-stir-
ring times Of the civil war have retired from
public life carrying with them 90 completely
the respect and good feeling 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 promi-
nent part In the national legislature and
was chosen to be the mover Of one Of the most
radical propositions ever made before this coun-
try and one which at the time demanded no
small amount OF personal courage. Fearlessly
he performed the dnty of moving the amend
ment to the Constitution abolishing slavery in
this country at the close of the war
reporter met the ex-governor few even
ings ago In Delmonico's. After having a bust
ness chat Mr. Ashley entertained the reporter
for over an hour with anecdotes of the war
times. about many Of the prominent men who
were his contemporaries i'll public life. Start
ing out in political life when only twenty years
OF age, he was intimately acquainted with
nearly all the men whose names have become
historical in connection with those turbulent
times before and during the war.
Concerning all these men Mr.. Ashley has
an inexhaustible fund Of anecdotes, and
is as clear and his eye as bright it was thirty
years ago. He told the reporter some inter
estng stories Of President Lincoln's
kind-heartedness. II consider President
Lincoln, he said, zone of the most
remarkable men who ever lived,
rs his kindness OF heart was shown to all men
at all times. ] remember once when Carl
Schurz, who was with the army. had sent letter
to the President without consulting his COM
handing ofhcer. or coure, this was q breac h
of discipline not to be countenauced, end he
subsequently wrote a letter of apology
/ Lincoln a
.so OF course. mind when come seh %na
went he began to apologize profusely. but the
President, seeing how i'll at ease he was, smiled
Schurz. guess before we get through talking
you won't think am so bad a man as some
people say l am That kindness broke Schurz
all up.
Another time 1 saw him give a pardon for
soldier sentenced to be shot, on the supplica-
ton OF the poor fellows wife and daughters.
or course, there was a most pathetic scene, and
many of the bystanders cried. After signing
the pardon tho President said, We'll, have
made one family happy, but don't know
about the discipline OF the army"
Mr.. Ashley also told some good stories about
Gen. Grant Of whom he was a loyal and ardent
admirer. Among some he related was one of a
circumstance on the evening of the first day.
battle Of Shiloh, which had been a defeat
''At that tIme," he said "when any man
might have felt disturbed, the quartermaster
came to Gen. Grant and told him that if he
was again defeated Oh the next day he could
not transport the troops (about g., 900 in num-
ber) If 1t was necessary to cross the river
Grant asked him: How many can you
handler
Ten thousand replied the quartermaster.
"'Well, said General Grant, quietly, If we
are defeated you will be able to carry all that
are left
49, you see," said Mr.. Ashley. "what de-
termination Grant had. He simply determined
to win or be annihiIated.'
Another story about Grants GOODNESS was as
follows: sheridan, when ne came east, was
assigned by Grant to Gen. Meades command
Gen. Meade ordered him to go out with his cav
airy and reconnoiter, but to be careful about
Sheridan, whose blood was up used some
rather strong language and said that be would
knock hell out Of Stuart if he could get at him.
Gen. Meade, who quiet man. when he
again met Grant, said: We'll, general, that man
Sheridan you sent me is rather insubortlinate
CHOW Is that? What has he been doing?
asked Grant
''Gen. Meade repeated Sheridan's remarks
and Grant replied: Did Sheridan say thas?'
''Yes, sir; he did, replied Meade emphat-
ically.
"'Well,' said Grant quietly why didn't you
tell him to 60 and do itY'
''Gon. Meade went back, took the hint gave
the order to Sheridan and Stuart never trou-
bied the command again.
Il could tell you stories all night" said Mr.
Ashley, "but the war days are over, and while
am stanch a republican as ever vas in my
life, devote my time TO my railroad interests
and seldom think Of resuming active political
life"