Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-12
INCIDENTS OF THE WAR.
Stories of Grant and the Army of the PotO-
mac Never Before Printed.

WRITTEN FOR THE DIsPATcH.I
SHORTLY after General Grant had estab-
lished his headquarters and base of supplies at
City Point. few miles south of Richmond on
the James river. a terribly disastrous explosion
occurred at the large depot on the river front.
The depot was perhaps large as the Du-
quesne depot, and every article of war and all
the supplies for the Army of the Potomac had
to be taken through it. Lying along the wharf
were five or six barges being loaded with con-
demned ammunition, both field and small arm,
and harness, saddles, bridles ETC.
At the trial of the assassips of President Lin
coin witness testified that the Confederate
Government had delegated him to blow up this
depot. short distance up the river this mur-
derer placed huge torpedo in the water, and,
with a long pole. guided it down the river. When
he got within 100 feet of the barges he started
and ran for his life. barely escaping. At least
200 people were killed. The torpedo struck the
first barge, which was loaded with condemned
ammunition, and Immediately che whole place
was a wreck. As sools as the explosion oc-
CURED rebel battery on the opposite side of
James river opened fire on City Point, but their
fire was SO inaccurate that no damage was DONE
and they were compelled to beat a retreat be-
fore our gunboats. General Gran. was among
the first at the scene of the wreck, and assisted
in saving lives and rescuing the imprisoned
General Grants first inquiry after the destruc-
tion of the depot was: How much ammunition
have you on hand?" Fortunately for us our
ammunition barges were SO situated that the
blowing up of one or half dozen would not
materially affect the supply, for there was
enough in stock to kill, if every shot took
effect, every soldier on either side of the con-
dict-and still have three or four millions
of rounds left.
The line of entrenchments about Petersburg
was in the neighborhood of l3 miles long and
IN the form of a crescent, the interior being oc-
cupied by the enemy. About midway. on our
side, of the line of entertainments was placed a
were victorious in other parts of the country
the news was sent to General Grant first and
then transmitted by Him to General Meade.
Thence the news came to mortar headquarters
and from there it went to Petersburg in the
shape OF a 15-inch shell from this mortar. 1t
mattered not what time of day or night good
news came to General Grant, this mortar sent
greetings to the enemy. and almost simulra-
neously all the artillery along our whole line
would open fire upon tho well defended but
destined city of Petersburg.
-.
GENERAL GRANT had the best resources
that the service could procure. At one time,
while lying in front of Petersburg, his trusted
spy dined with General Lee. The spy reported
to General Grant, and the latter sent word
back to Lee that he knew what he General
Lee) had for his supper the night before. Gen.
eral Lee sent word back saying, II do not be-
lieve you do know what l bad for my supper,
for believe you are humane enough To have
given me something better. as 1 had nothing
but roasted corn and onions"
srx
GENERAL MEADE had one of the best spies
in the service and the more ''booze' he got the
more efficient was his service. His customary
garb was a suit. of corduroy, and when he re-
ported to headquarters with this suit full of
thistles and burrs IL was customary for the
army to make a move of some sort. for he al
ways brought back some information that was
of service.
OK the march to Gettysburg rebel spy was
seen dangling from tree. Upon examination
the corpse proved to be the remains of an in.
dividual who, few weeks before. had gone
through the Union army soliciting orders for
photographs of regiments. companies and bat
teries. He would ask how many men were in
a company or regiment and in this manner he
received great amount of valuable informa-
tion Tor the enemy. Upon his person were
found very correct sketches of the position of
the different commands, and also a close esti-
mate of the numerical strength of the army.
He made his exit via drumhead court.
WHEN General Grant took command of the
Army of the Potomac, with his headquarters
at Culpepper Court House, a great many
soldiers thought he would not be competent to
cope with the willy General Lee. The latter
made the remark after the first battle these two
warriors had engaged in: "At last the Army of
the Potomac has commander"
General Grants office was in q frame house
and the only visible furniture was a common
table and three chairs. To get possession of
band negro had to be called into reQuisition as
the owner refused to give it up. One good
swinging kick from this colored gentleman
broke down the door.