Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-09-18
"MY MAZE IS Q. S. GRANT
Abrupt Introduction OF the General TO a
Private at Richmond.

Private at Richmond
Major D. E. Cronin, OF this city, has
been engaged for some time past on an
illustrated history Of his regiment-the
First New York Mounted Riaes-and a
few days ago he received the following
anecdote from Sergeant A. G. Prince,
now a prominent manufacturer OF
Bethlehem, Pa:
Our regimept-the First New York
Mounted Rifles-with many other troops
lay in front of Richmond in March,
1865. We had been hustled around
pretty lively for several weeks and had
no permanent camp. One night the
word was passed along the line and
soon became common property that there
was to be an early advance the follow
ing morning, and everywhere was bus
tie and confusion. Every man was or
dered to be in his saddle by two q. m.
| was at this time clerk in the quarter
masters department under Lieutenant
Corby. About ten or eleven o'clock
Colonel Summer sent word to the quar-
termaster to send me to his left mount
ed. / reported at headquarters in a
few moments, and the Colonel handed
me despatch and told me TO go TO City
Point with il at once, and to go lively
and deliver il at once TO one Of the de-
partments which do not recall now,
as it did not impress me as much as
what occurred afterward.
The weather was pleasant and it was
q starlight night. | started of on a
lope, aud had reached the James river
and crossed the pontoOn bridge and had
followed the road probably mile, keep
ing the right OF 1t. l had met no one up
TO this time, but now In the distance /
heard the horseman approaching in
the opposite direction, riding fast.
did not slacken my regular gait, as
supposed the rider, like myself, was q
private soldier, or he would not be
riding alone at that hour OF the night,
probably midnight. As we approached
each other my left leg struck his left
leg with such violence that both Of us
were nearly unseated and swept from our
saddles. My 1rst involuntary exclama-
ton was: why the devil don't you
keep the right side OF the road, you
chuckleheadG or something to that ei-
feet. He replied in similar strain, as
we were both mad and felt sore. This
kind or talk was kept up tor a few min
utes pro and con, each blaming the
other for the accident, and 1t was give
and take all the time, as felt perfect
ly secure in my position, having the
right of the road, until he asked the
questions: How does it happen that
you are galloping your horse? re-
piled that had the same right to gal
lop my horse that he had to gallop his,
Yes said he, but / thought | had
issued orders that there should be no
gallopIng OF horses in this department.
"This was the first intimation | had
received that was not talking to pri-
vate soldier, as it was too dark to see
anything but the outlines OF man and
horse. / at once took back track and
was profuse In my apologies. But he
answered me CURLY and said: Come
along back TO the pontoon bridge and I
will place you in charge OF the officer In
command.
81 turned about and started back
with him. / was satisfied by this time
I had struck snag and had nearly
knocked the breath out OF a command
ing officer, but who IL was had not the
remoteSt idea. | now explained to him
my errand and the Importance of haste
in its execution, and that / had
been ordered by Colonel Summer to ride
quick. We had only proceeded a quar-
ter or half mile wnen he turned and
said:-T guess you can 90 Oh. Ny
name is U. S. Grant. Look out that
you don't ran into my staff, you will
find them down the road somewhere
And sure enough, when l got down the
road about half mile / met his staff
Gathering along at rapid pace.
General Grant was on his way to the
front to be ready for the movement
that was to take place the following
morning, and had ridden out Of sight
and hearing Of his staff"