The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-06-15
GRANTS HEART.
One of the Occasions When He Showed His
Humanity.

One of the Occasions When He Showed His
Humanity.
a FTER Gen. Grant had conquered
- Vicksburg, weary and worn with
-A-A fatigue of body and mind, he fixed
himself in tolerably comfortable
quarters and prepared to enjoy the rest and
quiet he SO much needed and had so richly
earned. Not forgetting his tired and faith
full army, he issued an order furloughing for
80 days a certain number of men daily from
each regiment, until all had had an oppor-
tunity to visit their homes.
How the weary were refreshed how the
disheartened took fresh courage; how the
sick toiled to feel well; what scene. Every
thing that was available as material to write
upon was pressed into service. The whole
army were writing the joyful news home that
they were coming, they did not know exactly
when, but when their turns came. Go
where you would there were two words to
he heard, Grant," Home"
But, as an old adage has it, Easy talk
ing, but hard doing" The cormorants North
had also heard the news, and every thing in
the shape of boat that could keep water
out, and many that could not, were set afloat
down the Mississippi. Here was fine
chance to make money; over 10000 men to
be taken up the river and brought down
again. Thirty, 40, so, and even so dollars
was the fare to be charged from Vicksburg
to Cairo. So far as possible the boats were
lined along the levee; many boats had the
prices posted Oh the pilot-houses to prevent
the clerks from being constantly annoyed
by the momentOus question, How much ?"
What prospect for the poor soldiers who
swarmed the levee all ready aud waiting
They had periled life and health for years ut
Sl3 per month to open the same river, and
now it would take the greater part of what
they had earned to pass up that same stream,
spend few days with loved friends, and
return to duty.
With fearful eyes and breaking hearts
hundreds turned their faces towards camp,
preferring to send the little money they had
to the needy ones at home and deny them
selves their greatest earthly pleasure.
Nothing, however, but their thorough dis
cipline and great respect for their COM
mander prevented them from seizing every
boat and going home on their own terms.
Logan, the impetuous, strobe the levee,
furiously indignant, wishing he might be
ordered to take his division, clear the way,
aud take possession Of the boats.
Gen. Grant, with ears aud eyes open, made
no response, seemingly perfectly Indifferent
TO the state Of affairs. Two days after The
following orders were issued from his Head
quarters:
'All soldiers travelling on furlough on
boats shall not be charged over three cents
per mile; officers on leave of absence, four
cents per mile; all boats TO furnish facilities
for soldiers to cook their rations, and no
more than 80 cents 10 be charged for meals
at the regular table. All boats refusing to
comply with the above orders, or refusing to
transport soldiers, will not be permitted to
enter the army lines"
Then, indeed, went up shout of Joy.
They should get home, have warm meals on
the way, and have money in their pockets
when they got there.
Boys, will you ever forget that time?
Mothers, wives, and daughters, will you
ever forget it?
Gen. Grant himself had scarcely settled
to rest, when the cry rang through the land
that Grant must go to Richmond or all
would be lost. All the officers of his staff
and his family also thought it hardly fair
but he, soldier-like, without murmur and
with as little delay as possible prepared for
the great movement, and telegraphs flashed
over the country that Grant was OH the way
to take command of the Army of the Poto-
mac. Who that loved their country did not
breathe easier and sleep better, and who
that did not but carried heavy heart? In
him was all our hope. Who like him, amid
all the pressure upon him, ceased not TO
recognize his duty as his pleasure, and never
falling TO consider the personal feelings and
comforts of those under him.-MARY S.
GIST Washington d. c.