Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-08-22
GEN. GRANT IN CAMP.

4
respondenee to the New York Evening
Post:
washington, April 3o.-A military
friend who has just passed some days in
the military headquarters at Culpepper
has given me an account of the visit
and of the habits of the lieutenant gen.
era that am glad to transcribe. Gen.
Grant messes with his staff in house
In the village and at his table sits famil.
iarly every member of his military fam,
lily. The expenses of the mess are
divided among ten, not in equal proper.
tions exactly, but in manner satisfac-
tory to all. There is not the slightest
attempt at show or parade in the furni-
ture or equiPage; everything is for use
and economy IN trouble and space.
The crockery is scanty and of the plain
est, and the fare, though sufficient in
quantity, is just as homcly as that Of
any thrifty and careful mechanic in
your city. A chop with cup of coffee
for breakfast, bit of roast beef with
potatoes and hard tack, confronting
dish OF pork and greens served for the
O'Clock dinner, which was concluded
without pastry or dessert. A cup of
tea and bit of toast ami butter al 30
O'Clock finished up the day. The beds
are simply camp cots, some with and
others without mattresses; and all the
toilet apparatus anywhere visible were
a few tin wash basins, moderate sup
ply of towels, bit of looking glass and
horn comb. At the table neither dis
TILED wine nor liquor is permitted. The
general will not have either about him
for his own or others use.
The inventory of the generals bag
gage when he made his brilliant cam
paign in the rear of Vicksburg, is,
take 1t, we'll remembered-a briar wood
telescope and tooth brush. In what
relates to personal adornment and out
side of the necessity of eating and
drinking, personal comfort, he has not
greatly enlarged his possessions. His
three stars indicate his exalted rank, to
say nothing of the charm which In the
soldiers eyes these glittering marks of
rank possess, doubt whether there is a
commissiariat officers in his army who is
as plainly clad as he. His clothes are
worn threadbare, and despite the steady
brushing of his servant they will have
an untidy look, due no doubt, to the
generals habit of going everywhere
and seeing everything himself. The
general understands the relation be.
tween cleanliness and goodness, but in
his opinion practically evinced there
is as much of either in a flannel shirt
as in one of linen of drawing room I'M
macElateness.
You readers are not to suppose that |
am describing a careless or indoIent
man, or one who does not know the
difference between the garb of gen.
tleman and that of a sloven. The facts
are pointed out only as proof that this
mans mind is SO intent upon the great
problem before him that he has neither
time nor inclination to consider frivoli-
ties. He holds a great nations fate
in the palm of his hands, and it is ar
encouragement to know that every fac
ulty of his mind is calmly but profound
ly exercised for the national welfare
All mis- thoughts of carriages center in
the carriages which bear his field pieces
His discussion of the question of eating
entends no farther than to the rations
of his men; and he would hate himself
If he could spend a minute over the fit
or fashion of his coat.
General Grant never swears. No man
in his camp has ever heard him give
utterance to profanity in any of his
many forms. He rarely laughs, either,
but he has a sort of grim humor which
is not without It's effect. tits related as
part of the gossip of the front that an
officer attached to the quartermaster's
department of his army wanted one wet
day to consult with the general-in-
chief lie is believer in the old re-
gime and practiccd what under McClel-
Ian he was taught. He had half a dozen
miles to go, more or less, SO he ordered
out his horse and carriage, and as It wa.
likely that night would come before he
could return the lamps were trimmed
and hung out on each side of the drive
seat. Then with an escort of lively,
dragons he started, happy no doub
in the belief that he was proof agains
the descending rain. Approaching Cul
pepper he met an ordinary looking mai
on horseback attended only by an or
DERBY. As he passed he recognized TIN
lieutenant general, who, in spite of tn
rain, was making his usual round in hi
usual modest way. To descend iron
his carriage and salute his chief was Blu
the work of moment, but Grant, irri
tated by the style and pretensions of hi
officer, was in no hurry TO see him gal
the shelter of his carriage roof dgair
"Walk along with me a little" sal
the general, ~ want to talk wit
YOU" With polished boots and une,
cePtional kids Mr.. Quartermaster did :
he was hidden, and with touch of til
guinness to which l have referred, til
general led him through the muddie
parts of the road and did not relea.
him until he was wet to the skin, as W
as the general himself. He was the