The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-01-10
A STORY OF GRANT

His Gentleness and Courtesy TO the Mother
OF Confederate Soldiers.
On cold morning IN February, 1864,
two or three miles from Richmond,
KY. along the Big Hill pike in the di-
rection of Cumberland gap, some men
were shooting at a rabbit with pistols
Suddenly 4 union cavalrymaa dashed
up to the party, eyed them carefully
and rode away. II a moment the
officer and a dozen others were seen
coming toward Richmond. \ little be-
hind was another party OF perhaps a
dozen cavalrymen. One CT them was
evidently a general, but nothing was
said by either the soldiers or sports
men. \ little way up the road is the
village OF Rogersville, where jew
kept store He said that the general
had halted long enough to purchase
and drink a bottle of Schiedam
schnapps, but the identity of the gen.
eral was still unknown.
At Big Hill, however, the problem
was solved. Big Hill is the dividing
line between the Bluegrass and the
mountains, and one Merritt Jones kept
there tavern for the accommodation
of the travelling public. There were
then no railroads in this part of the
state nearer than Lexington. Mr..
Jones and his sons were absent in the
confederate army, and his wife and
younger children kept the tavern.
Late in the afternoon Of the day be-
fore a cavalry officer had come hurried
II up from the direction of the Gap and
announced to the Jones household that
Gen. Grant was coming to spend the
night; that they must prepare for him
a good supper, with all the silverware,
and to be particular to have a nice
warm room ready for the general about
one hour from that time. In fact, the
officer demanded the best of every thing
they had Mrs. Jones was i'll, and the
dictatorial manner of the officer made
her exceedingly nervous She thought
of her husband and sons in the far
away south, and feared that it would
not be well with her should the union
lists discover her to be a rebel sympa-
thizer. Much disturbed she retired to
her room and bed, and directed the
children TO do the best they could for
the generals party.
In a few minutes the advance guard
of eight or ten men arrived, and their
boisterous manner increased Mrs.
Jones alarm. The hour was short and
Gen. Grant and staff came. There was
a marked change; all was quiet and or
derby among the men; supper was soon
over, and the guests asleep. When
Gen. Grant arose next morning a nice
breakfast awaited him. After break
fast Gen. Grant asked Mrs. Jones little
daughter where her father was. He is
in the south" she answered Where
are your brothers. If you have any?''
asked the general They are in the
confederate army" she replied Then
where is your nother?" he asked.
shes in her room, sick" said the lit
tie girl Can I see her?" asked the
general. Il wish to bid her good-by."
The door was opened, the little girl
led the way, and Gen Grant was in the
presence of the mother of several OF
Gen. John II. Morgan's most gallant
confederates.
Gen. Grant said to her: Il am told
that your husband and sons are in the
south, and I want to say that hope
they may return in safety to you.
am sorry to find you sick, and hope
that you may soon be we'll have or
dered that our bill for the nights lodg-
ing be promptly paid you You will