The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-02-01
New stories of Grant.


Grant at City Point, Va, and thus
had an opportunity TO observe the
way of life of this most democratic OF
the Union commanders. He messed .
with his staff. and at his table sat ,
familiarly every member of his mill
tary household. The expenses OF the
mess. | was told, were divided among |
the various members, not in equal
proportions, but according to the
rank of the various members, and in
manner satisfactory to all. There
was no show of parade in either furni-
ture or equipage. Everything seemed
to be for use, and arranged to econo-
mize both space and attention. The
crokery was scanty and of the plain
est description, and the fare, though
abundant in quantity, was of a quail
ty that might be found on the table OF
any well-to-do wOrkingman in the
North. \ chop, with cup OF coffee,
served for breakfast a bit of roast
beef, with potatoes and hard tack,
fianked by a dish of pork and greens,
sufficed for the O'Clock dinner, which
had neither pastry nor desert. A cup
of tea and a slice of bread and butter
completed the fare for the day. The
beds were merely camp cots, some Of
them without mattresses, and all the
visible toilet apparatus we're few tin
wash basins, a scanty supply Of towels,
bit of looking glass and a horn
comb.
Every one has rssd the inventory
of the Generals baggage VIXEN he
made the Vicksburg campaign-'a
| briarwQad telescope and a tooth
brush" When 1 met him at City
Point he had not greatly enlarged his
personal possessions. Except the
three stars upon his shoulders, there
was absolutely nothing about him to
! indicate his exalted rank. His clothes
were threadbare, and, despite the con-
stant brushing of his servant, they
you'd present an untidy look, due. no
doubt, to his habit of going every
where and seeing everything for him
self. The General understood the
kinship of cleanliness and gOdliness.
| but there was utter absence Of fuss
and feathers about him and his en-
tire surroundings. Judging of him
by common report, | had expected to
find him decidedly reticent, but, on
the contrary, [ observed that in ia
miliar intercourse he wa$ somewhat
loquacious, fond of good story, and
often giving vent to grim humOr
that was decidedly enjoyable. IL
lnstrative OF this phase of his char
acter. some members of his staff re-
peated to me several amusing
anecdotes, two of which-as | have
never seen them in print-it may net
be amiss to give to the public.
| was told that when the Generals
headquarters were at Culpeper an of
ficer attached to the Quartermaster'
department who was stationed some
half dozen miles away, desired to con-
suit him on soms business that he
deemed of importance. The day was
exceedingly rainy and the roads were
knee deep in mud, and to avoid undue
exposure to the weather, the officer
| & thn old with q
full appreciation of the dignity of his
rank-ordered up a close carriage
and, as it was likely that night would
come on before he could return, had
the lamps trimed, and hung out or
either side of the drivers seat. Then,
with an escort of Twelve cavalrymen,
he set out for headquarters, happy IN
the thought that he was proof against
fast descending rain.
Not far from Culpeper he met al
looking horseman, attended
by only a single orderly, and wa:
about to pass him without notice
when he suddenly recognized him to bt
the L. L.eut snant General, who. in spitt
of the rain, was making his usua
round of the army, attended by hl'
usual slender escort. To descenC
from his carriage and salute his chic
was but the work of a moment; but th'
General, irritated by the style ant
pretension of the officer, was in M
hurry to see him regain the shelter o
his carriage. walk along with m
: a little.'' said the General. Il wan
to talk with you" With polishe'
=, boots and unexceptionable kids, Mr.
!, Ouartermaster did as he was hidden
and. with a touch of grimness, ia
General led him through the muddes
b. mart of the road, and did not releas
a him until he was wet to the skln-a
wet as was the General himself. The
he dismissed him with a few curt n
9 marks. which were not overheard b
), the orderly. Their purport, however
r was conjectured by the General 8 stat
A for they observed that the officer neve
:. again appeared at headquarters IN
T. close carriage. Kirke.
4 Ballard's .Horehound syrup.
1t Is the best known remedy for Co
10 sumption, Coughs, Colds and
70 Throat, and Chest troubles. Evel
!, bottle is Guaranteed 1t is the be