The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-06

volume.
From the fall of vicksburg to Apo
nlattox. n. Harrison Strong. now of
ozark, was the chief clerk of General
Grants headquarters. 1t win easily be
seen what opportunities this gave him
for ansassing priceless relics and con-
yersirg intimately with the heroes of
the great struggle. But Mr.. Strong is
modest. He does not even attend the
local G. A r. post; and the writer IS
the first person to whom he has con-
versed freely on the subject of mis- rem
fniscences.
Ct think" he said, while chatting in
his little two-room farm house. that
/ know as much about the real charac-
ter of the great soldier as any man liv-
ing today, for I saw him under many
different circumstances and at the clos
est possible personal range-in the pri-
vacy. of his own camp life. when off
duty. as well as in the storm of bat
tie or in conference with his most trust
ed lieutenants. l have again and again
gone into the generals quarters at the
dead Of night to deliver a message and
found the sleepless commander calmly
smoking and thinking about his own
vast plans of military operations. have
seen him on the battlefield when the
prospect of disaster almost paralyZed
officers of high rank, now famous in the
history of the war.
In his camp life the general was very
unassuming and democratic. He was
easily approachable and always pleasant
and gentlemanly. The most natural and
friendly manners prevailed about The
headquarters, and everybody was al
lowed the fullest liberty consistent with
duty. But al members of the generals
army household had something TO do.
There were no sinecures about the camp.
In the presence of strangers, the gen
eral was a little difficult lacking a GER
tain self-assurance Of manner which
gives the quality of ease and dash to the
bearing OF some soldiers. He was never
undignified in department. but his
thorough modesty and unselhshness
made him appear less conspicuous to
the public than some other officers who,
perhaps, never commanded a division Of
men in battle. As a soldier he did not
like display. He dressed very simply,
and his staff followed their chieftain's eX-
ample in this respect. 1t was well known
al headquarters that some brigade com
1nanders had more baggage than Cen
eral Grant 1t was l suppose, because
of his quiet manner and the inconspicu-
Gus character Of the generals staff that
the presence of the commander excited
SO little demonstration of enthusiasm
among the soldiers. He could ride out TO
the lines and be IL sight of thousands
of his men without apparently attract
ing much notice. An ovation of cheers
did not greet him wherever he went in
while not apparently concerned about
the observance of the forms Of military
courtesy towards himself no officer was
more certain TO recognize the salutation
OF the humblest soldier. He was q very
keen observer and always saw what was
intended for his eyes in the way of army
usages. He returned a military greeting
with ease and prOmptnesS, just as any
polite man of the world would answer
the bow of an acquaintance on the
street.
In the person Of his acknowledgement,
John 4. Rawlins, the leader of the arm
les of the Union found true friend
and a valuable officer. General Rawlins
was keen, sagacious man, quick to
see some dangers that We're concealed
chief. Outside of military matters Cen
eral Grant was not an infallible Judge OF
readiness the designs of political
schemers and other self-seelzing in
triguers who had a hand in the war.
The acknowledgement was a necessary
mentor in this respect, and he stood be-
tween the commander and designing
men in civilian dress who were con-
startly trying to secure some recOgni-
ticn from the military authorities Raw
lins loved General Grant, but he knew
the weakness of the man. He saw that
such an honest. direct nature was not
d match for the interruptions tricksters
and greedy place-hunters that from time
10 time came to the headquarters in
Rawlins almost roll up his sleeves and
swear at General Grant when exposing
some plot he had discovered In receiv-
ing this chastisement for his lack of dis
cernment the general would exhibit the
weakness of a child.
But in all matters relating to the
? management Of the army General Grant
was his own counsellor. He would not
be controlled by any one in directing
military movement. Neither the preSi-
dent, the secretary OF war. congress nor
public sentiment could ever dictate to
this wonderful leader a policy contrary
TO his own judgment.
There were no councils Of war held
at General Grants headquarters. The
commander always heard with respect
and just appreciation what his SubOrdi-
mates had to suggest, but his own SUI
preme military genius decided every
question at last. In this character of
Self-sU Efficiency. when required to act in
2 great emergency, he was certainly a
unique man. He kneW the value of his
associates IN the army, and recognized
a soldiers merits with the most generous
readiness Dut General Grant though a
model Of mOdeSty and gentleneSs, seemed
TO discern his own supreme fitness for
command.
1T was a saying about headquarters
that the general had never been known
10 exhibit an angry feeling except on
one occasion. when soldier was dis |
covered robbing a lady's wardrobe. He !
was one of the most lmperturbable men |
l ever saw. Passion seemed to have no I
place in his life. He could pass through /
trials touching the deepest emotions in /
human nature, see the dice of war /
thrown for the greatest stakes of the I
battlefield, and yet betray 10 his most /
intimate associates no signs OF excite /
viii the man was sensitive and gentle, /
Incapable Of q cruel thought. Those who |
ever thought that General Grant was IN ;
In-adful of the welfare of his men or |
regardless of the value of human life |
knew nothing about the real nature of |
the man.
s.In his conversation and manner the
general was model of /rity. Re never
uttered a coarse word IN my presence
nor made suggestion that a perfect
lady might nave blUshed to hear. Pro-
family likewise never touched his lips.
His language was always clean and Dig
Difed- In his habits / never saw one
sigl, of dissipation Distinguished officers
did now ana then have the weakness
Of other men, and ] have seen more
than one soldier of rank drink too free
y but if General Grant ever tasted liquor
of any kind during the war it was not
IN my presence, and ! had the best pos
SiOe position for observing mis- habits.
THE general could do a great deal of
work and not seem to grow tired. He
wrote a uniform and neat copy, seldom
erasing or interlining a word. His style
was clear and simple, though now and
then a lapse in spelling would occur in
his writing. One example OF this failure
to follow established usage OF oT-5aCg-
raphy was the cause of some amusement
among the headquarters clerks-General
Grant almost invariably wrote at all as
one word at al lie could write the
most important order ana al the same
time carry on a conversation with two
or three officers about other matters His
memory w2s excellent. l have seen him
talk to Commodore Porter and General
Rufus ingalls, chief of comrnissarv
about the Mexican war, while writing
tsroers or dispatches. He never discussed
Fol hr,rr-