Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-08
STORIES OF GRANT.
TWO WHICH ILLUSTRATE THE HUI
| MOROuS SIDE OF HIS CHARACTER.


tenant Wickheld of the Indiana Cavalry |
and the Arkansas Pumpkin Pie.
When General Grants headquarters !
were at Culpeper, an officer attached to
the quartermaster's department., who was
stationed some half dozen miles away, de-
sired to consult him on some 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-who was one of
the old regime, with full appreciation
of the dignity of his rank-ordered up
close carriage, and, as it was likely that
night would come on before he could re-
turn had the lamps trimmed and hung
out on either side Of the drivers scat.
Then, with an escort of 10 cavalrymen he
set out for headquarters, happy in the
thought that he was proof against the fast
descending rain.
Not far from Culpeper he met an ordi-
nary looking horseman, attended by only
a single orderly, and was about to pass
him without notice, when he suddenly
recognized him to be the lieutenant gen
eral, who, in spite of the rain, was max
ing his usual round of the army, attended
by his usual slender escort. To descend
from his carriage and salute his chief was
but the work of a moment, but the gener-
nj, irritated by the style and pretension
of the officer, was in no hurry to see him
regain the shelter of his carriage. Walk
along with me little" said the general.
Il want to talk with you" With polish
ed boots and unexceptionable kids Mr..
Quartermaster did as he was hidden, and,
with a touch of grimness, the general led
him through the muddiest part of the
road and did not release him until he was
wet to the skin-as wet as was the gener-
al himself. Then he dismissed him with a
few curt remarks which were not over
heard by the orderly. Their purport, how
ever, was conjectured by the generals
staff, for they observed that the officer
never again appeared at headquarters in
close carriage.
Another amusing anecdote was related
to me by one of General Grants staff Off
GERS The incident occurred early in the
war, when he was in command of an ex-
pedition against the Confederates in south
western Arkansas. He was on a march of
moro than 100 miles, and the greater part
Of the way through wilderness entirely
destitute Of supplies for man or horse. The
during the first two days of the march.
Uncultivated real estate could not be con-
fiscated, and not porker, nor chicken,
nor even an ear of corn was anywhere Wis
ibie On the third day, however, affairs
began to look more hopeful, for few iso
lated dwellings and small patches Of
ground We're here and there to be seen in
a state of partial cultivation.
On that day Lieutenant Wickfeld of an
Indiana cavalry regiment commanded the
advance guard of eight mounted men.
About noon he came upon small FARM
house, whose outward appearance indi-
Gated there might be some food upon the
premises. Hating his squad, he dismount
ed, and with two of his subordinate Off
GERS entered the dwelling. Grants fame
had already gone through all that country,
and it occurred to the lieutenant that, by
representing himself to be the general, he
might obtain the best the house afforded.
Therefore, assuming stately demeanor,
he accosted the mistress of the house with
a demand for food for himself and his
staff. To her inquiry as to who he was he
answered, "Brigadier General Grant, and
at the sound of that name all the members
of the family present flew about with Won
derful alacrity, serving up all they had in
the house, with profuse expressions of 10y
atty. They were all women, the men being
away with the body of Confederates thai
Grant was pursuing. The lieutenant and
his squad Toasted to their hearts content
add then demanded what was to pay
Nothing" was the prompt reply of the
mistress Of the house, protesting that rs
she was loyal woman she could not think
of accepting pay from the defenders of the
country. With this Lieutenant Wickfied
and his "staff" went on their way rejoic
ing.
General Grant had halted his forces {
few miles back for a brief rest, but he soOr
resumed his march, and about the time
that the lieutenant was well out Of sight
and hearing he rode up to this dwelling
and halting at the fence in front Of tho
doorway inquired if the good people there
would cook him meal.
No. came from IA gruff female voice
on the inside of the closed door. Genera
Grant and his staff have just been here
and eaten up all we had in the house ex
cept one single pumpkin pie
"Indeed!' said Grant. "What is your
name?"
"Selvidge," replied the woman, nov
venturing to open the door.
We'll madam, I want that pie, sale
Grant, tossing the woman a half dollar
PLEASE to keep it for me. L will send fol
it tonight
The woman took the money and mad;
the promises Then Grant rode on some
Is miles to where the army was to go into
camp for the night. There the variou:
regiments were notified of a full parade
ut 6:30, to which the officers were to SEE
that all the men attended. This was Sc
unusual a thing with force on the marcl
that it created decided sensation, many
supposing the enemy was upon them. Thu
parade was formed ten columns deep, ant
nearly a quarter of a mile in length, ant
after the usual ceremonies the assistant
adjutant general read the following order
HEADQUARTERS ARMY In THE FIELD.
Especial Order.]
Lieutenant Wickfed of the Indiana cavalry
having on this day eaten everything in Mrs
Selvidge's house, at the crossing of the Irontol
and Pocahontas and Black River ana Cap'
Girardeau roads, except pumpkin pie
Lieutenant Wickfeld is hereby ordered to re
turn with an escort of 100 cavalry and eat tina
pie also. U. S. GRANT
Rrigadier General, Commanding.
At 2 O'Clock the lieutenant filed out o
camp with his 100 men amid the cheers O