The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-10-31

printed some "reminiscences of General
Grant. written by Rev. j. l.. Crane, who
was chaplain of General-then Colonel
Grants regiment early in the civil
war. One Of the anecdotes related by
Mr.. Crane brings out a noble quality of
the great commander-an ability to
change his mind under advice. The
incident occurred in Missouri. Two
young soldiers, eager to show their
zeal, started out on their OWE account
to put down the rebellion"
They left camp in the afternoon,
stayed out all night, and came back
with flying colors, bringing a Confed-
crate and two Of his horses. Grant
was seated by the door Of his tent
when the two heroes brought the tro-
phies of their victory before aim. He
did not rise from his seat nor pull his
pipe from his mouth, but quietly ask
ed:
who gave you permission to be alb
sent from camp?"
Nobody; we just thought we'd go
out and look after some seceshers, and
we've found this Teller and brought
him up" and they pointed triumph
antly to the prisoner, who was still
sitting on his horse and looked as If
he expected to be shot before he could
say his prayers.
I'll attend to your case first" said
the colonel, and the flush Of victory
began to fade from their faces as he
continued:
Captain, o take these boys and
n Vn fhnm fia1 RI q frnn for SiY hours
for leaving camp without permission
The boys looked crestfallen and dis
appeared in company with the captain.
After the colonel had questioned the
trembling farmer, and found his pro-
fessions of attachment to the Union
satisfactory, he set him at liberty, re-
sumed his smoking, and in half a min
ute looked as though nothing unusual
had happened. Then, turning to me,
with apparently no aim in his remark,
he inquired:
"Chaplain, what do you think Of
camp life by this time?"
SIT is entirely a new phase of life to
me. colonel, and 1 have hardly been
able to come to a definite conclusion
yet" ~
"What did you think of the conduct
of those two young mem" he asked, as
coolly as if he were inquiring about
the weather.
81 think they were not Intentionally
guilty of a violation of discipline; the
method was irregular, but they doubt
less thought they were doing a good
thing for the country"
"Do you think l punished them toe
severely"
We'll, colonel, I do not know that !
am prepared to judge Of what is toe
severe in military life"
Il don't ask you for a military Opin,
ion. 1 ask for your opinion as a citi
zen Chaplains are not supposed tC
be military men. They are supposed
to carry into camp the same feelings
and views of justice and right thai
they had in civil life" And he raised
his eyes as if to see whether l appre
ciated his remarks.
CAS- you have asked me for a candle
opinion l will give it. l think the pun
ishment was not proportional to thu
offense. If it were l.. six hours tiel
to a tree would be a serious business
= L Hin - was AothS ~ SSNSAt VII tA'
boys, colonel"
= But, chaplain, suppose we were
2 surrounded by an enemy, n mel
were allowed to stray from camp, the!
would be taken prisoners or lose thei
lives in such a case"
8 THAT appears reasonable, colonel
a but we are not near an enemy; besides
n the boys are In a new position, ant
- know not exactly what is expected o
= them, and had no idea what they wer
\ bringing on themselves"
. But we should so prepare when tn
/, enemy is at a distance that W. ma
'e be ready when he is near at hand"
h THAT is true, sir; yet l still think
e, milder punishment for unwilling OF
It tenders would as effectually work tn
8 same result"
The colonel stroked his beard Wit
- his left hand. a habit to which he wa
~ accustomed when there was the Sigh
o. est interruption to the current of hi
,e thoughts, and pulled his smoke wit
s. renewed vigOr. Then, in a momen
q. he called out:
"Orderly, go and tell the guard to r.
lease those boys; they have been pun
ished long enough"
in "
a Gettysburg in 1896.
The town Of Gettysburg is given ov'
to the battlefield. That is almost tt
- only business and furnishes substal
Ia TALLY the only occupation of the grea
or part of its people. The $500 inhai
W. itants of the large shire town are mos
ly hotel keepers, photographers, guido
-, and carriage drivers. The founders
~, the town could hardly have realize
,;r what sort of industry would eventual
engross the attention Of It's peOpl
~ They are very good-natured about
-. and evidently live from m years Ell
g. to the other saturated in the atmo
-. phere of the battle.