The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-06
STORIES OF GRANT.
TWO WHICH ILLUSTRATE THE HUI
MoROuS SIDE OF HIS CHARACTER.

Teaching a Lesson to an Omcer Who Was
Afraid of the Rain and the Mud-Lieu-
tenant wickfeld 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
20 the weather the offlcer--who was one Of
the old regime with full appreciation
OF the dignssy of his rank-ordered up a
close carriage and, as 10 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 seat.
Then, with an escort OF IL cayalrymen, no
set out for headquarters, happy In tho
thought that he was proof against the fast
descending rain.
Not far from Culpeper he met an ordi-
nary looking horseman, attended by only
single orderly, and was about TO pass
him without notice, when he suddenly
recognized him 10 DO the lieutenant gen.
eral, who, in spite OF the rain, was max
ing his usual roafhd Of the army, attended
by his usual slender escort. To descend
from his carriage and salute his chief was
but the work of u moment, but the gener-
al, irritated by the style and pretension
of the officer, was in no hurry 90 see him
regain the shelter Of his carriage. walk
along with mo 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 touch of grimness, the general led
him through the muddiest part of the
road and did not release him until he was
wet TO tho skin-as wet as was the gener-
al himself. Then he dismissed him with
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 a
close carriage.
Another amusing anecdote was related
to me by one of General Grants staff OIL
GERS. The incident occurred early in the
war, when he was In command of an ex-
petition against the Confederates In south
western Arkansas. He was on q march OF
more than 100 miles, and the greater part
of the way through a wilderness entirely
destitute of supplies for man or horse. The
suffering of tho soldiers was very great
during the first two days of the march.
Uncutiyated real estate could not be con-
fiscatod, and not porker, nor a chicken,
nor even an ear of corn was anywhere Wis
ible. On the third day. however, affairs
began TO look moro hopeful, for a few iso-
lated dwellings and small patches OF
ground were here and there TO be seen in
a state of partial cultivation.
On that day Lieutenant Wickfield 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
promises. Hating his squad, he dismount-
Cd, and with two of his subordinate off,
GERS entered the dwelling. Grants fame
had already gone through all that country,
and il occurred to the lieutenant that, by
representing himself to be the general, he
might obtain the best the house afforded.
Therefore, assuming a 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 be
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 prafase expressions of 10y
,alty. Thcy were ali women, the men being
away with the body of Confederates that
Grant was pursuing The lieutenant and
his squad foasted 20 their hearts content
add then demanded what was to pay.
Nothing" was the prompt reply of the
mistress of the house, protesting that as
she was LOYAL woman she could not think
of accepting pay from the defenders of the
country. With this Lieutenant Wickfeld
and his ''staff'' went on their way rejoic-
Ing
General Grant had halted his forces a
few miles back for "A brief rest, but he soon
resumed his march, and about the time
that the lieutenant was well out of sight
and hearing he rode up TO this dwelling,
and halu1g at the fence in front of the
doorway ilquirod if ne good people there
would cook him a meal.
Mo- came from Ia gruff female voice
on the inside of tho closed door. General
Grant and his staff have just been here
and eaten up oil we had in the house ex-
ccpt ono single pumpkin pie"
"Indeed' said Grant. "What is your
name?"
.Selyidge, replied the waEtan,-nnw
TO opon the door.
"Woll, madam, / want that pie" said
Grant, tossing the woman a half dollar.
q Please to keep it for ne. will send for
1t tonight
Tho woman took tho money and made
tho promise. Then Grant rode on some
10 miles to whore the army was to go into
camp for tho night. There the various
regiments were notified of full parade
at G:30, 20 which the officers were 20 see
that all the mon attended. This was so
a thing with n force on the march
that 1t created decided sensation, many
the enemy WAS upon them. The
parade was formed ten columns deep and
nearly quarter OF a mile in length, and
after the usual ceremonies the assistant
adjutant general road the following order;
HEADQUARTERS ARMY In THE FIELD.
afa al n-.ia.