Evening star., 1896-12-05

headquarters 1t will easily be seen what
opportunities this gave him for amassing
priceless relics and conversing 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
conversed freely on the subject of his
| "reminiscences.
Il think" he said, while chatting in his
little two-room farm house, that l know
as much about the real character of the
great soldier as any man living today, for
l saw him under many different crcum-
stances and at the closest possible personal
range-in the privacy Of his own camp life,
when off duty, well as in the storm of
battle or in conference with his most trust
ed lieutenants. 1 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. 1 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.
I'm his camp life the general was very
unassuming and democratic He was easi-
ly approachable and always pleasant and
gentlemanly. The most natural and friend
ly manners prevailed about the headquar-
ters, and everybody was allowed the fullest
liberty consistent with duty. But all men,
bers of the generals army household had
something to do There were no snecures
about the camp.
Not a Judge Of Men.
Outside Of military matters General
Grant was not an infallible judge of men.
He did not detect with instructive readi-
ness the designs Of political schemers and
other self-seeking intriguers who had a
hand in the war The adjutant general
was necessary mentor in this respect,
and he stood between the commander and
designing men in civilian dress who were
constantly trying to secure some recogni-
tion from the military authorities Raw
Inns loved General Grant, but he knew the
weakness of the man. He saw that such
an honest, direct nature was not a match
for the INSCRIPTIONS tricksters and greedy
place hunters that from time to time came
to the headquarters in quest of spoils
But in all matters relating to the man
agement of the army Gen. Grant was his
by any one in directing a military move
ment. Neither the President. 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
Gen. Grants headquarters. The COM
mander always heard with respect and just
appreciation what his subordinates had to
suggest, but his own supreme military
genius decided every question at last. In
this character of self-sufficiency, when re-
quired to act In great emergency he was
certainly a unique man. He knew the value
of his associates in the army, and recog-
nized a soldiers merits with the most gen.
erous readiness, but Gen. Grant, though a
model Of modesty and gentleness, seemed
to discern his own supreme fitness for COM
mand.
"It was a saying about headquarters that
the general had never been known to ex-
hibit any angry feeling except on one oc-
casion, when a soldier was discovered rob-
bing a lady's wardrobe. He was one of the
most imperturbable men I ever saw. Pas
sion seemed to have no 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 battlefield. and yet betray to
his most intimate associates no signs Of ex-
citement. Yet with this great strength of
will the man was sensitive and gentle, in
capable of cruel thought. Those who
ever thought that Gen. Grant was unmind-
ful Of the welfare of his men or regardless
OF the value Of human life knew nothing
about the real nature Of the man.
An Excellent Memory.
He could write the most important order
tion with two or three onicers about other
matters. His memory was excellent.
have seen him talk to Commodore Porter
and Gen. Rufus Ingalls,. chief of commits
sary. about the Mexican wal. while writing
orders or dispatches. He never discussed
pending military affairs. however. 1 never
saw the general dictate a letter or dis
patch. Nearly all the orders that were is-
sued came into our hands just as he had
written them.
1T was rare thing to find Gen. Grant
asleep even late at night. 1 suppose no
man ever needed less sleep than he seemed
ho
the war. 1 went into his headquarters at
all hours, and I can hardly remember see
Ing him asleep one time from Vicksburg to
Appomattox He smoked almost inces-
sanity.
1T fs we'll known that Gen. Grant was
an admirer of good horsefiesh. He was an
excellent rider. and in the saddle appeared
at his very best The man who rode with
the general had to use his spurs He gem
orally kept his horse at a rapid gait when
riding a short distance.
In his estimate of the abilities of the
generals of the armies think IT Is ga fe to
say Sherman stood first. For John A. Io-
gan he perhaps entertained the Warmest
| personal feelings. His friendship for this
brilliant soldier was very pronounced Gen.
Thomas he considered a safe man and an
indomitable fighter. Sheridan was one of
his especial favorites. He considered this
dashing soldier almost invincible Sherida n
was consulting with Gen. Grant when the
defeat of his army at Winchester occurred
Galloping away from our headquarters, the
heroic officer rode back to his demoralized
| men to wrest victory out of the hands of
the exulting enemy as history has told in
one or the popular epics of the war.
Gen. Grants confidence in Sheridan was
strikingly shown by an incident which
| came under my observation the day of the
Winchester affair. On the afternoon of
that day rode out to the hospital tents
with the general. They were about a mile
from our headquarters. The confederates
had made movement around our left
flank and captured herd of cattle belong
Ing to the commissary. AS we rode through
the hospital grounds q wounded veteran
hobbled out Of tent on his crutches and
saluted the general, saying as he did 80,
The enemy stole some of your cattle today
Yes. but they have paid for them by this
time, Gen. Grant replied, looking at his
watch, as he made the remark. The next
morning the news of Sheridan's victory
thrilled the whole army with enthusiasm.
Our commanders faith in Sheridan had
been prophetic.
After AppOmattox.
II did not go out to see the surrender of
Gen. Lee. 1t was great day for all OF
| US at headquarters. Many prominent citi-
zens went out to witness the surrender ]
| got a horse for United States Senator Elihu
| B. Washburne of Illinois to ride out to
Appomattox. I remember the event of Gen
| Grants return to headquarters after the
surrender as well as any other incident OF
the war. think there were not more than