Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-02-25

The Faithful colorsd Servant Of the
Federal Commander.

The Faithful colorsd Servant OF The
Federal Commander
Gen. Horace Porter In his series OF
articles on Campaigning with Grant.
now running In the Century. gives
many fresh glimpses Of headquarters
life. In the February number, after
describing an engagement on the Fred
ericksburg road. Gen. Porter says: The
next morning. May 20. the general was
later than usual In making his appear
ance, In consequence Of having over
slept. Finally his voice was heard call
ing from his tent to his colored servant:
"Bill! Ho, Bill! What time 10 it?" The
| servant ran to him, found he was still
In bed, and told him the hour. In
scarcely more than ten minutes the
| general appeared at the mess-table-
We were not surprised at the rapidity
with which he had dressed himself, for
we had learned by this time that In
putting on his clothes he was as quick
as lightning-change actor In a va
riety theatre. When the officers at
headquarters were called up particu-
larly early to start on the march, every
one did his utmost to be on time and
| not keep the general waiting; but, how
ever vigorous the effort, no one could
match him In getting on his clothes.
There was seldom any occasion for such
hurried dressing, but with him 1t was
habit which continued through life.
Bill, the servant who waited on the
general, was a notable character. He
was entirely creature of accident.
When the general was at Cairo in 1861,
Bill suddenly appeared one day at
headquarters with two other slave boys,
who had just escaped from their for
mer masters in Missouri. They be-
longed to that class of fugitive blacks
who were characterized by those given
to artistic comparisons as charcoal
sketches from the hands of the old
masters" Bill was of genuine burnt
cork hue, and no white blood con-
taminated the purity of his lineage.
He at once set himself to work without
orders, taking care of one Of the aides,
and by dint of his force of character
resisted all efforts of that officer to
discharge him.
When any waiter was absent, or even
when all were present, he would turn
up In the headquarters mess-tent and
insist on helping the general at table.
Then he attached himself to Col.
Boomer and forced that officer In spite
of himself to submit to his services.
After the colonel had been killed in
the assault on Vicksburg, Bill sudden
ly put in an appearance again at head
quarters, and was found making him
self useful to the general, nothwith-
standing the protests of the other SER
wants, and before long he had himself
regularly entered upon the generals
private payroll. When his chief came
East, Bill followed and gradually took
entire charge of the generals personal
comfort as valet, waiter, and man of all
work. He was devoted, never known
to be beyond call, had studied the gen..
erals habits so carefully that he could
always anticipate his few wants, and
became really very useful
l had striking illustration one
morning In front of Spottsylvania of
how devoted Bill was to the generals
comfort. While we we're camping in
the region Of wood ticks, garter snakes
and beetles, saw Bill in front of the
generals tent thrusting his hand first
into one of the chiefs boots and then
into the other. What are you doing
that for, Bill?" / asked. "Oh," he ex-
planned II alters feels around in de
gin'rals boots afore let's him put dem
on, to see dat no insec's done got into
dem de prev'us night" He followed
in the generals shadow all through his
Presidential terms, then he insisted
upon attempting business in Washing
ton, and afterward tried his hand at
preaching; but he had fed so long at
the public crib that his appetite had
been spoiled for any other means of
sustaining life, and he finally made his
way into a government department as
messenger, where he still is and where
it is hoped that his eventful life may
be rounded out in the quiet and COM
fort to which his public services entitle
him. He will not be as dramatic an
historical character as Napoleon's
Mameluke. but in his humble way he
was as faithful and devoted to his chief
as the famous Roustan.