The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-26
GEN. GRANTS "BILL." !"
The Faithful COlOred Servant of the
Commander.
As Devoted to His Master As Napo-
Icons Mamsluke.

General 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 en-
gagement on the fredericksburg road,
General Porter says: The next morning,
May 90 the general was later than usual
In making his appearance, in consequences
of having oversight Finally his voice was
heard calling from his tent To his colored
servant: Bill Ho, Bill What time is
itT' 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 10y this time that in putting on his
clothes he was as quick as a lightning
change actor in variety theater. When
the officers at headquarters were called up,
particularly 10 Start on the march, every
one did his utmost 10 be on time and not
Keep the general waiting But, however
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 it was a habit
which continued through life.
Bill, the servant who waited on the gen.
eral, was notable character. He was en-
tirely creature Of accident When the
general was at Cairo In 1861, Bill sudden
ly appeared one day at headquarters with
two other slave boys, who had just escaped
from their former masters in Missouri.
They belonged TO that class of fugitive
blacks who were characterized by those
given 60 artistic comparisons as charcoal
sketches from the hands OF the old mas
ters. p" Bill was of genuine burnt cork
hue, and no white blood contaminated the
purity of his lineage. He at once set him.
self to work without orders, taking care of
one of the aids, 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 We're present, he would turn up
In the headquarters mess tent and insist
on helping the general at table. Then he
attached himself TO Colonel Boomer and
forced that officer in spite of himself to
submit 10 his services. After the colonel
had been killed in the assault on Vicks-
burg Bill suddenly put in an appearance
again at headquarters and was found max
ing himself useful TO the general not
withstanding the protests of the other
servants, and before long he had himself
regularly entered upon the general : pri-
vate pay roll. 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 generals habits so
carefully that hc could always anticipate
his few wants and became really very use
full.
had striking illustration one morn
ing in front of Spottsylvania of how de-
voted Bill was 10 the generals comfort.
While we Were camping in the region of
wood ticks, garter snakes and beetles 1
saw Bill in front of the general s tent
thrusting his hand first into one of the
chiefs boots and then into the other
What arc you doing that for, BillY" l
asked. "Oh, he explained, II alters feels
around in de gin raj boots afore / lets
him put dem on, TO see dat no insec's done
got into dem de prev'us night" He fol-
Owed in the generals shadow all through !
his presidential terms Then he insisted |
lpon attempting business in Washington |
md afterward tried his hand at preach |
ng, but he had fed so long at the public |
rib that his appetite had been spoiled for |
my other means of sustaining life, and he |
inally made his way into government |
department. as messenger, where he still is
md where il is hoped that his eventful |
life may be rounded out i'm the quiet and |
comfort 10 which his public services enti-
lie him. He viii not be as dramatic an
historical character as Napoleon name.
uke, but in his humble way he was as
aithful and devoted TO his chief as the
amous Roustan.