The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-26
VI.

The promotion Of Grant to the grade OF Lieu
tenant-General and his appointment to the com.
mand in chief Of the Union armies may be re-
garded as n midway point In his biography. Ho
was then but Al years OF age. 1t is tho proper
moment TO portray the man as he was In his
prime, and Col. Church has seized It TO depict
his personal appearance and his intellectual and
moral qualities in II chapter entitled Tho Genesis
OF a Great Soldier. Lot us note. first, the mans
outward aspect. We are told that Grant was
less impressive in appearance than many Of tho
leading soldiers who served under him. Sheri-
dan was understood; but Sherman. Meade and
Thomas were large men. as were most OF tho
army and corps commanders. Their chief was
a man OF medium height, five feet eight
inches. and slim in build, weighing, at this
timo, but one hundred and thirty.hve pounds,
though. in later life. he gained in weight
and dignity OF appearance. His frame was we'll
knit and compact, but he had a slight stoop, and
his appearance was altogether unmilitary. In
walking he made no attempt to keep step, his
unmusical ear being so insensible to rhythm
and cadence that the most emphatic tunes made
no impression upon him. His brow was straight
and square, but his head gnve no indication of
unusual capacity. His full beard. cut close.
partially concealed a square and heavy jaw and
straight lips, which gaveindication OF his strong
will and infexible purpose. Just above his
beard, on the right cheek, was a wart. His
hair. which was worn short. was chestnut
brown In color. His eyes were dark gray, and,
when his purpose was to conceal his thought,
they had an inscrutable look. though they could
twinkle with laughter or melt with tenderness,
A front view OF his face showed that his
left ego was q little lower than his right.
His voice was musical, II his ear was not, and
his utterance was usually clear and distinct"
-. 49,
lar power OF penetration, and sentences spoken
by him In an ordinary tone In camp could he
heard at a distance that was SURPRISING. When
not pressed by any matter Of Importance. he
WAS often slow In his movements. but when
reused TO activity, he was quick in every mo-
ton and worked with marvellous rapidity."
Col. Church goes on to say that Grant was "a
remarkably good listener; his mind was quick,
receptive, and retentive. In speech, he was
usually slow, and sometimes embarrassed; but
MIS- thought was clearly expressed In well.
chosen words. and when aroused. he was fluent
and forcible. When he did not thoroughly nm
derstand tho subject discussed. no kept silent.
his conclusions. once arrived at. were seldom ro-
Versed.' Another characteristic point is noted:
Even on occasions OF great excitement Grants
manner was quiet and had little of the magnet
ism that inspires tho soldier. a fact which he APP
p~reciated and regretted. His men did not bestow
upon MIN any OF the pet nicKnames conferred
upon other commanders, such as Uncle Billy
sherman, Pop Thomas Little Mac CMcClel.
LAM, and Little Phil Sheridan" There are
few letters penned by great commanders that
reject more credit upon the writer than one adj
dressed by Grant TO sherman on March 4. 1864.
which 10 reproduced in tho book before us, and
from which we mako the following extract:
Dear sherman; Tho bill ~reViving the grade Of