The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1900-11-29
BLUE AND THE GRAY
GRAVE MEN WHO MET ON THE
FIELD Of BATTLE
fhrilling Stories Of the Rebellion-
Old SoldieSs and Sailors Relate Remi'
absences Of Life in Camp and ON
the Field-Iucidents of the War.


Several months after the close Of oui
Civil War Atlanta was the most desc
hte looking place on the continent
The entire business center of the city
had been laid in ashes by sherman
torch, when lie started on his march to
the sea, and the 45O dwellings left
standing in circle around the burned
district were more or less damaged by
the six weeks bombardment during the
siege.
1t was slow work at first, when the
people began to clear away the debris
preparatory to the rebuilding OF their
town. Nobody knew exactly the lines
of the main streets. They were buried
under such piles of ashes and fallen
brick walls that there was no trace left
Finally the rubbish was carted on
and some rough streets were laid off
Then buildings began to spring up rap
idly. and a two-story brick hotel was
erected in a central locality. 1t was
very respectable looking hostelry, and
the Federal army officers, who were
quite numerous while the city was un,
der martial law, thronged the lobbies
day and night.
Whenever distinguished general or
Northern statesman came to Atlanta he
always stopped at the National. In
fact, there was no other first-class ho-
tel. The others were simply large
boarding houses.
One dark. rainy night l was walking
down Alabama street with my umbrel-
la drawn well down In front to keep of
the sheets of water driven before the
gale. 1t was stormy, and few people
were to be seen on the muddy and
ragged streets. which had not been re-
paved. Vehicles had to move with care,
as there were holes along their route
deep enough to SWALLOW them.
Suddenly a gust of wind tilted back
my umbrella just as a buggy passed
me. For half minute saw the faces
Of its two occupants. One was a Fed
eral officer Of high rank, and the other
was plain-loOking man in the garb Of
civilian.
Where had I seen that face before? l
asked myself this question as walked
on, but was unable to answer it.
In a vague way l recalled a scene in
Boston, In the summer Of 1865, when
saw General Grant in a carriage on his
way from the depot to the Parker
House. The people were wild with en-
thusiasm, and l saw several respectable
citizens gently clubbed by the police to
prevent them from taking the horses
and drawing the carriage themselves.
The face of the man In the buggy was
in the carriage in Boston. 1t was a
square face, covered with short, dark
brown beard-a face full of resolution
and courage and yet pleasant face
one that inspired confidence
How like General Grant? Then
laughed at my fanciful thoughts. OF
course. Grant was in Washington. He
had never visited Atlanta, and 1 could
think of nothing to call him Southwark
at time when the people were in an
angry mood, and the bayonets of the
visitors had not entirely restored order
Grant. indeed" l said to myself
"Why, his life would not be safe here
an hour. Some desperate fellow with a
pint of whisky in him would be sure to
go cunning for him, and then we would
be worse off than ever"
did not mention the matter to sin
gle person, for fear Of starting some
sensational rumor without any founda-
ton. The next morning a newspaper
man met ME with frowning face.
What is the matter?" I asked.
Matter enough. General Grant has
been in town day and two nights. He
left early this morning, and none of
the reporters knew that he was here.
I feel like kicking myself
You are always around the Nation
al, 1 said; ''hOw did you miss him?"
That's the trouble" was the reply.
"he didn't stop there. He went to the
Central Hotel. that big boarding house.
you know. II is kept by Mr.. Sans.
Baptist preacher. ] suppose he regard
VI Us ~ snACl thdh tlit ANdtlOudl.
ably he had his reasons for not having
his presence known. as it might have
created too much excitement. At the
National he would certainly have been
recognized"
told my friend about the square
faced. brown-bearded man in the
buggy.
That was Grant, lie shouted.
Great Scott. If You had told me l
would have made SCOOP
What was the object of his visit:- I
asked
Don't know. He saw the command
er of the post and few other officers.
and also three or four citizens-Union
men. They were confidentially noti-
fled. and called on him. Their confer
ences We're behind closed doors, and
nothing has leaked out"
This mysterious visit was nine days'
wonder, but everything was explained
a little later. The General had been
sent South by President johnson to OBJ
serve and report upon the condition Of
pie. etc.
Shortly after returning to Washing
ton he made his report, and to the sur
prise and qualification of the Southern
ers the magnanimous cOnqueror not
only spoke well of them, but he ex-
pressed the opinion that there was less
and lawlessness among them
Than had prevailed in other countries
under similar conditions. He recon-
mended liberal and conciliatory pol |
Icy. in order to speedily restore the !
Southern States TO the Union, with civil
governments Of their own. The report |
was a great disappointment to the ex-
treme or radical element of the Repub- !
!ican party.
Grants Atlanta visit must have been
nicely arranged. Hundreds of Federal
officers and soldiers would have recog-
nized him, If they had seen him. but I
doubt whether there were fifty ex-Con- ,
federates and citizens i'm the place who