Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-01-03
NEW STORY on GRANT.
Romance RepIete With Unusual Incl
dents.

dents.
One of the most interesting stori e.s
ever told of General Grant has just
come to light. And there has not been
told any which is fuller of interest, or
one which has in it so many of the ele-
ments of romance. 1t is romance, in
the sense that it is replete with fea.
lures which are not met with once in
lifetime, and it illustrates in striking
way the character of the man who,
when he had received the parole OF
General Lee at Appomattox. would not
allow the rabid partisans of the North
to carry out an expressed wish to violate
the soldiers pledge.
Captain II. G. Morton, of Staunton,
the Inspector General of the Virginia
Division of Confederate Veterans, tells
the story. He was told it by one of
the participants, or characters, and
while he cannot vouch for it, it looks
to be as true as any of the innumerable
stories which the veterans on each side
have been telling for so many years
that if they were not true in the begin
ming they are believed to be true by the
narratOrs now.
Hon. William M. Ellis, of Mont
gomery county, at one time member
of the State Senate, told the story to
Captain Morton. Mr.. Ellis had it
from an eye. witness of a part OF the
incident.
Some months ago Mr.. Ellis met at
Floyd Courthouse Colonel George In
man, civil engineer, who said he was
an engineer in the Union army and was
with Grant in front of Petersburg in
1854 '65, as colonel of engineers. lie
was engaged on some engineering work
at Floyd Courthouse, or in the county,
when Mr.. Ellis met him. After the
two had conversed short time, and
each had learned that the other was in
the great struggle between the States,
the recital of war experiences-was in
order, and the story following was told.
CONDEMNED To DIE AT SUNRISE.
In the winter of 1854 Captain
Hamilton, of the Confederate army,
was captured within the Federal lines,
and there were found on his person pa
pers which clearly indicated that be
had penetrated the lines for the pur-
poses of gaining information for Gen
eral Lee. He was cOurt-marterlaled
and was at once condemned to be hang
at sunrise the next day Colonel Hamil-
ton. who was in command of a cavalry
regiment under General Grant. was
charged with the duty of furnishing
the detail which was to execute the
sentence of the court.
The night of the day on which the
court pronounced the sentence on Cap
tain Hamilton Colonel Inman went to
General Grants tent to see him on a
matter connected with the operations
against the Confederates. He had been
in the tent for some time when the Or
derly announced, "COlonel Hamilton. )"
A soldierly appearing officer entered
and saluted. Before General Grant had
time to speak the Colonel said in hard
tones: General, 1 cannot obey the
order to execute that spy tomorrow
morning.
Geeeral Grant started as if shot.
"Why not." he said in sharp tones.
THE FATHERS REPLY.
The Colonel was silent. He stood
with barred head, dropped on bis bosom.
General Grant again asked him why he
refused to obey the order, and this
time there was sharpness in his tone
which was not there before. Colonel
Hamilton raised his head and looked
| the commander in. chief full in the
face.
General, that man is my only son. ,
General Grant looked his officer in
the face for moment. Then he turn
ed his back. The Colonel remained
standing, and silent, uncovered and hil
head bowed. Then General Gram
wheeled around and said in a harsf
voice:
Colonel Hamilton, you will ODE.
your ORDERS"
| The Colonel saluted, and left th
tent.
Colonel Inman remembered that th
next morning the detail charged wit
the duty of hanging the spy went t
the tent, and when the sentry entere
| it was found that there was nobod
inside,
About ten years afterward Colont
Inman was in San Francisco on bus
ness connected with his profession
While there he CHANGED to meet Nj
Hamilton with whom he became fairl
well acquainted. Hamilton one da
mentioned that be was in the Confee
crate army, and the relation OF wa
experiences began. It came out ths
the Mr.. Hamilton was the Captai
Hamilton whom Colonel Hamilton ha
been ordered to have hanged, the orde
being reiterated in the presence
Colonel Inman. There were question
| from Colonel Inman, of course, and tt
story of the escape of the young soldi'
was brought out.
GENERAL GRANTS VISIT.
On the night before the day o
which he was to be executed, he salt
after midnight, he was lying on tt
blanket in his tent, half-asleep, for tt
circumstances did not warrant heav
sleep. He was aroused by the e
trance of some one into the tent.
candle was burning dimly, and he sa
before him heavily built man wi
~ hi /,