The National tribune., 1905-11-30

ual service and give no occasion for old
er soldiers to complain that he Is pro-
NOTED without regard to his merits.
Il know Washburn very well, both
as politician and as military man,
and I say frankly that he has better
qualities for the latter than for the
former function. He is brave. steady.
respectable; receives suggestions and
weighs them carefully; is not above be-
ing advised, but acts with independence
nevertheless. His Judgment is good,
and his vigilance sufficient. I have not
seen him in battle, however, and can
not say how far he holds his mind there.
I don't find in him, / am sorry to say,
that effort to learn the military art
which every commander ought to ex-
hibit. no matter whether he has re-
ceived a military education or not
Washburn's whole soul is not put into
the business of arms, and for me that
is an objectionable defect. But he Is
a good man. and above the average OF
our Generals, at least of those In
Grants command.
Grants Staff.
'I now come to the staff organization
and staff officers Of this army, begin
ming, Of course, with those connected
with the head of the Department
Grants staff is a curious mixture OF
good, bad and Indifferent. AS he is
neither an organizer nor disciplinar-
ian himself, his staff is naturally mo-
sale of accidental elements and family
friends. 1t contains four working men,
two who are able to accomplish their
duties withoutsmuch work, and several
who either don't think Of work or who
accomplish nothing, no matter what
they undertake.
"Lieut.-Col. Rawlins. Grants Assist
ant Adjutant-General, is a very indus
fyfn coin nrft xxrhn
loses moment, and never gives himself
any Indulgence except swearing and
scolding. He is a lawyer by profes-
sion, a townsman of Grants, and has a
great influence over him. especially be-
cause he watches him day and night,
and whenever he commits the folly OF
tasting liquor. hastens to remind him
that at the beginning of the war he
gave him (Rawlins) his word of honor
not to touch drop as long as it lasted
Grant thinks Rawlns a first-rate Ad-
jutant, but j think this is a mistake. He
Is too slow, and can't write the English
language correctly withou: q great deal
OF careful consideration. Indeed, lift
erateness Is general characteristic OF
Grants staff. and, In fact, of Grant
Generals and regimental officers Of all
ranks
Maj. Bowers. Judge-Advocate OF
Grants staff, is an excellent man, and
always finds work to do. Lieut. Col
Wilson. Inspector General, is a person
OF similar disposition. He is a Captain
OF Engineers in the Regular Army, and
has rendered valuable services in that
capacity. The fortifications OF Haynes's
Bluff were designed by him and exc
cuted under his direction. His leading
idea is the idea Of duty, and he applies
l. vigorously and often impatiently to
others In consequence he is unpopu-
lar among all who like to live with
little work. But he has remarkable
talents and uncommon executive pow
err and will be heard from hereafter.
''The Quartermasters Department is
under charge of Lieut.-Col. Bingham
who is one of those j spoke Of as ac-
complishing much with little work. He
is an invalid almost, and / have never
seen him when he appeared to be per-
fectly well: but he is man OF first rate
abilities and solid character, and bar
ring physical weakness up to even
greater responsibilities than those nc
now bears.
The Chief Commissary, Lieut.. Col
Macfeely, is a jolly. agreeable fellow
who never seems to be at work, but
have heard no complaint Of deficiencies
! liz his Department On the contrary
| IL seems TO be one Of the most effica-
| C!ous parts Of this great machine
"Lieut.-Col. Kent, Provost Marshal
/ - o. - :" W. 'iIuSlrious ana S.iIis
!; sit's man. d great iinpT G.:e,Tient on his
| predecessor. Col. Hillyer, who was q
family and personal friend OF Grants 3
/ The Aids.
There are two Aids-de- Camp with
the rank of Colonel, namely, Col. La.
gov and Col. Riggin, both persona
friends of Grants. Lagow Is a worth.
less. whisky drinking, useless fellow
| Riggin is decent and gentlemanly, bu
neither of them is worth his salt, so fal
as service to the Government goes. In.
deed, in all my observation have never
discovered the use of Grants Aids-de.
Camp at all. On the battlefield h<
sometimes sends orders by them, bul
| everywhere else they are idle loafers
VI suppose the army would be better OF