The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-25
GRANT IN ILLNESS.
General Towards Last Interview with
His Commander In March, 1885.

My last interview with the general was
during his illness, which terminated IN
his death, writes General o. O.. Howard
of General Grant in The Century.
On Wednesday, March %, 1885, l received
a note from Colonel f. D.. Grant, saying
that his father, then in New York city,
would be glad to see me at any time when
he could see anyone. About the middle
of the day Is generally his best time-oe-
tween II and 2 p. M"
The next day, Thursday, at half-past l
my brother and 1 appeared at the generals
house on Sixty-slxth street. A servant
showed us into a little reception room to
the right of the main hall. In a moment
Colonel Grant appeared, and gave US a
warm welcome. My brother thought II
not best for him to see the general, and
Colonel Grant led the way for me. At tae
foot of the stairs he said: "Father wished
me to apprise you of his inability to talk;
so, owing to his trouble, you must do the
talking
The colonel left me at the door of his
fathers room. 1t was in front on the south
side. The general was alone, though
through the open doors / could see mein-
bers of the family and friends on the same
floor within call. He was reclining IN ms
~favorite chair. his feet resting Upon the
extension and his head against the high
part.
How do you do, general?' he said, as
he turned his face toward me and ex-
tended his light hand. 1 took his hand,
and. needing Colonel Grants warning, pc
gan to talk. l tried to express my tnanks
for the interview and my deep sympathy
for him in his atfiction.
His face. wnitish, but not emaciated, was
natural except for the large swollen ap,-
pearance of the left side: He enrn ,aa
TO paSs around and take a scat on tnat
side. This was evidently easier for MIN.
and a cnair had been placed there near
bic fAaf lItg ..... a a. AZ nnIIld hATnlV DR
recognized. Yet, Notwithstanding the din
Guilty and my effort not to let MIN 40
so. he kept talking to me, but with an
indlstinct utterance.
1 spoke OF the late action of Congress
restoring him to the army, ana OF the acts
of the different legislatures and OF the
thousands of his old soldiers gathered into
the Grand Army organizations.
You will not be forgotten by them az
this time. General Grant, and never WIZ
desired me to return to the subject OF
prayer and its fruits, of which we nae
spoken.
During our conversation General Grant
was cheerful and patient, but now and then
he changed the place of his head quickly
as If in pain. and this motion warned me.
long, for / would not weary him or add TO
his suffering. AT parting said:
oh, general, how much | wish comic
S %ay sS@esnins sq help %eI Koqiti should 5St you oe ssn a t.
you that / could do anything | then
asked, doubtless with some show OF emo
thing. general?n
He answered slowly and very kindly
Nothing more, General toward; nothing
besides what you have been doing"
"Good-by, General Grant. May God bless
you"
THANK you; good-by.'' II was our last
interview.
The general had the same complete self
possession as always. was cheerful without
q hint of Impotence or complaint undel
his aff1iction. His was the submission OF 8
great heart, In its own unstudted way, (
the Heavenly Father, the Eternal Friend.
He had confidence In himself, II Is true
beyond self, because he was helped ans
strengthened by that power beyond self
You may call II spirit, Providence or God
same.