Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-28
GRANT IN ILLNESS.
Gen. Towards Last Interview With
His Commander in March, 1885.

Ny last interview with the general was
during his Illness which terminated IN
his death. ~
ceiyed q note from Colonel r. Il. Grant.
saving that his father, then in New York
City, would lie glad to see me at any
time when he could see any one Aoout
the middle Of the day is generally MS
best tilne-between L and p. M
The next day. Thursday, at hah-past
one. my brother and l appeared at the
generals house on Sixty-sixth street; =
servant showed us into little recelnion
room to the right OF the main nail! III
moment Colonel Grant Appeared ana
gave US warm welcome. Ny hiNfIief
general. and Colonel Grant led the way
for ne AT the foot OF the stairs he Stiu .
Father wished ne TO apprisc you OF ms
inability to talk X so :, %Wins . ms 'r''''e
The colonel left me AT the door q MS
fathers room. The general was alone;
though through the open doors l conid
see members OF the family ana TRENDS
on the same floor within cal lie was
reclining in Ills favcritc chair, ms teet
resting upon the extension and MS heaG
a "Iiow dc, do You You do, general ne said;
as he turned his lace toward ne and
extended lis right hand; | tcok his
hand, and. needing Colonel Grants warn
nv thanks for the interview and my
deep sympathy for him i'll his affection
His face, whitish, but not enaclatcd.
was natural except for the large swollen
appearance of The left side. He turned
toward the south window. and asked me
II pass around and take seat on mat
side. This was evidently easier for Inn.
and a chair had been placed there near
his feet His mutt.ed voice could hardy
| he recognized. Yet, notwithstanding me
difficulty anG my effort not to let HIM DO
so, he kept talking 10 me, put WIFI AZ
indistinCt utterance.
| srokc of the late action of Congress
restoring him to the army, ana OF llt,
| acts cf the different legislatures an' o.
the thousands OF his Old soldiers gathered
into the Grand Army organiza tons.
Won will not be forgotten by them W
this time. Gen. Grant. and never VIII
He expressed his cladness at this. but
desired me 20 return to the. subject u
PRAYER and its fruits. of which we iad
spoken.
was cheerful and patient, but now ana
then he changed the place of his mead
quickly as if in pain. and this motion
warned me. / rose and said that L must
not stay too long. for l would not weary
him or add to his suffering. Al parting
l said.
ooh. general. how much I wish I could
do something to help YOU But you can
always command me, if it should occur
to you that | could do anything. |
then asked. Doubtless with some show Of
emotion, as | held his hand: is lhefc
any thing, general
He answered slowly and very kindly !;
| Nothing more, Gen. Howard; nothing
besides what you have been doing:
't;o0d-hy, Gen. Grant May God bless
you.'
THANK you; rood-by.' 1t was our
last interview
The general had the same complete
self-posseSSion as always, was cheerful
without hint OF Impotence or complaint
under his affiiction. lis was the sub
mission OF great heart. In its own I'M
studied way to the Heavenly Father.
he had confidence in himself. 1t is
tr1le, hut It was because he knew of q
power beyond self, because he was helped
and strengthened by that power beyond