Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-02-04
GRANTS CLOSE CALI
The Federal Commanders Il.
row Escape From Capture.
HIS FLIGHT FROM JAcKso.
A Confederate Officers Story of WI
He Saw and Heard While spers.i
His Furloush In the House at WAX
Grant Halted For Refreshments.

man side of the war between the states
comes to light. Harvey w. Hill con-
tributes just such story to the Metro
politan Magazine. The narrative is
woven aroung General Grant. Mr.. Hill
was an officer In the Confederate army,
and he claims that his story supplies
missing leaf In the life and experience
Of the Federal comm ander which might
have changed the destiny Of the war.
The story runs as follows:
1t was my fortune to have been q
soldier, enlisting as an orderly sergeant
In the Confederate army, and In that
capacity received my baptisnaal FIRE
In the celebrated battle Of Shiloh,
fought on the 9th of April, 1852, the
United States forces being commanded
By General Grant, the Confederate by
albert Sidney Johnston. This battle
was one Of The bloodiest ever fought
between civilized forces In this or any
other country, exceeding In slaughter
the losses sustained In the celebrated
battle Of Waterloo
As is well known, the Confederate
army retreated south, while the north
ern army went down the river to
vicksburg.
Why General Grant did not take the
same route is a mystery that history
fails to supply. Instead he, with his
staf. went from the battlefield by the
overland route to Memphis, a distance
Of about seventy five miles.
The intervening space between these
two places was at the time infested
with rowing bands Of guerrillas.
-Twenty-one miles east of Memphis
lived one Josiah Deloach. His residence
fronted the Memphis and Charleston
railroad.
After the battle referred to I OBJ
tained furlough and repaired to this
quiet country home for rest. Mr..
Deloach was my stepfather. He was
known near and far as a pronounced
Union man, with violent opposing ideas
OF rebellion and secession. and It seems
that General Grant before starting on
his dangerous effort to cross the coun-
try had learned the politics OF this
quiet country gentleman and selected
his house as place Of temporary rest
for himself and staff. At any rate,
about noon on a scorching day Ii June
while Mr.. Deloach, myself and moth
er were seated on the veranda small
coterie of mounted soldiers, richly
caparisoned, dashed up and dismount-
ed at the gate.
As they entered the yard my step
father said, "By George, believe that
Is General GrantY' and, turning to me,
suggested that had better leave. But
since ! was in civilian attire I re-
manned. AS the general mounted the
porch he extended his right hand. say
Ing. 'Mr. Deloach. believer
'Yes, sir, and l believe this is Cen
eral Grant?''
Taking seat, he asked for refresh
ment for himself and staff and water
for their horses. He also called for the
latest papers.
scarcely realize the fact that the COM
mander in chief of the United States
army could thus recklessly isolate and
endanger himself and his future, for in
danger he was, for while sitting there
awaiting the refreshments negro
man, our carriage driver, came rush
ing up to the porch and motioned Mr.
Deloach to come to him. He Informed
us that about mile away the Confed-
crate cavalry under General jackson
was advancing in that direction to
point intercepting the generals route to
Memphis. OF course immediate action
was demanded, and the general at once
ordered his men to mount, and quicker
than it takes to tell 1t he and his staff
were gone
l could distinctly see the dust rising
from the column, and my heart came
to my throat; but, as luck would have
It, by speedy flight our distinguished
guests passed the danger point, hotly
pursued by Confederate squad, eager
to capture SO distinguished prize.
The post commandant at Memphis,
having learned Of his commanders pre-
dfcament. sent out relief detachment,
and the general and his staff were thus
saved from capture, possibly death, by
the timely action of Mr.. Deloach, the
negro man and the Federal forces
General Grant was naturally grateful
Tor the service rendered him. He made
Mr.. Deloach promise to call upon him
whenever he should need aid Ii the
future. A short time later Grant fur
pished MIR. Deloach with a permit by
which he was allowed to take cotton
through the blockade lines. This privi-
lege Melted him over $4,000.
When General Grant became presi-
dent 1t was necessary to appoint a
postmaster at Memphis. Mr.. Deloach
was given the place and was reappoint-
ed during Grants second term. Some
influence was brought to bear to defeat
this second appointment, but Grant
proved steadfast In his gratitude. The
writer continues:
General Grant wired Mr.. Deloach to
come to Washington. He went and on
his arrival was told that the party
leaders In Memphis had held meet
Ing and had pefitioned the president
for his removal, On being asked the
cause be replied, "On the charge of
drinking"
Well, that Is true. but of this you
were advised before my appointment"
Yes" was the reply, but he added,