Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-04-11
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THE most remarkable feature Of the AppOmattox
fiftieth year celebration was the large number
OF veterans present who had fought under Grant
in more Of his great strategic campaigns When
Judge Fhwcett asked those 20 stand up in succession
who had been with Grant at shiloh. at vicksburg OF
in the battles OF the Army OF the Potomac leading up
10 the final surrender approximately score rose
each time. These were testifying 10 a personal
acquaintance and association with the greatest milf
genius OF the nineteenth century. figure whom
most Of us who have come after the close OF the
war know only from reading history. or from
possible glimpse during his later years have in
distinct recollection Of seeing General Grant just once
when he entertained IN Omaha his return
from his trip around the world True a nero
boy, but recall how the town was gaily decorated
with flags and bunting. and remember the procession
passing along Farnam street with the hero OF APP
pomattox pointed out he rode past The window
where watching in the old Bee office. To-
Gated then between Ninth ana Tenth. and have
photograph somewhere OF the building with It's deco
ratiohs for that occasion. the central piece being
than lie-sise oil painting OF General Grant
which had been done by local artist special
rush order giving him but fow hours 70 execute
the work. General Grant himself, observed the pic
ture and remarked 70 my father upon s exceptional
likeness. That picture is hanging In my office,
and regret only that did not think to offer its use
to the committee in charge Of the semi-csntenuisi
peace program. do not recall ever seeing Grant
after that visit 20 Omaha but have been entertained
by his son. General Fred Grant. while he minis
ter to Austria where also met his grandson. Ulysses
g. Grant. second. who later became army officer.
and had the privilege OF entertaining another son
Of the president, Ulysses 8 Grant jr.. when he was
here from California few years for some ltsa-
ton growing out OF the Independent telephone promo
ton
But General Grant he'd been to Omaha before he
had become president Reference to this visit IL
found In little book personal recolections issued
last year by General Q. NJ Dodge who had been one
of General Grants corps commanders. AS narrated
by General Dodge coon after his nomination for the
presidency the republican ticket, his friend and
former subordinate, General Frank p Blair nomi-
mated for vice president the democratic ticket,
being at that time United States commissioner.
cepting each twenty miles Of the road built with
headuarters at Fort Sanders, wyo and ne proceeds:
General Grant came TO Omaha TO go over the
road with me- and General Blair happening 70 arrive
IN Omaha at the time. took them both IN my
car TO the end OF the Union Pacific railway When
they met they cordial and chatty though
they political friends. Bair's contention was
that II Grant elected president II was one step
toward placing the country under a monarchy. for
he believed with the faith the people had him. his
party would take the benefit and make perrna-
nsnt president But knowing Grant as I did
knew he the last person to think OF such result
much less be party to t. The population along the
line OF the Union Pacific and the working parties
were many Of them rebels who had gone into thu
plains rather than into the confederate army or be
sent through our lines into the confederate lines
Naturally. this population was Cor the democratic
ticket The presence OF Grant and Blair the line
became knwn and At every stopping place the people
conSregeted. and were ell anxious TO Grant, and
demanded that Blair who was reputed fine speaker
should talk to them the political question Grant
urged Blair 10 comply with their Wishes but Blair
responded that the presence OF Grant. for whom he
had the highest admiration personally made It i'm
possible Tor him to talk to thom politics and stated
that he intended to go down the road again in a
short time and Il would give him pleasure 10 expouna
70 them the principles Of his party"
II must have been about this time, too, that the
famous party Of military nctables held their confer
with General Dodge Fort Sanders IN references
to the protection Of the construction force aud the
supplies by escorts OF troops The party was photo
graphad at the headquAtsrs OF General Dodge the
Photograph being reproduced in the volume with the
names Of the fenres.appearing in II follows; Gen
erai August Ksutz. General Philip n. Sheridan, Mrs
Potter General Frederick Dent Mrs. Glib q. General
John Gibbon. Master John cibbon General u s.
Grant. Katie cihbons Mrs Kburn Allie Potter. Cen
eral c. ID. Dodge, Lieutenant General william r.
sherman. General william s. Harvey Dr. T. G..
Durant General Adam slemmer General Joseph c.
Potter"
In this interesting photograph ths percentages are
grouped behind psllng fence. General Grant in
straw hat and civilian clothes and for once without
cigar. and General Sherman emphasizing his tall
with tall silk tile and long military cape II
without saying that the picture is one Of the
in the hietorlcal cnerttc,, A..