Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-05-26
DENIES that
GENERAL GRANT
WAS UNFEELING
One Who Knew the "SiIent Man"
Well Tells Of Instances That
Prove Rumor's FaIsity.

- RANT did not select the Wilder
ness as the scene of his first
engagement; he was com
PEELED to take it, writes Sam
uel II. Beckwith, chief cipher operator
to General Grant, 1s62-65. But he was
not caught unawares, as some un-
friendly writer's have argued. We we'll
knew that the "Johnnies" we're some
where before US, ready to oppose brisk
defense to our forward movement, and
every possible precaution was taken
10 protect our troops against surprise.
When the fight started we were pre-
pared for them, 80 far as an army
could be prepared for the struggle up
on such field.
During the first days engagement
General Grant was not idle. He want
cd to learn first-hand what was going
on about him. A personal inspection,
therefore, was necessary, and Cincin-
natl, that magnificent war horse, was
drafted into service. There have been
many horses that have gained con-
spicuous places in equine history. but
this noble animal deserves place
among the best He was chestnut
gelding of rare mettle, and when in
action upon a smoke-covered field he
certainly was an object of admiration.
was the generals only companion on
that ride, and for one excellent rea-
son. among others. my mount could
keep pace with his.
There we're few moments during
the ride in which | was reasonably
sure that our time had come. AS we
penetrated a thicket Of dwarf pine and
emerged into a small clearing line of
Federal troops cropping their way along
clashed. in our immediate front. with
a detachment of Confederates who
we're pushing through the tangle of
wood. A fusillade of bullets was the
result, and several sang an ominous
song about our heads. We refined up,
and then, as our men drove the enemy
back to cover. he continued on his way
with this comment:
When our time comes. Beckwith.
we'll go. and not before. There's no
use trying to avoid It,"
And avoid 1t he did not
UNoIsMAYED BY TIplNGs.
As was inevitable under such condi-
tlons as prevailed in the Wilderness,
reports OF the vicissitudes Of the en-
gagement we're numerous and con
fiictlng. To headquarters. where Grant
awaited the outcome of the second
days fight, came courier after courier
bringing news of the progress Of the
contest from various portions os the
field.
Some OF these we're alarmingly in
correct
But the evil tidings didn't disturb
the silent Grant. Several times during
the night visited his tent to receiv,
or deliver messages, and found hin
apparently unmoved by the direful ru
mors.
He had done all that any command
er could do 10 insure victory; the re
suit was with Providence. Even will
some Of these disquieting tales unre
futed. he retired to his cot to snatcl
a much-needed rest, the least rufle
Of the group about headquarters.
The morning of the 7th broke upo
battlefield strewn with the wreckag
OF terrible fighting. but the two fol
midable opponents had finished wri
ing into history the Battle of the WI
derness. The forces of Lee had r,
tired behind their intrenchments; tn
Federal troops were unwilling to a
tack them so protected.
Orders were issued late in the afte
noon for a night march of the entir
army toward Spottsylvania. Early
the evening the Northumberland an
Meade with their staffs started oil
upon the way. When we reached Hal
cocks corps. the brave fellows wei