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ANECDOTES, POETRY, AND INCIDENTS.

ANECDOTE OF GENERAL GRANT.

THE following was told by an officer of Gen

eral Grant's staff:

pains all the while to make loud professions of loyalty. The lieutenants ate as much as they could of the not over-sumptuous meal, but which The hero and veteran, who was citizen, cap-manded what was to pay. "Nothing." And was, nevertheless, good for that country, and detain, colonel, brigadier and major-general within a space of nine months, though a rigid disciplin- they went on their way rejoicing. arian, and a perfect Ironsides in the discharge of his official duties, could enjoy a good joke, and is always ready to perpetrate one when an oppor tunity presents. Indeed, among his acquaintances, he is as much renowned for his eccentric humor as he is for his skill and bravery as a commander.

In the mean time General Grant, who had halted his army a few miles further back for a rather favorably impressed with, the appearance brief resting-spell, came in sight of, and was of this same house. Riding up to the fence in front of the door, he desired to know if they would cook him a meal.

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No," said a female in a gruff voice; "General Grant and his staff have just been here and eaten everything in the house except one pumpkin pie."

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Humph," murmured Grant; "what is your

When Grant was a brigadier in South-east Missouri, he commanded an expedition against the rebels under Jeff. Thompson, in North-east Arkansas. The distance from the starting-point of the expedition to the supposed rendezvous of the rebels was about one hundred and ten miles, and the greater portion of the route lay through "Selvidge," replied the woman. a howling wilderness. The imaginary suffering Casting a half-dollar in at the door, he asked that our soldiers endured during the two first if she would keep that pie till he sent an officer days of their march was enormous. It was im- for it, to which she replied that she would.

possible to steal or "confiscate " uncultivated real estate, and not a hog, or a chicken, or an ear of corn was anywhere to be seen. On the third day, however, affairs looked more hopeful, for few small specks of ground, in a state of partial

a

were here and there visible. On

name ?"

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That evening, after the camping-ground had been selected, the various regiments were notified that there would be a grand parade at halfpast six, for orders. Officers would see that their men all turned out, etc.

cultivation, that day, Lieutenant Wickfield, of an Indiana cavalry regiment, commanded the advance-guard, consisting of eight mounted men. About noon he came up to a small farm-house, from the outward appearance of which he judged that there might be something fit to eat inside. He halted his company, dismounted, and with two second lieutenants entered the dwelling. He knew that Grant's incipient fame had already gone out through all that country, and it occurred to him that by representing himself to be the general be might obtain the best the house afforded. So, Lieutenant Wickfield, of the assuming a very imperative demeanor, he ac- alry, having on this day eaten everything in Mrs. costed the inmates of the house, and told them Selvidge's house, at the crossing of the Ironton he must have something for himself and staff and Pocahontas and Black River and Cape Girarto eat. They desired to know who he was, and deau roads, except one pumpkin pie, Lieutenhe told them that he was Brigadier-General ant Wickfield is hereby ordered to return with Grant. At the sound of that name they flew an escort of one hundred cavalry and eat that around with alarming alacrity, and served up pie also. about all they had in the house, taking great

In five minutes the camp was in a perfect uproar, and filled with all sorts of rumors; some thought the enemy were upon them, it being so unusual to have parades when on a march.

At half-past six the parade was formed, ten columns deep, and nearly a quarter of a mile in length.

After the usual routine of ceremonies the Acting Assistant Adjutant-General read the following order:

HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY IN THE FIELD.
SPECIAL ORDER No.

Indiana cav

U. S. GRANT, Brigadier-General Commanding.

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