Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-05-09
MISCELLANEOUS.


The Genesis of IA Rumor.
To The Editor Of tho Nation
One day in the Spring of 1868, Mr.. Fred.
erick Knapp and myself were the guests of
Gen. Grant, at his headquarters, ON a steam
boat lying at Millken's Bend, few miles
above Vicksburg. A curtain had been hung
in such way as to give certain degree OF
seclusion to the after-part of the main cabin,
and when we rose from dinner We were asked
TO sit with the General behind the screen,
where there was writing table with pitcher
and glasses. The General then told rs that
he had few hours Sefore received unfavora-
BILE intelligence from General Sherman's ex-
pedition up the Sunhowcr. Inviting our
Inquiries and replying to all we thought it
proper to make, with an unexpectedly gen
erous freedom and painStaking thoroughncss
of explanation, he was gradually led into
comprehensive review Of the existing con-
ditions of his campaign, which it was easy
TO see were of the very gravest Character
We were impressed as'much by tue remarka-
bly, methodical clearness of the narration as
by the simple candor and ingcnuousness
with which it was given to US, who, the day
before, had been strangers to him. lie took
up severa. hypothesis and suggestions, aud
analysed them in such way as to make
prominent the uncertainties aud uncontrolla-
BILE elements which were involved in them,
and could not but think, SO musing and
quietly reflective was his manner, and yet
so exact and well arranged his expressions,
that ne was simply repeating process of
thinking it out" in order to assure himself
that he fully comprehended aud gave just
weight to all the important elements of some
grand military problem, the solution Of
which he was about to undertake.
(The last attempt to attack Vicksburg on
the north ended that day, and few hours
after our interview the first step was
taken looking toward the approach from
the south but of this no hint was given US,
and we only heard of it the next morning)
All at once he stopped short, and, with an
expression of surprise, if not of distress, put
his cigar away, rose, and moved his chair
aside. A moment before, we could not
have imagined that there was woman with
in many miles of US; but, turning my eyes,
l saw one who had just parted the screen,
comely, we'll dressed, and with the air and
manner of gentlcwoman. She had just
arrived by steamboat from Memphis, and
came to present Gen. Grant with memorial
or petition. In few words she made known
her purpose and offered to give in detail
certain facts, of which she stated she was
cognizant, bearing upon her object. The
General stood listening to her in all attitude
of the most deferential attention, his hand
still upon his chair, which was half in front
of him as he turned to face her, and slightly
nodding his head as an expression OF assent
to the almost every sentence she uttered.-
When she had completed her statement, he
said, speaking very low and with an appear
ance of reluctance: 81 shal! be compelled
to consult my medical director, aud to OBJ.
tain report from him, before / can meet
your wishes. If agreeable to you, | will ask
him to call upon you to morrow shall say
at 4 o'clock2" The lady bowed and with.
drew; the General took long breath, re-
sumed his cigar and his seat, said that he
was inclined to think her proposition tea-
sonable aud humane one, and then went on
with the Interrupted review.
A week or two after this, having gone up
the river, Mr.. Knapp met this lady at
hotel when, in the course OF conversation,
she referred with much sadness to the de-
plorable habits of General Grant, aud the
hopelessness of success while our army was
commanded by a man SO unfit TO be charged
with any grave responsibility. Mr.. Knapp
replied that he had the best reason for sta
ting that the reports to which she referred
give her certain exact information of which
lie happened to be possessed, which, as far
as possible, refuted them. unfortunately"
said the lady, II have certain knowledge
that they are but too true" She then de-
scrbed her recent interview with General
Grant, and it appeared that, from her point
of view, the General was engaged in carouse
with one or two boon companions when she
came unexpectedly upon him; that he rose
to his feet with difficulty, could not stand
without staggering, and was obliged to sup.
port himself with a chair; that he was
in an unfit condition to attend to business,
and wanted to put her off till the next day
that his voice was thick, he spoke inco-
herently, and she was so much shocked that
she was obliged to withdraw almost imme-
diately. The next day, being ashamed to
see her himself, he sent his doctor to find
out what she wanted.
MIR. Knapp then told her that, having
been one of the boon companions whom she
had observed with the General on that oc-
casion, and that having dined with him
and been face to face with him for fully three
hours. he not only knew that he was under
the influence of no drink stronger than the
unqualified mud of the Mississippi, but he
could assure her that he had never seen
man who appeared to him more thoroughly
sober and clear-headed than General Grant
at the moment of her entrance.
Notwithstanding his assurances, the lady
repeated that she could not doubt the evil
dence of her own senses, and l suppose that
to this day Mr.. Knapp and myself rank,
equally with General Grant, in her mind, as
confirmed drunkards.
This experience Is by no means unique
one, and the Jealous devotion with which
have often heard both men and women un-
dermining the character of Others for tenn
perance, on equally slight grounds, has often
led me to question if there are not vices in
our society more destructive to sound judg.
ment and honest couis. than that OF habitual
oyerdrinking.
Yours respectfully,
FRED. LAW OLMsTEp.
The Brsning Post, after quoting this letter,
adds:
We eau tell another story of the same
kind. While Grant lay before Vicksburg o
letter came To this Office from q respectable