The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-04-14
NUMBER I
CRANES Di,runkenness.
CHICAGO, Ill, March q.

L
i !. CHICAGO, Ill, March.7.
To the Editor of the. Times
i ssGrant for President Gould che pes
gro-worshipping fanatics, who eIamorls sd
loudly for the accidentally manufactufed
Jupiter who comm alds our armies to be-
lchosen Chief NJ agistrate Of the nation,
have as clear and positive knowledge Of
the habits, character and ability Of fhe
man as has the writer thereof, IL is doubt.
full If many would be SO loud ID their
tlaudations OF his supposed virtues, bis
Exaggerated bravery, bis questionable
wisdom, or his oyerlauded heroism. It
has been my privilege to know Gen. Grant
intimately since be first assumed com.
mand Of the forces in the Mississippi
/ Valley, when he made his headquarters
at Cairo; and what / am about to state of
him, his habits, charaoter aud conduct, I
shall substantiate by the statements of
/ gentlemen we'll known In this city, and
mhase word will not be disputed, if they
may be asked whether my statements may
be true or false. Not only viii all I write
be corroborated by the persons / shall
name, Radicals though they may be,
but scores of the most respectable oiti-
zens of Cairo, will respond most unequivs
ocally to the accuracy Of my allegations.
That sobriety was, the exception and
not the rule Of General Grants conduit
while located at Cairo, is q fact too Feh
known to need confirmation; but individ-
ual instances Of beastly drunkenness afe
not of rare occurrence. / will mention
two or three which fell under my own
personal knowledge, and which lam
ready to verify on call,
On the 9th day Of November, 1861 the
steamer Alec. Scott started from Oairoen
a trip to Columbus, Kys carrying 9 Gag
of truce, and Gen. Grant, his staff, and
few other army officers, the newspaper
correspondents and some other invited
guests. When the boat reached her des-
tination, bevy Of rebel officers came On
board, among whom were Gen. Cheatham;
Gen. Pillow, Col. RuBk; and d General
from Arkansas, whose name I do not re-.
member, when general drunk was com.
menced, which was kept up tilt late in the
night, after the flag OF truce officers had
separated and the Scott had returned to
Cairo. When the boat reached the wharf
at Cairo, Gen. Grant was ip, such beastS
ly state of intoxication that it was deeIl-
ed imprudent to take him to his head
quarters over the City Bank, where his
wife was awaiting him. and he was escors
ted and assisted to the st, Charles Hotel;
where be remained during the night.
When he arrived at the hotel It vas
found that be was SO drunk that conside-
|rable assistance was needed to enable hinl
to reach q room on the second floor, and
Captain r. B. Hatch, Post Quartermaster,
and Robert Forsyth, general freightagent
of the Illinois Central Railroadr-one
upon either, side, and each with shoulder
under the Generals S arm -pit-hoisted him :
up the stairs to Captain Hatchss rooIn<s@
A hundred persons witnessed this scene,
and loud and many were the expressions
uttered of censure and of disgust at The
spectacle. About twelve O'clock that
night Grant got musical, and an orderly
was dispatched for the brigade baud to
come and seranade him. The band soon
put in an appearance, aud we're about To
commence playing, when Mr.. Bedafd aud
Mr.. Lansden, thepreprietors Of tho hoteb
attempted to stop them; but, on word be-
ing taken to Gen. Grant of the obstruc.
tion to the music, he, With drunken and
profane4 4indecency, declared that be was
commanded of that post, and hewonla
have the band play when apd where ha
desired. So the band proceeded to Che
hall, outside the room where the General
was rollicking in his drunkenness. end
for half hour playedsto drown thenp.
roar of the hell within. es spa ssssas
A month later to day, the same steam
er was the scene of another GORGEOUS
drunk, upon another occasion Of . as.dag
Of truce visit to Columbus, when Grant
became So wretchsdly drunk that shii
friends put Liut ID. bed, and kept the boat
in the river until he became sober enough
to be taken home. 81. 49, - -.
But Of his most disastrous spree
at Fort Donelson-I shall NOT speak nntil
another tine.a If possible to induce the
Chicago Trihuneto tell the truth, would
be glad totchave Gov. Bfosh relate what
be saw and what be said Of the scene
when Grant landed from his flag Of trucs
visit to Columbus, justssafter the battseof
Belmont. when he (Grant Was so drunk
that be fella half dozen times in, going