New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-05-10
Anecdotes of General Grant-sEls HABITS.

anecdotes OF General GranG-Esis Habits.
ga Woman" writes TO the Philadelphia
Press, from Ashland, Pa, the following
stories about General Grant:
During the first three years of the war I
was actively identified with the Western
branch of the Sanitary Commission, and
had abundant opportunity of judging for
myself in regard to the character and ability
of many of our generals. During the entire
campaign of the opening of the Mississippi
it was my privilege to aid in caring for our
noble patriots, both in hospitals and camps,
and ] have been for weeks together where |
saw General Grant frequently, heard his
name constantly, and never did hear in
temperance mentioned in connection with
it. Facts are stubborn things / will re.
late few OF the many that came directly to
my knowledge: lu the winter of 1923,
when the army arrived at Memphis, after
long, weary marching and trials that sickeu
the heart to think of, tWo.th rds Of the off
GERS and soldiers were in hospitals Cen
eral Grant was lying sick at the Gayoso
House. One morning Mrs Grant came into
the ladies' parlor very much depressed, and
said the medical director had Just been to
see Mr.. Grant, and thought he would not be
able to go any further if he did not stimu-
late. Said she: And ! cannot persuade
him to do so; he says he will not die, and
HN VIII ho1 touSlL d ulOP upuu any gOuoluGI-
atiOn,' In less than week he was on
board the advance boat on his way to Vicks,
burg.
Again, few months after, was on
hoard the headquarters boat at Millken's
Bend, where quite a lively gathering of
officers and ladies' had assembled. Cards
and music were the order of the evening
General Grant sat in the ladies' cabin, lean
ing upon table covered with innumerable
maps and routes to Vicksburg, wholly a5-
sorbed in contemplation of the great matter
before him. Hepaid no attentIo whatever
to what was going on around, neither did
any one dare to interrupt him. For hours
he sat thus, until the loved and lamented
Mcpherson stepped up to him with a glass
of liquor in his hand, and said: General,
this won't do; you are injuring yourself;
join with us in a few tOasts, and throw this
burden off your mind.H Looking up and
smiling, he replied: MAC, you know your
whisky won't help me to think; give me
dozen of the best cigars you can find, and
if the ladies will excuse me for smOk.
ing, ! think by the time l have finished
them ] shall have this job pretty nearly
planned Thus he sat; and when the com
pauy retired, we left him there still smok.
ing and thinking, not having touched one
drop of liquor.
When the army lay around Vicksburg dur
ing that long seige, the time that tried
men 5 souls, watched every movement 1t
was possible for me to do, feeling almost
certain that he would eventually succumb
to the custom, alas too universal among
the officers. | was in company with q gen
tlemaa from Chicago, who, while calling
upon the general, remarked, II have some
very fine brandy on the boat and if you
will send an orderly with me 20 the river |
will send you case or two ~ am greatly
Obliged replied the general, "but do not
use the article. have big Job on hand,
and though ! know I shall win, know
must do it with a cool head. Send all the
lauor you intend for me to my hospital in
the rear; don't think little will hurt the
poor fellows down there.n
q At celebration on the twenty-second of
February, before the surrender of Vicks-
burg, while all around were drinking toasts
in sparkling champagne, I saw General
Grant push aside glass of wine and
taking up glass Of Mississippi water, with
the remark, "This suits the matter in
hand" drink to the toast, God give US
Lincoln and liberty; let US tight for both"