Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-06-10

A lady VINO says she has heard many un-
charitable remarks in regard to the alleged
intcmpcrauce Of General Grant, writes an
interesting letter to the Philadelphia Press,
the material portion of which we copy as fol-
lows -
During the first three years of the war
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 campaign Of
the opening Of the Mississippi it was my priv
ilege to aid in caring for our noble patriots
both in hospitals and in camps, and have
been for weeks together where ! saw General
Grant daily, and never did hear intcmper-
ance mentioned in connection with it.
"Facts are stubborn things. | will relate
few Of the many that came directly to my
own knowledge: In the Winter Of 1923,
when the army arrived at Memphis after
long. weary marching, and trials that sickcn
the heart to think of, two-thirds of the officers
aud soldiers were in the hospital. General
Grant was lying sick at Gayoso Hotel One
morning Mrs. Grant came into the lady's par
lor, very much depressed, and said the mcdi-
cal director had Just been to see Mr.. Grant, and
thought that he would not be able to get any
further if he did not stimulate, Said she !:
And | cannot persuade him to do SO; he
says he will not die, and he will not touch n
drop on any consideration. In less than a
week he was on board the advance boat on
his way up to Nicksburg
Again, few months aitcrward | was ON
board the headquarters boat at Milliken's
Bend whore quite lively gathering Of Off
GERS and ladies had assembled Cards and
music were the ordero of the evening General
Grant sat in the ladies' cabin, leaning upon Q
table covered with innumcrble maps and
routes to Vicksburg, wholly absorbed in com
temptation Of the matter before him. Tie
paid no attention whatever to what was going
on around him, 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 arc
/ inurng yourself; join with Us in few
toasts, and throw this burden off your mind.
Looking up and smiling, he said Mac, you
know your whiskey won't help me to think
/ give me dozen of the best cigars you ear
/ find, and, if the ladies will excuse me lol
smoking, | think by the time | have finished
them | shall have this job pretty vel
planned Thus he sat, aud, when the com
pany retired, we left him there, still smoking
and thinking, not having touched one drop Of
the liquor
When the army lay around Vicksburl
during that long siege, the time that trie,
mems souls, | watched every movement /
was possible for me to do, feeling almost Ger
tain that he would eventually succumb to tn
custom, alas 200 universal among the officers
was in company with gentleman from Chi
cago, who, while calling upon the General
remarked, have some very fine brandy i
the boat, and if you will send an orderly wit
me to the river, will send you case or two
| am greatly obliged replied the General
but | do not use the article. | have bi
job on hand, and though know | shall win
know must do it with cool head Sem
all the liquor you intend for me to my hospi
tai in the rear don't think a little will
hurt the poor fellows down there
AT celebration ON the 22d of February
before the surrender Of Vicksburg, while al
around were drinking toasts in sparkln
champagne, | saw General Grant push asid
glass Of wine, and taking up glass Of Mis-
sssippi water, with the remark This suit
the matter in hand, drank to the toast
God gave us Lincoln and liberty; let u
fight for both
8" should like to give you many more lik
instances of my own personal experience j
regard to General Grants inebriate habit,
but fear to trespass too largely upon you
columns"