Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-05-13
General Grants Habits.
Interesting "Reminiscences.

A lady, who was for three years of
the war, connected with the Western
Sanitary Commission, and who had
abundant opportunity Of judging for
herself in regard to the character and
ability of many of our Generals, writes
to the Philadelphia Press. We quote
the following from her letter.
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 in camps,
and l have been for weeks together
where 1 saw General Grant daily, heard
hSname constantly, and never did l
hear intemperance mentioned in con-
nection with it. Facts are stubborn
things. Twill relate few of the many
that came directly to my own knowl-
edge:
In the winter of 1923 when the
army arrived at Memphis, after long,
weary marching, and trials that sicken
the heart to think of, two-thirds Of the
officers and soldiers were IN hospitals.
General Grant was lying sick at the
Gayoso Hotel. One morning Mrs. Grant
came into the ladies' parlor, very much
depressed, and said the medical direc-
tor had just been to see Mr.. Grant,
and thought he would not be able to
go further if he did not stimulate.
Said she: "And l cannot persuade him
to do so, he says he will not die, and he
will not touch drop on any consider
ation." In less than a week he was on
board the advance boat on the way to
Vicksburg.
Again, few months after l was on
board the headquarter boat at Mllliken'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, leaning upon a table
covered with innumerable maps and
routes to Vicksburg, wholly absorbed
in contemplation of the great matter
before him. He paid no attention what
ever to what was going on around,
neither did any one dare to interrupt
him for hours he sat thus, until the
/ loved and lsmeuted Mcpherson STEP
ped 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 few toasts, and throw
this burden off your mind" Looking
up and smiling, he replied, "Mac, you
know your whisky won't help me to
think; give me q dozen of the best
cigars you can find, and, if the ladies
will excuse me for smoking, 1 think
by the time l have finished them l shall
have this job pretty nearly planned y
Thus he sat; and, when the company
retired, we left him there, still smok-
ing and thinking, not having touched
one drop of liquor.
When the army lay around Vicks.
burg during that long siege, the time
that tried mems souls, l watched every
movement it was possible for me to do.
feeling almost certain that he would
eventually succumb to the custom,
also! too universal among the officers.
l was in company with a gentleman
from Chicago, who, while calling upon
the General, remarked: "I have some
very fine brandy on the boat, and if
you will send an orderly with me to
the river, will send you a case or two" ."
al am greatly obliged" replied the
General, "but do not use the article.
l have big job on hand, and though l
know l shall win, know 1 must do it
with cool head. Send all the liquor
you intend for me to my hospital in
/ the rear ! dUnt think a little will
hurt the poor fellows down there"
At q celebration on the 22d of Feb
ruary, before the surrender of Vicks-
burg, while all around were drinking
toasts in sparkling champagne, 1 saw
General Grant push aside a glass of
wine, and taking up a glass of Miss
issippi water with the remark, "This
suits the matter in hand" drink to
the toast, "God gave us Lincoln and
Liberty let US fight for BOTH"