The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1868-06-04
Anecdotes of General Grant-His
Habits

A woman writes to the Philadelphia
Press, from Ashland, Pa, the following
about General Grant:
"During the first three years of the
war | was actively identified with the
Western branch of the Sanitary Commits
sion. and had abundant opportunity of
Judging for myself in regard to the char
acter and ability of our Generals. Du
ring the entire campaign of the OPEN
ing OF the Mississippi 1t was my rrvi-
lege to aid in caring for our noble patri-
OTIS, both in hospital and in camps, and
L have been for weeks together where
saw General Grant frequently, heard
his name constantly, aud never did
hear intemperance mentioned i'm con
nection with it. Facts are stubborn
things. will relate n few OF the many
that came directly to my knowledge: In
the winter OF 1868 when the army ar
rived ut Memphis, after long, weary
marching, and trials that sicken the
heart to think OF, two thirds of the off
GERS and soldiers We're in hospitals.
General Grant was lying sick ut the
GayOsO House. One morning Mrs
Grant came into the ladies parior, very
much depressed, and said the Medical
Director had just been to see Mr.. Grant,
and thought he would not be able to 20
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 IA drop upon any consider
ation.' In less than week he was on
board the advance boat Oh the way to
Vicksbury.
"Again, Il few months after l was on
board the headquarters boat at Milli-
kens Bend, where quite heavy gather
ing of officers and ladies had assembled.
N.ArI Ia pcs. .,rl. . IA.
evening. General Grant sat in the la
dies cabin, leaning upon u table cover.
ed with innumerabie maps and routs to
Vicksburg. wholly absorbed in contem'
plation OF til" great matter before him
lie paid no attention 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 steped 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
Looking up and smiling, he replied
Mac, you know your whisky won't
hell me to think. Give me Il dozen OF
the best cigars you can find, and, if the
ladies will excuse me for smoking, |
think by the time l have finished them
I shall have this job pretty nearly plan
ned Thus he sat; and when the com
pany retired. we left him there, still
smoking and thinking, not having
touched one drop of li4uer.
when the army lay around Nicks-
burg during that long siege, the time
that tried mems souls, I watched every
movement it was possible for me to do,
feeling almost certain that he would
eventually succumb to the custom, alas!
too universal among the officers. I was
in company with gentleman from
Chicago, who, while calling upon the
Gen, remarked: / have some very fine
brandy on the boat, and if you will send
an orderly with me to the river, l will
send you case or two.' Il am greatly
Obliged replied the General, but l do
not use the article. have big job OH
hand, and, though I know l shall win,
I know / must do it with a cool head.
Send all the liquor you intend for me,
to my hospital in the rear; don't think
a little will hurt the poor fellows down
there
"At a celebration on the ODD of Feb
ruary, before the surrender of Nicksburg
while all around were drinking toasts in
sparkling campaigne. | saw General
Grant push aside a glass of wine, and
taking up glass Of Mississippi water,
with the remark, This suits the matter
in hand drink to the toast, God gave
us Lincoln and Liberty; let US fight for