Smyrna times., 1870-08-17
A. H. Stephens on Grant.

We have received from the National Pub
fishing Co., Philadelphia the second and last
volume of A. H. Stephens War Between
the States The work, of course, is South
ern view of the Rebellion, and is marked by
all tie distinguished author acuteness, vigor,
and Inconsistency. We extract from it his i'm
uressions Of Gen. Grant, founded upon two
days intimacy preceding his famous conference
with Messrs. Lincoln and Seward i'll Hampton
Roads, February, 1865. Mr.. Stephens says:
" | was never so much disappointed in my
life, in my previously formed opinions, Of eth
er the personal appearances or bearing OF any
one, about whom | had read and heard 50
much. The disappointment, moreover, was i'll
every respect favorable and agreeable. | was
instantly struck with the great simplicity and
perfect naturalness Of his manners and the en-
tire absence OF everything like atfectation, show,
or even the usual military air or ntien of men
in his position. He was plainly attrcd, sitting
in a log-cabin busily writing on a small tahle,
! by kerosene lamp. 1t was night when we
arrived. There was nothing in his appearance
or surroundings which indicated his official
rank. There were neither guards nor aids
about him. Upon Col. Babcock' rappng at
his door, the response, Come in,' was given
by himself, in a tone Of voice, and with ca
dence which | can never forget.
! His conversation was easy and fluent with
out the least effort or restraint In this, moth
ing was so closely noticed by me as the point
and terseneSs with which he expressed what
ever he said. He did not seem either to court
or avoid conversation, but whenever he did
speak, what he said was directly to the point
and covered the whole matter in few words.
| saw before being with him long, that he wat
exceedingly quick in perception, and direct in
purpose, with a vast deal more Of brains than
tongue, as ready as that was at his command.
We were here with Gen. Grant two days
as the correspondence referred to shows. He
furnished us with comfortable quarters OF
board one Of,his dispatch boats. The more
became acquainted with him, the more | be
came thoroughly impressed with the very ex
traOrdlnary combination of rare elements O
character which he exhibited During tn
time he met us frequently, and conversed free
ly upon various subjects, not much upon ou
mission. | saw, however, very clearly, that h
, was very anxious for the proposed COnferenc
to take place. and from all that was said | in
ferred-whether correctly or not, | do nc
| know,-that he was fully apprise1 Of its pro
posed object. He was, without doubt exceed
] ingly anxious for termination Of our war, an
the return of peace and harmony thrOughou
the country. 1t was through his instrumcI
f tality mainly, that Mr. Lincoln finally consent
ed to meet us at Fortress Monroe, as the col
G respOndence referred to shows.
8 But in further response to your inquiry,
y will add that upon the whole the result
this first acquaintance with Gen. Grant, b,
ginning with our going to, and ending with OF
return from, Hampton Roads, was, the con
h vlctlOn on my mind, that taken all in all, \
was one Of the most remarkable men | ha
: ever met with, and that his career in life,
= his days should be prolonged, was hardly el
i tered upon that his character was not yet fu
e ly developed that he himself was not AVA
, u of his own power, and that if he lived !
u u would in the future, exert a controlling inf
y ence in shaping the destinics of this countr
e either for good or for evil. Which it wou
n be, time and circumstance alone could disclos
K That was the opinion of him then formed, al
IS it is the same which has been uniformly e
D. pressed by me ever since.