Litchfield enquirer., 1870-06-09
STEPHENS ON GRANT.
Alexander H. Stephens, former Vic

2
 Alexander H. Stephens, former Vice President of the Confectionery, has com pleted his :" Constitutional View" of the late war. His second volume is much more interesting than the first Instead of somewhat dry resume of the stale ar- guments in justification of secession, the present volume treats of the facts of war. viewed from the Southern stand point. Judging from the extracts sent to the press, MT. Stephens treats fully of his own position towards the Confederacy, of his efforts for a pacifcation, and of his individual re- cord during the war. His account of his meeting with General Grant previous to the celebrated Fortress Monroe Confer ence is very interesting, as giving the im- pression produced by the General on a shrewd adversary:-.
 "I was never so much disappointed in my life, in my previously formed opin- ions, of either the personal appearance or bearings of any one. about whom had read and heard so much. The disappoint- ment, moreover. was in every respect fa- vorable and agreeable I was instantly struck with the great simplicity and per- feet naturalness of his manners, and the entire absence of every thing like affecta- tion, show, or even the usual military air or nsien of men in his position. He was plainly attired, sitting in a log g-cabin, bu. silly writing on small table, by a Kero- sene lamp. It 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's rapping at his door, the response, "Come in" was given by himself, in tone of voice, and with cadence, which I can never forget.
 His conversation was easy and fluent, without the least effort or restraint. In this, nothing was so closely noticed by me |. as the point and terseness with which he expressed whatever 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. I saw, be- fore being with him long, that he was ex- ceedingly quick in perception, and direct in purpose, with vast deal more of brains than tongue.
 "We were here with General Grant two days, as the correspondence referred to shows. He furnished us with comfortable quarters on board one of his despatch boats. The more I became acquainted with him, the more I became thoroughly impressed with the very extraordinary combination of rare elements of character which he exhibited. During the time he met us frequently, and conversed freely upon various subjects, not much upon our mission. saw, however, very clearly, that he was very anxious for the proposed Conference to take place, and from all that was said, inferred-whether correctly or not, do not know-that he was fully ap- prised of it's proposed object He was. without doubt, exceedingly anxious for a termination of our war, and the return of peace and harmony throughout the coun- try. It was through his instrume mentalitv mainly, that MT. Lincoln finally consented to meet us at Fortress Monroe, as the cor respondence referred to shows.
 But in further response to your inoui- ry, will add: that upon the whole. the result of this first acquaintance with Gen eral Grant, beginning with our going to, and ending with our return from Hamp. ton Roads, was, the conviction on nv mind, that, taken all in all, he was one of the most remarkable men I had ever met with. and that his career in life, if his days should be prolonged, was hardly entered upon; that his character was not yet fully developed; that he himself was not aware of his own power, and that if he lived, he would, in the future, exert a controlling influence in shaping the destinies of this country, either for good or evil. Which it would be, time and circumstances alone could disclose. That was the opinion then formed, and it is the same which has been uniformly expressed by me ever since."