The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-08-30
To the Editor of the Ne,o York Sun

had no system in his private affairs or the
public concern. Rawlings led Grant through
ali his troubles in the West. He got him
sober after Shiloh, when President Lincoln
wrote Grant to stop drinking. Rawlings, by
great wstchfulness, managed to keep Grant
sober for about year up to the time when he
reached Washington to assume command as
general.ln chief Of the army. There he fell IN
With some of bis old companions. He spent
much OF his time there IN private rooms, and
renewed his old drinking habits.
THE RENDEZVOUS. '.' =
Their principal rendezvous was directly op-'
posite Willard's Hotel, in Pennsylvania ave-
nue.. 1t was run chiefly by q United States
senator and quartermaster in the army. A
gay old set of boys inhabited that rancho:
Some of the most gallant and distinguished
officers in the army and the ablest officers In
the civil government, from the Executive
down, were among the frequenters there.
MANY were mere callers or sitters, 30 to speak;
others tarried all night. Itwas no uncommon
thing for freQuenters Of the hotel and resi-
dents OF the neighborhood to see lights In their
rooms until near morning, and to hear the
bacchaualian harangues and laughter tnereln;
and those who were among tne nlgnt Dlros OF
Washington frequently saw Grant and nis
friends vending their way from the place IN
the gray hours of the morning. Sometimes
Grant aud his friends had their Publications In
his rooms in Wilard's Hotel. He liked to
visit the office of that house and get behind
the screen to take quiet tod with Chadwick,
the hummer landlord OF the hotel at that time.
CARD PLAYING AND DRINKING.
One of Grants particular friends told me
good story abou. him with reference to his
habits In Washington just after he was MADE
general-ln.chlef, and just before he took the
ield to 20 to Richmond. Grants family was
in Philadelpha and he was OF Wlllard's Hotel
In Washington. He occupied front room on
the second floor above the office. Alter din
ner. with three friends, Grant took to his
room and they spent The night In card play.
ing and drinking. Daylight next morning
found them at the card table, all well SCI up,
although, Us my Informant stated II, tney felt
as though they could not BET up much longer.
Grant was the worse for wear, aud on his acc
count mainly they determined to withdraw
and let him 20 to bed, which he proceeded to
do. Before they went he was sound asleep,
and the last one out locked the door and look
the key to the office.
THE PREsENT.TAKER LOCKED IN.
About two o'clock in the afternoon, one OF
the party Thought hs would call up and see
whether the general had slept long enough.
Going to the room he found lt deserted. he
inquired OF THE chambermald whether sne
knew when the gentleman who occupied that
room went out. She replied that, at about
eleven o'clock in the forenoon, she heard rap
ping, but could not distinguish exactly where
il WINS until she discovered the face Of General
Grant looking out over the transom, saying
that he was locked in, and asking her 10 les
him ont, She said she unlocked the door, ana
the general with his little bag and characters.
tic reticence. quietly walked away Without so
much as II thank yon."
THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HIRAM.
The General was Immediately the object Of
search. His friend was little worried about
him. as his condition that morning was not
encouraging; 30 he inquired att the office OF
the hotel. Tney knew nothing whatever Of
his whereabouts. A call was made at private
quarters. opposite Wizards, on the avenue.
The General had not been there. The friend
In search OF the General, learning that ne was
not at headquarters nor at the War once, ano
knowing thai Grant knew too much TO 60 10
the White House In his condition, determined
to 70 to the depot and inquire for him. upon
doing 30, he ascertained That the General qul-
etly Jumped on board the noon train for Phila-
deipnIa, where be turned up ln safety. This
lille story shows how Grant spent many OF
his days and nights between the time OF his
arrival In Washington from the West and
when he assumed command OF The army and
went to the front.
CHANGING FOR THE WORSE.
From the time he reached Washington his
hablls changed for the worse. This was very
much due to the fact that besides visiting The
rendezvous referred to, he was thrown much
into society, and was frequently invited 10
dinners and bauQuels, Wnere wines and
iouors flowed In abundance. Not being IN
the field, he released himself from all restraint
and drank freely What he drank IN society
would not have damaged him much, because
there he was supplied with the beat OF pure
liquors. His irregular habits anu all'nixh. ,!
regelry at Lhe card table, consuming rank
hotel whiskey, contributed TO destroy MS
energies aud place him hors de combat fre-
unently on his march 10 Richmond and tne
Aupomatox. But for Meade and Hancock,
and Warren and Sheridan, and Butler, aB I'M
mediate directors ol military operations In Inc
field, and the brave, clear-headed anu sensible
Rawlings at headquarters 10 90 tne meuta!
work, write or dictate The orders and see that
they were executed, we should never nave
heard OF Lees surrender to Grant.
WHO WON HIS VICTORIES.
His gallant comrades have often told now
the gallant Hancock personally led his CORPS
In action at Spottsylyania Courthouse, repuls-
ipg the advancing enemy and saving the
army of the Potomac from disgraceful sur
prise and rout, while Grant was In bis tent,
moi only Ignorant of what was going on, Dut
in an unit condition to show himself, ana ln-
capable OF giving an order. AVA,
Again, at Cold Harbor; because ne haa 4, over, ,,
powerlpg numbers, looking rather TO ms own
parIv success than TO the economy OF lie Id
his he ay 90 ordered S aas asas ans
well disclpined and ingenlousy scattered ana
mapmuvred lines OF the Confederate sharp
shooters. Only when warned Dy some Of his
Generals that the men would not charge again,
and that he had better make flank move,
ment, he followed their advice, which proved
successful.
But for the engineering Of such men a as
Meade and Hancock In the field. ano tne
genius and foresight of a Rawlings IN camp camp
Warren and Sheridan and Custer and Stons-
man. and the host OF other brave commanders,
Grant would never have wrought out tne
great final victory which eliminated at APpo'
maltoX. IL
August rs, 1872.