The Red Cloud chief., 1882-03-02
General Grants Cigars.

\ friend once said lie made Il calCula-
ton that the value of the cigars smoked
bv General Grant during his campaigns
would pay the whole co-t OF the late war
and leave Il respectable balance To begin
the next. This WAS probably an cN-
~ag@cration. but he certainly did smoke
a great many fine and costly cigars dur
inc the period alluded to. The writer
WAS Il witness and partly an actor when
four of General Grant cry costly
cigars were consumed, n rather de
stroyed. in a very brief space of time.
Shortly before the close of the war he
had occasion Ia bring some important
dispatches TO headquarters. and. IL q
as they were opened and digcstcd by
the General. IN invitation To breakfast
followed. after which 4 cigar was ten
dered and accepted, and the General
and the writer proceeded down towards
the wharf.
This. which was an entirely new
structure. WAS of immense length and
had been built To replace one destroyed
by fire. the result of an explosion of
shells which We're being landed for the
Use of the army. There had been great
loss of life from this accident. and TO
guard against repetition of il, the Gen
eral had issued an order that no smok-
ing should be allowed on the wharf. To
carry out the order the more ~effectuallv,
ScntrieS had been posted at each end,
with directions Ia allow no one To pass
with a lighted pipe or cigar. The Gen
cral, who desired 10 give some inStruc-
tionS To the writer In be adopted on his
return, had evidently forgotten the
terms of his " order about smoking.
and stepped on the wharf cigar in mouth.
He was Immediately confronted by
the sentinel (who happened to be a col
ored many. who presented arms most
respectfully, hut added: Beg parding.
Gineral. but dere's no smoking lowed
heah." The General flung his cigar into
the James. the writer followed suit. and
we proceeded slowly down the wharf.
Upon arriving at about the enter Of it
the General stopped to emphasize some
particular he was DESTROYS 10 impress
upon me. when he mechanically took
from his breast pocket w other cigars.
handed me one. and from his fuSee case
produced a light. After we got our
cigars we'll started. he proceeded toward
the other end of the wharf, entirely OBJ
livious IF the fact that there was another
sentinel there.
Upon arriving at the end. however.
the sentry. another colOred man. drew
himself up To his full height, saluted the
General. and Immediately added. Beg
parding. Gineral. but dere's no smokin'
lowed heah.' Whcreupon the General
turned 10 me and said. ..Confouni these
niggers. lets go somewhere where We
can smoke" and flung his cigar into the
river. which was followed by mine. II
was supposed at one time that no cigar
could be manufactured o strong for
General Grant. but that has proved 4
fallacv. When he became President.
some friends. knowing his taste for high
favored tobacco. sent an order To Hav-
ana for five thousand of the largest and
strongest cigars that could be made.
cost being no consideration. They were
duly sent when the order Wa COM
pleted. 10 New York. and cost without
duty $500 4 thousand, or eighty cents
apiece. They were so strong. however.
as not To be smOkable ever by the Gen
eral. and he had to give most Of them
away To any of his friends who would
accept them.-PfilGd6iphid Press.