The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1891-04-25
GRANTS STRUGGLE WITH Drink.
The Part OF General RaWIlns in Giving
Him the Victory

- viz NENNA4A ~ NuL EnNa
Louis Globe-Democrat says: The
paper read before the John II. Raw
lins Post, G. A. r., here last week by
Judge J. NJ. Shaw, on eThe Iafe Of
General Rawlins,S shows that the
man who stood nearest General
Grant during the war entertained
grave apprehensions from his chiefs
weakness in respect of too free indul-
genee in stimulants, and did not hesi-
tate to protest against Il.
"It is undoubtedly true,' said Judge
Shaw, "that at one time, and at very
critical period, there was a lurking
demon of temptation aud awakened
appetite haunting tins great man.
which came very near getting him lnto
its tolls. The temptation, the coubIn-
ed struggle Of the two friends against
it, the final grapple, and the triumph
ant outcome form hitherto unpub-
llshed episode In the history of the
war which will reflect added luster
upon the character of both of them"
This statement Judge Shaw sub
stantiated by reading "a copy of a let
ter addressed by General Rawlins to
General Grant ON this subject, as fol.
lows. 1t is dated Before Vieksburg,
June 6, 1868, | a. m.," and says;
"The great solcitude feel for the
safety of this army leads me to men,
ton what had hoped never again to
do, the subject of your drinking. This
may surprise you, for | may be. and
trust | am, doing you an injustice by
unfounded suspicious, but II an error,
II had better be on the side of his coun-
try's safety than in fear of offending a
friend.
81 have heard that DIR. -, at
General Sherman's few days ago, In
duced you, Notwithstanding your
pledge to me, to take n glass OF wine,
and to-day, when | found box of
wine In front of your tent aud pro-
posed to move IL, which did, was
told that you had forbidden il being
taken away, for you intended to keep
II until you entered Vicksburg, that
you might have II for your friends
and tonight, when you should, because
Of the condition of your health, il
nothing else, have bcen In bed, | find
you where the wine bottles have Just
been emptied, In company with those
who drink and urge you to do like
wise, and the lack Of your usual
promptness aud decision and clearness
In expressing yourself in writing con-
duces TO confirm my suspicious.
"You have full control over your
appetite and can let drinking alone.
Had you not pledged me the sincerity
Of your honor early last March that
you would drink no more during the
war, and kept that pledge during
your recent campaign, you would not
this day have stood first In the worlds
history as a successful military leader.
"Your only salvation depends upon
your strict adherence TO that pledge.
You cannot succeed in any other way.
AS have before stated, | may be
wrong In my suspicious, but II oHa
sees that which leads him TO suppose
a sentinel is falling asleep at his post,
IL is his duty to arouse him, and If one
secs that which leads him to fear the
General commanding a great army is
being reduced to that step which he
knowns will bring disgrace upon that
General aud defeat TO his command, II
he fails to sound the proper note of
warning, the wives and children Of
those bravo men whose lives he per-.
mits TO remain thus IN peril will
accuse him, while he lives, aud stand
swift witnesses Of wrath against him
in the day when all shall be tried.
"If my suspicious are unfounded,
lot my friendship for you and my zeal
for my country DO my excuse for this
letter; and, II they arc correctly
founded, and you determine not TO
heed tho admonition and prayers of
this hasty note by Immediately ccaslng
to touch a single drop of any kind Of
liquor, no matter by whom asked, or
under what circumstances, let my I'M
mediate relief from duty in this de-
partment be the result
Upon this letter, in the handwriting
of Rawlins, was the following indorso-
ment:
"This Is an exact copy of letter
given TO the person to whom II Is adj
dressed, al its date, about four miles
from our headquarters In the rear of
Vicksburg. Its admonltlons were
needed and all went we'll"