Reading the memoirs of Philip Stephenson who became a Minister after the war, and he relates an anecdote that I wanted to share.
During the evacuation of Corinth he and his brother were part of the rear guard and were among the last to leave Corinth. While making their way in the dark to catch up with the army they ran across a fly tent. Looking for a place to sleep, they crawled into the tent to find a soldier already in there. Firguring there was still space to share in the tent they cuddled up close to him, appropriated part of his blanket, and soon fell asleep with their new tentmate. After a while they were awakened by someone pulling back the fly and waking the soldier they found in the tent, and they soon discovered that this was a courier who had awakened them, and the soldier they were sharing the tent with was none other than General John Breckinridge, until recently the Vice President of the United States!! While Breckinridge and the courier discussed what Breckinridge's orders were, Stephenson and his brother took the opportunity to slip out of the tent and were on their way. Stephenson said afterwards he always admired Breckinridge for allowing him and his brother share the tent with them.
Already had a good opinion of Breckinridge based on the story Johnston told of his skill at negotiating with Sherman at Bennet Place, and how Breckinridge was so eager to drink Sherman's good whiskey during the negotiations. But hearing how he was willing to share his tent with some random webfoots really elevate him in my eyes, not so much as a general but as a man.
During the evacuation of Corinth he and his brother were part of the rear guard and were among the last to leave Corinth. While making their way in the dark to catch up with the army they ran across a fly tent. Looking for a place to sleep, they crawled into the tent to find a soldier already in there. Firguring there was still space to share in the tent they cuddled up close to him, appropriated part of his blanket, and soon fell asleep with their new tentmate. After a while they were awakened by someone pulling back the fly and waking the soldier they found in the tent, and they soon discovered that this was a courier who had awakened them, and the soldier they were sharing the tent with was none other than General John Breckinridge, until recently the Vice President of the United States!! While Breckinridge and the courier discussed what Breckinridge's orders were, Stephenson and his brother took the opportunity to slip out of the tent and were on their way. Stephenson said afterwards he always admired Breckinridge for allowing him and his brother share the tent with them.
Already had a good opinion of Breckinridge based on the story Johnston told of his skill at negotiating with Sherman at Bennet Place, and how Breckinridge was so eager to drink Sherman's good whiskey during the negotiations. But hearing how he was willing to share his tent with some random webfoots really elevate him in my eyes, not so much as a general but as a man.
Bringing the