Cavalry Charger
Major
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2017
Everyone now and again, discussions were held between opponents under a flag of truce during the Civil War.
They often ended on a less serious note, as Brooks D. Simpson notes in his biography on Ulysses S. Grant.
After what Grant termed the 'skirmish' at Belmont, it was time for another meeting aboard a steamer on the Mississippi to discuss the exchange of prisoners.
"It had become somewhat of a tradition to conclude each conference with a drink. Before Belmont, Polk had proposed a toast to George Washington; only after his Union counterpart raised his glass did he add, "the first rebel." Grant now sought to even the score. He raised his glass, declaring "Equal rights to all." Polk smiled, lifted his glass, then sputtered as Grant added "white and black". Later stories would circulate that the drinking went beyond toasts, although Grant was not present at these bashes."
Touche, as they say! Though Polk definitely got one in the bag there
They often ended on a less serious note, as Brooks D. Simpson notes in his biography on Ulysses S. Grant.
After what Grant termed the 'skirmish' at Belmont, it was time for another meeting aboard a steamer on the Mississippi to discuss the exchange of prisoners.
"It had become somewhat of a tradition to conclude each conference with a drink. Before Belmont, Polk had proposed a toast to George Washington; only after his Union counterpart raised his glass did he add, "the first rebel." Grant now sought to even the score. He raised his glass, declaring "Equal rights to all." Polk smiled, lifted his glass, then sputtered as Grant added "white and black". Later stories would circulate that the drinking went beyond toasts, although Grant was not present at these bashes."
Touche, as they say! Though Polk definitely got one in the bag there