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- Feb 5, 2017
I found this letter from December 5, 1892 in the first Volume of Confederate Veteran written by a lady and I thought it very interesting, especially with the upcoming muster to Shiloh.
Nashville, Tenn. December 5, 1892
Dear Sir--Your letter of inquiry concerning General Grant's physical condition on the morning the battle of Shiloh began is received. You will pease acdept my assurance, gladly given, that on the date mentioned I believe General Grant was thoroughly sober. He was at my breakfast table when he heard the report from a cannon. Holding, untasted, a cup of coffee, he paused in conversation to listen a moment at the report of another cannon. He hastily arose, saying to his staff officers, "Gentlemen, the ball is in motion; let's be off." His flagship (as he called his special steamboat) was lying at the wharf, and in fifteen minutes he, staff officers, orderlies, clerks, and horses had embarked.
During the weeks of his occupancy of my house he always demeaned himself as a gentleman; was kind, courteous, genial, and considerate, and never appeared in my presence in a sate of intoxication. He was uniformly kind to citizens, irrespective o politics, and whenever the brutality to citizens, so frequently indulged in by the soldiers, was made known to him, he at once sent orders for the release of the captives or restoration of the property appropriated. As a proof of his thoughtful kindness, I mention that during the battle on Sunday he wrote and sent to my mother a safeguard to prevent her home being used for a hospital. Yielding to the appeals of humanity, she did, however, open her home to the wounded and sick for three months succession, often administering to their wants and necessities in person. In such high esteem did Gen. Grant hold such magnanimity under the most aggravating circumstances, that he thanked her most cordially, assuring her that, considering the great losses and gross indignities she received from the soldiers, her nobility of soul was more to be admired than the fame of a general leading an army of victorious soldiers.
On one occasion he asked to be introduced to my mother and family, saying "if you have no obections to introducing me, I will be much pleased." I replied Not because you are a great general, but because I believe you to be a gentleman, I will unhesitatingly introduce you to them." In deference to the fact that I was a southern lady, with southern proclivities, he attired himself in a full sit of citizen's clothes, and touching himself on the shoulder, said, "i thought you would like this best," evincing delicate courtesy and gentlemanly instincts of which the honors of war or merited promotion had not deprived him.
I feel that it is due to the surviving members of Gen. Grant's family to mention some evidences of his great-heartedness as shown in kindness to southern people. Military necessity was not to him a term synonymous with unlicensed vandalism or approval of terrorism. He was too great and too true to his manhood to be fettered by prejudice.
I am pleased that I can give these reminiscences of a man who, as a soldier and statesman, received and merited the homage of a nation; for they are testimonies of his inner life and innate characteristics worthy to be recorded with the maganimity of "kingship over self" as manifested on the day of Gen. Lee's surrender.
Respectfully,
Mrs. W. H. Cherry
Nashville, Tenn. December 5, 1892
Dear Sir--Your letter of inquiry concerning General Grant's physical condition on the morning the battle of Shiloh began is received. You will pease acdept my assurance, gladly given, that on the date mentioned I believe General Grant was thoroughly sober. He was at my breakfast table when he heard the report from a cannon. Holding, untasted, a cup of coffee, he paused in conversation to listen a moment at the report of another cannon. He hastily arose, saying to his staff officers, "Gentlemen, the ball is in motion; let's be off." His flagship (as he called his special steamboat) was lying at the wharf, and in fifteen minutes he, staff officers, orderlies, clerks, and horses had embarked.
During the weeks of his occupancy of my house he always demeaned himself as a gentleman; was kind, courteous, genial, and considerate, and never appeared in my presence in a sate of intoxication. He was uniformly kind to citizens, irrespective o politics, and whenever the brutality to citizens, so frequently indulged in by the soldiers, was made known to him, he at once sent orders for the release of the captives or restoration of the property appropriated. As a proof of his thoughtful kindness, I mention that during the battle on Sunday he wrote and sent to my mother a safeguard to prevent her home being used for a hospital. Yielding to the appeals of humanity, she did, however, open her home to the wounded and sick for three months succession, often administering to their wants and necessities in person. In such high esteem did Gen. Grant hold such magnanimity under the most aggravating circumstances, that he thanked her most cordially, assuring her that, considering the great losses and gross indignities she received from the soldiers, her nobility of soul was more to be admired than the fame of a general leading an army of victorious soldiers.
On one occasion he asked to be introduced to my mother and family, saying "if you have no obections to introducing me, I will be much pleased." I replied Not because you are a great general, but because I believe you to be a gentleman, I will unhesitatingly introduce you to them." In deference to the fact that I was a southern lady, with southern proclivities, he attired himself in a full sit of citizen's clothes, and touching himself on the shoulder, said, "i thought you would like this best," evincing delicate courtesy and gentlemanly instincts of which the honors of war or merited promotion had not deprived him.
I feel that it is due to the surviving members of Gen. Grant's family to mention some evidences of his great-heartedness as shown in kindness to southern people. Military necessity was not to him a term synonymous with unlicensed vandalism or approval of terrorism. He was too great and too true to his manhood to be fettered by prejudice.
I am pleased that I can give these reminiscences of a man who, as a soldier and statesman, received and merited the homage of a nation; for they are testimonies of his inner life and innate characteristics worthy to be recorded with the maganimity of "kingship over self" as manifested on the day of Gen. Lee's surrender.
Respectfully,
Mrs. W. H. Cherry
Bringing the