Jubal Early, Disgusting Habits

[MWood1841]

Aside from Early's regular use of profanity, I one time listened to a Bud Robertson lecture were he described Early as being known to stuff wads of chewing tobacco in both cheeks and would have tobacco juice dripping down his chin

A colorful description of Early and only adds to the vileness he is often referred with in historical contexts. Was wondering if anyone else has read anywhere this same thing?

The Lynchburg Museum posts - "While described as a powerful and successful attorney, Early gained fame for being opinionated, his love of chewing tobacco, and for being a master of profanities"

As a kid growing up and spending time on my grandparents farm, I would often sit, watch and listen in awe at older men (locals) who visited with my grandfather, cussing, spitting and sharing profane laced rants about politics, current events and everyday life. I can only imagine young soldiers thoughts when receiving "instructions" or guidance from this man while on the march or actively engaged in maneuvers.

 

[nc native]

Jubal Early was not the ideal of a Southern gentleman, that's for certain. He was however a good general and the South needed all of those they could get during the Civil War. My paternal grandfather loved chewing tobacco too. One of his Christmas presents every year when I was growing up was a display stand of Red Man chewing tobacco. He also loved Tampa Nugget cigars. He had good sense in spite of his sixth grade education when it came to selecting the woman who he spent his life with. She was graduate school educated and offset his flaws well. In some sense, he did the same for her.

 

[Rank and File]

A good book on Jubal is by Charles C. Osborne

 

[RedRover]

Douglas Southall Freeman (1886-1953) had a vague recollection of General Early (1816-1894) from his youth...

Early was 70 years old when Freeman was born, and died at 78 years.

Eliza Ripley of New Orleans recalled that chewing tobacco was as common in the antebellum period, as cigarette smoking was by 1912:

An Englishman travelling in the South in 1863 noted,

Robert Stiles of the CS Army, recalled of Early in the army:

 

[Story]

Aside from Early's regular use of profanity, I one time listened to a Bud Robertson lecture were he described Early as being known to stuff wads of chewing tobacco in both cheeks and would have tobacco juice dripping down his chin A colorful description of Early and only adds to the vileness he is often referred with in historical contexts.

Would that I could roll back the hands of time and carry you off to any number of motorpools, simply to see your reaction on any day of the week ending in Y.
Did you know that a field expedient way of clearing dust from one's nostrils is to press the offside with a finger and then blow out hard with from the other side?

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

One of my granddads chewed tobacco and I can remember the look of disgust on my grandmother's face whenever she had to empty his spittoon every two or three days.

 

[RedRover]

One of my granddads chewed tobacco and I can remember the look of disgust on my grandmother's face whenever she had to empty his spittoon every two or three days.

Some Southern churches wouldn't tolerate spittoons. instead they would auger holes in the floorboards between the pews.

 

[TnFed]

I remember as a kid at my grandfather's, he always chewed Red Man. The package looked so nice, so I asked him for some. Never tried it again. Lol.

 

[TallTallMan]

Aside from Early's regular use of profanity, I one time listened to a Bud Robertson lecture were he described Early as being known to stuff wads of chewing tobacco in both cheeks and would have tobacco juice dripping down his chin

A colorful description of Early and only adds to the vileness he is often referred with in historical contexts. Was wondering if anyone else has read anywhere this same thing?

The Lynchburg Museum posts - "While described as a powerful and successful attorney, Early gained fame for being opinionated, his love of chewing tobacco, and for being a master of profanities"

As a kid growing up and spending time on my grandparents farm, I would often sit, watch and listen in awe at older men (locals) who visited with my grandfather, cussing, spitting and sharing profane laced rants about politics, current events and everyday life. I can only imagine young soldiers thoughts when receiving "instructions" or guidance from this man while on the march or actively engaged in maneuvers.

Was that the lecture about "After the Civil War"? It seems like I heard him say that there.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Some Southern churches wouldn't tolerate spittoons. instead they would auger holes in the floorboards between the pews.

That brings up a bygone spectator sport of sorts…"spitters" had really good aim, whether they were trying to ding a cat, get rid of a dog, or keep small children at a respectable distance from their conversations.

 

[Story]

That brings up a bygone spectator sport of sorts…"spitters" had really good aim, whether they were trying to ding a cat, get rid of a dog, or keep small children at a respectable distance from their conversations.

 

[Sheltowee]

Some Southern churches wouldn't tolerate spittoons. instead they would auger holes in the floorboards between the pews.

Admit to being a prolific snuff "enthusiast". I have imbibed in many places and circumstances.

Two things I will never do- dip/ chew in church…..Or have anyone handle my container. If I become incapable of managing on my own, I will quit- or learn to swallow. (Pause now to let some of y'all recover)

Frankly, I enjoy my "hobby". But never so obscenely as to have spittle dripping from my chin. I do possess at least some degree of decorum (?)

Well, I'm thinking I've said too much now….

 

[TnFed]

At my Baptist church now, nobody would think of smoking on church property. When I was a kid, every male and some females were either smoking, chewing or dipping as soon as they got out the door. Including the preacher. My grandfather who was a deacon when ticked would use the occasional h**fire, s**t and S O B. When I first got married my wife told me that was cussing. I said no, it was just rough talk...

 

[Story]

At my Baptist church now, nobody would think of smoking on church property. When I was a kid, every male and some females were either smoking, chewing or dipping as soon as they got out the door. Including the preacher.

When I was a child, the WW2/Korea era men of the church would congregate along a breezeway between Sunday school and the main service with their cigarettes, cigars and pipes. We children had to run that smokely gauntlet to get to the pews. Good times, good times.

 

[Cavalier]

I don't know about cussing in the armies of the civil war era, although I have a feeling it was pretty prevalent among the rank and file, both older and younger. I can say though that profanity, in its many and varied colorful forms, was developed into a high art when I was in the Army, by both the young draftees and old lifers, enlisted and officers.

Of course I never met him, but I have a feeling we could have made even ole Jube sit up and take notice.

John

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Would describe Early's demeanor as 'gruff', which probably amplified any annoyance to others of his bad habits.

 

[MWood1841]

Was that the lecture about "After the Civil War"? It seems like I heard him say that there.

It may have been. It was recorded by C-Span History TV. It was during the 150th campaign anniversary time frames.

 

[TnFed]

When I was a child, the WW2/Korea era men of the church would congregate along a breezeway between Sunday school and the main service with their cigarettes, cigars and pipes. We children had to run that smokely gauntlet to get to the pews. Good times, good times.

Seems like another world, doesn't.

 

[TallTallMan]

It may have been. It was recorded by C-Span History TV. It was during the 150th campaign anniversary time frames.

Than that was it.

 

[rupert822]

I'm not sure why the Armistead-Early plate breaking incident occurred, but I could see it emanating from the improper use of a spitoon!