Although a Kentuckian--orthodox jest--Lincoln was so known for his rare
temperance convictions that no one carped at the buffet at his official
house being clear of the decanters characterizing it in previous
administrations. The total abstinence societies therefore hailed him as
an apostle of their creed. Consequently, they had been pleased, on
certain occasions, at his espousing and cheering their counsel. When
General Grant was elevating himself by his string of solid victories in
the West, it was object of caviling, by the adherents of the generals
eclipsed and foreseeing his becoming lieutenant-general, and the
slander circulated that "Philip sober" got the credit of "Philip
drunk," perpetrating his plans with the dram-bottle at his elbow.
Lincoln heard out this spiteful diatribe with his habitual patience,
when, calmly looking at the chairman, he responded:
"Gentlemen, since you are so familiar with the general's habits, would
you oblige me with the name of General Grant's favorite brand of
whisky. I want so to send some barrels of it to my other generals!"
The deputation withdrew in poor order.
Major Eckert says that Mr. Lincoln told him he had heard this story. It
was good, and would be very good if he had told it--but he did not. He
supposed it was "charged to him to give it currency." He went on to say:
"The original is back in King George's time. Bitter complaints were
made against General Wolfe that he was mad. The king, who could be more
justly accused of that, replied: 'I wish he would bite some of my other
generals.'"
* * * * *
"A GENERAL, AT LAST!"
Without disparaging the Lincoln generals, it may be said that they will
never occupy a niche in Walhalla beside Napoleon's marshals and
Washington's commanders. But Washington society liked them one with
another for affording opportunities of outings to the grand reviews and
parades. One--that to Bull Run--turned out a failure, and the
Southerners chasing the fugitives had the pickings of the iced wines,
game pies, and cold chicken which "Brick" Pomeroy saw strewing the road
back. Grant's negligent and war-worn uniform did not remind any one of
the gay and brilliant period of "Old Fuss and Feathers," the veteran
Scott. But Grant and the other Westerner, Lincoln, mutually pleased at
their first meeting, the latter emerged from the interview exclaiming
with joy:
"At last, we have a general!"
* * * * *