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59

U. S. Grant: Edward Bates

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
U. S. Grant: Edward Bates

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Auction Date:2010 Jun 16 @ 10:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Bid online at www.rrauction.com. Auction closes June 16.

War-dated handwritten and signed endorsement, “Respectfully referred to the Secy. of War. Mr. Dick is a lawyer of fair standing at St. Louis, & brother in law to Frank Blair, Oct 2d/62, Edw. Bates.” Endorsement is on a back panel of an ALS, one 8 x 10 lightly-lined page, written by F. A. Dick to Attorney General Edward Bates, accusing General U. S. Grant of being drunk. Letter reads, in full: “Seeing it stated that the late attack by Rosencrans upon Price at Iuka failed for want of co-operation by Genl. Grant, I consider it my duty to state that General Grant was drunk in St. Louis on Friday the 26th instant. I did not see him myself but Henry T. Blow met & talked with him and stated to me that the Genl was ‘as tight [with Dick crossing out the word “drunk”] as a brick.’ Believing as I do that much of our ill success results from drunken officers, I intend to do my duty in reporting such crime upon their part, so that the facts may reach those who have power to apply the remedy.” Under his signature, Dick adds, “I make this fact as to Grant known, because I have heard it denied that he now drinks—If drunk in St. Louis, on the 26th, he may be drunk in command of his army a few days later.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, tape repairs to a horizontal fold to letter side, and tape remnants and scattered light toning and soiling to endorsed side.

A Civil War hero and leader of the Union Army, Grant had another moniker that followed him during his military career: drunkard. Although historians discount such allegation, viewing him instead as a formidable authority figure, a quality one should expect from a field general and future US president, several observers in the 1860s lodged accusations of alcoholism at Grant. One newspaper article reported that, "the army was being ruined...under the leadership of a drunkard,” while men like Mr. Dick, while admitting that “I did not see him myself,” still saw fit to report that “General Grant was drunk in St. Louis on Friday.”

The incident in question, the Battle of Iuka, was fought on September 19, 1862, in Mississippi, and marked the beginning of a long professional enmity between Union general William Rosecrans and Grant. The Northern press gave accounts very favorable to Rosecrans at Grant's expense, with rumors circulating that Grant was drunk and incompetent, resulting in the non-movement of some troops. Grant fell out of favor with his superior officer, Major General Henry W. Halleck, who had always believed Grant to be an alcoholic—despite his significant victories.

Interestingly, Bates sent this telegram to Grant after he received it, realizing that such reports were falsehoods. Future allegations would come from other, envious Union generals, including Charles S. Hamilton and John A. McClernand. Grant’s commander-in-chief, Abraham Lincoln, investigated such charges and judged Grant to be a decent man who was the victim of rumor mongers and writers who irresponsibly perpetuated the myth. An apocryphal story about Grant's drinking detailed one reply by Lincoln, "I wish some of you would tell me the brand of whiskey that Grant drinks. I would like to send a barrel of it to my other generals." Realistically, had Grant been either a drunk or an alcoholic, he would have been replaced early in the war. This letter serves as another shot at Grant during his esteemed career.
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