WHAT WAS Git ANTS BRAND?

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 957, 9 July 1908, Page 22

WHAT WAS Git ANTS BRAND?

Here is a story that is as well known as any incident of the American Civil War, but it will easily bear repetition by a first-hand witness. During one of Doctor Eaton’s visits to Abraham Lincoln (President) he was severely questioned as to the details of his work and such campaign points as had come under his immediate notice. He suddenly interrupted his inquiries to ask if Grant had told him of the raid made upon him—the' President—in Washington: “Well.” said Mr Lincoln, “you know a raid in Washington is different from what you military men mean by a raid. With you it is an attack by the enemy—the capture of soldiers and supplies; with us it is an attack by our friends in Congress seeking to influence a change in policy. A company of congressmen came to me to protest that Grant ought not to be retained as a commander of American citizens. I asked what was the trouble. They said he was not fit to command such men. I asked why, and they said he sometimes drank too much and was unfit for such a position. I then began to ask them if they knew what he drank what brand of whisky he used, telling them most seriously that I wished they would find out. They conferred with each other, and concluded they could not tell what brand he used. I urged them to ascertain and let me know, for if it made fighting generals like Grant I should like to get some of it for distribution..