Vicksburg 1863: America's most important July 4th (besides 1776)

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A good article but I take exception to the gratuitous comment: "Grant was not one to repeat mistakes, except for the mistake of drinking too much." Where during the war did he drink too much and if so, what were the consequences? I'd appreciate your citing your sources.

6-28-2011 @ 6:54PM

Sean McLachlan said...

Grant drank too much before, during, and after the war, including during the slow bits of the siege of Vicksburg.
Sources: every in-depth history of the Civil War or biography of Grant. Start with Shelby Foote and work your way up. My statement is hardly a controversial one.
Consequences: very little militarily. During the war Grant was able to keep his problem more or less under control. What today we'd call a functional alcoholic.

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