As another Lame Cherry exclusive in matter anti matter.
I was reading in President Grant’s memoirs about the Confederate peace commission and he mentioned the CS Vice President was there with him, and made a comment about how he had always thought this was a small man, but when he appeared he was much larger. He was wearing was was in fashion in the South at the time in the Great Coat.
I had not really heard of this coat nor paid attention to them. Soldiers on both sides seemed more intent on throwing them off for their weight and getting hot on the march.
It was President Lincoln though in talking to Grant who summed up the story of the Great Coat and the Confederate Vice President as only Lincoln could.
Right here I might relate an anecdote of Mr.Lincoln. It was on the occasion of his visit to me just after he had talked with the peace commissioners at Hampton Roads. After a little conversation, he asked me if I had seen that overcoat of Stephens's. I replied that I had.
" Well," said he," did you see him take it off ? " I said yes.
" Well," said he, " didn't you think it was the biggest shuck and the littlest ear that ever you did see ? " Long afterwards I told this story to the Confederate General J. B. Gordon, at the time a member of the Senate.
He repeated it to Stephens, and, as I heard afterwards, Stephens laughed immoderately at the simile of Mr, Lincoln.
As you can see, Stephens was no bigger than a corn nubbin’ and looked like a teenage kid even as a mature man.
I bet on a heavy day with Great Coat that he barley cleared 125 pound.
I have decided that I want a Great Coat as I like keeping warm. That takes donations.
Nuff Said
agtG
