James Patton Anderson and U.S. Grant in the NorthWest
by Daniel Mallock
Events over time that overrun each other, that are inextricably tied together and form a mosaic and tapestry reaching to a certain strange and stunning inevitability are often seen in historical study. In the course of recent research I ran across one of these events and was amazed at its importance. Important events such as these are often known to but a few. But their importance is undiminished.
This story of James Patton Anderson, Confederate General, is little known, I have certainly never seen this case discussed elsewhere. But I’d like to share it with you, as I know you will appreciate it.
Major General James Patton Anderson (1822-1872) was a division Commander in the Army of Tennessee. A man of the “Old South” he was a proud slaveholder and staunch secessionist. At one time the Commander of the District of Florida Anderson was posted to the Army of Tennessee in July, 1864. At Jonesboro Anderson took a very painful wound to the face which is wife believed finally took his life some ten years later.
Noted for his friendship with Leonidas Polk and his strong conservative views, after his surrender at Greensborough, NC Anderson refused to sign the Loyalty Pledge and would thus be prevented from resuming his pre-war legal career. He died in poverty in Memphis, TN. He was a strong Confederate and did not sign the Oath for to do so would have “implied a regret for what he had done & he had none. And if his life was to go over he would do just as he had unless if possible he would be more devoted to the cause,” according to his widow, Etta.
Anderson served as United States marshal of Washington Territory, from 1853 to 1856, and it was there that he had his fateful encounter with US Grant. This period was a particularly low one for Grant. Only with the coming of the Civil War would his prospects turn around. Grant’s short but astonishing meeting with Anderson near a river bank would have consequences that would change the course of American and world history.
The following account was written by General Anderson’s widow Etta and was sent in letter form (1889) to a Mr. Earle with the request that he not disclose the letter’s contents.
“Genls. McClelan [ sic ] (a great favorite with us), Grant, Auger, & many other officers were our friends there; & let me tell you a little thing that for Genl. Grant’s children’s sake will be kept between us. While my husband was taking the census, way up near the Dalles, on the Columbia River, Genl. Grant, then a Lieut. paymaster with the rank of Capt., was suffering from mania_____ [delirium tremens]. Got away from his soldiers. They were all camping on the bank of the river. My husband had Indians with him. The soldiers woke him & told him of Grant’s condition & that he had gone. He woke his Indians, made them understand, & put them on the trail. They tracked him by the pieces of his outside woolen shirt on the bushes; found him crouched down under some bushes ready to plunge into the river hundreds of feet below. One false step & both would go down to certain death. The banks were solid rock hundreds of feet high & the water so cold that they could not live in it a moment without cramp. Genl. A. was strong and active. He climbed carefully until he was between Grant and the river-gave one spring against his breast-forced him back to the ground, & caught to the bushes near & held him fast until the soldiers came & helped to secure him & take him into camp. Patton rarely spoke of it. About the time of the fall of Vicksburg, it got out through some officer writing to one of his staff & his staff insisted on knowing the particulars & were much amused.”
(courtesy of Florida Historical Society: The Florida Historical Quarterly volume 65 issue 3)
Note: The term “delirium tremens” is found in the original article posted online.