March 4, 1862 (Tuesday): Grant's "Former Bad Habits"

Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton

Major-General MCCLELLAN,
Washington:

    A rumor has just reached me that since the taking of Fort Donelson General Grant has resumed his former bad habits.* If so, it will account for his neglect of my often-repeated orders. I do not deem it advisable to arrest him at present, but have placed General Smith in command of the expedition up the Tennessee. It think smith will restore order and discipline.
    I hear unofficially, but from a reliable source, that our forces took possession of Columbus this morning, the enemy falling back to Island Numbers 10 and New Madrid. I am expecting official telegram hourly.



H. W. HALLECK,
Major-General.

*See Thomas to Halleck, March 10, and Halleck's reply, March 15, p. 683. 

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 7, Part 1, Page 682.

Halleck possessed organizational abilities, but little of the makings of a field general.  It is understandable he would be concerned by the rumors of Grant's drinking, but it was also Halleck's nature to believe the worst of his colleagues.  This correspondence resulted in President Lincoln asking the Secretary of War to confirm the rumors Grant was absent without leave in going to Nashville and guilty of other breaches of military decorum.  By the time Halleck responded on the 15th he was satisified with Grant's explanation of his trip to Nashville (to consult with Buell over the use of a portion of his command by Buell) and that he had not "resumed his former bad habits."