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All,
While doing research for an upcoming LH at Bennitt Place, I came across references to to "bright leaf" tobacco which became wildly popular both North and South . And led to the extensive cigarette industry here in NC.
Considering that pipes and cigars were much more prevalent during the war, I remembered a passage from Catton's " A Stillness at Appomattox ", concerning some of U.S. Grant's affectations.
" He breakfasted frequently on a cup of coffee and a cucumber sliced in vinegar, and if he ate meat it had to be cooked black, almost to a crisp: this author of much bloodshed detested the sight of blood, and was made queasy by the sight of red meat. When he prepared for his days rounds he accepted from his servant two dozen cigars, which were stowed away in various pockets, and he carried a FLINT AND STEEL LIGHTER WITH A LONG WICK, MODERN STYLE, so that he could get a light in a high wind. " ( emphasis mine.)
I have spent 3 days searching the ether and perusing the local library with only one extremely vague reference to a personal, ( Henry Clay ) lighter of the period. Lots of references to table top and otherwise ornate non-portable devices but nothing which fits the above description.
I am hoping that someone on this forum might have an illustration of , or at least point me in the direction of, more information.
Respectfully,
Kevin Ellis,
26th NC
While doing research for an upcoming LH at Bennitt Place, I came across references to to "bright leaf" tobacco which became wildly popular both North and South . And led to the extensive cigarette industry here in NC.
Considering that pipes and cigars were much more prevalent during the war, I remembered a passage from Catton's " A Stillness at Appomattox ", concerning some of U.S. Grant's affectations.
" He breakfasted frequently on a cup of coffee and a cucumber sliced in vinegar, and if he ate meat it had to be cooked black, almost to a crisp: this author of much bloodshed detested the sight of blood, and was made queasy by the sight of red meat. When he prepared for his days rounds he accepted from his servant two dozen cigars, which were stowed away in various pockets, and he carried a FLINT AND STEEL LIGHTER WITH A LONG WICK, MODERN STYLE, so that he could get a light in a high wind. " ( emphasis mine.)
I have spent 3 days searching the ether and perusing the local library with only one extremely vague reference to a personal, ( Henry Clay ) lighter of the period. Lots of references to table top and otherwise ornate non-portable devices but nothing which fits the above description.
I am hoping that someone on this forum might have an illustration of , or at least point me in the direction of, more information.
Respectfully,
Kevin Ellis,
26th NC
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