General Grant's Tale

      In his biography of Ulysses S. Grant, author Jean Edward Smith in "Grant"(New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 2001), relates the following story: "On August 30, 1861, Grant assumed command of the Union Army on the Mississippi. He was at Cape Girardeau, 120 miles below St. Louis, on the west bank of the river looking south.  Suddenly, uncharacteristically, Grant was awed by his responsibility. 'You should be cheerful and try to encourage me,' he wrote Julia (his wife). 'I have a task before me of no trifling moment and want all the encouragement possible.  The safety of the country, to some extent, and my reputation and that of our children, greatly depends upon my acts."' Grant concluded his thoughts with the sobering statement, "All I fear is that too much may be expected of me."

      With such rich stories, it is easy to see how Cape Girardeau has come to be known as the city where the river turns a thousand tales.