Gen. Sherman, who had arrived in town on December 6, remained only a few days. His freely active temperament was a subject of observation. He held himself in no severe restraint, such as a small official’s sense of dignity would impose. A young Unionist who had been driven from his home to take refuge in Knoxville, had some skill in portrait painting, and desired to copy a portrait of the deceased Bishop Otey of Tennessee that hung in the parlor of the house then occupied as headquarters. When he applied to Gen. Foster for a loan of the picture, Gen. Sherman heard the request and springing quickly to his feet, said: “Bishop Otey! I knew Bishop Otey. Let’s go and see it.” When the company had gathered before the likeness, he added-- “I must have that picture. I shall present it to Bishop Otey’s family.” The young artist, looking intently at the speaker, said, with great _sang froid_-- “What is your name?” “Sherman,” was the reply. “_General_ Sherman?” he persisted. “Yes!” said the General: and asked, “How long do you want the picture?” Being told, he consented to the loan, and in all probability forgot entirely that he had made it.[51] Shortly after Gen. Sherman’s departure from the town, Gen. Grant visited it, and his reputation for unaffected simplicity of manner, was confirmed to those who formed his acquaintance. During an interview with him by a citizen, the conversation turned upon the siege. The visitor said: “General, I understand that General Longstreet is loitering in upper East Tennessee.” “Yes,” he replied, “I wish now that I had ordered Gen. Sherman to drive him out.” This frank admission of a failure to do what ought to have been done, showed at least, that his head was not turned by the laurels won at Vicksburg and Mission Ridge, and that he was not morbidly sensitive about the perfection of his military judgment. If he had then known the full extent of the ills to the people of upper East Tennessee which Longstreet’s stay among them would inflict, the omission of the order to Sherman would have caused him greater regret; for that stay was prolonged for months. It was instrumental of much annoyance to the United States troops at various points, and Longstreet’s army, by living upon the country, contributed largely to bring upon its inhabitants the great destitution of food, from which they severely suffered in 1864-’65.