Life of Ulysses Simpson Grant

^^ IlXUSTRATCP I

Reserv* Storage
Collection

tes

popular tUograpblcs.

LIFE

OF

Ulysses Simpson Grant

BY E. E. BROWN

n

AUTHOR OF "LIFE OF -WASniXGTON," "LIFE OF
GABFIELD," ETC.

BOSTON
D. LOTHROP AND COMPANY

No. 32 Frauklin Street

£ -

Copyright, by

D. LOTHROP AND COMPANY,

1885.

ELECTROTYPED BY

C. J. Peters and Son, Boston.

'Of the great names on history's page,
Renowned in an illustrious age,

Our Union claims,
From North to South, from sea to sea,
This Hero's as one of its three

Immortal names."

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. Eably Days 11

II. Life at West Point 17

III. Beginning of Army Life — Mexican War, 23

IV. Gkant as a Private Citizen 29

V. Opening of the Civil War 33

VI. The Capture of Forts Henry and Don-

elson 41

VII. The Battle of Shiloh 53

VIII. The Battles of Iuka and Corinth ... 63

IX. Beginning of the Vicksburg Campaign . 68

X. The Vicksburg Campaign (continued) . . 89

XL Investment and Siege of Vicksburg . . 112

XII. Occupation of Vicksburg 131

XIII. The Negro Question — Trade in the

Southern States — Grant's New Com-
mand 141

XIV. The Chattanooga Campaign 149

XV. Grant is appointed Lieutenant-General, 161

7

8 CONTENTS.

XVI. The Army of the Potomac — Battles of
The Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court

House, and Cold Harbor 172

XVII. Army of the Potomac before Peters-
burg **■*

XVIII. The Surrender of Lee 195

XIX. Close of the War — Assassination of

President Lincoln — Mexican Affairs, 208

XX. Keconstruction 218

XXI. General Grant is elected President of

the United States 229

XXII. General Grant's Tour around the

World 243

XXIII. Tour around the World (continued) . . 261

XXIV. The Welcome Home 272

XXV. Last Days of General Grant .... 2S8

XXVI. Last Honors to General Grant ... 307
XXVII. Tributes to General Grant, Anecdotes,

and Various Reminiscences .... 318

LIFE OF

ULYSSES SIMPSON GRAOT.

GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY DAYS.

TTIRAM ULYSSES GEANT, the eldest of six
~* — ■- children, was born at Point Pleasant, Cler-
mont County, Ohio, on the 27th of April, 1822.
Point Pleasant is a post village of the county, and
is situated upon tbe Ohio River, about twenty-five
miles above Cincinnati. His parents were of
Scotch descent, and his great-grandfather, Noah
Grant, was a captain in the early French wars.
His grandfather, who bore the same name, was a
lieutenant in the battle of Lexington. Before
their little son was two years old, his parents
changed their residence to Georgetown, in Brown
County, Ohio, and it Avas here that young Grant
spent the early part of his life. This latter vil-
lage is about seven miles from the Ohio River, and
in the midst of a rich farming district.

Grant was by no means a brilliant lad at school.
He was slow in acquiring knowledge, but so pa-
tient and persevering that he would never give up

11

12 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GEANT.

a task until he had mastered it ; and whatever was
once impressed on his mind was never forgot-
ten.

At one time, when he was quite a little fellow,
he had an unusually difficult lesson to learn. " You
can't master that task," remarked one of his school-
mates.

" Can't ! " returned Grant, " what does that
mean ? "

" Well, it means just that you can't.'"

Grant had really never heard the word before,
and began to hunt it up in his old dictionary. At
last he came to his teacher and asked, —

" What is the meaning of f can't ' ? The word is
not in the dictionary."

The teacher explained its origin, and how it came
to be corrupted by abbreviation, and then, to im-
press an important truth upon the minds of his
young pupils, he added, —

" If, in the struggles through life, any person
should assert that ' you can't ' do anything that
you had set your mind upon accomplishing, let
your reply be, if the work be a good and lawful
one, ( The word "can't" is not in the dictionary.' "

Grant never forgot the incident. He not only
conquered his studies, but, in after years, he often
replied to those who declared he would fail in at-
taining his object, that "the word 'can't' is not to
be found in any dictionary."

EAELY DAYS. 13

When he was about twelve years old, his father
sent him to buy a horse of a farmer named Ral-
ston, who lived some distance in the country. Be-
fore starting, the boy was given his errand as
follows : —

"Now, remember, Ulysses, when you see Mr.
Ralston, tell him I have sent you to buy his horse,
and offer him fifty dollars for it. If he will not
take that, offer him fifty-five dollars, and, rather
than you should come away without the horse,
you had better give him sixty dollars."

Ulysses carefully repeated the instructions, and
his father felt assured that he would carry them
out with his usual faithfulness and discretion.

The boy, however, was a little thrown off his
balance by Mr. Ralston's direct question, —

" Well, Ulysses, how much did your father tell
you to give for him ? "

Remembering his mother's oft-repeated injunc-
tion to tell the truth at all times, he replied, —

" Why, father told me to offer you fifty dollars
at first, and, if that would not do, to give you
fifty-five dollars ; and, rather than come away with-
out the horse, I was to pay sixty dollars."

It is needless to say that Ralston refused to sell
the horse for less than sixty dollars.

" I am sorry for that," returned Grant ; " for, on
looking at the horse, I have determined not to
give more than fifty dollars for it, although father

14 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

said I might give sixty. You may take fifty, if
you like, or you may keep the horse."

We are glad to say that Ulysses rode the horse
home.

A brother of Grant's father had settled in Can-
ada, and, while there, had become impressed with
the strong British antipathy towards the United
States Government. His son, John, however, he
sent to the same school where young Ulysses was
studying, in order that he might be able to gain a
better education than he could at that time obtain
in Canada.

Of course, John had been brought up with the
same feelings as his father, and he did not hesitate
to speak in a disparaging manner about American
affairs, especially when it redounded to the praise
of the " mother-country."

One day, after a long debate on the two forms
of government, the love of country, etc., John
exclaimed, —

" You may say as much as you like, Ulysses,
about Washington, but he was nothing better than
a rebel. He fought against his king."

"Now, Jack," returned Grant quickly, "you
must stop talking like that, or I '11 give you a
thrashing. Mother says I must not fight, but must
forgive my enemies. You may abuse me as much
as you please ; but if you abuse Washington, I'll
just take ofF my coat and thrash you, though you

EAELY DAYS. 15

were ten times my cousin, and then motner may
whip me afterwards as much as she likes."

Jack, however, was not inclined to retract his
words, and the two boys at last came to hard blows.

Ulysses got the best of it, but came home with
some suspicious marks upon his face.

"So, young man," exclaimed his mother, "you
have been fighting, notwithstanding all I have said
to you about it ! "

Ulysses, with his usual straightforwardness, told
the whole story, but his mother still felt that he
ought to be punished for disobeying her. The
father, however, appreciating the boy's spirit, in-
terfered.

"I tell thee what it is, wife," he remarked, "the
boy does not deserve to be punished. He has only
stood up for his country, and he that, as a boy,
will stand up and fight in defence of the honor and
integrity of the name of Washington, will rise, if
God spares his life, to be a man, and a Christian
too."

Years after, when the two cousins met in Can-
ada, Jack, then a fine-looking man, exclaimed, —

"I say, U. S., do you remember the thrashing
you gave me at school for calling Washington a
rebel?"

"Yes," replied Grant with a laugh, "and I
would do it again under the same circumstances."

The school where Ulysses and his cousin studied

16 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

together was of a very ordinary stamp ; but when
Grant was fifteen, he was sent to the seminary of
Maysville, in Kentucky. His teacher here, Mr.
N. W. Eicheson, declares that he ranked well in
all his studies, and that his deportment was excep-
tionally good. Several years after leaving the
seminary, Grant called upon his former teacher,
remarking that he could n't think of passing Mays-
ville without seeing him.

LIFE AT WEST POINT. 17

CHAPTER II.

LIFE AT AVEST POINT.

"\TOUNG GRANT'S father, having a strong de-
-*- sire that his son should become a soldier,
obtained for him admission into the United States
Military Academy at West Point, in 1839, through
the influence of the late General Thomas L. Ha-
mer, at that time a member of Congress from his
native State of Ohio. The name of the young cadet
was entered upon the books as Ulysses S. Grant.
This mistake probably arose from the fact of his
having a younger brother by the name of Simpson,
which was also his mother's name before her mar-
riage. His schoolmates at West Point, reading
the initials U. S., immediately nicknamed him
"Uncle Sam," a cognomen he never lost amono- his
army friends. After several ineffectual attempts
to have the mistake rectified, Grant finally kept
the new name, and it is as "Ulysses S." — not
"Hiram U." — that the world has known him.

The young cadet made praiseworthy progress in
his studies, especially mathematics. He was now
seventeen years of age, and had passed a favorable

18 LIFE OF GEX. TJ. S.' GRANT.

examination, both physical and mental, in the re-
quirements necessary to his training as a soldier.
The studies of the fourth class, into which he was
admitted, consisted largely of mathematics, but
also included etymological and rhetorical exercises,
composition, declamation, geography, French, and
the use of small arms.

Part of the summer months the cadets are
obliged to live in tents, as if on a field ; and, as a
private of the battalion, young Grant had to sub-
mit to all the inconveniences that privates in camp
have to sutler.

The next year, 1840, he was promoted to the
third class, where he ranked as corporal in the
cadet battalion ; and his studies consisted of higher
mathematics, French, drawing, and the duties of
a cavalry soldier. This last study gave him prac-
tical instruction for sixteen weeks in horsemanship.

In the second class, which he entered in 1841, he
took the rank of sergeant of cadets, and his studies
became more and more difficult. lie made steady
progress, however, in the studies of natural and
experimental philosophy, chemistry and drawing,
and passed out of this class with much credit.

The next year, as a member of the senior class,
he ranked as a commissioned officer of cadets, and
was Jirst put into the position where he could learn
how to command a section, troop, or company.
"While holding this position, a trying one for all

LIFE AT WEST POINT. 19

cadets, Grant showed the real nobility of his na-
ture. He was no spy upon the actions of those
who, for the time being, were his subordinates,
nor did he act the part of a petty tyrant. Out of
camp he never assumed authority, — was nothing
more than a fellow-cadet ; but in the camp he al-
ways commanded the respect which was due to his
position. During this last year at West Point he
was engaged in the studies of civil and military
engineering, both theoretical and practical, ethics,
constitutional, international, and military law. He
also perfected himself in horsemanship, and soon
gained the reputation of being one of the best
riders in the academy. Instruction was likewise
received this last year in ordnance, gunnery, and
cavalry tactics. Grant graduated from West Point
on the 30th of June, 1843, in a class of thirty-
eight, — his own standing being number twenty-
one, among the "middle" men of his class.

A characteristic anecdote is told of Grant while
in his freshman year at West Point. A number
of practical jokes had been played upon him, all
of which he had endured with great patience and
no show of resentment. But at leno-th he crew tired
of this persistent bullying, and one day when the
cadets were beginning to play some of their old
tricks upon him, in one of their mock parades,
Grant stepped out of the ranks, threw off his jack-
et, and said, —

20 LIFE OF GEIST. U. S. CHANT.

"Now, captain, drop your rank for a few min-
utes and stand up fair and square, and we '11 soon
see who is the best man."

The challenge was accepted by the captain, who
was soon soundly whipped.

"It is now your turn, lieutenant," said Grant,
"to revenge the captain, if you can."

He accepted, and received the same Me as his
predecessor.

"Who is next?" called out Grant. "I want
peace, and I am willing to fight all the company,
one by one, to gain that peace. I have no ill will
against any one ; but I must and will have peace
in the future."

Cheer upon cheer followed this demonstration
of pluck, and then all the parties came forward
and gave Grant a hearty hand-shake.

"You '11 do," said the captain, still aching from
his late thrashing.

"We won't bother you any more," echoed the
whole company, as Grant put on his coat and took
his place in the ranks.

This little episode in his life at West Point gave
him the sobriquet of " Company Grant," which
clung to him for years after.

Among Grant's classmates at West Point was
William Benjamin Franklin, who graduated num-
ber one, and afterward entered the Topographical
Engineer Corps. At the beginning of the civil

LIFE AT WEST TOINT. 21

war he held the rank of general, and commanded
the Nineteenth Army Corps in the Department of
the Gulf, under General Banks.

Then there was William F. Raynolds, who grad-
uated fifth in the class, entered the infantry ser-
vice, and was appointed an aid on the staff of
General Fremont, commanding the Mountain De-
partment ; Isaac F. Quimby, who entered the
artillery service,. was professor for a time at West
Point, and, when the war broke out, went to the
field at the head of a regiment of New York vol-
unteers, and was afterwards made a brigadier-
general in the Army of the Potomac ; Roswell S.
Ripley, who wrote a history of the war with
Mexico ; John P. Johnstone, the brave artillery
lieutenant who lost his life at Contreras, Mexico ;
Joseph Jones Reynold, who served on the staff of
the general commanding the Army of the Cumber-
land, until Grant assumed command of the united
departments of Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland ;
Lieutenant George Stevens, who was drowned in
the passage of the Rio Grande ; and the gallant
General Frederick Steele, who took part in the
Vicksburg and Mississippi campaigns as division
and corps commander under General Grant, and
afterwards commanded the army of Arkansas.

A number of Grant's classmates were dropped
from the rolls of the United States army, and en-
tered the rebel service, at the breakin^-out of the

22 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

civil war; .some of them resigned their positions,
and retired to private life ; and not a few lost their
lives in the Mexican war, as we have already
stated, among whom Lieutenant Theodore L. Chad-
bourne deserves especial mention. This latter
officer was killed in the battle of Resaca de la
Palma, May 9, 1846, after distinguishing himself
for his bravery at the head of his command.

Lieutenant Booker died while in service at San
Antonio, Tex. ; Lieutenant Lewis Xeill died at
Fort Croghan ; Lieutenant Robert Hazlitt lost his
life at the storming of Monterey ; Lieutenant Edwin
Howe died at Fort Leavenworth ; and Lieutenant
Charles E. James, at Sonoma, Cal.

BEGINNING OF ARMY LIFE. MEXICAN WAR. 23

CHAPTER III.

BEGINNING OF ARMY LIFE. MEXICAN AVAR.

TTPON his graduation, Grant at once entered
^ the United States Regular Army as a brevet
second lieutenant of the Fourth Infantry. This
company was then stationed on the frontier in Mis-
souri and Missouri Territory, which was at that
time an almost untrodden wilderness to the white
man, and infested by hostile tribes of Indians.

Young Grant, while in this part of the West,
was of great assistance to his military companions,
not only in protecting the early settlers along the
banks of the great rivers, but in engineering the
opening of the country.

He had not been many months in the service,
however, before he was ordered with his regiment
into Texas, to join General Taylor, who had been
appointed to the command of the United States
troops in that republic. This was in the year 1845.
An imaginary line of boundary between Mexico
and the United States lay in the territory of what is
now known as the State of Texas. This line was a
constant source of dispute between the two coun-

24 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

tries ; and, after a series of petty struggles, Gen-
eral Taylor learned that a large force of Mexicans
were marching northward with the intention of
crossing the Rio Grande into Texas, and driving
the Americans from that part of the territory.

Fort Brown, on the Texas shore of the Rio
Grande, was the first military post besieged by
the Mexicans, and, to relieve the brave American
garrison stationed there, General Taylor at once
proceeded thither with his troops. This was the
first battle-ground of Lieutenant Grant, who took
a gallant part in the struggle of Palo Alto, on the
8th of May, 1846.

Corpus Christi, an important port on the Texas
shore, had been taken possession of by the Ameri-
cans as a base of operations, and it was here that
Grant was stationed when he received his commis-
sion as full second lieutenant of infantry.

This occurred on the 30th day of September,
1845, and was made out for a vacancy in the
Seventh Regiment of United States Regular Infan-
try. Grant had, however, become so attached to
the members of the Fourth* Regiment, that a request
was forwarded to Washington to allow him to be
retained with that division ; and in the month of
November following, he received a commission
which appointed him a full second lieutenant in
the Fourth Regiment of United States Regular
Infantry.

BEGINNING OF ARMY LIFE. MEXICAN WALL 25

On the 9th day of May, 1846, the battle of Ke-
saca de la Pal ma was fought, and Fort Brown was
relieved of the besieging Mexicans, Avho now
rushed across the Rio Grande in full retreat.

Young Lieutenant Grant not only distinguished
himself in these first contests, but accompanied
General Taylor in his brilliant exploits up the Rio
Grande and into the Mexican territory at New
Leon, over a hundred miles from the mouth of
the river.

The storming of Monterey occurred on the 23d
of September, 1846, and Grant took part in this
daring engagement. The post was very strongly
fortified, but General Taylor was determined to
drive the Mexicans out of their intrenchments, and
finally succeeded.

War had now been regularly declared by Con-
gress, and a systematic plan of attack laid out.
The grand movement by way of Vera Cruz threw
the northern route into a secondary rank ; and the
army and navy both, were now to be brought into
active use.

After General Scott had accomplished a landing,
just above Vera Cruz, a part of the troops on the
Rio Grande were ordered down that river to unite
their forces with his. Among these companies
was the Fourth Infantry ; and Lieutenant Grant,
accompanying his regiment, was now transferred
from General Taylor's command to that under

26 LIFE OF GEX. U. S. GRANT.

"Winfield Scott. He was therefore a participant
in the obstinate siege Which finally resulted in the
surrender of Vera Cruz, on the 29th of March,
1847.

During the early part of the following month,
when the army was preparing to advance into the
centre of the Mexican country, Grant was ap-
pointed quartermaster of his regiment, — a post
of honor, and of great importance to an army in a
strange country. His commanding officers had at
last perceived that Lieutenant Grant possessed
more than ordinary abilities, and this position of
quartermaster he held during the remainder of
the Mexican campaign.

At the battle of Molino del Rey, on the 8th of
September, 1847, Grant showed such remarkable
bravery, that he was appointed on the field a first
lieutenant, to date from the day of that battle.
Congress afterwards offered to confirm the ap-
pointment as a mere brevet, but Grant refused to
accept it under such circumstances.

On the 18th day of September, 1847, occurred
the battle of Chapultepec, in which Lieutenant
Grant behaved with the most distinguished aral-
lantry.

In the report of Captain Horace Brooks, Second
Artillery, of the battle of Chapultepec, he says, —

"I succeeded in reaching the fori with a few
men. Here Lieutenant U. S. Grant, and a few

BEGINNING OF ARMY LIFE. MEXICAN WAR. -I

more men of the Fourth Infantry, found me, and
by a joint movement, after an obstinate resistance,
a' strong field-work was carried, and the enemy's
right was completely turned."

Major Francis Lee, commanding the Fourth In-
fantry at the battle of Chapultepec, says, —

" At the first barrier the enemy was in strong
force, which rendered it necessary to advance with
caution. This was done, and, when the head of
the battalion was within short muske-trange of the
barrier, Lieutenant Grant, Fourth Infantry, and
Captain Brooks, Second Artillery, with a few men
of their respective regiments, by a handsome move-
ment to the left, turned the right flank of the
enemy, and the barrier was carried. . . . Second
Lieutenant Grant behaved with distinguished gal-
lantry on the 13th and 14th."

The report of Brevet Colonel John Garland,
commanding the First Brigade, says of the battle
of Chapultepec, —

" The rear of the enemy had made a stand be-
hind a breastwork, from which they were driven
by detachments of the Second Artillery under
Captain Brooks, and the Fourth Infantry under
Lieutenant Grant, supported by other regiments
of the division, after a short but sharp conflict.
... I recognized the command as it came up,
mounted a howitzer on the top of a convent,
which, under the direction of Lieutenant Grant,

-O LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GEANT.

quartermaster of the Fourth Infantry, and Lieu-
tenant Lendrum, Third Artillery, annoyed the
enemy considerably. ... I must not omit to call
attention to Lieutenant Grant, Fourth Infantry,
who acquitted himself most nobly upon several
occasions under my own observation."

General Worth's report, also, of" Sept. 16, speaks
very highly of the bravery of Lieutenant Grant.

For his gallant and meritorious conduct in the
battle of Chapultepcc, Lieutenant Grant received
the brevet of captain of the regular army, — his
rank to date from Sept. .13, 1847, the day of the
battle.

The brevet was awarded to him in 1849 ; the
nomination sent to Congress during the session of
1849-50, and confirmed during the next session.

On the 16th day of September, 1847, the gal-
lant second lieutenant was appointed a first lieu-
tenant in the Fourth Regiment of regular infan-
try. — still holding his brevet rank of captain,
dated three days previous.

GRANT AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN. 29

CHAPTER IV.

GRANT AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN.

A T the close of the Mexican Avar, Grant came
-*-*- home with his regiment, the Fourth Regular

Infantry, and disembarked at New York. The
troops were divided into different companies, and
scattered along the various frontier defences along
the borders of Michigan and the State of New
York.

In 1850-51 the gold-fever in California had at-
tracted to that region a heterogeneous population,
among whom were many desperadoes who set at
naught all moral and civil laws. To check their
infamous doings, and also to restrain the Indians
from murderous assaults upon peaceful and law-
abiding citizens, the government ordered troops to
that part of the country. Among these military
companies, the battalion to which Lieutenant Grant
was attached was sent to Fort Dallas in Oregon.

It was while engaged in duty at this post that
Grant received his full promotion to captain of
infantry, — his commission dating from August,
1853.

80 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

The country was now at peace ; and Grant, think-
ing that he could make more progress in civil than
in military life, resigned his connection with the
United States army on the 31st day of July, 1854.

In 1848 he had married Julia T. Dent, the
eldest daughter of Frederick Dent, a merchant of
St. Louis ; and, after resigning his commission in
the army, he purchased a small farm at Gravois. a
few miles from St. Louis.

Here he was in the habit of cutting the superflu-
ous wood upon his little clearing, drawing it him-
self to Carondelet, and selling it in the market
there.

" Many of his purchasers," writes one who knew
him well at this period of his life, " like to call to
mind that they had a cord of wood delivered in
person by the great General Grant.

" When he came into the wood-market he was
usually dressed in an old felt hat, with a blouse
coat, and his trousers tucked into the tops of his
boots. In truth, he bore the appearance of a stur-
dy, honest woodman.

" This was his winters work. In the summer
he turned a collector of debts ; but for this he was
not qualified. He had a noble and truthful soul :
so, when he was told that the debtor had no money,
he believed him, and would not trouble the debtor
again. This circumstance was mentioned by one
of the leading merchants of St. Louis.

GRANT AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN. 31

"Honest, truthful, and indefatigable, ho was al-
ways at work upon something; but lie did not
seem to possess the knack of making money, lie
was honorable, for he always repaid borrowed
money; and his habits of life were hardy, inex-
pensive, and simple."

During the year 1859, Grant entered into part-
ner-hip with his father in the leather trade. Their
business was located in the city of Galena, Jo
Daviess County, 111., and it was here that Grant
now removed his family. This pleasant city is
built upon a bluff on the Fevre River, about six
miles above the point where it empties into the
Mississippi. The streets rise one above the other,
often communicating by flight- of steps, and it was
at the top of one of these picturesque hills that
the unpretentious home of Grant was situated. He
was now about thirty-nine years of age ; and of his
four children, the eldest was eleven years old.
Galena, being a sort of business centre to the States
of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, is a place of
considerable importance ; and this leather-house of
Grant & Son soon promised to be a decidedly pros-
perous concern.

When Grant was at Vicksburg, some fiery poli-
ticians from Illinois tried to draw him into a dis-
cussion relative to the state of the various political
parties of the country. Grant, however, with his
usual reticence, refused to express his views. One

32 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

of the party thereupon began to use all his per-
suasive powers to inveigle the general into some
expression of his opinions.

The patience of the latter was exasperated, and
he suddenly exclaimed, —

"There is no use talking politics to me. I know
nothing about them ; and, furthermore, I do not
know of any person among my acquaintances who
does. But," he continued, " there is one subject
with which I am perfectly acquainted : talk of that,
and I am your man/'

"Why, what is that?" exclaimed the astonished
politician.

" Tanning leather," was the quiet reply.

It is needless to say that Grant was not troubled
with further political discussions by his Illinois
friends.

OPENING OF THE CIVIL WAB. 83

CHAPTER V.

OPENING OF THE CIVIL WAR.

TTTHEX the startling news from Fort Sumter
W came, on the 13th of April, 1861, Grant, a
private citizen, was still living with his family
in Galena, 111. In response to the President's
call for troops, two days later, he wrote a letter
to the adjutant-general of the army, in which he
offered his services to the government in whatever
capacity he could be of use. He had already
organized and drilled a company of volunteers at
Galena, and marched with them to Springfield, the
capital of the State. To his letter he received no
reply ; but about a month after, the governor, Hon.
Richard Yates, offered him the Twenty-first Regi-
ment of Illinois. Grant took command of his regi-
ment in June, and marched immediately to Missouri.
Here he reported to Brigadier-General Pope, by
whom he was stationed at Mexico, some fifty miles
north of the Missouri River. Two months later he
was commissioned by the President, brigadier-gen-
eral of volunteers, to date from May 17. This was
a genuine surprise to him. His promotion had been

34 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

unanimously recommended by the members of
Congress from Illinois, although not one of them
had any personal acquaintance with him, and his
first knowledge of the fact came to him from the
newspapers of the day.

It will be remembered that during the civil war
the country was divided by the government into
military departments, the boundaries of which were
repeatedly changed. At this time the State of
Illinois, and the States and Territories west of the
Mississippi River, and east of the Eocky Moun-
tains, constituted the western department, of
which Major-General Fremont was in command.
Early in August, Grant was transferred by Fre-
mont to Ironton, Mo., and a fortnight after-
wards to Jefferson City, in the same State. The
following month, by direction of Fremont, he
took command of the district of Southeast Mis-
souri, and made his headquarters at Cairo, at the
mouth of the Ohio. This was a most important
district, as it included the junction of the four great
rivers, — Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, and Missis-
sippi.

The first achievement of General Grant was the
seizure of Paducah, at the mouth of the Tennessee.
The Governor of Kentucky was endeavoring to
keep the State in a position of armed neutrality.
General Polk, however, who commanded the rebels
in that quarter, violated this neutrality by seizing

OPENING OF THE CIVIX, WAR. 35

Columbus and Hickman on the Mississippi, and
threatening Paducah, within three days after Grant
assumed his new command. All these places were
of military importance, especially Paducah, which
completely commands the navigation of both the
Tennessee and Ohio rivers.

Fremont had already ordered a movement in
Missouri under the superintendence of Grant, and
also the construction of Fort Holt on the Ken-
tucky shore ; but, when Grant heard of the advance
of Folk, he at once notified his commanding officer
and the Kentucky legislature at Frankfort, tele-
graphing Fremont at St. Louis : " I am getting
ready to go to Paducah. Will start at six and
a half o'clock." Later in the day he wrote : "I
am now nearly ready for Paducah, should not
telegraph arrive, preventing the movement."

As no reply came, Grant started that night
about half past ten o'clock, taking Avith him two
regiments, a light battery, and two gunboats. At
Mound City he was delayed by an accident to one
of his transports, but reached Paducah at half past
eight on the following morning. While he was
getting ashore, Brigadier-General Tilghman and his
staff, of the rebel army, with a company of recruits,
were hurrying out of the town by railroad : so
Paducah was seized without a gun being fired.
Grant's prompt movement had so intimidated the
rebels, that he had now full control of the Ohio

36 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

Eiver; and the State legislature, although it
rebuked General Grant for writing to that august
body, at once passed resolutions favorable to the
Union, and no more was heard of the neutrality of
Kentucky. After leaving a sufficient garrison to
hold the town, Grant returned to Cairo, where he
received Fremont's permission to take Paducah,
"if he felt strong enough."

For the following two months Grant was sta-
tioned at the junction of the great rivers, and al-
lowed by his commanding officer to make no move-
ment of any importance. Several times he sug-
gested the possibility of capturing Columbus, an
important position on the east bank of the Missis-
sip})!, some twenty miles below Cairo, and once
wrote to Fremont : " If it was discretionary with
me, with a little addition to my present force, I
would take Columbus."

No notice, however, was taken of this letter.
Just opposite Columbus, on the west bank, was
Belmont, a small post fortified only by a sort of
abatis. The rebels were constantly exchanging
troops between these two posts, hindering the navi-
gation of the river, and making this point one of
their strongest works on the Mississippi.

A number of weeks after Grant's proposition,
during which time the rebels had become greatly
strengthened at Columbus, a command was given
by Fremont to make a demonstration towards this

OPENING OF THE CIVIL WAR. 37

post. By so doing, the Confederate troops would
be drawn off from Price, whom Fremont himself
was eon front ins:.

On the evening of the fith of November, Grant
started down the river with three thousand one
hundred and fourteen men on transports, and under
convoy of two gunboats. After proceeding about
nine miles, he made a feint of landing on the Ken-
tucky shore ; and, receiving intelligence about day-
break that the rebels had been crossing troops
from Columbus to Belmont, he saw that prompt
action was now necessary to prevent any further
effort of the Confederates to re-enforce Price, or to
interrupt the progress of Oglesby. It would not
do to remain at Belmont, which is on low ground,
and directly under the guns at Columbus. Grant's
plan was just to destroy the camps, take the
enemy captives or disperse them, and then hurry
away before the garrison could be re-enforced by
the rebels. Early that morning, therefore, the
troops debarked at Hunter's Point on the Missouri
side, and marched directly towards Belmont. The
country around this post is partially wooded, and
in many places swampy, which difficulties were
quickly taken advantage of by the rebels. Grant
ordered his whole force forward as skirmishers,
except one battalion, which was held in reserve near
the landing, as a guard to the transports. For
nearly four hours there was heavy fighting. Grant

38 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

had his own horse shot under him, and Mc-
Clernand lost three. The bravery of the officers
stimulated the raw recruits, some of whom had been
in the service only a couple of days ; and they
fought with such vigor that the rebels were driven,
foot by foot, to the bank of the river, where several
hundred were taken prisoners. Grant's men then
charged through the abatis, captured all the artillery
and broke up the rebel camp. Elated, however,
by their success, they became disorganized, and,
instead of pursuing the enemy, began to plunder,
and behave like so many school-boys. Grant had
already descried the rebel transports carrying
crowds of troops over from Columbus, and was
anxious to get back to his own steamers before the
arrival of these re-enforcements. Mean while the
defeated rebels had re-organized with three fresh
regiments, and now barred the way to the river.

" We are surrounded ! " was the sudden cry of
the stupid recruits.

"Well," said Grant, "if that is so, we must cut
our way out as we cut our way in."

The men did not lack bravery, but seemed to
think, that, being surrounded, there was nothing
to do but surrender.

" We have whipped them once, and I think we
can do it again," added Grant, as he led his troops
forward. After a feeble resistance, the rebel line
dispersed a second time, and fled behind the banks.

OPENING OF THE CIVIL WAR. 39

Grant now saw the importance of getting his forces
on board the transports, and sent a detachment to
gather up the wounded. Owing to the inexperi-
ence of his officers, he had to superintend the exe-
cution of his own orders, and at one time found
himself completely outside of his own troops. The
rebel line was in a corn-field not fifty yards dis-
tant when Grant rode up to save the parties who
Avere still out in search of the wounded. Fortu-
nately he wore a private's overcoat, as it was a
damp, chilly morning, and he was not recognized.
The following day Grant met, under a flag of truce,
an old West Point comrade who laid become a
rebel. He mentioned having ridden out near the
rebel line the day before.

"Why! was that you?" exclaimed the ofiicer.
" We saw you, and General Polk called to some of
his troops, 'There, men, is a Yankee, if you want
to try your aim ;' but everyone then was intent on
hitting the transports."

The battle of Belmont was of course regarded
by the enemy as a rebel victory, yet by theiy own
accounts they had twice as many troops as Grant,
and lost a third more.

It has often been said by many who appreciated
the military genius of Grant, as shown in subse-
quent battles, that he ought to be forgiven for
the disaster at Belmont ; but even here he accom-
plished more than he was sent to do, and the in-

40

LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

fluence of the fight upon his undisciplined troops
was in every way most beneficial. They acquired
in that one battle courage, confidence, and dis-
cretion, and the " Belmont men " were known long
afterwards as among the bravest soldiers in the
Tennessee army.

CAPTURE OF FORTS HENRY AND DONELSOX. 41

CHAPTER VI.

THE CAPTURE OF FORTS HENRY AXD DOXELSOX.

n^TTO days after the battle of Belmont, Fremont
-*~ was superseded by Major-General Henry W.
Halleck, who took command of the new depart-
ment of the Missouri, including Arkansas and that
part of Kentucky which lies west of the Cumber-
land. Grant was confirmed in the command to
which he had been assigned by Fremont, but its
designation was changed.tr> the district of Cairo,
and included Paducah. For the subsequent two
months, Grant was employed in organizing- and dis-
ciplining his troops, although the battle of Belmont
had confirmed him in the belief, that, when neither
party is well disciplined, there is nothing to be
gained by delay.

Early in January, 1862, he received orders to
move a force of six thousand men, under McCler-
nand, towards Mayfield and Murray, in West Ken-
tucky, and two brigades from Paducah, under C.
F. Smith, to threaten Columbus and the rebel line
between that place and Bowling Green.

"The object," said Halleck, "is to prevent re-

!

42 LIFE OF GEIST. U. S. GKANT.

enforcements being sent to Buckner," who was
then in command near Bowling Green.

This expedition occupied more than a week ; and,
although there was no fighting, the troops suffered
not a little from cold, and exposure to a fearful j

storm of rain and snow. The object of the dem- \

onstration, however, was accomplished, and Smith
on his return reported the feasibility of the cap-
ture of Fort Henry. After several ineffectual at- |
tempts to broach the subject with Halleck, Grant
telegraphed to St. Louis as follows : —

"With permission, I will take and hold Fort
Henry on the Tennessee, and establish and hold a
large camp there ; " and on the following day he
wrote, — j

" In view of the large .force now concentrating
in this district, and the present feasibility of the
plan, I would respectfully suggest the propriety
of subduing Fort Henry, near the Kentucky and
Tennessee line, and holding the position. If this
is not done soon, there is but little doubt that the
defences on both the Tennessee and Cumberland
rivers will be materially strengthened. From
Fort Henry, it will be easy to operate either on the
Cumberland (only twelve miles distant), Memphis,
or Columbus. It will, besides, have a moral effect
upon our troops to advance thence towards the
rebel States. The advantages of this move are as
perceptible to the general commanding as to my-

CAPTUEE OF FORTS HENEY AND DOKELSON. 43

self: therefore further statements are unneces-
sary."

On the same day, Commodore Foote, command-
ing the naval force in this quarter, wrote to Hal-
leck, — ft General Grant and myself are of opinion
that Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, can he
carried with four ironclad gunboats and troops to
permanently occupy. Have we your authority to
move for that purpose when ready ? "

Halleck gave the desired permission, and, on tha
2d of February, Grant started from Cairo with
seventeen thousand men on transports. Foote,
with seven gunboats, accompanied him ; and the
debarkation began on the 4th, at Bailey's Ferry,
which is on the east bank, three miles below Fort
He my.

Fortifications had been erected by the rebels
upon both sides of the river, and the garrison con-
sisted of two thousand seven hundred and thirty-
four men, under the command of Brigadier-Gen-
eral Tilghman. On the eastern bank was a strono-
field-work with bastioned front, defended by sev-
enteen heavy guns; on the land front was an
intrenched camp, and outside of this a long line of
rifle-pits. The Confederates well knew°the im-
portance of Fort Henry on the Tennessee, and
Fort Donelson on the Cumberland. Together,
they completely barred the navigation of the riv-
ers, and covered the great railroad line of commu-

44 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT. L !

nication from east to west through the border
States. Their possession, in fact, determined the
fate of Kentucky and Tennessee.

As soon as the rebels perceived the meaning of
Grant's movements, they made immediate prepa-
rations to resist him. The overflow of the Tennes-
see River at this time greatly impeded the move-
ments of both the rebel and the national forces,
and Grant was unable to get all his troops ashore
until late in the evening of the following day.

A little before noon, on the 6th of February, the
gunboats attacked the water batteries at a distance
of six hundred yards.

For an hour and a half the storming of the fort
was carried on with vigor, no vessel receiving-
serious damage but the " Essex." At the end of that
time every gun was silenced by the naval force,
and the fort surrendered at discretion. Tilghman
was taken prisoner with his staff, and the sixty
men who had been retained to work the guns.
The remainder of the garrison had been sent on
to Fort Donelson.

Grant at once telegraphed to Halleck, —

"Fort Henry is ours. The gunboats silenced
the batteries before the investment was completed.
... I shall take and destroy Fort Donelson on
the 8th, and return to Fort Henry."

The heavy rains, however, and the inundation
of the Tennessee, delayed him for a number of
days.

CAPTURE OF TORTS HENRY AND DONELSON. 45

"At present," he wrote, "we are perfectly
locked in. The banks are higher at the water's
edge than farther back, leaving a wide margin of
low land to bridge over, before anything can be
done inland." On the 8th, he wrote, —

"I contemplated taking Fort Donelson to-day
with infantry and cavalry alone ; but all my troops
may be kept busily engaged in saving what we now
have from the rapidly rising water."

General Halleck's orders at this time were wholly
of a defensive character. His chief thought was
to strengthen Fort Henry ; but while he was writ-
ing about picks and shovels, Grant, tired of wait-
ing for re-enforcements, wrote to Commodore
Foote, —

" I have been waiting very patiently for the
return of the gunboats under Commodore Phelps
to go around on the Cumberland, whilst I marched
my land forces across, to make a simultaneous at-
tack upon Fort Donelson. I feel that there should
be no delay in this matter, and yet I do not feel
justified in going without some of your gunboats
to co-operate. Can you not send two boats from
Cairo immediately up the Cumberland ? "

" Start as soon as you like," was the reply. " I
will be ready to co-operate at any moment."

On the 11th, Foote started with his ileet by the
Ohio and Cumberland rivers, and on the same day
troops under McClernand moved out a few miles

46 LIFE OF GEX. U. S. GEANT.

on the two roads leading to Fort Donelson. Early
on the following morning the main column of
Grant's men, numbering fifteen thousand, marched
from Fort Henry, leaving a garrison there of
twenty-five hundred men. The forward brigade
was ordered to move by the telegraph road, halt-
ing about two miles from the fort, to receive fur-
ther directions ; the other brigades were to move
by the Dover road, halting at the same distance,
and forming a continuous line with the other wing.

Fort Donelson, which was only twelve miles
from Fort Henry, was at that time one of the
strongest works held by the Confederates. It was
situated on a series of hills, some of which rose
abruptly to the height of a hundred feet, and
every advantage had been taken of its rugged and
inaccessible character. The main fort was about
three quarters of a mile from the breastworks,
covered a hundred acres of ground, and was de-
fended by fifteen heavy guns and two cannonades.
On the hillsides towards the Cumberland, water
batteries had been sunk to control the navigation
of the river, and the whole amount of rebel artil-
lery was sixty-five pieces. The garrison numbered
about twenty-one thousand men.

Soon after mid-day, on the 12th, Grant's men
appeared in front of the rebel lines. General
Smith had command of the left wing, and McCler-
nand the right, of the national troops. The fol-

CAPTURE OF FORTS HENRY AND DONELSON. 47

lowing day was spent in reconnoitring the ground,
waiting for re-enforcements and the arrival of gun-
boats. That night the thermometer fell to ten
decrees below zero, and towards morning the suf-
ferings of the shelterless troops was increased by
a severe storm of snow and hail. Many of the
soldiers on both sides were frozen to death.

On Friday, the 14th, Commodore Foote arrived
with his gunboats ; and on the afternoon of that day
the ironclads attacked the fort, at a distance of
about four hundred yards. As the rebel batteries
were elevated some thirty feet above the river, and
secured by traverses against an enfilading fire, this
attempt to attack them in front was as dangerous
as it was difficult. After a hot engagement of an
hour and a half, Foote w T as obliged to withdraw,
havino- received a severe wound himself, and lost
some fifty men in killed and wounded. The gun-
boats, also, were so disabled as to unfit them for
any further active service.

About two o'clock the next morning, the com-
modore sent for Grant, as he was unable himself
to come ashore, and reported to him the enfeebled
condition of his fleet. While this conference was
taking place on board the flag-ship, a large detach-
ment of the rebels came out of their fortifications
and made a fierce assault upon McClernand's divi-
sion. General Lewis Wallace came up to the sup-
port from the centre, and a vigorous battle was

48

LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

fought upon both sides. The Federal troops were
becoming greatly disordered when Grant appeared
upon the scene of action. Like all raw recruits,
they imagined the enemy to be coming down upon
them in overpowering numbers, and thought they
meant to continue the assault for several days.

" Are their haversacks tilled ? " was Grant's first
inquiry.

Some of the prisoners were examined, and three
days' rations found in their haversacks.

" That means that they mean to cut their way
out ; they have no idea of staying here to light
us," said Grant ; then, looking at the panic-strick-
en men, he added : "whichever party first attacks
now, Avill whip, and the rebels will have to be very
quick, if they beat me."

The real object of the Confederates, as afterward
seen from their reports, was, as Grant surmised,
to destroy the right wing of the national line, roll-
ing it back on the left, and thus opening a way for
themselves to Nashville.

Spurring his horse, Grant hurried to the left wing
of his army and ordered an immediate assault. At
the same time he sent a request to Commodore
Foote to have all the gunboats make their appear-
ance to the enemy.

"A terrible conflict," he wrote, " ensued in my
absence, which has demoralized a portion of my
command, and I think the enemy is much more so.

U

TORE OF FORTS HENRY AND DONELSON. 49

lelt'imboats do not appear, it will reassure the
ny, and still further demoralize our troops. I
.,ust order a charge to save appearances. I do
not expect the gunboats to go into action."

Foote at once sent up the river two of the fleet
[hat threw a few guns at long range. Smith, who
commanded the left wing, was supported by Mc-
Clernand and Wallace, although the troops of these
two officers had already been hotly engaged in the
early part of the day. A spirited contest ensued,
and the rebels were soon driven inside the fort.
Darkness came down upon them before the battle
' j was decided, but inside the fort a strange confer-
ence was taking place. The rebel commander,
Floyd, had called together his chief officers, not
i only to propose the surrender of the post, but also
. to consult them about the propriety of escaping,
himself, by flight. Buckner, who acknowledged
the necessity of a surrender, added that the deser-
tion of his troops was a question that each man
must decide for himself. Pillow, however, de-
clared his determination to follow the example of
Floyd, saying that "there were no two men in the
confederacy the Yankees would rather capture than
themselves."

So, for "personal reasons that controlled them,"
Floyd transferred the command to Pillow, and the
latter officer put everything into Buckner's hands,
who was a true soldier in every sense of the word,

\

50 LIFE OF GEN". U. S. GliANT.

and resolved to stand by his troops to n e
last.

While Floyd and Pillow, with all the cava,,,
were making their flight under cover of the dark)
ness, Buckner sent a messenger to Grant, pre
posing an armistice till twelve o'clock, and i\>
appointment of commissioners to settle terms o?
capitulation.

Grant was all ready to storm the intrench-
ments when this message came, and the white flao-
was hoisted on Fort Donelson. His reply wa
short and to the point : —

"No terms except unconditional and immediate surrer
der can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon
your works."

Buckner's answer was as follows : —

"The disposition of forces under my command, incidon
to an unexpected change of commanders, and the ovei
whelming force under your command, compel me, notwitl
standing the brilliant success of the Confederate arms yes
terday, to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms
which you propose."

Grant immediately mounted his horse, and rode
to the headquarters of the rebel commander. He
and Buckner had been school friends at West}
Point, and he now assured that officer that he had
no desire to humiliate his prisoners. Horses and
all public property must be given up ; but the offi-
cers would be allowed to keep their side arms, and

CAPTURE OF FORTS HENRY AND DONELSON. 51

all personal baggage would remain untouched.
As they were talking over the siege together,
Buckner remarked, "If I had been in command
at the Bginning, you would n't have reached Fort
Doneb 1 so easily."

"No," replied Grant, " if you had been in com-
mand, I should have waited for re-enforcements,
and marched from Fort Henry in greater strength ;
but I knew that Pillow would not come out of his
works to fight, and told my staff so, though I
believed he would fight behind his works."

By the surrender of Fort Donelson, sixty-five
guns, seventeen thousand six hundred small arms
and nearly fifteen thousand troops fell into the
hands of the Union forces. The rebels in their
official reports declared emphatically that it was
the last assault from the left wing of Grant's
army which turned the scale ; and General Cullum,
Halleck's chief of staff, wrote to Grant as follows : —

" I received with the highest gratification your reports
and letters from Fort Donelson, so gallantly captured under
your hrilliant leadership. I, in common with the whole
country, warmly congratulate you upon this remarkable
achievement."

The Secretary of War at once recommended
Grant for a major-general cy of volunteers, and the
President nominated him the same day. The
nomination was immediately confirmed by the Sen-
ate ; and Grant was assigned the new military

52 LIFE OF GEN. TL S. GRANT.

district of West Tennessee, " with limits not de-
fined."

The capture of Fort Donelson was really the
first national success of any importance since the
beginning of the war. The great rebel line was
now penetrated at the centre, and the whole of
Kentucky and Tennessee immediately fell into the
possession of the national forces. The Tennessee
and Cumberland Rivers were open to navigation,
Bowling Green was made untenable, Columbus
was soon after evacuated, and the Mississippi
River from St. Louis to Arkansas was now under
the Union flao\

O

THE BATTLE OF SHILOH. 53

CHAPTER VII.

THE BATTLE OF SHILOH.

A S before stated, the limits of Grant's new
-^ command i not been defined, and it was
for over-stepp/ Jie unknown boundaries of this
district that/ xeck, never over-partial to Grant,
now found ♦ .se for his public censure. On the
3d of Ma/ , without a word of explanation to
Grant, P Aeck sent to the general-in-chief at
Washington the following dispatch : —

" I have had no communication with General Grant for
more than a week. lie left his command without my
authority, and went to Nashville. His army seems to be as
much demoralized by the victory of Fort Donelson as was
that of the Potomac by the defeat of Bull Run. It is hard
to censure a successful general immediately after a victory,
but I think he richly deserves it. I can get no returns, no
reports, no information of any kind from him. Satisfied
with his victory, he sits down and enjoys it, without any
regard to the future. I am worn out and tired by this
neglect and inefficiency. C. F. Smith is almost the only
officer equal to the emergency. 1 '

Next day, having doubtless received authority
from Washington, he telegraphed to Grant as
follows : —

54 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

"You will place Major-general C. F. Smith in command
of expedition, and remain yourself at Fort Henry. Why do
you not obey my orders to report strength and position of
your command ? "

Grant replied : —

" Your dispatch of yesterday is just received. Troops
will be sent under command of Major-general Smith, as
directed. I had prepared a different plan, intending Gen-
eral Smith to command the forces which should go to Paris
and Humboldt, while I would command the expedition upon
Eastport, Corinth, and Jackson, in person. ... I am not
aware of ever having disobeyed any order from your head-
quarters — certainly never intended such a thing. I have
reported almost daily the condition of my command, and
reported every position occupied. ... In conclusion, I will
say that you may rely on my carrying out your instructions
in every particular to the best of my ability."

On the following day, Ilalleck telegraphed to
Grant : —

" General McClellan directs that you report to me daily
the number and position of the forces under your command.
Your neglect of repeated orders to report the strength of
your command has created great dissatisfaction, and
seriously interfered with military plans. Your going to
Nashville without authority, and when your presence with
your troops was of the utmost importance, Avas a matter of
very serious complaint at Washington, so much so that I
was advised to arrest you on your return.''

In reply, Grant telegraphed : —

" I did all 1 could to got you returns of the strength of my
command. Every move 1 made was reported daily to your

I

THE BATTLE OF SHILOH. 55

chief of staff, who must have failed to keep you properly-
posted. I have done my very best to obey orders, and to
cany out the interests of the service. If my course is not
satisfactory, remove me at once. I do not wish in any way
to impede the success of our arms. I have averaged writ-
ing more than once a day since leaving Cairo, to keep you
informed of my position, and it is no fault of mine if you
have not received my letters. My going to Nashville was
strictly intended for the good of the service, and not to
gratify any desire of my own.

" Believing sincerely that I must have enemies between
j'ou and myself, who are trying to impair my usefulness, I
respectfully ask to be relieved from further duty in the de-
partment."

Another rebuke followed from Halleck to which
Grant replied : —

" You had a better chance of knowing my strength whilst
my command was surrounding Fort Donelson than I had.
Troops were reporting daily by your order, and were imme-
diately assigned to brigades. There were no orders re-
ceived from you till the 28th of February to make out
returns ; and I made every effort to get them in as early as
possible. I renew my application to be relieved from
duty."

Two days later Grant wrote again to Halleck : —

" There is such a disposition to find fault with me, that I
again ask to be relieved from further duty until I can be
placed right in the estimation of those higher in authority."

In reply, Halleck wrote : —

" You cannot be relieved from your command. There is
no jrood reason for it. I am certain that all which the au-

56 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

thorities at "Washington ask is that you enforce discipline
and punish the disorderly. . . Instead of relieving you, I
wish you, as soon as your new army is in the field, to as-
sume the immediate command, and lead it on to new vic-
tories."

Grant's answer was as follows : —

"After your letter enclosing copy of an anonymous
letter, upon which severe censure was based, I felt as though
it would be impossible to me to serve longer without a
court of inquiry. Your telegram of yesterday, however,
places such a different phase upon my position, that I will
again assume command, and give every effort to the success
of our cause. Under the worst circumstances, I would do
the same."

While the hero of Donelson remained in disgrace
at Fort Henry, Smith took command of the expe-
dition, and pushed forward the troops as far as
Eastport, on the Tennessee. Grant, however, did
all in his power to secure the success of this under-
taking, and, on transferring his command to Smith,
congratulated him heartily on his "richly merited
promotion. No one," he added, " can feel more
pleasure than myself."

When Smith was informed afterward that Grant
had been reinstated, he wrote in the same noble
spirit : —

" I want you to know how glad I am that you are to re-
sume your old command, from which you were so uncere-
moniously, and, as I think, so unjustly, stricken down."

The relations between Grant and Smith were

THE BATTLE OF SHILOH. 57

always of the pleasantest character. At West
Point, Smith was commandant when Grant was a
cadet. It was therefore difficult for the latter
to give the older officer an order ; but Smith,
observing this, said with, his usual tact and deli-
cacy,—

" I am now a subordinate, and I know a soldier's duty.
I hope you will feel no awkwardness about our new rela-
tions."

Smith always proved himself a gallant soldier,
but he never recovered from the exposure of those
terrible days and nights at Fort Donelson, and died
before another summer.

It was on the loth of March that Grant was
relieved from his disgrace ; four days after, he re-
moved his headquarters to Savannah, a point about
nine miles lower down than Pittsburg Landing,
and on the opposite side of the river. From there
he wrote to Sherman, at that time commandant of
the District of Cairo : —

" I bare just arrived, and, although sick for the last two
weeks, begin to feel better at the thought of being again
with the troops."

At this time the rebels seemed to be concentrat-
ing their forces in the neighborhood of Corinth,
and the number of their troops was estimated by
Grant as about sixty-five thousand men, or one
hundred and sixty-two regiments and battalions.

58 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

Early on the morning of the sixth of April, Gen-
eral Johnston, in command of the rebel forces,
opened an attack upon the national lines at Shiloh,
a short distance from Corinth. The lay of the
country just here is thickly wooded, with a few
patches of cultivation, and the battlefield reached
back from the bluffs at Pittsburg Landing: some
three miles. It was enclosed by Snake River on
the north and Lick Creek on the south, which run
at nearly right angles with the Tennessee. These
were the right and left defences of the national
line ; and, as the enemy came from Corinth, the
attack was almost wholly in front. The entire
number of national troops on the ground at the
time of the assault was thirty-three thousand men.
Pittsburg Landing is only nine miles from Sa-
vannah by the river, and not more than six in an air
line. The heavy firing was, therefore, heard im-
mediately by Grant and his staff, who were taking
an early breakfast ; and an order was instantly
dispatched to General Nelson, commanding divi-
sion in Buell's army, to move all his forces to the
river bank opposite Pittsburg. Grant himself
boarded, a transport and sent the following note to
Buell.

" Heavy firing is heard up the river, indicating
plainly that an attack has been made upon our
most advanced position. I have been looking for
this, but did not believe the attack could be made

THE BATTLE OF SHILOH. 59

before Monday or Tuesday. This necessitates my
joining the forces up the river, instead of meeting
you to-day as I had contemplated."

On his way up the river, Grant stopped at
Crump's Landing and notified General Lewis Wal-
lace in person, then hurried on to the landing at
Pittsburg, and entered at once into the thickest of
the fight. The rebels had already begun a furious
•assault ; and the engagement soon spread along
the whole line. Prentiss' and then Sherman's di-
visions were driven back. This was owing largely
to the fact that nearly all their men were raw
recruits, and many came upon the field without
cartridges. An unfortunate panic broke out
among them, which gave fresh courage to the
enemy, and as the re-enforcements from Buell
and Wallace were greatly delayed, matters be-
gan to look very dark to the Union troops. All
day Grant was on the field, exposed to constant
fire ; and when Buell, on arriving and seeing the
situation of affairs, inquired, —

" What preparations have you made for retreat-
ing, General ? " Grant immediately replied, —

''I have n't despaired of whipping them yet ! "

At the sieo-e of Donelson, Grant had learned
that when both armies arc nearly exhausted, and
it seems impossible for either side to continue the
conflict, victory is almost sure to follow the one
who dares to renew the fight.

60 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

Darkness was now settling down over the battle-
field at Shiloh; but early the next morning, in
spite of a violent rain, Grant was determined to
make the next assault. The rebels still fought
with tremendous vigor, ground was repeatedly
lost and won, but little by little the national forces
beo-an to regain their power. Near the close of
the day, Grant met the First Ohio Regiment march-
in"- toward the northern part of the held, where
another regiment was just preparing to retreat. It
was a critical moment, for an important position
on the field was about to be relinquished to the
foe ; Grant saw the emergency, and as soon as the
men recognized their leader, the retreating troops
turned back; and together the two regiments
swept the enemy from the hotly-contested spot.

The battle of Shiloh, one of the fiercest of the
whole war, west of the Alleghanies, decided
almost nothing for either side. The rebels under
Beauregard retreated to their old position at Cor-
inth, having lost in killed, wounded, and missing,
ten thousand six hundred and ninety-nine men.

The loss on the national side was still greater,
numbering in all, twelve thousand two hundred
and seventeen. The ground, however, remained
in the hands of Grant; and, as the re-enforcements
under Buell were now at the front, the national
army, alter the battle, was in a far better condi-
tion than that of the rebels.

THE BATTLE OF SHILOH. 61

Halleck arrived on the 9th, and, taking com-
mand of all the national forces, forbade any far-
ther advance except behind breastworks. This
had a most depressing effect upon the Union troops,
and gave to the country an impression that in the
battle of Shiloh the whole Army of the Tennessee
had been overwhelmed and disgraced. Grant,
though still second in command, w T as quite ignored
in all the proceedings of the following two months.
Many of the Western politicians tried to induce
the President to remove him from his position,
believing that the terrible loss of life at Shiloh was
attributable to his leadership ; and for many
weeks the hero of Fort Donelson was forgotten in
the unmerited opprobrium. At this period of the
war, Grant's abilities as a military leader were
greatly underrated. His simplicity and direct-
ness, his patient persistency and unwavering
calmness were traits too unassuming to attract pop-
ular applause, lie was regarded as a plain, good
man, whose successes thus far during the war had
been merely owing to chance, not to military
genius. His opinion, therefore, was seldom con-
sulted by his superiors ; and oftentimes his subor-
dinates failed to carry out his orders, thinking their
own plans would bring about more brilliant tri-
umphs, and justify their conduct. It takes a
diamond to test a diamond, and it is interesting
just here to note Bismarck's appreciation of the
quiet, earnest man : —

62 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

" One thing that struck me forcibly was the clear and
concise manner in which Grant talked on the various sub-
jects he discussed. I saw at once that he knew his subject
thoroughly, or else that he avoided it completely. ... As
a general, he was skilful, bold, cool, and patient; and all
the qualities needed by a great commander seem to have
been united in him. He never hesitated to sacrifice 10,000
men for the sake of obtaining an important advantage; but
he also preferred to retreat than to spill a drop of blood in
order to win a fruitless victory. He was always ready to
expose himself to the fire of the enemy, and was astonish-
ingly phlegmatic and modest. He was always generous in
recommending his rivals for promotion, and exceedingly
delicate and sparing of humiliations toward the conquered.
... I do not think the idea of taking advantage of his
position in order to usurp power ever crossed his mind."

THE BATTLES OF IITKA AND CORINTH. 63

CHAPTER VIII.

THE BATTLES OF IUKA AND CORINTH.

jN the 17th of July Halleck superseded Mc-
Clellan in the command of all the armies.
He went immediately to Washington ; and Grant
was ordered to establish his headquarters at Cor-
inth. This post the rebels had deserted some
weeks before, leaving wooden guns and barren
defences to deceive the federal army as long as
possible. Grant remained at Corinth about eight
weeks, watching the enemy commanded by Van
Dorn and Price, and strengthening the fortifica-
tions of this extensive post. Coming events ren-
dered these works of great importance, although,
at the time, the country's attention was concen-
trated with painful interest upon the campaign fur-
ther east. All the troops that could be spared
were taken from Grant and sent to Buell, as the
north was threatened in Maryland and in Ohio at
the same time.

At last Van Dorn prepared to move part of his
force under Price, evidently planning to re-enforco
Bragg in the Kentucky campaign. On the 9th of

64 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GEANT.

September Grant wrote to his chief as follows :
"Should the enemy come, I will be as ready as
possible with the means at hand. I do not believe
that a force can be brought against us at present
that cannot be successfully resisted."

Four days later, Price advanced from the south
and seized Iuka, twenty-one miles east of Corinth.
Grant immediately telegraphed to Halleck : "If I
can, I will attack Price before he crosses Bear
Creek. If he can be beaten there, it will prevent
the design either to go north, or to unite forces
and attack here."

Price was already at Iuka, and Van Dorn four
days off to the southwest, threatening Corinth;
Grant's object, therefore, was to destroy Price
before the two armies could concentrate, and then
to get back to Corinth and protect it against Van
Dorn.

Brigadier-general Rosecrans was at once or-
dered to attack Iuka from the south, and Major-
general Ord with his troops to make the attack
from the north. Their combined forces amounted
to seventeen thousand men.

On the afternoon of the 19th Rosecrans had ar-
rived within two miles of Iuka, when the head of
his column was suddenly attacked by the rebels.
He managed to keep his ground until dark, and
late that night sent the following despatch to
Grant : " We have lost two or three pieces of

THE BATTLES OF IUKA AND CORINTH. 65

artillery. Firing was very heavy. You must at-
tack in the morning, and in force. The ground is
horrid, unknown to us, and no room for develop-
ment. Could n't use our artillery at all ; fired but
few shots. Push in on to them until we can have
time to do something. We will try to get a posi-
tion on our right which will take Inka."

This despatch, owing to the state of the roads,
was unfortunately delayed, but as soon as receiv-
ed Grant sent word to Ord to attack as soon as
possible, saying, "Unless you can create a diver-
sion in Rosecrans' favor, he may find his hands
full."

The rebels finding how nearly they were
surrounded by Grant's concentrated forces, held
Rosecrans in check on one road, and escaped,
under cover of darkness, by the other. This de-
feated Grant's plan of capturing Price's entire
force, as by the battle of Iuka the enemy was
not seriously crippled, but only checked in the
course they intended to pursue. They still con-
tinued to annoy Grant from various quarters, and
on the 1st of October he telegraphed to Washing-
ton, " My position is precarious, but I hope to
get out of it all right." By the removal of Price's
cavalry to Ripley, it now seemed probable that
Corinth was to bo the next place of attack. Grant
therefore ordered Rosecrans to concentrate his
forces, and Brigadier-general MePherson was

66 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

sent from Jackson with a brigade of troops has-
tily called in from other quarters.

The rebel army, consisting of about thirty-eight
thousand, appeared in front of Corinth under the
command of Van Dorn, Price, Lovell, Villepigue,
and Rust. This was on the 2d of October, and
on the following day the fighting began in good
earnest. Rosecrans had but nineteen thousand
men, and pushed out towards Chewalla ; he was
soon driven back, however, to his defences on the
north side of Corinth, and the work bestowed on
these fortifications a month before by Grant was
now fully appreciated. Until morning the enemy
was checked ; then, for a short time, the battle wa-
vered ; but before noon Rosecrans, commanding
his troops in person, finally repulsed them with a
loss of only half as many as the rebels in killed
and wounded.

Grant, anticipating this victory at Corinth,
directed Rosecrans to push on immediately ; for
he knew that if Ord's little band of troops en-
countered the whole rebel army in their flight, the
danger would be great. Rosecrans, however,
ignored these orders ; and, as his troops were
fatigued by the two days' battle, he gave directions
for them to rest awhile before continuing the pur-
suit. Fresh orders came from Grant, who was
greatly anno veil by the delay, and on the next
day Rosecrans started out. He made a mistake

THE BATTLES OF IUKA AND CORINTH. 67

in the road, however, and the rebels attacked Ord
before he could reach them. They were repulsed
by that general and driven six miles up the river,
where they crossed the bridge over the Hatchie,
just as Kosecrans arrived with his army. It was
now too late to pursue the retreating enemy, and
although Kosecrans wished to continue the advance,
Grant knew it was wiser to recall the troops.

Although the rebel army in this quarter had es-
caped complete destruction, these two battles at
Iuka and Corinth determined the possession of
northern Mississippi and West Tennessee, and
somewhat retrieved the disasters at the east.

Grant directed the movements in both of these
engagements, though in the former he was some
eight miles from the field, and in the latter, nearly
forty. He received, however, no credit for his
wise management, but Rosecrans was immediately
made a major-general of volunteers, and ordered
to the command of the Army of the Cumberland.

68 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

CHAPTER IX.

BEGINNING OF THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN.

OF all the rebel defences along the Mississippi
River, Vicksburg was by far the most impor-
tant. Jefferson Davis had called it the Gibraltar
of America ; and nature seemed, indeed, to com-
bine here with art to make the fortifications im-
pregnable. The ground upon which the city
stands is supposed by some to have been originally
a plateau, four or five miles long, about two miles
wide, and two or three hundred feet above the
river. Violent storms have gradually washed away
this plateau, until it presents a labyrinth of sharp
ridges and deep ravines. The soil is so tine that
when cut vertically by the action of the water, it
will remain in a perpendicular position for years,
making the ascent of the bluffs exceedingly difficult.
The ridges are thickly wooded at the sides, and
the bottoms of the ravines are never level except
when the streams of water that formed them have
been unusually large. The Mississippi runs a little
west of south, just here, and the streams that
empty into it from the cast run southwest. The

BEGINNING OF VTCKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 69

i

whole line of the rebel fortifications was between
seven and eight miles long, exclusive of four miles
of rifle-trench and heavy batteries on the water
front. These fortifications were detached from one
another on prominent ridges, but a continuous line
of rifle-pits made a connection between them. The
ravines were the only ditches, except in front of the
detached works, but no others were needed, for
trees were felled in front of the whole line which
formed, in many places, impassable entanglements.

Towards the north, the hills are higher and
covered with a thicker growth of timber, so that
here the rebels had been able to make their line
especially strong and difficult of approach. From
the Jackson road to the river, on the south, the
slopes are more gentle, the ridges lower, and the
country under better cultivation ; but what was
lacking in natural defences was here supplied by
still stronger fortifications.

The battles of Iuka and Corinth had occurred in
September and October, and on the 25th of the
latter month Grant assumed command of the De-
partment of the Tennessee, which included Cairo,
Forts Henry and Donelson, northern Mississippi,
and that part of Kentucky and Tennessee that lies ■
west of the Tennessee River.

On the following day Grant wrote to Halleek : —

"Yon never have suggested to me any plan of operations
in this department. ... As situated now, with no more

TO LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GBANT.

troops, T can do nothing but defend my position?, find I do
not feel at liberty to abandon any of them without first con-
sulting you. . . . With small re-enforcements at Memphis,
I think I would be able to move down the Mississippi Cen-
tral road, and cause the evacuation of Vicksburg."

To do this, Grant proposed the abandonment of
Corinth, the destruction of all the railroads leading
out from that place, the re-opening of the road
from Humboldt to Memphis, and the concentration
of the troops from Corinth and Bolivar. " I am
ready, however," he added, "to do with all my
might whatever you may direct, without criticism."

Keceiving no answer, Grant announced to Ilal-
leck on the 2d of November : " I have commenced
a movement on Grand Junction with three divisions
from Corinth and two from Bolivar. Will leave
Jackson to-morrow and take command in person.
If found practicable, I will go to Holly Springs,
and may be Grenada, completing railroad and tel-
egraph as I go."

When Halleck received this intelligence he tele-
graphed to Grant, "I approve of your plan of
advancing upon the enemy as soon as you are
strong enough for that purpose ; " but he did not
authorize him to abandon any of his positions, so
Grant was obliged to hold them all. Two days
after, he seized La Grange and Grand Junction,
and announced, "My moving force will be about
thirty thousand men."

BEGINNING OF VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 71

Major-general McClernan'd meanwhile had gone
on to Washington, and petitioned the President
and Secretary of War for an independent command
at the West. He was a man of energy and courage,
but without military knowledge or experience.
His desire at this time was to raise troops for an
expedition of his own against Vicksburg. The
President approved of the plans when submitted
to him, and advised McClernand to submit them
to the general-in-chief. Halleck, however, replied
that he had no time to waste upon such matters,
and even if he had the time, he had not the inclina-
tion. The President, nevertheless, was a warm
friend of McClernand, and indorsed him ; and the
Secretary of War gave him permission to go West
and collect his troops for the desired purpose. Of
this little episode Grant had no knowledge until
it came to him through the newspapers. Halleck,
however, probably had it in mind when on the 5th
of November he wrote Grant : —

"Had not troops sent to re-enforce you better
go to Memphis hereafter? I hope to give you
twenty thousand additional men in a few days."
And again when he informed Grant, " I hope for
an active campaign on the Mississippi this fall ; a
large force will ascend the river from New
Orleans."

On the 9th, Grant telegraphed: " Re-enforce-
ments are arriving very slowly. If they do not

72 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

come in more rapidly, I will attack as I am." The
next day he was still more restive, and inquired : —

"Am I to understand that I lie here still, while
an expedition is fitted out from Memphis ; or do
you want me to push as far south as possible ? Am
I to have Sherman subject to my orders, or is he
and his force reserved for some special service ? "

Halleck promptly replied, "You have command
of all troops sent to your department, and have
permission to fight the enemy when you please."

On the very next day, Grant's cavalry proceeded
to Holly Springs, and drove the enemy south of the
Tallahatchie. On the 14th he wrote to Sherman :

rt I have now complete control of my depart-
ment. . . . Move with two divisions of twelve
full regiments each, and, if possible, with three
divisions, to Oxford, or the Tallahatchie, as soon
as possible. I am now ready to move from La
Grange any day, and only await your movements.
... I am exceedingly anxious to do something
before the roads get bad, and before the enemy can
intrench and re-enforce."

Grant's plan was, as originally contemplated, to
advance along the Mississippi Central railroad,
until, by approaching near enough to Vicksburgto
threaten it, he might compel the evacuation of the
fort.

Halleck, who was still importuned by McCler-
nand's political friends, now inquired of Grant how

BEGINNING OF VICKSBUEG CAMPAIGN. id

many men he had in his department, and what force
could be sent down the river to Vicksburg.

Grant replied that he had in all seventy-two
thousand men, eighteen thousand of whom were at
Memphis, and that sixteen thousand of these could
be spared for the river expedition. He had, how-
ever, already given orders for the advance of his
whole force, including Sherman, had written to
Steele, in Arkansas, to threaten Grenada, and had
asked Admiral Porter to send boats to co-operate
at the mouth of the Yazoo.

" Must I countermand the orders for this move ?"
he inquired.

Halleck, who favored Grant's plan rather than
McClernand's, replied at once : " Proposed move
approved. Do not go too far."

Grant's cavalry on the 29th crossed the Talla-
hatchie, and quartered at Holly Springs.

"Our troops will be in Abbeville to-morrow,"
he telegraphed, "or a battle will be fought."

The movement of troops, meanwhile, from He-
lena was made under Generals Hovey and Wash-
burne. The rebels almost immediately evacuated
their fortifications on the Tallahatchie, and were
pursued to Oxford with no fighting, save a few
skirmishes. On the 3d of December Grant in-
formed Admiral Porter, —

" Our move has been successful, so far as com-
pelling the evacuation of the Mississippi Central

74 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

road as far as Grenada." He now began to think
of the difficulty of supplying his army, and on the
same day wrote to Halleck from Abbeville : —

" How far south would you like me to go ?
Would it not be well to hold the enemy south of
the Tallabusha, and move a force from Helena and
Memphis on Vicksburg? "With my present force
it would not be prudent to go beyond Grenada,
and attempt to hold present line of communica-
tion."

On the 5th he again suggested to Halleck, —

" If the Helena troops were at my command, I
think it would be practicable to send Sherman to
take them and the Memphis forces south of the
mouth of the Yazoo River, and thus secure Vicks-
burg and the State of Mississippi."

This plan, which was finally adopted, seemed to
promise double means of success ; for, Sherman
proceeding down the Mississippi to the mouth of the
Yazoo, could present a new base for Grant ; or, if
this course seemed impracticable, Grant could hold
the main body of the enemy at or near Grenada,
while Sherman went forward to Vicksburg.

In reply to Grant's suggestions, Halleck directed
him not to try to hold the country south of the
Tallahatchie, but to collect twenty-five thousand
troops at Memphis for the Vicksburg expedition.

In reply to Grant's inquiry, "Do you want me
to command the expedition to Vicksburg, or shall I

BEGINNING OF VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 75

send Sherman ? " Halleck replied, " You may move
your troops as you may deem best to accomplish
the great object in view. . . . Ask Porter to co-
operate. Telegraph what are your present plans."

Grant immediately answered : " General Sher-
man will command the expedition down the Mis-
sissippi. He will have a force of about forty thou-
sand men ; will land at Vicksburg, up the Yazoo,
if practicable, and cut the Mississippi Central road,
and the road running east from Vicksburg, where
they cross the Black River. I will co-operate from
here, my movements depending on those of the
enemy. With the large cavalry force at my com-
mand I will be able to have them show themselves
at different points on the Tallahatchie and Talla-
bnsha, and, where an opportunity occurs, make a
real attack. After cutting the two roads, General
Sherman's movements to secure the end desired
will necessarily be left to his judgment. I will
occupy this road to Coffeeville."

Grant and Halleck were both anxious to have
Sherman take command of the river expedition, in
preference to McClernand, who was so ignorant
of military affairs ; but on the 18th of the month
came the unwelcome order from Washington, —

f 'It is the wish of the President that General
McClernand's corps shall constitute apart of the
river expedition, and that he shall have the imme-
diate command under your direction."

76 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

Of course there was nothing to be done but to
obey, and on the same day Grant wrote McCler-
nand, who was at Springfield, 111. : —

" I have been directed this moment, by tele-
graph from the general-in-chief of the army, to
divide the forces of this department into four army
corps, one of which is to be commanded by your-
self, and that to form a part of the expedition on
Vicksburg. I have drafted the order, and will
forward it to you as soon as printed. . . . Writ-
ten and verbal instructions have been given to
General Sherman, which will be turned over to
you on your arrival at Memphis."

Two days later, the enemy's cavalry, under
Van Dorn, made a sudden dash upon Holly
Springs while the troops were in their beds. By
this catastrophe fifteen hundred prisoners wore
taken and all the stores, amounting to some four
hundred thousand dollars worth of ordnance and
quartermasters' supplies. At the same time an-
other rebel raid was made into West Tennessee,
and the railroad destroyed between Columbus and
Jackson.

For over a week, therefore, Grant had no com-
munication whatever with the North, and for a
fortnight no supplies. The Southern women
came with exultant faces to his headquarters, and
asked him what he would do now that his soldiers
had nothing to eat. The General quietly informed

BEGINNING OF VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 77

them that his soldiers would find a great plenty in
their barns and storehouses.

"But you would not take from non-comba-
tants ! " they exclaimed.

It was, indeed, the first time that Grant had
ever fed his army exclusively from the country ;
but absolute necessity compelled him to do so
here ; and from this experience he learned the pos-
sibility of an army of thirty thousand men, without
supplies, subsisting for days upon the produce of
the surrounding countiy. Of course the farmers
suffered ; but the South had avowedly made the
war that of the people, and this was but one of
the many dire consequences that must follow.

Owing to the break in communication, McCler-
nand did not immediately receive his orders to
assume command, and before the line re-opened
Sherman had embarked at Memphis with thirty
thousand men, and was re-enforced at Helena by
twelve thousand more. On the day before Christ-
mas, he arrived at Milliken's Bend, on the Arkan-
sas side, twenty miles above Vicksburg. Here he
spent two or three days, endeavoring to cut the
Vicksburg and Shreveport railroad, while waiting
to hear from Banks, who had been ordered to move
up the river from New Orleans and co-operate in
the attack upon Vicksburg. This delay gave the
enemy time to prepare for the anticipated attack.
On the 27th of the month, Sherman landed his

78 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

troops on the south side of the river, near the
mouth of the Chicasaw Bayou.

Just above the town of Vicksbursr the lorn; line
of hills turns off from the Mississippi and for many
miles runs parallel to the Yazoo. A strip of
country covered with a dense and tangled under-
brush lies between this latter river and the bluffs.
It is about three miles wide, and protected, not
only by the guns on the bluffs, but also by the
numerous trenches and rifle-pits along the hills.
Moreover, at this season of the year, it is almost
covered with water ; but in spite of all these diffi-
culties, which made it impossible for Sherman at
any time to avail himself of half his forces, he got
his army across, and fairly into the rebel lines.
He even succeeded in securing a footing on the
hard land, just at the base of the bluffs, but was
finally driven back, with a loss of one hundred
and seventy-five men killed, nine hundred and
thirty wounded, and seven hundred and forty-
three missing.

Reporting the assault to Grant, he attributed
his failure " to the strength of the enenry's position,
both natural and artificial." The whole affair,
however, had been conducted with great skill and
bravery, and the attack was made at the only
point wdiere there seemed to be any chance of
success.

Sherman relinquished his command on the sec-

BEGINNING OF VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 79

ond of January to McClernand, who met him near
the mouth of the Yazoo. The rebels were over-
joyed at these two successes, but they little knew
the indomitable spirit of the leader of the Ten-
nessee army. Delays and difficulties with Grant
only increased his determination and obstinate
resistance.

McClernand's insubordinate behavior occa-
sioned so much annoyance at this time, that Sher-
man, McPherson, and Admiral Porter, urged
Grant to assume the command in person. He de-
sired that Sherman should take it ; but for numer-
ous reasons it seemed necessary to the success of
the Vicksburg campaign that Grant, the com-
mander of the department, should direct it in
person.

On the 20th of the month, after visiting the
transport fleet at the mouth of the Arkansas, he
wrote to Hal leek, —

" The work of reducing Vicksburg will take
time and men, but can be accomplished."

On the 29th he arrived in person at Young's
Point, and on the following day assumed imme-
diate command of the expedition against Vicks-
burg. The entire force of the Department of the
Tennessee now amounted to one hundred and
thirty thousand men, and was divided into four
army corps under the command of Major-gen-
erals McClernand, Sherman, Hurlburt, and Mc-
Pherson.

80 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

The troops detailed for the Vicksburg expedi-
tion were tit Young's Point and Milliken's Bend,
and numbered fifty thousand. All possible pre-
cautions were taken to ensure the health and com-
fort of the troops, but there was no place for the
camps save upon swampy ground, and much sick-
ness ensued during the rainy season.

The problem now was to obtain a footing on
the highlands of the eastern bank. If Grant could
only intrench his army on the crest of the hills,
there would be no way open to the rebels but to
come out and fight in the field, or submit to have
all their communications cut off, and so be fairly
starved out. The heavy rains, however, pre-
vented this plan from being carried into operation.
If an attempt should be made to get below the
town, Vicksburg itself threatened the only line
by which supplies could be procured. There
were three ways by which this difficulty might
be obviated: First, by turning the Mississippi
River from its course, cutting a canal across
the peninsula in front of Vicksburg, a new
channel might be formed, through which the
fleet could pass securely. The second plan
was to make a circuitous passage from Lake
Providence, on the Louisiana side, seventy miles
above Vicksburg, through the lied River into
the Mississippi, four hundred miles below. The
third was to march the whole army along the

BEGINNING OF VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 81

western shore, cross the river at some point below
the town, combine with Banks to operate against
Port Hudson, and then begin a fresh campaign
against Vicksburg, from Grand Gulf or Warren-
ton.

On the day after Grant assumed entire com-
mand of the expedition, he gave orders for cutting
a way from the Mississippi to Lake Providence.
This sheet of water is really a part of the old bed
of the river, and lies about a mile west of the pres-
ent channel. A canal was finally cut between the
river and the lake, but much difficulty was en-
countered in clearing Bayou Baxter — one of the
outlets of Lake Providence — of the fallen timber
which clogged its passage. Great excitement was
caused by this project, as many thought that the
mighty river was to be entirely turned out of its
course, even into the Atchafalaya ; and that New
Orleans, becoming thereby an inland town, would
forever lose its prominence among the cities of the
South.

But Grant had only planned this work to give
occupation to his men, and to secure a better open-
ing for active operations* and in March the work
was given up, before any steamer had passed
through the circuitous passage.

The opening of the Yazoo Pass was next accom-
plished, under Lieutenant-colonel Wilson. Grant
now determined to prosecute his entire campaign,

82 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

if possible, in this direction, and hoped to reach the
Yazoo River, above Haine's Bluff*, with the whole
army. In all his various schemes he never lost
sight of his principal aim, — to obtain a footing
and to secure a base on dry land. Sherman was sent
up Steele's Bayou with a division of troops ; and
Admiral Porter accompanied him with live iron-
clads and four mortar-boats. The object was not
only to liberate Ross, but to get possession of
some point on the east bank from which Yicksburg
could be reached by land. Quimby was informed
of Sherman's co-operation, and Grant urged him
to the support of Ross, saying, —

" Sherman will come in below the enemy you
are now contending against, and between the two
forces you will find no farther difficulties before
reaching the ground I so much desire."

All these efforts, however, proved ineffectual.
Porter was attacked by sharp-shooters, and impeded
in his course by fallen trees which the enemy threw
into the stream, both in the front and rear of his
fleet. Sherman came to his assistance, and but
few lives were lost in the frequent skirmishes :
but all attempts to reach the Yazoo were blockaded
by the enemy, and the admiral was obliged to
return without accomplishing any one object of the
expedition. Meanwhile, Farragut, with a part of
his fleet, had run by the batteries at Port Hudson,
and communicated with Grant. The latter now

BEGINNING OF YICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 83

proposed to send an army corps to co-operate with
Banks.

On the 2d of April, Halleck had written : —
"The President seems to be rather impatient
about matters on the Mississippi. . . . What is
most desired (and your attention is called again
to this object) is, that your forces and those of
General Banks should be brought into co-opera-
tion as early as possible. If he cannot get up to
co-operate with you on Yicksburg, cannot you get
troops down to help him at Port Hudson, or at
least can you not destroy Grand Gulf before it
becomes too strong:?"

The realization of this plan was prevented, not
only by the great distance that lay between the two
armies, but also by the two formidable strongholds
that blocked the way. But the country could not
understand all these difficulties. The government,
too, began to grow very impatient, and complaints
were loudly made of Grant's slowness. With his
great force of sixty or seventy thousand men,
nothing, so far as could be seen, had been accom-
plished for a whole half year. McClernand now
used his utmost power to supplant Grant. A
congressman who had hitherto been one of Grant's
warmest friends went to the President, without
being sent for, and declared that the emergencies
of the country seemed to demand another com-
mander before Vicksbunr. But to him Mr. Lin-
coin replied, —

84 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

" I rather like the man. I think we '11 try him
a little longer."

The last plan that Grant submitted to Halleck
was as follows : —

"There is a system of bayous running from
Milliken's Bend, also from near the river at
Young's Point, that are navigable for large and
small steamers passing around by Richmond to
New Carthage. There is also a good wagon-road
from Milliken's Bend to New Carthage. The
dredges are now engaged cutting a canal from
there into these bayous. I am having all the
empty coal-boats and other barges prepared for
carrying troops and artillery, and have written to
Colonel Allen for some more, and also for six tugs
to tow them. With them it would be easy to
carry supplies to New Carthage and any point
south of that.

" My expectation is, for some of the naval fleet
to run the batteries of Vicksburg, whilst the army
moves through by this new route. Once there,
I will move to Warrenton or Grand Gulf — proba-
bly, the latter. From either of these points there
are good roads to Jackson and the Black River
bridge, without crossing Black River. I will keep
my army together, and see to it that I am not cut
off from my supplies, or beaten in any other way
than a fair fight."

To Sherman, Mc Pherson, and all the able ofE-

BEGINNING OF VTCKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 85

cers under Grant's command, this last scheme
seemed a most hazardous undertaking. By remov-
ing his army below Vicksburg, he would be sep-
arated from the North, and from all its supplies.
Failure, if it came, would be overwhelming;
nothing but a speedy victory could insure his
army from complete annihilation. But Grant
had made up his mind that this was the right
course to pursue, and no amount of persuasion
could deter him. By moving his army below
Vicksburg, he felt assured that he could supply
himself by the roads and bayous in Louisiana, and
from there send a part of his force to help Banks
in the reduction of Port Hudson. This accom-
plished, Banks and his whole army were to unite
with Grant in the siege against Vicksburg ; and,
as the Mississippi would then be open from New
Orleans, supplies could be sent from that quarter.
It was necessary to concentrate his troops immedi-
ately ; so, in the last week of March, Mc Pherson
was recalled from Lake Providence and the
Yazoo Pass; Sherman, from Steele's Bayou, and
McClernand from Milliken's Bend to New Car-
thage, some twenty-seven miles below. The
inundation of the river was a great hindrance at
this time.

"The embarrassment," wrote Grant to Halleck,
" I have had to contend against, on account of
extreme high water, cannot be appreciated by any

86 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

one not present to witness it." It was, indeed,
the submerged condition of the Louisiana roads
that had prevented Grant from not adopting sooner
this last plan. By the 6th of April, however,
New Carthage was occupied by the national forces,
although the levee of Bayou Vidal, which empties
into the Mississippi at this point, was broken
in numerous places, and the whole surrounding
country submerged in water. The transportation
of supplies by land became so difficult that Grant
determined to run the risk of sending three
steamers and ten barges, loaded with rations and
forage, past the batteries. The co-operation of
Admiral Porter in this, as in all other undertakings,
was both able and prompt.

"I am happy to say," writes Grant on the 26th
of April, "that the admiral and myself have never
yet disagreed upon any policy."

As quietly as possible, on the night of the 16th,
the little fleet proceeded down the river. Seven of
Porter's ironclads were to engage the batteries ;
while the river steamers, protected by wet hay and
bales of cotton, and towing the barges, were to run
the gauntlet of twenty-eight heavy guns that com-
manded the river for over fifteen miles. It was a
dark night ; but the rebels immediately set tire to
houses on both sides the river, and when the fleet
was opposite Vicksburg the men at the batteries
and in the streets could be seen distinctly. Each

BEGINNING OF VICKSBUEG CAMPAIGN. 87

vessel now became a target, and the firing con-
tinued for nearly three hours. One of the trans-
ports, the Henry Clay, took fire from the explosion
of a shell, and burned to the water's edge ; but the
ciew and all on board were saved. On the gun-
boats no one was killed, and only eight wound-
ed ; all of Porter's vessels, indeed, were ready for
service in less than an hour after passing Vicks-
burg, although the steamers and barges were badly
damaged.

Some ten days later, six other transports tried
the same ordeal, with twelve barges laden with
supplies. In this attempt, five hundred shots were
fired, but only one man was killed, and six or
eight wounded.

In the early part of the month, Grant had sent
orders to McCleniand " to get possession of Grand
Gulf at the earliest practicable moment." That
officer, however, had been exceedingly dilatory in
his movements, and Grant, after consulting with
Admiral Porter, now determined to attack the
works himself. The fortifications at this place,
which commands an extended view of the river,
consisted of a series of rifle-trenches and two
batteries with thirteen heavy guns. The post was
selected by the enemy, not as a position for land
defence, but for the protection of the mouth of
the Big Black, and also as a precautionary meas-
ure against the passage of transports.

88 LIFE OF GEN. XJ. S. GRANT.

Grant's plan of attack was for the naval force
to bombard and silence the batteries, after which
the troops were to land at the foot of the bluff,
and carry the works by storm. He had, how-
ever, foreseen that it might be necessary to run
past the batteries, and in his order to McClernand
for the attack on the 27th had remarked : —

" It may be that the enemy will occupy positions
back from the city, out of range of the gun-boats,
so as to make it desirable to run past Grand Gulf,
and land at Rodney . . . or, it may be expedient
for the boats to run past, but not the men. In
this case, then, the transports would have to be
brought back to where the men could land, and
move by forced marches to below Grand Gulf, re-
embark rapidly, and proceed to the latter place."

This, indeed, is what really occurred, two days
afterward, with the exception of the march to
Grand Gulf. The rebel batteries were too ele-
vated for Admiral Porter to accomplish anything
with his iron-clads ; and, with a loss of eighteen
killed and fifty-six wounded, he was obliged to
withdraw. That night, therefore, by request of
Grant, he ran by the batteries with his entire fleet,
as a cover to the transports. On the 29th, after
passing Grand Gulf, Grant wrote to Ilalleck, —

" I feel now that the battle is more than half

over.

, »

THE VICKSBUEG CAMPAIGN. 89

CHAPTER X.

THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN (continued).

TN the battle of Port Gibson, that followed a
-*- few days later, the rebel leader, Bowen, was
obliged to evacuate the post, and withdraw his
forces across the two forks of the Bayou Pierre.
Grand Gulf was now of no use to the Confede-
rates, and news came that it was being deserted.
Grant immediately determined to place there his
base of "supplies, and, upon his arrival, found the
naval force, under Porter, in possession of the
post. Thirteen pieces of artillery had been left
behind; for "so great," wrote one of the rebel
commanders, "were Grant's facilities for trans-
portation, and so rapid were his movements, that
it was found impracticable to withdraw the heavy
guns." That night Grant wrote to Sullivan, who
commanded the district between Milliken's Bend
and Smith's Plantation : —

"You will give special attention to the matter
of shortening the line of land transportation from
above Vicksburs; to the steamers below. As soon
as the river has fallen sufficiently, you will have a

90 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

road constructed from Young's Point to a landing
just below Warrenton, and dispose of your troops
accordingly. Everything depends upon the promp-
titude with which our supplies are forwarded." To
Sherman he wrote : —

"I wish you to collect a train of one hundred
and twenty wagons at Milliken's Bend and Per-
kins's Plantation ; send them to Grand Gulf, and
there load them with rations as follows, — one
hundred thousand pounds of bacon, the balance
coffee, sugar, salt, and hard bread. For your own
use on the march from Grand Gulf, you will draw
five days' rations, and see that they last five days.
It is unnecessary for me to remind }-ou of the
overwhelming importance of celerity. . . . All
we want now are men, ammunition, and hard
bread ; we can subsist our horses on the country,
and obtain considerable supplies for our troops."

Up to the time of crossing the Mississippi,
Grant's plan had been to collect all his " forces
at Grand Gulf, and get on hand a good supply of
provisions and ordnance stores, and in the mean-
time to detach a corps to co-operate with Banks
against Port Hudson, and so effect a junction of
their forces."

But, by the victory at Port Gibson, Grant was
now on the high dry ground, he had been strug-
gling all winter to obtain, and within fifteen miles
of Vicksburg. Moreover, a letter received from

THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 91

Banks at this time declared that he could not
reach Port Hudson until the 10th of May, and
that even after the reduction of that place he
could re-enforce Grant with only twelve thousand
men. Meantime, the rebels were endeavoring to
consolidate two armies for the anticipated contest
at Vicksburg ; and, to prevent this, Grant decided
at once upon his course of action. He determined
" to push between the two armies before they
could combine ; to drive eastward the weaker one ;
attack and beat Gregg before Pemberton could
come to the rescue ; and to seize Jackson, the
capital of the State, situated fifty miles in the rear
of Vicksburg, and at the junction of the railroads
by which Vicksburg is supplied. When once the
roads that centre there were destroyed, troops, as
well as stores, would be cut off, and Vicksburg
with its garrison isolated from the would-be Con-
federacy."

To accomplish this Herculean task, great ra-
pidity of movement was necessary. To Sherman
he at once wrote : —

" Order forward immediately your remaining
division, leaving only two regiments (to guard
Richmond) , as required in previous orders. Have
all the men leave the west bank of the river, with
three days' rations in haversacks, and make all
possible dispatch to Grand Gulf."

To Hurlburt, who was at Memphis, he tele-
graphed : —

92 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

" Send Lauman's division to Milliken's Bend, to
be forwarded to this army with as little delay as
practicable. . . . Let them move by brigades, as
fast as transportation can be procured."

To an officer of bis staff, who had been left at
Grand Gulf, he wrote : —

" See that the commissary at Grand Gulf loads
all the wagons presenting themselves for stores,
with great promptness. Issue any order in my
name that may be necessary to secure the greatest
promptness in this respect. . . . Every day's de-
lay is worth two thousand men to the enemy."

Admiral Porter had started with a portion of his
fleet for the Red River, to co-operate with Banks,
and left Captain Owens in command. To this
officer, therefore, Grant sent the following or-
ders : —

"Place a flagship in the mouth of the Black
River to watch any movement of the enemy in that
direction. Leave Captain Murphy's vessel in front
of Grand Gulf, to guard the stores and to convoy
any steamer that may require it. . . . Send the
remaining ironclads to the vicinity ofWarrenton,
to watch the movements of the enemy there, and
prevent them from sending troops across the river
to interrupt our lines from Milliken's Bend and
Young's Point."

As Hurlburt himself was to remain at Memphis,
Grant sent the following instructions : —

THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 93

" I am ordering to you all the cavalry at Helena
except two regiments. You can further strengthen
your southern line by bringing troops from the
district of Columbus. The completion of the road
from Grand Junction to Corinth will enable you to
draw off all the troops north of that road. Make
such disposition of the troops within your com-
mand as you may deem advisable for the best pro-
tection of your lines of communication. When the
road to Corinth is completed, put in there, as
speedily as possible, sixty days' supply of pro-
visions and forage. . . . Telegraph to General
Hal leek direct the forces I have drawn from you ;
and should re-enforcements be found necessary to
hold your district, let him know it. Whilst head-
quarters are so distant, communicate direct with
Washington in all important matters, but keep me
advised at the time of what is going on. . . . You
will have a large force of cavalry ; use it as much
as possible in attracting attention from this direc-
tion. Impress upon the cavalry the necessity of
keeping out of people's houses, or taking what is of
no use to them in a military point of view. They
must, however, live as far as possible off the
country through which they pass, and destroy
corn, wheat, crops, and everything that can be
made use of by the enemy in prolonging the war.
Mules and horses are to be taken to supply all our
own wants, and, when it does not cause too much

94 LIFE OF GEN". TJ. S. GEANT.

delay, agricultural implements may be destroyed.
In other words, cripple in every way, without in-
sulting women and children, or taking their
clothes, jewelry, etc."

Since the battle of Shiloh, Grant had given up
the idea of saving the resources and the property of
the South. He believed that armies must not only
be defeated, but destroyed; and that to suppress
the rebellion it would tirst be necessary to anni-
hilate its strength.

Sherman did not as yet understand that Grant
intended to march without any base at all, and
urged him to " stop all troops till your army is
partially supplied with wagons, and then act as
quickly as possible. For the road will be jammed
as sure as life, if you attempt to supply fifty thou-
sand men by one single road." Grant replied to
this : —

" I do not calculate upon The possibility of sup-
plying the army with full rations from Grand Gulf.
I know it will be impossible Avithout constructing
additional roads. What I do expect, how r ever, is
to get up what rations of hard bread, coffee, and
salt we can, and make the country furnish the
balance. We started from Bruinsburg with an
average of about two days' rations, and received
no more from our own supplies for some days ;
abundance was found in the meantime. Some corn-
meal, bacon, and vegetables were found, and an

THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 95

abundance of beef and mutton. A delay would
give the enemy time to re-enforce and fortify. If
Blair was up now, I believe we could be in Vicks-
burg in seven days. The command here has an
average of about three days' rations, which could
be made to last that time. You are in a country
where the troops have already lived off of the
people for some days, and may find provisions
more scarce ; but, as we get upon new soil, they
are more abundant, particularly in corn and cattle.
Bring Blair's two brigades up as soon as possible."

On the 10th of May, Grant heard again from
Banks, who desired re-enforcements on the Red
River. lie at once replied as follows : —

tf My advance will occupy to-day, Utica, Auburn,
and a point equally advanced toward the Southern
Mississippi railroad, between the latter place and
the Big Black. It was my intention, on gaining a
foothold at Grand Gulf, to have sent a sufficient
force to Port Hudson to have insured the fall of
that place with your co-operation, or rather to
have co-operated with you to secure that end.
Meeting the enemy as I did below Port Gibson,
however, I followed him to the Big Black, and
could not afford to retrace my steps. I also
learned, and believed the information to be relia-
ble, that Port Hudson is almost entirely evacuated.
This may not be true, but it is the concurrent tes-
timony of deserters and contrabands. Many days

96 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

cannot elapse before the battle will begin, which
is to decide the fate of Vicksburg ; but it is impos-
sible to predict how long it may last. I would
urgently request, therefore, that you join me, or
send all the force you can spare, to co-operate in
the great struggle for opening the Mississippi
River."

On the morning of the 12th, Logan's division
moved towards Raymond, followed by Crocker.
MePherson also ordered two regiments to be de-
ployed on each side of the road, and about noon
came upon the enemy five thousand strong, within
two miles of Raymond, and under the command
of Gregg. The battle opened vigorously about
two o'clock that afternoon, on the centre and left
centre of the troops. The rebels fought with des-
peration, but were finally compelled to retreat
with the loss of one hundred killed, and three
hundred and live Mounded, besides four hundred
and fifteen prisoners. Two pieces of cannon,
also, were disabled ; and a quantity of small-
arms fell into MePherson's hands. The national
troops lost in this engagement, sixty-nine men
killed, three hundred and forty-one wounded, and
thirty missing. Raymond was entered by Me-
Pherson at live o'clock that afternoon, and the
rebels retreated to Jackson, where Johnston took
command on the following day.

Grant, who was with Sherman at this time, tel-
egraphed at once to MePherson : —

THE VICKSBUEG CAMPAIGN. 97

" If you have gained Raymond, throw back
forces at once in this direction, until communica-
tion is opened with Sherman. Also feel to the
north, towards the railroad, and, if possible, des-
troy it and the telegraph. If the road is opened, I
will ride over to see you this evening ; but I can-
not do so until I know McClernand is secure in his
position." To this latter officer he wrote : —

" Sherman will probably succeed in following
out original intentions of going in advance of this
place (Fourteen-mile Creek) to the cross-roads.
Gain the creek with your command if possible,
and hold it, with at least one division thrown
across. Reconnoitre the roads in advance, and
also in this direction, so as to open communica-
tion with General Sherman and myself. If bridges
are destroyed, make fords."

On the evening of the 12th of May, the Army
of the Tennessee occupied a line almost parallel
with, and seven miles south of the Vicksburg and
Jackson railroad. McPherson was on the right,
at Raymond ; McClernand, four miles to the left,
at Montgomery Bridge, on Fourteen-mile Creek,
with a detachment guarding Baldwin's Ferry ;
and Grant was with Sherman seven miles to the
west, at Dillon's Plantation.

The next important movement was to make sure
of Jackson, so that there might be no hostile force
in the rear.

98 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

On the 13lh of May, therefore, McPherson
moved on to Clinton, destroying the railroad and
telegraph, and capturing some important dis-
patches from General Pemberton to General Gregg,
who had commanded the day before in the battle
of Eaymond. Sherman moved to a parallel posi-
tion on the Mississippi Springs and Jackson road ;
McClernand moved to a point near Raymond.
The rain fell in torrents through the night, making
the roads at first slippery and then miry ; hut in
spite of all these difficulties, Sherman and Mc-
Pherson removed their entire forces towards Jack-
son on the following day, and met the enemy near
that place at about midday.

The following graphic description of the battle
that ensued is given by an eye witness : —

" Slowly and cautiously we moved up the hill
until we came within range, when all at once, upon
the heights to the right, we discovered a puff of
white smoke and heard the report of booming can-
non, followed by the shrill scream of an exploding
shell. One of our batteries was moved to the left
of a cotton-gin in the open field, midway between
the enemy's line of battle and the foot of the hill,
and played upon the rebel battery with telling
effect. The duel was kept up with great spirit on
both sides for nearly an hour, when all at once it
ceased by the withdrawal of the enemy's guns.
Two brigades were thrown out to the right and left

THE VICKSBUEG CAMPAIGN. 99

of this battery, supported by another brigade at
proper distance. A strong line of skirmishers
had been pushed forward and posted in a ravine
just in front, which protected them from rebel tire.
After a little delay, they were again advanced out
of cover, and for several minutes a desultory tire
was kept up between both lines of skirmishers,
in which, owing to the topographical nature of the
ground, the enemy had the advantage.

"At last General Crocker, who was on the field
and had personally inspected the position, saw
that, unless the enemy could be driven from his
occupation of the crest of the hill, he would be
forced to retire. He therefore ordered a charge
along the line. "With colors flying, and with a
step as measured and unbroken as if on dress
parade, the movement was executed. Slowly
they advanced, crossed the narrow ravine and with
fixed bayonets attempted to pass over the crest of
the hill in easy range of the rebel line. Here they
received a tremendous volley, which caused pain-
ful gaps in their ranks. They held their fire until
they were within a distance of thirty paces, when
they delivered the returning volley with fearful
effect, and, without waiting to reload their mus-
kets, with a terrific cry they rushed upon the stag-
gered foe.

"Over the fences, through the brushwood, into
the enclosure, they worked their way, and slaugh-

100 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

tered right and left without mercy. The enemy,
astonished at their impetuosity, wavered and fell
back, rallied again, and finally broke in wild con-
fusion. The brave Union soldiers gained the crest
of the hill ; and the rebels fled in utter terror. Our
boys reloaded their muskets and sent the terrible
missiles after the fleeing rebels, adding haste to
their terrified flight. They cast muskets and
blankets to the ground, unslung their knapsacks,
and ran like greyhounds, nor stopped to look back
until they reached the intrenchments just within
the city.

" Meantime, Sherman, who had left Raymond the
day before, and taken the road to the right just be-
yond the town, came up with the left wing of the
enemy's forces, and engaged them with artillery.
After a feeble resistance they, too, broke and ran.

" A delay of half an hour to enable our wearied
soldiers to take breath, and then our column
moved forward again.

"We reached the fort and found a magnificent
battery of six pieces which the enemy had left be-
hind him, and a hundred new tents awaiting
appropriation.

" The hospital flag was flying from the Deaf and
Dumb Institute, and this was crowded with sick
and wounded soldiers, who, of course, fell into
our hands as prisoners of war. Opposite and all
around this building were tents enough to encamp

THE VICKSBUEG CAMPAIGN. 101

an entire division, and just in front of it, hauled
out by the roadside, were two small breech-loading
two-pounder rifles, which had been used to pick
oft* officers.

tf Further down the street, we found a pile of
burning caissons, and on the opposite side of the
street, directly in front of the Confederate House,
the stores, filled with commissary and quartermas-
ter's supplies, were briskly consuming.

" Directly in front of us, the State House loomed
up in ample proportions. Two officers, taking pos-
session of the flag of one of the regiments, galloped
rapidly forward, and hoisted it from the flag-staff
surmounting its broad dome. The beautiful fln?
was seen in the distance by the advancing column,
and greeted with cheers and congratulations.

" f We had captured Jackson, the hotbed of the re-
bellion. Guards w r ere established, a provost-mar-
shal appointed, and the city placed under martial
law. The citizens, particularly those who had sus-
tained official relations to the State and rebel gov-
ernments, had left the city the evening before ; but
there were many soldiers left behind, and a large
number in hospital, who fell into our hands.

"The State treasurer and Governor Pettus were
gone, taking the funds and State papers with them.
A large amount of government and military prop-
erty fell into our hands ; but private property was
altogether unmolested."

102 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

General Grant's modest dispatch on the next
day to Hal leek read as follows :

" Jackson fell into our hands yesterday, after a
fight of about three hours. Joe Johnston was in
command. The enemy retreated north, evidently
with the design of joining the Vicksburg forces."

After taking possession of Jackson, the State
capital of Mississippi, Grant obtained some valu-
able information concerning the plans of the rebel
army. It seemed that Johnston, as soon as he had
learned that Jackson was to be attacked, had
ordered Pemberton to march out from the direction
of Vicksburg and attack the United States forces
in the rear. Grant, therefore, immediately issued
orders to McClernand and Blair, of Sherman's
corps, to face their troops towards Bolton, with a
view of marching upon Edward's Station.

On the morning of the 15th, a division of the
Thirteenth Army Corps occupied Bolton, taking a
number of prisoners and driving away the rebel
pickets from the post.

Sherman, meanwhile, had been left in Jackson to
destroy railroads, bridges, factories, workshops,
arsenals, and everything valuable for the support of
the enemy.

On the afternoon of the 15th, Grant proceeded as
far west as Clinton, and ordered McClernand to
move his command early the next morning towards
Edward's Depot, marching so as to feel the enemy

THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 103

if he encountered him, but not to bring on a gen-
eral en<rn<rement unless confident that he was able
to defeat the force before him.

Early the next morning, two men who were em-
ployed on the Jackson and Vicksburg railroad and
had passed through Pembertons army the night
before, were brought to General Grant's headquar-
ters. They stated Pemberton's force to consist of
about eighty regiments, with ten batteries of artil-
lery, and that the whole number of troops was
estimated by the enemy at about twenty-five thou-
sand men.

The intention of the rebels was to attack the
Union forces in the rear ; so Sherman's corps, that
was still at Jackson, was immediately ordered to
join the main force at Bolton. At the same time
a dispatch was sent to Blair to push forward as
rapidly as possible in the direction of Edward's
Station.

At an early hour, Grant left for the advance,
and, on arriving at the crossing of the Vicksburg
and Jackson railroad with the road from Kaymond
to Bolton, found McPherson's advance and his
Pioneer Corps engaged in rebuilding a bridge
on the former road that had been destroyed by the
cavalry of Osterhaus' Division that had gone into
Bolton the night before. The train of Hovey's
Division was at a halt, and blocked up the road
from further advance on the Vicksburg road.

104 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

Grant immediately ordered all quartermasters
and wagonmasters to draw their teams to one side
and make room for the passage of troops. The
enemy had taken a very strong position on a nar-
row ridge, the top of which was covered by a dense
forest and undergrowth. The steep hillside to the
left of the road was also thickly wooded, while to
the right the timber extended a short distance
down the hill and then opened into cultivated
fields on a gentle slope, and into a valley extend-
ing for a considerable distance.

A participant in this battle of Champion's Hill
describes it as follows : —

" The enemy's first demonstration was upon our
extreme left, which they attempted to turn. This
attempt was most gallantly repulsed by General
Smith, commanding the left wing. At seven
o'clock, the skirmishers were actively engaged ;
and, as the enemy sought the cover of the forest,
our artillery fire was opened, which continued
without intermission for two hours. At this time,
General Ransom's Brigade marehed on the field,
and took up a position as reserve, behind General
Carr.

"Now the battle raged fearfully along the entire
line, the evident intention of the enemy being to
mass his forces upon Ilovcy on the centre. There
the fight was most earnest ; but General McPher-
son brought his forces into the field, and after

THE VICKSBUEG CAMPAIGN. 105

four hours hard fighting the tide of battle was
turned, and the enemy forced to retire.

" Disappointed in their movements upon our right,
the rebels turned their attention to the left of
Hovey's division, where Colonel Slack commanded
a brigade of Indianians. Massing his forces here,
the enemy hurled them against the opposing col-
umn with irresistible impetuosity, and forced
them to fall back ; not, however, until at least one
quarter of the troops comprising the brigade were
either killed or wounded.

"Taking a new position, and receiving fresh re-
enforcements, our soldiers again attempted to stem
the tide, this time with eminent success. The
enemy was beaten back, and compelled to seek
the cover of the forest in his rear. Following up
their advantage, without waiting to re-form, the
soldiers of the Western army fixed their bayo-
nets, and charged into the woods after them. The
rebels were seized with an uncontrollable panic,
and thought only of escape. In this terrible
charge, men were slaughtered without mercy.
The ground was literally covered with the dead
and dying. The enemy scattered in every direc-
tion, and rushed through the fields to reach the
column now moving to the west along the Vicks-
burg road. At three o'clock in the afternoon,
the battle was over, and the victory won.

" Of the part taken in this battle by McPherson's

106 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

Corps, it is only necessary to say that it rendered
the most efficient and satisfactory assistance. To
it belongs the credit of winning the fight on the
extreme right.

" The battle ended, the left wing was speedily
advanced upon the Vicksburg road, driving the
enemy rapidly before them, and picking up as
they advanced numbers of prisoners and guns.

" On the left of the road we could see large
squads of rebel soldiers and commands cut off
from the main column, and whoni we engaged at
intervals with artillery.

"Thus we pursued the enemy until nearly dark,
when we entered the little village known by the
name of Edward's Station, just as the enemy was
leaving it.

" When within rifle range of the station, we dis-
covered on the left a large building in flames,
and on the right a smaller one from which, just
then, issued a series of magnificent explosions.
The former contained commissary stores, and the
latter, shells and ammunition — five carloads —
brought down from Vicksburg on the morning of
the day of the battle. In their hasty exit from
Edward's Station, the rebels could not take this
ammunition with them, but consigned it to the
flames rather than that it should fall into our
hands."

As soon as Grant found that the enemy was in

THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN". 107

full retreat, he sent word to Osterhaus to push
forward with all haste. Carr Avas also ordered to
pursue with all speed to Black Kiver, and cross it
if he could. Some of McPherson's troops were
already in advance, but having marched, and en-
gaged the enemy, all day, they were exhausted,
and gave the road to Carr, who continued the pur-
suit until after dark, capturing a train of cars,
loaded with commissary and ordnance stores, and
other property.

This battle at Champion's Hill was one of the
hardest fought of the whole campaign. As Mc-
Clernand was delayed by the difficulties of the
road, Grant directed, in person, Hovey's division
of the Thirteenth Corps, which, with McPherson's
command, numbered about fifteen thousand men.
Four hundred and twenty-six on the Union side
were killed, eighteen hundred and forty-two
wounded, and one hundred and eighty-nine miss-
ing. The loss of the enemy was estimated at
between three and four thousand in killed and
wounded ; and nearly three thousand prisoners
were taken on the field, or during the pursuit.
The battle-field was christened by the soldiers
and long kept the name of the " Hill of Death."

At daylight on the 17th, the pursuit was re-
newed with McClernand's Corps in the advance.
The enemy was discovered six miles to the west,
strongly posted on both sides of the Black Kiver.

108 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

" So strong was the position," wrote Pemberton,
the rebel commander, "that my greatest, almost
only apprehension, was a flank movement by
Bridgeport, or Baldwin's Ferry, which would have
endangered my communications with Vicksburg."

The river, just here, makes a bend somewhat in
the shape of a horse-shoe, open towards the east.
On the west bank, high bluffs extend to the water's
edge. An open cultivated bottom on the east-
ern shore is nearly a mile wide, and surrounded
by a bayou of stagnant water two or three feet
in depth, and from ten to twenty feet in width,
running from the river above the railroad to the
river below. By following the inside line of this
bayou, the enemy had constructed rifle-pits, with
the bayou to serve as a ditch on the outside and
immediately in front of them.

Before Vicksburg could be* reached, this posi-
tion must be gained. Carr's division occupied the
right in investing this place, and Lawler's Brigade
the right of his division.

Lawler discovered, after a few hours' skirmish-
ing, that, by moving a portion of his brigade
under cover of the river-bank, ho could get a posi-
tion from which that place could be successfully
attacked, and ordered a charge accordingly.

The following account of this struggle at Black
River Bridge is given by an eye-witness : —

"The battle of Big Black Bridge was fought on

THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. 109

Sunday, May 17th, the clay after the battle of
Champion's Hill. After a night's bivouac on the
hill overlooking the village of Edward's Station,
the column, with McClernand at its head, moved
toward Black Kiver Bridge.

"The intervening country loses that hilly and
broken character which distinguishes the region
farther east, and spreads out into a broad and fer-
tile plain, over which we moved rapidly. There
were no commanding hills whence the enemy could
pour a deadly fire into our ranks ; but there were
patches of forest, under the cover and from the
edge of which they could easily enfilade the open
hills by the roadside. There was such a one a
mile east of the intrenchments where the main
picket-guard was stationed, and here determined
resistance was first made.

"After skirmishing for an hour or so, during
which the enemy gave way and sought the cover
of his intrenchments, the order was given to the
several brigade commanders on the right to
advance and charge the enemy's works. The order
was received with cheers ; and when the word
'Forward' was spoken, steadily and splendidly
the brave boys moved up to the assault.

"The enemy crouched down behind the breast-
works. A portion of them, stationed in a curtain
of the fort, whence they were able to get a cross-
fire upon the column, reserved their volley until

110 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GUANT.

we were within easy musket-range of the intrench-
ments, when they swept the advancing line with
their terrible tire. The brave boys lost in that
fearful volley one hundred and fifty men ; yet they
faltered not nor turned their steps backward.
They waded the bayou, delivering their tire as
they reached the other bank, and rushed upon the
enemy with fixed bayonets. So quickly was all
this accomplished, that the enemy had not time to
reload their guns, and were forced to surrender.

"The battle was ended, and the fort, with three
thousand prisoners, seventeen pieces of artillery, —
some of them captured from ourselves, and bearing
appropriate inscriptions, — several thousand stand
of arms, and a large supply of corn and commis-
sary stores, fell into our hands.

"The enemy had, earlier in the day, out of the
hulls of three steamers, constructed a bridge, over
which he had passed the main body of his army.
As the charge was made, and it became evident
that we should capture the position, they burned
this bridge, and also the railroad bridge across the
river, jusi above.

"In the afternoon, several attempts were made
to cross the river ; but the sharp-shooters lined the
bluffs beyond, and entirely prevented it. Later,
the main body of sharp-shooters were dispersed
by our artillery. It was not, however, safe to
stand upon the bank, or cross the open field east

THE VICKSBURG CAMrAIGIST. Ill

of the bridge until after dark, when the enemy
withdrew altogether."

Grant could have gone forward to Vicksburg
that very night, if the bridges had not been
destroyed. He immediately directed their recon-
struction ; for at this place the Big Black is
deep and wide, and the rebels had secured at
least twelve hours' advance, by the destruction
of the crossing. During the day he sent word to
Sherman : —

" Secure a commanding position on the west
bank of Black Kiver as soon as you can. If the
information you gain after crossing warrants you
in believing you can go immediately into the city,
do so. If there is any doubt in this matter, throw
out troops to the left, after advancing on a line
with the railroad bridge, to open your communica-
tions with the troops here. AVe will then move in
three columns, if roads can bo found to move
on, and either have Vicksburg or Haines' Bluff
to-morrow night. The enemy have been so ter-
ribly beaten yesterday and to-day that I cannot
believe a stand will be made, unless the troops
are relying on Johnston's arriving with large
re-enforcements ; nor that Johnston would attempt
to re-enforce with anything at his command, if he
was at all aware of the present condition of things."

112 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

CHAPTER XI.

INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF VICKSBURG.

r I ^HE following graphic account of the advance
and assault is given by an army correspondent
who accompanied the main army : —

" The army crossed the river early on Monday
morning, over the bridge constructed during the
night. General Osterhau's Division first crossed,
followed by General A. J. Smith's, which in turn
was followed by McPherson's Army Corps. Sher-
man had continued north of the railroad from Jack-
son, striking Big Black River a little west of
Bridgeport. Here he crossed on his pontoon
bridge, and moved upon the Vicksburg and Haines'
Bluff and Spring Dale roads. McPherson moved
out on the main Vicksburg and Jackson road,
while McClernand took possession of the Baldwin's
Ferry road.

" On the summit of the high bank across the river
the column moved through the camp whence the
night before the enemy made his hasty exit. On
the plateau nearest the river, before the hill is
reached, numerous tents were left standing just as
the occupants had hastily left them. They could

INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 113

not be destroyed under the heavy fire of our
skirmishers posted on the hither bank of the river.
When the hill was reached, we found abundant
evidence of the demoralization of the enemy.
Several piles of gun-barrels, with stocks but half-
consumed, were lying by the roadside. Tents,
wagons, and gun-carriages were in ashes ; corn was
burning, and officers' baggage and soldiers' cloth-
ing were scattered all over the camp. The column
moved to Bovina, where no evidence of the enemy
was seen, save a rebel hospital filled with sick and
wounded. Here General Grant was joined by
General Dwight from Banks' army.

" At Mount Albans, General McClernand turned
off on the Baldwin's Ferry road, while McPherson
kept along the railroad upon the main Yicksburg
road. The approaches to Yicksburg were now all
occupied, with the exception of that by way of
Warrenton, which was afterwards occupied by
M( Arthur, »

"At daylight on the 19th, General Grant pro-
ceeded to move upon the enemy's works, a series
of redoubts arranged with great skill, and extend-
ing from the rear of Haines' Bluff around to the
Warrenton road, a distance of from eight to ten
miles.

" The ground by which they are approached is
singularly broken — a vast plateau upon which a
multitude of little hills seem to have been sown

114 LITE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

broadcast; and, of course,, the rebel redoubts were
so disposed as to sweep every neighboring crest,
and enfilade every approach.

" The corps of General Sherman moved up on the
Haines' Bluff road, by a sort of poetic justice
taking possession of the ground by the rear which
he had once vainly attempted to gain from the
front,"

As Grant and Sherman rode together up the
farthest height, where it looks down on the Yazoo
River, the two soldiers gazed silently for a moment
on the long-wished-for goal of the campaign — the
high, dry ground on the north of Vicksburg, and
the base for their supplies.

"Until this moment,*' exclaimed Sherman, "I
never thought your expedition a success. I never
could see the end clearly until now. But tins is a
campaign ; this is a success, if Ave never take the
town."

Grant slowly blew a whiff from his ci<rar, but
made no reply. He had believed all along that he
should accomplish the end he had in view, and was
neither surprised nor elated.

It was just twenty days since the campaign
against Vicksburg had begun. In that time Grant
had beaten two armies in five several battles, had
forced the evacuation of Grand Gulf, seized the
capital of the State, captured twenty-seven heavy
cannon and sixty-one pieces of field artillery, in-

INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 115

vested the principal rebel stronghold on the Missis-
sippi River, taken six thousand five hundred pris-
oners, and killed and wounded at least six thousand
rebels more. Moreover, he had separated forces
twice as powerful as his own, had beaten first at
Port Gibson a portion of Pemberton's army ; then
at Raymond and Jackson, the troops under John-
ston's immediate command; and yet again at
Champion's Hill and the Big Black River the whole
force that Pemberton dared take outside of the
works of Vicksburg.

It now s emed as if the time had come for a suc-
cessful assault upon Vicksburg. Accordingly, on
the 21st, orders were issued for a general attack
upon the rebel defences, to be made at ten o'clock
the next morning by the whole line ; and in order
that there should be no mistake or difference in the
time of movement, all the corps commanders set
their chronometers by General Grant's.

The following account of the assault is given by
an eye-witness : —

" The artillery opened a vigorous fire some time
before the designated hour of the assault. The
firing was excellent, almost every shot striking the
crest of the parapet, and nearly all the shells ex-
ploding immediately over the inner side of the
breastworks. Of course, it is not possible to
judge of the enemy's loss, but he certainly must have
suffered severely during our heavy fire. Two largo

11G LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

explosions occurred within the works during the
engagement, which were thought to be caissons.
A large building was also destroyed by our shells.

f ' At a given hour the troops were in motion,
moving along the ravines, in which to assume the
required formation and make the attack. The
charges were most admirably executed. With per-
fect composure the men moved up the hill, though
not under fire, yet under the influence of a dread-
ful anticipation of a deadly volley at close quarters.
When within forty yards of the works, all of a
sudden the parapet was alive with armed men, and
in an instant more the flash of thousands of mus-
ket s hurled death and destruction most appalling
into the ranks of our advancing columns. Five
hundred men lay dead or bleeding on one part of
the field at the first fire. Bravely, against all odds,
this command fought until its depleted ranks could
no longer stand, when sullenly it withdrew r under
cover of a hill near by. In addition to the heavy
musketry fire which repelled the assault, artillery
played with dreadful havoc upon the fading ranks,
which, after every effort to Avin the goal, were
obliged to give way, not to numbers, but to im-
pregnability of position.

K Upon the whole, as regards the designs of our
movements, we were frustrated, but nothing more."

Grant himself, in giving a detailed account of
this assault, says : —

INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 117

"A portion of the commands, of each corps suc-
ceeded in planting their flags on the outer slopes
of the enemy's bastions, and maintained them
there until night. Each corps had many more
men than could possibly be used in the assault
over such ground as intervened between them and
the enemy. More men could only avail in the case
of breaking through the enemy's line, or in repel-
ling a sortie. The assault was gallant in the ex-
treme on the part of all the troops ; but the
enemy's position was too strong, both naturally
and artificially, to be taken in that way. At every
point assaulted, and at all of them at the same
time, the enemy was able to show all the force
his works could cover. The assault failed, I re-
gret to say, with much loss on our side in killed
and wounded, but without weakening the confi-
dence of the troops in their ability to ultimately
succeed.

" No troops succeeded in entering any of the
enemy's works, with the exception of Sergeant
Griffith, of the Twenty-first Regiment, Iowa Vol-
unteers, and some eleven privates of the same
regiment. Of these none returned, except the
sergeant and possibly one man. The work en-
tered by him, from its position, could give us no
practical advantage, unless others to the right and
left of it were carried and hold at the same time.
. . . The assault of this day proved the quality of

118 LIFE OF GEX. IT. S. GRANT.

the soldiers of this army. Without entire success,
and with a heavy loss, there was no murmuring' or
complaining, no falling back, nor other evidence
of demoralization.

"Alter the failure of the 22d, I determined upon
a regular siege. The troops being now fully
awake to the necessity of this, worked diligently
and cheerfully."

It had been reported in the rebel army that
General Pemberton had "sold" the battlefields of
Champion's Hill and Big Black River Bridge.
After the repulse of the Union assault upon the
fortifications at Vicksburg, Pemberton made the
following speech to his command : —

: ' You have heard that I was incompetent and a
traitor, and that it was my intention to sell Vicks-
burg. Follow me, and you will see the cost at
which I will sell Vicksburg. When the last pound
of beef, bacon, and flour, the last grain of corn,
the last coic, and hog, and horse, and dog shall
have been consumed, and the last man shall hare
perished in the trenches, then, and onhj then, will
1 sell Vichsbu rg ! "

Grant had already set the sappers and miners at
work upon the most available points. Mines were
dug. powder planted, and everything made ready
to blow up the advanced works, at the shortest
notice. By June 25th, 1863, the mines were
ready to be sprung, and the following vivid pic-

INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF VICKSBUTtG. 119

ture of the firing and explosion is given by an eye-
witness : —

" Everything was finished. The vitalizing spark
had quickened the hitherto passive agent, and the
now harmless flashes went hurrying to the centre.
The troops had been withdrawn. The forlorn
hope stood out plainly in view, boldly awaiting
the uncertainties of the precarious office. A chilling
sensation ran through the frame, as an observer
looked upon this devoted band about to hurl itself
into the breach — perchance into the jaws of death.
Thousands of men in arms flashed on every hill.
Everyone was speechless. Even men of tried
valor — veterans insensible to the shouts of con-
tending battalions, or nerved to the shrieks of
comrades suffering under the torture of painful
agonies — stood motionless. It was the seeming
torpor which precedes the antagonism of powerful
bodies. Five minutes had elapsed. It seemed
like an existence. Five minutes more, and yet no
signs of the expected exhibition. An indescriba-
ble sensation of impatience, blended with a still
active anticipation, ran through the assembled spec-
tators. Another few minutes — then the explo-
sion ; and upon the horizon could be seen an
enormous column of earth, dust, and timbers, and
other projectiles lifted into the air at an altitude of
at least eight}' feet. One entire face of the fort
was disembodied and scattered in particles all over

120 LITE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

the surrounding surface. The right and left faces
were also much damaged, but fortunately enough
of them remained to afford an excellent protection
on our flanks.

" No sooner had the explosion taken place than
the two detachments acting as the forlorn hope
ran into the fort and sap, as already mentioned.
A brisk musketry fire at once commenced between
the two parties, with about equal effect upon either
side.

"The explosion of the mine was the signal for
the opening of the artillery of the entire line.
The left division of General McPherson's Seven-
teenth or Centre Corps opened first, and dis-
charges were repeated along the left through Gen-
eral Ord's Thirteenth Corps, and Herron's extreme
"left division" until the sound struck the ear like
the mutterings of distant thunder. General Sher-
man, on the right, also opened his artillery about
the same time and occupied the enemy's attention
along his front. Every shell struck the parapet,
and, bounding over, exploded in the midst of the
enemy's forces beyond. The scene at this time
was one of the utmost sublimity. The roar of ar-
tillery, rattle of small arms, the cheer of the men,
flashes of light, wreaths of pale blue smoke over
different parts of the held, the bursting of shell,
the fierce whistle of solid shot, the deep boom of
the mortars, the broadsides of the ships at war,

INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 121

and, added to all this, the vigorous replies of the
enemy, set up a din which beggars all description.
The peculiar configuration of the field afforded an
opportunity to witness almost every battery and
every rifle-pit within seeing distance, and it is due
to all the troops to say that everyone did his duty.

"After the possession of the fort was no longer in
doubt, the pioneer corps mounted the work with
their shovels, and set to throwing up earth vigor-
ously in order to secure space for artillery. A
most fortunate peculiarity in the explosion was
the maimer in which the earth was thrown out.
The appearance of the place was that of a funnel,
with heavy sides running up to the very crest of
the parapet, affording admirable protection not
only for our troops and pioneers, but turned out a
ready made fortification in the rough, which,
with a slight application of the shovel and pick,
was ready to receive the guns to be used at this
point.

" Miraculous as it may seem, amid all the fiery
ordeal of this afternoon's engagement, one hun-
dred killed and two hundred wounded is a largo
estimate of casualties on our side."

The terse, emphatic style in which General
Grant called for vigilance on the part of his troops,
is shown in the following;- order to General Ord : —

"McPherson occupies the crater made by the
explosion. He will have guns there by morning.

122 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

lie has been hard at work running rifle-pits right,
and thinks he %vill hold all gained. Keep Smith's
division sleeping under arms to-night ready for an
emergency. Their services may be required, par-
ticularly about daylight. There should be the
greatest vigilance along the whole line."

r>v the 1st of July, the approaches in many
places had reached the enemy's ditch. At ten
different points, Grant could put the heads of reg-
iments under cover, within distances of from five to
one hundred yards of the rebel works, and the
men of the two armies conversed across the lines.

During the bombardment every effort had been
made to reduce the rebel works without doing
unnecessary damage.

"At no time," wrote one who was present at
the siege, f 'has General Grant sought the destruc-
tion of the city. lie wishes to spare it for the
city itself, and because it contains women and
children. As long as the rebel army confines its
operations outside its limits, the city will remain
intact. If it had been necessary to destroy the
city, our guns now in range could have accom-
plished the work.

" The capture of Vicksburg is a foregone conclu-
sion. We get the evidence of the fact from the
rebels themselves. A few days ago a rebel mail
was captured coming out from Vicksburg, in
which were letters from prominent men in the

INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF VICKSBUKG. 123

rebel army who state that they cannot hold out
much longer, and informing their friends that
they expect to spend their summer in northern
prisons. Better evidence of the condition of
things in the rebel army cannot be desired.

" So nir as the siege of this place goes, I presume
the people at home, in their easy chairs, think it
ought to have been finished long since. To such
let me say, could they be present here and make a
tour of the country in this vicinity, and see the
configuration of the country, its broken topog-
raphy, its high and abrupt hills, deep gullies,
gorges, and dilapidated roads, they would then
realize the difficulties of the work. Then there is
a large army to feed, great material to be brought
into position, all of which demands large transpor-
tation, and the united efforts of thousands of men.
General Grant acts independently of the opinions
of the public. He fully realizes the responsibility
of his position, and in the duty before him he is
determined to accomplish his work with as great
an economy of human life as possible. He feels
now that the prize is within his grasp, and a little
patience will achieve all, which, if rashly sought,
might cost the lives of the brave army with whom
he has gained so many victories."

Grant had determined to make the final assault
on the morning of the 6th of July, but on the 3d
he received from Pemberton the following commu-
nication : —

124 LIFE OF GEN". U. S. GRANT.

" I have the honor to propose to you an armis-
tice for hours, with a view to arranging

terms for the capitulation of Vicksburg. To this
end, if agreeable to you, I will appoint three com-
missioners, to meet a like number named by your-
self at such place and point as you may find
convenient. I make this proposition to save the
further effusion of blood, which must otherwise be
shed to a frightful extent, feeling myself fully able
to maintain my position for a yet indefinite period.
This communication will be handed to you, under
a flag of truce, by Major-general John S. Bowen."

Grant's reply read as follows : —

"Your note of this date is just received, propos-
ing an armistice for several hours, for the purpose
of arranging terms of capitulation through com-
missioners, to be appointed, etc. The useless
effusion of blood you propose stopping by this
course can be ended at any time you may choose
by the unconditional surrender of the city and gar-
rison. Men who have shown so much endurance
and courage as those now in Vicksburg will
always challenge the respect of an adversary, and
I can assure you will be treated with all the
respect due to prisoners of war. I do not favor
the proposition of appointing commissioners to ar-
range the terms of capitulation, because I have no
terms other than those indicated above."

A personal interview was desired by Pemberton,

INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF VICKSBTTItG. 125

to which Grant readily acceded ; and about three
o'clock in the afternoon the two commanders met
under the outspreading branches of a gigantic oak,
within two hundred feet of the rebel line.

After shaking hands Pemberton remarked : —

" General Grant, I meet you in order to arrange
terms for the capitulation of the city of Vicksburg
and its garrison. What terms do you demand ? "

"Unconditional surrender; the same that I ex-
pressed in my letter this morning," answered
Grant.

"Unconditional surrender?" said Pemberton.
" Never, so long as I have a man left me ! I will
fight rather."

"Very well," replied Grant, "you can continue
the defence. My army has never been in a better
condition for the prosecution of the siege."

General Bowen then proposed that two of the
subordinate officers present should retire for con-
sultation. Grant had no objection to this, but
would not, of course, consider himself bound by
any agreement of his subordinates.

After a long conversation the generals separated,
Grant agreeing to send his terms to Pemberton
before ten o'clock that evening.

These terms read as follows : —

" In conformity with the Agreement of this afternoon, I
will submit the following proposition for the surrender of
the city of Vicksburg, public stores, etc. On your accept-

126 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GKAJSTT.

[ng the terms proposed, I will march in one division, as a
guard, and take possession at eight o'clock to-morrow morn-
ing. As soon as paroles can be made out and signed by
officers and men, you will be allowed to march out of our
lines, the officers taking with them their regimental cloth-
ing; and staff, field, and cavalry officers, one horse each.
The rank and file will be allowed all their clothing, but no
other property.

" If these conditions are accepted, any amount of rations
you may deem necessary can be taken from the stores you
now have, and also the necessary cooking utensils for pre-
paring them ; thirty wagons also, counting two two-horse
or mule teams as one. You will be allowed to transport
such articles as cannot be carried along. The same condi-
tions will be allowed to all sick and wounded officers and
privates, as fast as they become able to travel. The paroles
for these latter must be signed, however, whilst officers are
present, authorized to sign the role of prisoners."

A little after midnight, the following reply was
received from Pemberton : —

" I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
communication of this date, proposing terms of capitulation
for this garrison and post. In the main, your terms are ac-
cepted ; but, in justice both to the honor and spirit of my
troops, manifested in the defence of Vicksburg, I have to
submit the following amendments, which, if acceded to by
you, will perfect the agreement between us. At ten o'clock
A. M. tomorrow, I propose to evacuate the works in and
around Vicksburg, and to surrender the city and garrison
under my command, by marching out with my colors and
arms, stacking them in front of my present lines, after which
you will take possession. Officers to retain their side-arms
and personal property, and the rights and property of citi-
zens to be respected."

INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF VICKSBUEG. 127

Grant immediately replied : —

" I have the honor to .acknowledge the receipt of your
communication of the 3d of July. The amendment pro-
posed by you cannot be acceded to in full. It will be neces-
sary to furnish every officer and man with a parole signed
by himself, which, with the completion of the roll of prison-
ers, will necessarily take some time. Again, I can make no
stipulations with regard to the treatment of citizens and
their private property. While I do not propose to cause
them any undue annoyance or loss, I cannot consent to leave
myself under restraint by stipulations. The property which
officers will be allowed to take with them will be as stated
in my proposition of last evening : that is, officers will be
allowed their private baggage and side-arms, and mounted
officers one horse each. If you mean by your proposition
for each brigade to march to the front of the lines now oc-
cupied by it, and stack arms at ten o'clock A. M., and then
return to the inside and there remain as prisoners until
properly paroled, I will make no objection to it. Should no
notification be received of your acceptance of my terms by
nine o'clock A. M., I shall regard them as having been re-
jected, and shall act accordingly. Should these terms be
accepted, white flags should be displayed along j'our lines
to prevent such of my troops as may not have been notified,
from firing upon your men."

After a short consultation with his general offi-
cers, Pemberton sent the following reply : —

" I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
communication of this day, and in reply to say that the
terms proposed by you are accepted."

An army correspondent who was at Grant's
headcpuarters that morning said : —

128 LIFE OF GEN". TJ. S. GRANT.

" I found the general more animated in conver-
sation than I had ever known him. He was evi-
dently contented with the manner in which he had
acquitted himself of the responsible task which had
for more than five months engrossed his mind and
his army. The consummation is one of which he
may well be proud. From Bruinsburg to Vicks-
burg, nineteen days, presents one of the most ac-
tive records of marches, actions, and victories of the
war. It is unparalleled, the only campaign of the
war which involved such celerity of movement, at-
tack, victory, pursuit, and humiliation of the
enemy."

Soon after ten o'clock on the morning of July
4th, the rebel works were surmounted by a large
number of white flags along the entire line. The
enemy then marched out from Vicksburg, stacked
their arms in front of the conquerors, and re-
turned inside the works, prisoners of war, await-
ing their parole.

When Pemberton was asked why the 4th of July
was selected for the surrender, he answered : —

" I believed that upon that day I should obtain
better terms. Well aware of the vanity of our
foes, I knew they would attach vast importance to
the entrance on the 4th of July into the strong-
hold of the great river, and that, to gratify their
national vanity, they would yield then what could
not be extorted from them at any other time."'

INVESTMENT AND SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. 129

In Alison's History of Europe, the Ulm cam-
paign, under Napoleon, is described as rf unpar-
alled in modern warfare, and sufficient to have
turned the strongest head." On a certain memora-
ble morning, the garrison of Ulm, thirty thousand
strong, with sixty pieces of cannon, marched out
of the fortress to lay down its arms.

But in this surrender of Vicksburg, thirty-one
thousand six hundred men were taken, and one
hundred and seventy-two cannon — the largest cap-
ture of men and material ever made in war

When Grant reported to his chief the final re-
sult of the campaign, he received fromHalleck the
following reply : —

" Your report, dated July 6th, of your campaign in Mis-
sissippi ending in the capitulation of Vicksburg, was re-
ceived last evening. Your narration of the campaign, like
the operations themselves, is brief, soldierly, and in every
respect creditable and satisfactory. In boldness of plan,
rapidity of execution, and brilliancy of routes, these opera-
tions will compare most favorably with those of Napoleon
about Ulm. You and your army have well deserved the
gratitude of your country, and it will be the boast of your
children that their fathers were of the heroic army which
re-opened the Mississippi River."

President Lincoln sent his congratulations as
follows : —

"My Dear General, — I do not remember that you
and I ever met personally. I write this now as a grateful
acknowledgment for the almost inestimable service you

ISO LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

have done the country. I wish to say a word farther.
When you first reached the vicinity of Vieksburg, I thought
you should do what you finally did, — march the troops
across the neck, run the batteries with the transports, and
thus go below ; and I never had any faith, except a gen-
eral hope that you knew better than I, that the Yazoo
Pass expedition and the like could succeed. When you got
below and took Port Gibson, Grand Gulf and vicinity, I
thought you should go down the river and join General
Banks : and when you turned northward, east of the Big
Black, I feared it was a mistake. I now wish to make a
personal acknowledgment that you were right and I was
wrong."

The grade of major-general in the regular army
Avas immediately conferred upon Grant, and the
country rang with his praise. The victory at Get-
tysburg, as will be remembered, came upon this
same 4th of July ; and never, since the opening of
the war, had the prospects of the Union cause
seemed brighter.

OCCUPATION OF VICKSBURG. 131

CHAPTER XII.

OCCUPATION OF VICKSBURG.

TI)Y one o'clock on this glorious 4th of July,
■^-^ everything was in readiness for the entrance
of the city by the national troops. As General
Logan's division was one of those which had ap-
proached nearest the rebel works, it was given the
honor of first entering the town. The Forty-fifth
Illinois Infantry, under Colonel Maltby, led the
column, in consequence of heroic conduct through
the siege, and placed its battle-torn flag on the
dome of the Vicksburff Court House. Admiral
Porter, with his fleet down the river, caught a
glimpse of the " star-spangled banner " as he
pointed his field-glass towards Vicksburg ; and in
due time his vessel steamed down to the city, fol-
lowed by all the gunboats in the neighborhood,
and took possession of the river front.

General Grant rode into Vicksburs: with his
staff, at the head of Logan's Division. He went
directly to one of the rebel headquarters, Avhere
Pemberton was sitting with his generals. They
saluted him, but no one was courteous enough to
ofler him a seat. It was a hot, dusty day, and he

132 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

asked for a drink of water. They told him that
he could find it inside, and by other marks of rude-
ness showed how little they appreciated the mag-
nanimity of a victor who had allowed them to
retain both their arms and their personal prop-
erty.

Pemberton's first request was that Grant should
supply the garrison with rations. To this he im-
mediately consented, and asked how many would
be needed.

" I have thirty-two thousand men," was the
reply.

This was the first intimation that Grant had of
the extent of his victory. He had supposed the
garrison to consist of not more than fifteen or
twenty thousand men.

A writer whose sympathies were strongly with
the South gave the following tribute to Grant,
upon hearing of the surrender of Vicksburg : —

" General Grant is a noble fellow, and by the terms
of capitulation he accorded to the heroic garrison showed
himself as generous as Napoleon was to Wurmser at the
surrender of Mantua. His deed will read well in history,
and he has secured to himself a name which posterity will
pronounce with veneration and gratitude. There is no
general in this country or in Europe that has done harder
work than General Grant, and none that has better graced
his victories by the exercise of humanity and virtue. What
we learn of the terms of the capitulation is sufficient to
prove General Grant to be a generous soldier and a man.
A truly brave man respects bravery in others, and, when

OCCUPATION OF VICKSBUEG. 133

the sword is sheathed, considers himself free to follow the
dictates of humanity. General Grant is not a general that
makes his progress by proclamations to frighten unarmed
men, women, and children ; he flatters no one to get himself
puffed; but ho is terrible in arms and magnanimous after
the battle."

As soon as General Gardner, the rebel com-
mander at Port Hudson, beard that Vicksburg had
surrendered, he sent a despatch to General Banks,
proposing a capitulation ; this post was taken
without bloodshed, and in the words of Lincoln,
"the Father of Waters now rolled unvexed to the
sea."

When General Grant learned that Johnston
intended to attack him in the rear, he ordered
Sherman to resist his advance. The rebel gen-
eral, on finding the Union troops had been sent in
pursuit of his forces, fell back within the defences
of Jackson, the Mississippi State capital.

July 12th, Grant wrote as follows to Halleck : —

" General Sherman has Jackson invested from Pearl
River on the north, to the river on the south. This has cut
off many hundred cars from the Confederacy. Sherman
says he has forces enough, and feels no apprehension about
the result.

" Finding that Yazoo City was being fortified, I sent
General Herron there with his Division. He captured sev-
eral hundred prisoners and one steamboat. Five pieces of
heavy artillery and all the public stores fell into our hands.
The enemy burned three steamboats on the approach of the
gunboats.

134 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

"The De Kalb was blown up and sunk in fifteen feet of
water by the explosion of a torpedo.

" Finding that the enemy were crossing cattle for the
rebel army at Natchez, and were said to have several thou-
sand there, I have sent steamboats and troops to collect
them and destroy all boats and means for making more."

On the 18th, he wrote : —

"Joe Johnston evacuated Jackson on the night of the
16th instant. lie is now in full retreat east. Sherman
says most of Johnston's army must perish from heat, lack
of water, and general discouragement. The army paroled
here at Vicksburg have to a great extent deserted, and are
scattered over the country in every direction.

" Learning that Yazoo City was being fortified, I sent
General Herron there. Five guns were captured, many
stores, and about three hundred prisoners.

" General Ransom was sent to Natchez to stop the cross-
ing of cattle for the eastern army. On arrival, he found
that largo numbers had been driven out of the city to be
pastured; also, that munitions of war had recently been
crossed over to wait for Kirby Smith. He mounted about
(wo hundred of his men, and sent them in both directions.
They captured a number of prisoners, and five thousand
head of Texas cattle, two thousand head of which were
sent to General Banks. The balance have been or will
be brought here.

" In Louisiana they captured more prisoners and a num-
ber of teams loaded with ammunition. Over two million
rounds of ammunition were brought back to Natchez
with tin; teams captured, and two hundred and sixty-
eight thousand rounds, besides artillery ammunition, were
destroyed."

During Grant's occupation of Vicksburg, a.major

OCCUPATION OF VICKSBURG. 135

in the rebel army, who had formerly served in the
same regiment of the United States with Grant,
was his prisoner. Grant treated him with the
utmost kindness and invited him to his private
apartment. The rebel major was touched, and
said confidentially to his captor, —

"I tell you what it is, Grant, I'm not much
of a rebel after all ; and when I am paroled, the
whole concern may go to the dogs ! "

Halleck had feared that the paroling of prisoners
at Vicksburo; might be construed into an absolute
release, and that the men would be immediately
placed in the ranks of the enemy ; his first despatch
to Grant, therefore, after the capitulation, were
words of rebuke rather than of commendation.

His countermand, however, came too late. The
whole garrison had been paroled not to take up
arms against the United States until exchanged by
the proper authorities, and had already left Vicks-
burg. These terms really proved more favorable
to the government than an unconditional surren-
der, as Grant thus saved the expense of feeding
thirty thousand prisoners, and also secured his
troops and transports for the movement against
Johnston.

The army that had been paroled was virtually
discharged from the rebel service ; thousands
crossed the Mississippi and went West, many
begged a passage to the North, and not a few ex-

136 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

pressed a strong desire to enter the ranks of the
Union army.

In the despatch to Halleck on the 18th of July,
announcing the second capture of Jackson and the
completion of the Vicksburg campaign, Grant
said, —

" It seems to me, now, that Mobile should be
captured, the expedition starting from Lake Pon-
chartrain."

Halleck, however, had other plans, and re-
plied : —

"Before attempting Mobile, I think it will be
best to clean up a little. Johnston should be dis-
posed of, also Price and Marmaduke, so as to hold
line of the Arkansas Kiver. This will enable us to
withdraw troops from Missouri. Vicksburg and
Port Hudson should be repaired, so as to be tena-
ble by small garrisons ; also, assist Banks in
clcarinir out western Louisiana. When these
things are accomplished, there will be a large
available force to operate either on Mobile or
Texas. Navy is not ready for co-operation ;
should Sumter fall, then ironclads can be sent to
assist at Mobile."

If Grant's suggestion had been acted on, before
the rebels could have time to recover from the
Vicksburg campaign, there is little doubt but that
Mobile would have at once fallen, and the war
shortened by at least a year. On the 24th of

OCCUPATION OF VICKSBURG. 137

July, Grant renewed his suggestion and wrote to
Halleck, " It seems to me that Mobile is the
point deserving the most attention."

Again, on the 1st of August, he says : "Mobile
can be taken from the Gulf Department, with
only one or two gunboats to protect the debarka-
tion. I can send the necessary force. With your
leave I would like to visit New Orleans, particu-
larly if the movement against Mobile is authorized."

As Halleck still refused his permission, Grant on
the 25th of September again urged him to recon-
sider the subject : " I am confident that Mobile
could now be taken, with comparatively a small
force. At least, a demonstration in that direction
would either result in the abandonment of the
city, or force the enemy to weaken Bragg's army
to hold it."

Five days later he adds : " I regret that I have
not got a movable force with which to attack
Mobile, or the river above. As I am situated,

however, I must be contented with guarding terri-

© ©

tory already taken from the enemy."

While at Vicksburg, Grant sent supplies of
medicine and provisions to the rebel sick at Ray-
mond, and told Sherman that when families had
been deprived of all their subsistence by Union
troops, it was only fair the same articles should be
issued in return.

"It should be our policy now," he said, "to

138 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

make as favorable an impression upon the people
of this State as possible. Impress upon the men
the importance of going through the State in an
orderly manner, refraining from taking anything
not absolutely necessary for their subsistence
while travelling. They should try to create as
favorable an impression as possible upon the peo-
ple, and advise them, if it will do any good, to
make efforts to have law and order established
within the Union."

On the 7th of August, in obedience to orders
from Washington, Grant sent Ord's entire com-
mand to Banks, and was himself advised to co-op-
erate with that commander, by sending a small
force from Natchez into Louisiana. Grant had
been informed : —

"General Banks has been left at liberty to
select his own objective point in Texas, and may
determine to move by sea. If so, your movement
will not have his support, and should be conducted
with caution. You will confer on this matter
freely with General Banks. The government is
exceedingly anxious that our troops should occupy
some points in Texas with the least possible delay."

Grant started, accordingly, in person for New
Orleans upon the 30th of August, notifying Hal-
leek : " General Banks is not yet off, and I am
desirous of seeing him before he starts, to learn
his plans, and see how I may help him."

OCCUPATION OF VICKSBUEG. 139

As Sherman was next in rank, Grant of course
proposed to leave him in command ; but that offi-
cer preferred to have all orders still issued in
Grant's name, with his (Sherman's) advice and
concurrence.

(t With such men as Sherman and McPherson,"
said Grant, "commanding corps or armies, there
will never be any jealousies or lack of hearty co-op-
eration."

It was one of Grant's most notable traits that he
always desired to give honor wherever it was due,
and in his official report of the Vicksburg cam-
paign he paid the following fine tribute to
Porter : —

" I cannot close this report," he says, " without an ex-
pression of thankfulness for my good fortune in being
placed in co-operation with an officer of the navy who ac-
cords to every move that seems for the interest and success
of our arms, his hearty and energetic support. Admiral
Porter and the very efficient officers under him have ever
shown the greatest readiness in their co-operation, no matter
what was to be done, or what risk to be taken, either by their
men or their vessels. Without this prompt and cordial sup-
port my movements would have been embarrassed, if not
wholly defeated."

In honor of the victories gained by General
Grant with the Army of the Tennessee, a beauti-
ful sword was presented to him by the officers
under his command. The handle represented the
carved figure of a young giant crushing the rebel-

140 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

lion ; and the scabbard was of solid silver with ap-
propriate and exquisite designs.

The President honored the " conquering hero "
by appointing him to the vacant major-generalship
in the regular army of the United States, with a
commission dating from the occupation of Vicks-
burg, July 4th, 1863.

THE NEGRO QUESTION, ETC. 141

CHAPTER Xin.

THE NEGRO QUESTION — TRADE IN THE SOUTHERN
STATES — GRANT'S NEW COMMAND.

^ni-IE negroes in the Department having all be-
-*- come free by virtue of President Lincoln's
proclamation and the occupation of the country by
the United States authorities, Grant issued upon
the 10th of August, 1863, the following order: —

" At all military posts in States within the Department of
the Tennessee where slavery has been abolished by the
proclamation of the President of the United States, camps
will be established for such freed people of color as are out
of employment.

" Commanders of posts or districts will detail suitable
officers from the army as superintendents of such camps. It
will be the duty of such superintendents to see that suitable
rations are drawn from the Subsistence Department for such
people as are confided to their care.

" All such persons will be employed in every practicable
way so as to avoid, as far as possible, their becoming a bur-
den upon the Government. They may be hired to planters
or other citizens on proper assurance that the negroes so
hired will not be run off beyond the military jurisdiction of
the United States; they may be employed upon any public
works, in gathering crops from abandoned plantations, and
generally in any manner local commanders may deem for
the best interests of the Government, in compliance with law
and the policy of the Administration.

142 LIFE OF GEN". XJ. S. GRANT.

" It will be the duty of the provost marshal at every
military post to see that every negro within the jurisdiction
of the military authorities is employed by some white per-
son, or is sent to the camp provided for freed people.

" Citizens may make contracts with freed persons of color
for their labor, giving wages per month in money, or em-
ploy families of them by the year on plantations, etc., feed-
ing, clothing and supporting the infirm as well as able-
bodied, and giving a portion, not less than one-twentieth of
the commercial part of their crops, in payment for such
services.

" Where negroes are employed under this authority, the
parties employing will register with the provost marshal
their names, occupation, and residence, and the number of
negroes so employed. They will enter into such bonds as
the provost marshal, with the approval of the local com-
mander, may require for the kind treatment and proper care
of those employed, and as security against their being
carried beyond the employer's jurisdiction.

" Nothing of this order is to be construed to embarrass the
employment of such colored persons as may be required by
the Government. 1 '

At the beginning of the rebellion, Grant was not
an abolitionist ; the salvation of the Union was to
him the paramount question ; but when the
government determined first to free, and then to
arm the negroes, Grant was ready to co-operate.

The rebels at first refused to recognize the black
troops as soldiers, and declared that if captured
they should be treated as runaway slaves, and
their officers as thieves and robbers. Grant, hear-
ing that a white captain and some negro soldiers,

THE NEGRO QUESTION, ETC. 143

taken prisoners at Milliken's Bend, had been
hanged, wrote to General Richard Taylor, then
commanding the rebel forces in Louisiana : —

" I feel no inclination to retaliate for the offences of irre-
sponsible persons ; but, if it is the policy of any general in-
trusted with the command of troops to show no quarter, or
to punish with death prisoners taken in battle, I will accept
the issue. It may be you propose a different line of policy
towards black troops, and officers commanding them, to
that practised towards white troops. If so, I can assure you
that these colored troops are regularly mustered into the
service of the United States. The Government, and all
officers under the Government, are bound to give the same
protection to these troops that they do to any other troops."

General Taylor replied that he would punish all
such acts, " disgraceful alike to humanity and the
reputation of soldiers ; " but declared that officers
of the " Confederate States Army " were required
to turn over to the civil authorities, to be dealt with
accordino; to the laws of the States wherein such
were captured, all negroes captured in arms.

Hon. Salmon P. Chase, the Secretary of the
Treasury, strongly favored the question of alio wing-
trade to be carried on in the conquered regions,
and wrote Grant : —

" I find that a rigorous line within districts occupied by
our military forces, from beyond which no cotton or other
produce can be brought, and within which no trade can be
carried on, gives rise to serious and to some apparently
well-founded complaints. 11

144 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GKANT.

He wished to substitute bonds — at least to sub-
stitute them partially — to be given by all persons
receiving permits, for the rigorous line then estab-
lished, but Grant wrote in reply : —

" My experience in West Tennessee has convinced rne
that any trade whatever with the rebellious States is
weakening to us of at least thirty-three percent, of our force.
No matter what the restrictions thrown around trade, if any
whatever is allowed, it will be made the means of supplying
the enemy what they want. Restrictions, if lived up to,
make trade unprofitable, and hence none but dishonest men
go into it. I will venture to say that no honest man has
made money in West Tennessee in the last year, while many
fortunes have been made there during the time. The people
in the Mississippi Valley are now nearly subjugated. Keep
trade out but for a few months, and I doubt not but that the
work of subjugation will be so complete that trade can be
opened freely with the States of Arkansas, Louisiana, and
Mississippi. . . . "No theory of my own" he adds in con-
clusion, " will ever stand in the way of my executing in good
faith any order I may receive from those in authority over me;
but my position has given me an opportunity of seeing what
could not be known by persons away from the scene of war,
and I venture, therefore, great caution in opening trade
with rebels."

Notwithstanding all his arguments, however, a
limited trade was opened with the rebels, and the
results prophesied by Grant rapidly followed.

Grant arrived at New Orleans on the 2d day of
September, and the next day it was announced
that the trade of the city of New Orleans with
Cairo, St. Louis, and the cities and towns of the

THE NEGRO QUESTION, ETC. 145

Upper Mississippi, the Missouri and Ohio Rivers,
was declared free from any military restriction
whatever. At intermediate points within the De-
partment of the Gulf, the trade of the Mississippi
was held subject only to such limitations as might
prove necessary to prevent the supply of pro-
visions and munitions of war to the Confederates.
On the 4th of September, Grant held at New
Orleans a grand review of the Thirteenth Army
Corps, which had been under his command at
Vicksburg, but afterwards transferred to General
Banks. During this review, Grant, being mounted
on a strange horse, was suddenly thrown from his
seat and severely injured. For twenty days he
was confined to one position, and could not return
to Vicksburg till the 16th of September. On the
19th he wrote : —

"I am still confined to my bed, being flat on my back.
My injuries are severe, but still not dangerous. ... I will
still endeavor to perform my duties, and hope soon to re-
cover, that I may be able to take the field at any time I may
be called to do so. 1 '

He was, however, obliged to keep his bed till
the 25th, and for two months afterwards could only
walk with crutches. On the 19th and 20th of Sep-
tember, Rosecrans suffered a severe repulse on
the Chickamauga River, nine miles from Chatta-
nooga ; and being obliged to retire to the latter
place, he was here nearly surrounded by a superior

14G LIFE OF G^N. IT. S. GRANT.

rebel army. On the 29th Halleck telegraphed to
Grant : —

"The enemy seems to have concentrated on Rosecrans all
his available force from every direction. To meet him, it is
necessary that all the forces that can be spared in your de-
partment be sent to Rosecrans 1 assistance. ... An able
commander like Sherman or McPherson should be selected.
As soon as your health will permit, I think you should goto
Nashville and take the direction of this movement."

Grant had written on the 28th : " I am now
ready for the field, or any duty I may be called
upon to perform," and on the 30th, in reply to
Halleck, he said : —

" All, I believe, is now moving according to your wishes.
I have ten thousand five hundred men to hold the river from
here to Bayou Lara. ... I regret that there should be nn
apparent tardiness in complying with your orders; but I
assure you that as soon as your wishes were known, troops
were forwarded as rapidly as transportation could be pro-
cured."

Halleck replied at once : —

" Although the re-enforcements from your army for Gen-
eral Rosecrans did not move as soon or as rapidly as was
expected, no blame whatever attaches to you. I know your
promptness too well to think for a moment that this delay
was any fault of yours."

Soon after, the following- despatch was re-
ceived : —

"It is the wish of the Secretary of War that as soon as
General Grant is able to take the held, he will come to Cairo
and report by telegraph."

THE NEGEO QUESTION, ETC. 147

Having' arrived at Cairo and informed Halleck of
the fact, he received further orders as follows : —

" You will immediately proceed to the Gait House, Louis-
ville, Ky., where you will meet an officer of the War De-
partment with your orders and instructions. You will take
with you your staff, etc., for immediate operations in the
field."

On his way, he was met at Indianapolis by the
Secretary of War, Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, who
brought with him from Washington an order
creating for Grant a new and much larger com-
mand. The order read as follows : —

" By direction of the President of the United States, the
Departments of the Ohio, of the Cumberland, and of the
Tennessee, will constitute the military division of the Mis-
sissippi. Major-general U. S. Grant, United States Army,
is placed in command of the military division of the Missis-
sippi, with his headquarters in the field.

"Major-general W. S. Rosecrans, U. S. Volunteers, is
relieved from the command of the Department and Army of
the Cumberland. Major-general G. II. Thomas is hereby
assigned to that command, by order of the Secretary of
War."

The whole party then proceeded on their jour-
ney to Louisville, and found at the Gait House a
wondering crowd, eager to catch a glimpse of the
hero of Vicksburg. The prevailing impression
seemed to be that General Grant must be a sort of
giant.

" Why ! " exclaimed one of the natives, " I

148 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

thought he was a large man. He would he con-
sidered a small chance of a fighter if he lived in
Kentucky ! "

The new command of General Grant covered a
larger area and controlled a greater number of
troops than any ever held by a general before the
grade of a <reneral-in-chief. He had now under
his direction four of the largest armies in the field,
commanded by Generals Sherman, Thomas, Burn-
side, and Hooker, and to these General Foster's
column was afterwards added. The country em-
braced in this new command included the States of
Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Mississippi, Northern Alabama, and
Northwestern Georgia.

The opposing rebel forces were also of a formi-
dable character. To General Bragg's own troops
had been added Longstreet's and Hill's corps from
the Virginian army. Besides Johnston's co-ope-
rating force of 30,000 men, the Confederate army
had been still further strengthened by a brigade of
infantry, and a cavalry division of from 5,000 to
6,000 operating between Jackson and the Big
Black, under General S. D. Lee.

THE CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGN. 149

CHAPTER XIV.

THE CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGN.

"VTTHEN the rebellion first broke out, the im-
portant strategic position of Chattanooga was
at once perceived by military men. The town lies
at the base of a lofty ridge of the Cumberland
Mountains, which serve as a sort of natural boun-
dary between the cotton States and the grain-grow-
ing plains of Kentucky and Tennessee. The name
itself (Chattanoogo) means " Eagle's Nest ;" but the
crest is now called by its English name, " Lookout
Mountain," while the southern point is known as
Missionary Ridge, because the Indians would not
allow the early missionaries to proceed further.
The whole region embraces one of the most impor-
tant avenues for access to the South, and the rail-
roads from Memphis and Charleston and Richmond
and Nashville and Atlanta meet here at Chatta-
nooga.

Rosecrans, with his defeated army, had now
withdrawn into the town of Chattanooga, and
thrown up a formidable line of works, so close that
some of the houses were left outside. Bragg had
instantly taken possession of Missionary Ridge,

150 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

which is about four hundred feet high, three miles
from the Tennessee River, and just south and east
of Chattanooga. After the unfortunate battle of
Chickamauga, the post on Lookout Mountain had
been abandoned by the Union troops and instantly
occupied by the rebels, who saw at once that it Mas
the key to the whole position. By seizing the
railroad just at the base of the mountain, they cut
off the supplies of the national troops, and threat-
ened to starve out the whole army entrenched
there.

But General Grant was now on the ground and
determined to re-open the valley route at all hazards.
How this Avas done is graphically described by a
participant in Hooker's column : —

"The early morning of the 28th ofOctoher opened with a
clear, bright, beautiful moonlight, the scenery on every side
traced in dark sombre on the background of the sky. High,
towering mountains — the Raccoon Mountain on one side,
and the Lookout Mountain on the other — and the valley,
diversified by open fields and small clumps of woods, formed
a curious picture. On Lookout Mountain bright fires
burned, and told us too plainly where to look for the enemy
and his signal ofiicei\s. Our camp-fires burned brightly, and
our line lay on a parallel with what was the enemy's on the
day previous. Two divisions were encamped on the left or
front of our line. Another division, General Geary's, was
in bivouac, about one mile and a half from the other two
divisions. Between the two sections of the command the
enemy held a position on the Chattanooga road proper, as
also on the railroad.

THE CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGN. 151

" Suddenly the Union troops were aroused by the heavy
firing in General Geary's direction. At once preparation
was made for a general engagement. The troops were soon
in column, and the trains and ambulances got in readiness
for the emergency. As they pressed forward on the road to
join General Geary, the enemy opened a heavy fire of
musketry from a high hill close to their line of advance. At
once our commanding generals comprehended the state of
affairs. The enemy had intended their movement to be a
surprise; and one with a view to the probable surrounding
and possible capture of Geary's force. From prisoners taken
during the fight that ensued, we learned that General Long-
street, on beholding our column move up the Lookout Val-
ley towards Chattanooga, quietly massed two divisions on
Lookout Mountain and moved them up to and across Lookout
Creek, with a view to the carrying out of the plan of his sur-
prise movement. About eight P. M., he moved his division
across the creek. One division passed on to the Chattanooga
road and occupied two hills commanding the road on a
parallel leading to Brown's Ferry. The other division
passed down the railroad, and from there on to the Chatta-
nooga road, below the fork. The rebels had intrenched
themselves on the hill, and from their works had opened
fire upon the Union command ; but this did not delay the
advance of the re-enforcements, which pushed along under
fire through an open space or field to the right of the front
of the hills.

" While this command was pressing forward, a second
division was moved up on the road, and a courier sent to
inform General Geary of the near approach of assistance.

" An order was now given to take the hill, and the second
division was assigned to the task. The advance was com-
menced; and the enemy poured down a heavy fire of mus-
ketry. Slowly the men went up the hill, the ascent of which
was so steep that it was as much as a man could do to get to
the toj) in peacefid times, and with the help of daylight.

152 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

This hill was covered with briar bushes, fallen trees and
tangling masses of various descriptions, but our boys pressed
forward in spite of all obstructions. The whole division at
last gave a sudden start forward and gained the crest of the
hill. The enemy's line wavered and broke, and the rebels
composing it went down the other side of the hill with
broken, flying, and disordered ranks. On gaining the crest,
our men found that they had not only driven the enemy off,
but had taken some tolerably well-constructed earthworks,
behind which the rebels had posted themselves. It was then
ascertained, too, that the hill had been occupied by about two
thousand rebels. The success and the gallantry with which
the height was taken elicited general commendation to the
skill and bravery of the troops and their commanding officers.

" Soon after this, a detachment from another division took
the next hill to the right without much resistance.

"The enemy continued a scattering fire for some time
after the hills were taken, but finally ceased troubling us.

"In the meantime General Geary had bravely resisted the
rebel attack ; and, after two hours' hard fighting, the enemy
retreated, without making Geary's line to waver or fall back
afoot. Almost every horse in one section of artillery was
shot dead. The enemy retired across the railroad, and from
there to the other side of the creek."

The army at Chattanooga were thus relieved
of the danger of starvation ; and General Grant
began to make preparations to attack the enemy
in his front.

Longstrect's forces were now r before the city
of Knoxville. "Just where we want them I" said
Grant, 'when apprised of his attempts to flank the
Union position several miles to the eastward of
Chattanooga.

THE CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGN. 153

An examination of the enemy's line showed
clearly the danger to which the rebels had exposed
themselves. A large portion of their army they
had allowed to go into East Tennessee, and the
remainder of their forces they had extended into
lines almost as thin as a spider's thread. Upon
Mission Ridge, the outer line of defences was
nearly seven miles in extent, while the inner line
of rifle pits running through the valleys was not
less than five miles long. Grant knew that the
north end of this ridge was imperfectly guarded ;
and that the left bank of the Tennessee, from the
mouth of South Chickamauga Creek westward to
the main rebel line in front of Chattanooga, was
watched by a small cavalry picket, only. These
facts determined his plan of operations. His main
object being to mass all the forces possible against
Mission Ridge, converging toward Chickamauga
Station, — Bragg's depot of supplies, — Grant finally
deemed it best to countermand Hooker's attack
on Lookout Mountain, and brins: most of the
troops intended for that operation to the other
end of the line.

To General Thomas, the instructions were given
as follows : —

"All preparations should be made for attacking the
enemy's position on Missionary Ridge, by Saturday morn-
ing, at daylight. . . . The general plan is, for Sherman,
with the force brought with him, strengthened by a division

154 LITE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

from your command, to effect a, crossing of the Tennessee
River, just below the mouth of the Chickamauga ; his*
crossing to be pi-otected by artillery from the heights of the
north bank of the river, and to secure the heights from
the northern extremity to about the railroad tunnel, before the
enemy can concentrate against him. You will co-operate
with Sherman. The troops in Chattanooga Valley should
all be concentrated on your left flank, leaving only the
necessary force to defend fortifications on the right and
centre, and a movable column of one division, in readiness
to move wherever ordered. This division should show
itself as threateningly as possible, on the most practicable
line for making an attack up the valley. Your effort, then,
will be to form a junction with Sherman, making your
advance well toward the northern end of Missionary Ridge,
and moving as near simultaneously with him as possible.
The junction once formed, and the ridge carried, connection
will be at once established between the two armies, by roads
on the south bank of the river. Further movements will
then depend on those of the enemy.

"Lookout Valley, I think, will be easily held by Geary's
division, and what troops you may still have there, of the
old Army of the Cumberland. HoAvard's corps can then be
held in readiness to act, either with you at Chattanooga, or
with Sherman. It should be marched, on Friday night, to
a position on the north side of the river, not lower down
than the first pontoon bridge at Chattanooga; and then held
in readiness for such orders as may become necessary. All
these troops will be provided with two days' rations, in
haversacks, and one hundred rounds of ammunition on the
person of each infantry soldier. ..."

To Sherman a copy of those instructions was
forwarded for his guidance, and he was also in-
formed, " It is particularly desirable that a force

THE CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGN. 155

should be got through to the railroad between
Cleveland and Dalton, and Longstreet thus cut
off from communication with the south ; but, being
confronted by a large force here, strongly located,
it is not easy to tell how this is to be effected,
until the result of our first effort is known."

On the 23d of November, a little before noon,
General Grant ordered a demonstration against
Missionary Ridge, to develop the force holding it.

General Meigs, who was present during the
whole three days' battle, thus describes it : —

"The troops marched out, formed in order, and advanced
in line of battle, as if on parade. The rebels watched the
formation and movement from their picket lines and rifle-
pits, and from the summits of Missionary Ridge, five hun-
dred feet above us, and thought it was a review and drill,
so openly and deliberately, so regularly, was it all done.

"The line advanced, preceded by skirmishers, and. at
two o'clock P. M. reached our picket lines, and opened a
rattling volley upon the rebel pickets, who replied, and ran
into their advanced line of rifle-pits. After them went our
skirmishers, and into them along the centre line of 25,000
troops which General Thomas had so quickly displayed,
until we opened fire. Prisoners assert that they thought the
whole movement was a review and general drill, and that
it was too late to send to their camps for re-enforcements,
and that they Avere overwhelmed by force of numbers. It
was a surprise in open daylight.

"At three o'clock p. M. the important advanced position
of Orchard Knob and the lines right and left were in our
possession, and arrangements were ordered for holding them
during the ni«;ht.

156 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

" The next day, at daylight, General Sherman had five
thousand men across the Tennessee, and established on its
south bank, and commenced the construction of a pontoon
bridge about six miles above Chattanooga. The rebel
steamer Dunbar was repaired at the right moment, and
rendered effective aid in this crossing, carrying over six
thousand men.

" By nightfall, General Sherman had seized the extremity
of Missionary Ridge nearest the river, and was intrenching
himself. General Howard, with a brigade, opened commu-
nication with him from Chattanooga on the south side of the
river. Skirmishing and cannonading continued all day on
the left and centre. General Hooker scaled the slopes of
Lookout Mountain, and from the valley of Lookout Creek
drove the rebels around the point. He captured some two
thousand prisoners, and established himself high up the
mountain side, in full view of Chattanooga. This raised the
blockade, and now steamers Avere ordered from Bridgeport
to Chattanooga. They had run only to Kelley's Ferry,
whence ten miles of hauling over mountain roads and twice
across the Tennessee on pontoon bridges brought us our
supplies.

" All night the point of Missionary Ridge on the extreme
right blazed with the camp-fires of loyal troops.

"The day had been one of dense mists and rains, and
much of General Hooker's battle was fought above the
clouds, which concealed him from our view, but from which
his musketry was heard.

"At nightfall the sky cleared, and the full moon — 'the
traitor's doom ' — shone upon the beautiful scene until 1 a.m.,
when twinkling sparks upon the mountain-side showed
that picket skirmishing was going on. Then it ceased. A
brigade sent from Chattanooga crossed the Chattanooga
Creek and opened communication with Hooker.

" General Grant's headquarters during the afternoon of the
23d and the day of the 24th were in Wood's Redoubt, except

THE CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGN. 157

•when in the course of the day he rode along the advance
line, visiting the headquarters of the several commanders in
Chattanooga Valley.

" At daylight on the 25th the stars and stripes were
descried on the peak of Lookout. The rebels had evacuated
the mountain.

"Hooker moved to descend the mountain, striking Mis-
sionary Ridge at the Rossville Gap, to sweep both sides
and its summit.

"The rebel troops were seen, as soon as it was light
enough, streaming regiments and brigades along the narrow
summit of Missionary Ridge, either concentrating on the
right to overwhelm Sherman, or marching for the railroad
to raise the siege.

" They had evacuated the valley of Chattanooga. Would
they abandon that of Chickamauga ?

" The twenty-pounders and four and a quarter inch rifles
of Wood's Redoubt opened on Missionary Ridge. Orchard
Knob sent its compliments to the Ridge, and from Missionary
Ridge to Orchard Knob, and from Wood's Redoubt, over the
heads of Generals Grant and Thomas and their staffs, who
were with us in this favorable position, from whence the
whole battle could be seen as in an amphitheatre. The
headquarters were under fire all day long.

" Cannonading and musketry were heard from General
Sherman, and General Howard marched the Eleventh
Corps to join him.

" General Thomas sent out skirmishers, who drove in the
rebel pickets and chased them into their intrenchments, and
at the foot of Missionaiy Ridge Sherman made an assault
against Bragg's right, intrenched on a high knob next to
that on which Sherman himself lay fortified. The assault
was gallantly made.

*' Sherman reached the edge of the crest, and held his
ground for (it seemed to me) an hour, but was bloodily re-
pulsed by reserves.

158 LIFE OF GEN. II. S. GRANT.

" A general advance was ordered, and a strong line of
skirmishers followed by a deployed line of battle some two
miles in length. At the signal of leaden shots from head-
quarters on Orchard Knob, the line moved rapidly and
orderly forward. The rebel pickets discharged their mus-
kets and ran into their rifle-pits. Our skirmishers followed
on their heels.

"The line of battle was not far behind; and we saw the
gray rebels swarm out of the ledge line of rifle-pits and over
the base of the hill in numbers which surprised us. A few
turned and fired their pieces ; but the greater number col-
lected into the many roads which cross obliquely up its
steep face, and went on to the top.

" Some regiments pressed on, and swarmed up the steep
sides of the ridge ; and here and there a color was advanced
beyond the lines. The attempt appeared most dangerous;
bat the advance was supported, and the whole line was
ordered to storm the heights, upon which not less than forty
pieces of artillery, and no one knew how many muskets,
stood ready to slaughter the assailants. With cheers an-
swering to cheers the men swarmed upward. They gath-
ered to the points least difficult of ascent, and the line
was broken. Color after color was planted on the sum-
mit, while musket and cannon vomited their thunder upon
them.

"A well-directed shot from Orchard Knob exploded a
rebel caisson on the summit, and the gun was seen speedily
taken to the right, its driver lashing his horses. A party of
our soldiers intercepted them ; and the gun was captured
with cheers.

" A fierce musketry broke out to the left, where, between
Thomas and Sherman, a mile or two of the ridge was still
occupied by the rebels.

" Bragg left the house in which he had held his head-
quarters, and rode to the rear as our troops crowded the hill
on either side of him.

THE CHATTANOOGA CAMPAIGN. 159

" General Grant proceeded to the summit, and then only
did we know its height.

" Some of the captured artillery was put into position.
Artillerists were sent for to work the guns, and caissons were
searched for ammunition.

"The rebel log breastworks were torn to pieces and
carried to the other side of the ridge, and used in forming
barricades across. A strong line of infantry was formed in
the rear of Baird's line, and engaged in a musketry contest
with the rebels to the left, and a secure lodgment was soon
effected.

" The other assault to the right of our centre gained the
summit, and the rebels threw down their arms and fled.
Hooker, coming into favorable position, swept the right of
the ridge, and captured many prisoners.

"Bragg's remaining troops left early in the night; and
the battle of Chattanooga, after days of manoeuvring and
fighting, was won. The strength of the rebellion in the
centre is broken. Burnside is relieved from danger in East
Tennessee. Kentucky and Tennessee are rescued. Georgia
and Southeast are threatened in the rear, and another victory
is added to the chapter of ' Unconditional Surrender Grant." 1 "

This battle of Chattanooga was the grandest ever
fought west of the Alleghanies. It covered an area
of thirteen miles, and Grant had over sixty thou-
sand men engaged. The rebel army numbered
forty-five thousand men, but they had the advan-
tage of position on every part of the field. As at
Vicksburg it had been the strategy, at Chatta-
nooga it was the manoeuvring in the presence of
the enemy that secured the victory. No battle
during the Civil War was carried out so com-

160 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

pletely according to the programme. The instruc-
tions of Grant in advance serve almost as a com-
plete history of the engagement.

The way was now thrown open to Atlanta ; and
Chattanooga, the great bulwark of the would-be
Confederacy, had become a sally-port for the
national armies.

APPOINTED LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. 161

CHAPTER XV.

GRANT IS APPOINTED LIEUTENANT-GENERAL.

ALTHOUGH Chattanooga was now secure,
Burnside was still surrounded by the enemy,
and the capture of Knoxville threatened. On the
29th of November, the rebel general Longstreet
made an assault upon Fort Sanders and other
works around Knoxville. It was, however, un-
successful, and on the 4th of December he raised
the sieire and retreated eastward toward Virginia.

When the good news reached Washington, Pres-
ident Lincoln sent the following despatch to
Grant : —

' ' Understanding that your lodgment at Chatta-
nooga and Knoxville is now secure, I wish to
tender you, and all under your command, my more
than thanks — my profoundest gratitude — for the
skill, courage, and perseverance with which you
and they, over so great difficulties, have effected
that important object. God bless you all ! "

General Grant at once had the despatch em-
bodied in an order, so that it should be read to
every regiment in his command, and congratulated
them himself as follows : —

162 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

"The general commanding takes this opportu-
nity of returning his sincere thanks and congratu-
lations to the brave armies of the Cumberland, the
Ohio, the Tennessee, and their comrades from the
Potomac, for the recent splendid and decisive suc-
cesses achieved over the enemy. In a short time
you have recovered from him the control of the Ten-
nessee River from Bridgeport to Knoxville. You
dislodged him from his great stronghold upon
Lookout Mountain, drove him from Chattanooga
Valley, wrested from his determined grasp the
possession of Missionary Ridge, repelled with
heavy loss to him his repeated assaults upon
Knoxville, forcing him to raise the siege there,
driving him at all points, utterly routed and dis-
comfited, beyond the limits of the State. By
your noble heroism and determined courage, you
have most effectually defeated the plans of the
enemy for regaining possession of the States of
Kentucky and Tennessee. You have secured
positions from which no rebellious power can drive
or dislodge you. For all this the general com-
manding thanks you collectively and individually.
The loyal people of the United States thank and
bless you. Their hopes and prayers for your suc-
cess against this unholy rebellion are with you
daily. Their faith in you will not be in vain.
Their hopes will not be blasted. Their prayers to
Almighty God will be answered. You will yet

APPOINTEE LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. 163

go to other fields of strife ; and with the invincible
bravery and unflinching loyalty to justice and
right which have characterized you in the past,
you will prove that no enemy can withstand you,
and that no defence, however formidable, can
check your onward march."

The active part that General Grant himself
took at the battle of Chattanooga, may be gathered
from the following words of Colonel Ely S.
Parker : —

"It has. been a matter of universal wonder in
this army that General Grant himself was not killed,
and that no more accidents occurred to his staff, for
the general was always in the front (his staff with
him, of course), and perfectly heedless of the storm
of hissing bullets and screaming shell flying around
him. His apparent want of sensibility does not
arise from heedlessness, heartlessness, or vain
military affectation, but from a sense of the respon-
sibility resting upon him when in battle. When
at Ringgold, we rode for half a mile in the face of
the enemy, under an incessant fire of cannon and
musketry, nor did we ride fast, but upon an ordi-
nary trot, and not once do I believe did it enter
the general's mind that he was in danger. I was
by his side and watched him closely. In riding
that distance we were going to the front, and I
could see that he was studying the position of the
two armies, and, of course, planning how to defeat

164 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

the enemy, who was here making a most desperate
stand, and was slaughtering our men fearfully.
After defeating and driving the enemy here, we
returned to Chattanooga.

" Another feature in General Grant's personal
movements is, that he requires no escort beyond
his staff, so regardless of danger is he. Roads
are almost useless to him, for he takes short cuts
through fields and woods, and will swim his horse
through almost any stream that obstructs his way.
Nor does it make any difference to him whether
he has daylight for his movements, for he will ride
from breakfast until two o'clock in the morning,
and that too without eating. The next day he
will repeat the dose, until he finishes his work."

On the 15th of January, Grant wrote to Hal-
leck : —

" Sherman has gone down the Mississippi to collect at
Vicksburg all the force that can be spared for a separate
movement from the Mississippi. He will probably have
ready by the 24th of this month a force of twenty thousand
men. ... I shall direct Sherman, therefore, to move out to
Meridian, with his spare force, the cavalry going from Cor-
inth, and destroy the roads east and south of there so effec-
tually that the enemy will not attempt to rebuild them
during the rebellion. lie will then return, unless opportu-
nity of going into Mobile with the force he has appears pei - -
fectly plain. Owing to the large number of veterans fur-
loughed, I will not be able to do more at Chattanooga than
to threaten an advance, and try to detain the force now in
Thomas's front. Sherman will be instructed, whilst left

APPOINTED LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. 1G5

with these large discretionary powers, to take no extra hazard
of losing his army, or of getting it crippled too much for
efficient service in the spring. ... I look upon the next
line for me to secure to be that from Chattanooga to Mobile ;
Montgomery and Atlanta being the important intermediate
points. To do this, large supplies must be secured on the
Tennessee River, so as to be independent of the railroad from
Nashville to the Tennessee for a considerable length of time.
Mobile would be a second base. The destruction which
Sherman will do to the roads around Meridian will be of ma-
terial importance tons in preventing the enemy from draw-
ing supplies from Mississippi, and in clearing that section
of all large bodies of rebel troops. ... I do not look upon
any points, except Mobile in the south, and the Tennessee
River in the north, as presenting practicable starting points,
to be all under one command, from the fact that the time it
will take to communicate from one to the other will be so
great. But Sherman or McPherson, either one of whom
could be intrusted with the distant command, are officers of
such experience and reliability, that the objections on this
score, except that of enabling the two armies to act as a
unit, would be removed."

Sherman left Vicksburg on the 3d of February ;
he entered Meridian on the 14th, a railroad centre
between Vicksburg and Montgomery, and for the
next five days ten thousand men were employed in
destroying the railroads that centred here. On the
28th he returned to Vicksburg, bavins maintained
his army during the time almost entirely from the
enemy's country. He brought away four hundred
prisoners, five thousand negroes, about a thousand
white refugees, and three thousand animals. His

1G6 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

loss was twenty-one killed, sixty-eight wounded,
and eighty-one missing. Moreover, he had terri-
fied the country. Never before had an army pen-
etrated the enemy's country so far without a base.
On the 3d of March, Grant received the follow-
ing despatch : —

"The Secretary of War directs that you report in person
to the War Department as early as practicable, considering
the condition of your command. If necessary, you will keep
up telegraphic communication with your command while
en route for Washington."

Grant started next day for the East, directing
Sherman before he left to use the negro troops as
far as possible in guarding the Mississippi, and to
assemble the remainder of his command at Mem-
phis in order to have them in readiness to join his
column in the spring campaign.

At the session of Congress during the winter of
1803-64, Mr. Washburne, the representative of
Illinois from Galena, had introduced a bill to " re-
vive the grade of lieutenant-general of the army."
This grade, it will be remembered, was created in
1798, for Washington, and in 1855 it was bestowed
by brevet upon General Scott.

In the debate brought up in the House in con-
nection with this bill, Mr. Washburne said: —

" I am not here to speak for General Grant. No
man with his consent has ever mentioned his name
in connection with any position. I say what I

APPOINTED LIEUTENANT-GENEEAL. 167

know to be true when I allege that every promo-
tion he has received since he first entered the ser-
vice to put down this rebellion, was moved without
his knowledge or consent ; and in regard to this
very matter of lieutenant-general, after the bill was
introduced and his name mentioned in connection
therewith, he wrote me, and admonished me that
he had been highly honored already by the Gov-
ernment, and did not ask or deserve anything more
in the shape of honors or promotion ; and that a
success over the enemy was what he craved above
everything else ; that he only desired to hold such
an influence over those under his command as to
use them to the best advantage to secure that end.
Such is the language of this patriotic and single-
minded soldier, ambitious only of serving his
country and doing his whole duty. Sir, whatever
this House may do, the country will do justice to
General Grant."

The following letters that passed between Grant
and Sherman at this time speak volumes.

" The bill," writes Grant, " reviving the grade of
lieutenant-general in the army has become a law,
and my name has been sent to the Senate for the
place. I now receive orders to report to Wash-
ington immediately, in person, which indicates a
confirmation, or a likelihood of confirmation. I
start in the morning to comply with the order.

" Whilst I have been eminently successful in this

168 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

war, in at least gaining the confidence of the public,
no one feels, more than I how much of this success
is due to the energy, skill, and the harmonious
putting forth of that energy and skill, of those
whom it has been my good fortune to have
occupying subordinate positions under me. There
are many officers to whom these remarks are appli-
cable to a greater or less degree, proportionate to
their ability as soldiers ; but what I want is to ex-
press my thanks to you and McPherson, as the
men to whom, above all others, I feel indebted for
whatever I have had of success.

" How far your advice and assistance have been
of help to me, you know. How far your execution
of whatever has been given to you to do, entitles
you to the reward I am receiving, you cannot
know as well as I.

"I feel all the gratitude this letter would ex-
press, giving it the most flattering construction.

"The word you I use in the plural, intending it
for McPherson also. I should write to him, and
will some day ; but, starting in the morning, I do
not know that I will find time just now."

To this letter Sherman immediately replied : —

Dear General : I have your more than kind and
characteristic letter of the 4th instant. I will send a copy
to General McPherson at once.

You do yourself injustice, and us too much honor, in as-
signing to us too large a share of the merits which have led

APPOINTED LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. 1G9

to your high advancement. I know you approve the friend-
ship I have ever professed to you, and will permit me to
continue, as heretofore, to manifest it on all proper occa-
sions.

You are now Washington's legitimate successor, and
occupy a position of almost dangerous elevation; but if you
can continue, as heretofore, to be yourself, — simple, honest,
and unpretending, — you will enjoy through life the respect
and love of friends and the homage of millions of human
beings that will award you a large share in securing to
them and their descendants a government of law and sta-
bility.

I repeat, you do General McPherson and myself too much
honor. At Belmont you manifested your traits — neither
of us being neai\ At Donelson, also, you illustrated your
whole character. I was not near, and General McPherson
in too subordinate a capacity to influence you.

Until you had won Donelson, I confess I was almost
cowed by the terrible array of anarchical elements that pre-
sented themselves at every point ; but that admitted a ray of
light I have followed since. I believe you are as brave, pa-
triotic, and just as the great prototype Washington — as un-
selfish, kind-hearted, and honest as a man should be ; but
the chief characteristic is the simple faith in success you
have always manifested, which I can liken to nothing else
than the faith a Christian has in the Saviour.

This faith gave you victory at Shiloh and Vicksburg.
Also, when you have completed your best prepai'ations, you
go into battle without hesitation, as at Chattanooga — no
doubts, no reserves ; and I tell you it was this that made
us art with confidence. I knew, wherever I was, that you
thought of me, and if I got in a tight place you would help
me out, if alive.

My only point of doubt was in your knowledge of grand
strategy, and of books of science and history; but I confess
your common sense seems to have supplied all these.

170 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

Now, as to the future. Don't stay in Washington. Come
West; take to yourself the whole Mississippi Valley. Let
us make it dead sure — and I tell you the Atlantic slopes
and Pacific shores will follow its destiny, as sure as the
limbs of a tree live or die with the main trunk. We have
done much, but still much remains. Time and time's in-
fluences are with us. We could almost afford to sit still
and let those influences work.

Here lies the seat of the coming empire; and from the
West, when our task is done, we will make short work of
Charleston, and Richmond, and the impoverished coast of
the Atlantic.

Your sincere friend,

W. T. Sherman.

Grant made the journey to Washington as
rapidly and quietly as possible, but wherever his
presence was known the people gathered in eager
crowds to welcome the " hero of Vicksburg." On
reaching Washington, he was presented to Presi-
dent Lincoln who had never seen him before. He
was received with great cordiality, and attended
that evening a reception at the White House, con-
cerning which he afterwards remarked, " it was my
warmest campaign during the whole war."

On the next day, the 9th of March, 1864, he was
received by the President in his Cabinet chamber,
and presented formally with his commission as
Lieutenant-General, in the following words : —

General Grant, — The nation's appreciation of what you
have done, and its reliance upon you for what still remains
to be accomplished in the existing great struggle, are now pre-

APPOINTED LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. 171

sented with this commission, constituting you lieutenant-gen-
eral in the army of the United States. With this high honor
devolves upon you, also, a corresponding responsibility. As
the country herein trusts you, so, under God, it will sustain
you. I scarcely need to add that with what I here speak
for the nation goes my own hearty personal concurrence.

Grant, in reply, read the following : —

Mr. President, — I accept the commission with gi-atitude
for the high honor conferred. With the aid of the noble
armies that have fought on so many fields for our common
country, it will be my earnest endeavor not to disappoint
your expectations. I feel the full weight of the responsi-
bilities now devolving on me, and I know that if they are
met, it will be due to those armies, and above all, to the
favor of that Providence which leads both nations and men."

On the following day, Grant, in company with
General Meade, the commander of the Army of
the Potomac, made a visit to that army, and then
started at once for the West.

172 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC BATTLES OF THE

WILDERNESS, SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT HOUSE, AND
COLD HARBOR.

TT7~E had in the Union army at this time about
* * eight hundred thousand men. The Missis-
sippi River was now opened from its source to its
mouth, and garrisons of negro troops were sta-
tioned at various points. General Banks had his
headquarters at New Orleans, with a portion of
his force in Texas. The department of Missouri
was under General Rosecrans, and the army in
Arkansas was under the command of General
Steele. Sherman was preparing for his March
to the Sea. Thomas was in command of the
Army of the Cumberland, Mc Pherson of the
Army of the Tennessee, and Schofield was at
Knoxville. In Virginia, the Army of the Potomac
was under the command of General Meade, and
along the coast the navy was maintaining an
almost complete blockade. West of the Missis-
sippi, and in front of Chattanooga, lay an army of
Confederates under the command of Johnston,
numbering about eighty thousand ; while in Vir-

THE AEMY OF THE POTOMAC. 173

ginia Lee held command of an army which was
estimated at over a hundred thousand. We had
the outside of the circle — the rebels had the ad-
vantage of the inside, and the main question of the
war now was the overthrow of the military power
of the Confederacy, or, in other words, the over-
throw of Lee and Johnston.

On the 23d of March, Grant returned to Wash-
ington and reorganized the Army of the Potomac ;
the corps were consolidated and reduced to three —
the Second, Fifth and Sixth. Hancock had com-
mand of the Second, Warren the Fifth, and Sedg-
wick the Sixth, while Meade had still the control
of all three. To Sheridan was given the command
of the cavalry. The army was re-enforced by the
Ninth Corps, under Burnside, from East Ten-
nessee, so that the entire Army of the Potomac
now numbered about one hundred and forty thou-
sand men.

"Commanding all the armies as I did," said
Grant, "I tried, as far as possible, to leave General
Meade in independent command of the Army of
the Potomac. My instructions for that army
were all through him, and were general in their
nature, leaving all the details and execution to
him. The campaigns that followed proved him to
be the right man in the right place. His com-
manding always in the presence of an officer
superior to him in rank, has drawn from him

174 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GKANT.

much of that public attention which his zeal and
ability entitled him to, and which he would other-
wise have received."

Just before the opening of the spring campaign,
Grant received the following letter from President
Lincoln : —

" Not expecting to see you before the spring campaign
opens, I wish to express, in this way, my entire satisfaction
with what you have done up to this time, so far as I under-
stand it. The particulars of your plans I neither know nor
seek to know.

"You are vigilant and self-reliant; and, pleased with
this, I wish not to obtrude any restraints or constraints
upon you. While I am very anxious that any great disas-
ter or capture of our men in great numbers shall be avoided,
I know that these points are less likely to escape your
attention than they would be mine. If there be anything
wanting which is within my power to give, do not fail to
let me know it. And now, with a brave army and a just
cause, may God sustain you."

To this General Grant replied : —

"Your very kind letter of yesterday is just received.
The confidence you express for the future, and satisfaction
for the past, in my military administration, is acknowledged
with pride. It shall be my earnest endeavor that you and
the country shall not be disappointed. From my first
entrance into the voluntary service of the country to the pres-
ent day, I have never had cause, have never expressed or im-
plied a complaint against the administration or the Secretary
of War, for throwing any embarrassment in the way of my
vigorously prosecuting what appeared to be my duty. In-
deed, since the promotion which placed me in command of

THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 175

all the armies, and in view of the great responsibility and
importance of success, I have been astonished at the readi-
ness with which everything asked for has been yielded,
without even an explanation being asked.

"Should my success be less than I desire and expect, the
least I can say is, the fault is not with you. 1 '

The Army of the Potomac occupied at this time
a position along the north bank of the Rapidan,
while Lee's army was upon the southern bank of
the river — its left flank covered by the river, its
right by intrenchments, and its front strongly pro-
tected by field works.

The question now arose as to which was the
best route to take in the advance upon Richmond.
There was the overland route over the peninsula,
and the other, south of the James, that had been
repeatedly tried, but thus far without success.
The distance to Richmond from either the Rappa-
hannock or the Rapidan, is between sixty and
seventy miles, through an intervening country of
peculiar difficulties. Its great advantage, however,
was that by this route the attacking army, while
pressing towards Richmond, still served as a pro-
tection to Washington. If the approach should
be made down the coast from the south of the
James, although the difficulties of passing through
a hostile country were removed, Washington
would be left unprotected. The only remaining
way seemed to be to have two armies in the field,

176 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

— one to take the route over the peninsula, and
thus protect Washington, and the other to pro-
ceed south of the James.

At one time, Grant favored the route from below
the James. On taking command of the Army of
the Potomac, however, he thought best to abandon
this plan, and, while the main army followed the
overland route, to send an independent force to
operate south of the James. This force was under
the command of General Butler, who, with about
thirty thousand men, was to start from Fortress
Monroe, go up the James River, and, intrenching
himself near City Point, operate against Richmond
from the south ; or, coming down from the north,
join the main Army of the Potomac. Richmond
was also to be threatened by two other forces, — one
from the west, under General Cook, and another
from the Shenandoah Valley, under General Siegel.

On the 3d of May, the army moved at midnight
and crossed the Rapidan in two columns. War-
ren's and Sedgwick's corps crossed at the Ger-
mania Ford, and Hancock's some six miles below,
at Ely's Ford. " This crossing of the Rapidan," says
Grant in his report, "I regarded as a great suc-
cess, and it removed from my mind the most se-
rious apprehensions I had entertained — that of
crossing the river in the nice of an active, large,
well-appointed army, and how so large a train was
to be carried through a hostile country and pro-
tected."

THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 177

South and west from the Rapidan is an extent of
country known as the Wilderness. It is a mining
district, and, the forests having been cut away, it
was at that time covered with a dense undergrowth
of scrub oaks and stunted pines — a most difficult
spot for any kind of military operations.

When Grant and Meade reached the Old Wil-
derness Tavern, on the morning of the 5th, they
found Warren's corps already there, and Sedg-
wick's corps close hy. Information was also re-
ceived that the enemy was contemplating an assault
upon them by the turnpike. A severe battle im-
mediately ensued, which resembled Indian warfare
more than anything else, being fought, as it was,
in narrow roads and through the dense underbrush.
When night came, neither side had gained any de-
cided advantage, and on the next morning the con-
test was renewed. The Union line extended about
five miles, facing westward, with Sedarwick on the
right, next Warren, and Burnside and Hancock
on the left. The Confederate army held the same
ground as the day before, Hill on the right, cover-
ing the plank road, and Ewell on the left, covering
the turnpike, while Longstreet's corps added a fresh
re-enforcement. Another day of terrible fighting
ensued, without deciding the victory. Says the
historian of the Army of the Potomac : —

" The battle of the Wilderness is scarcely to be judged as
an ordinary battle. It will happen in the course, as in the

178 LIFE OF GEN. 17. S. GEANT.

beginning of every war, that there occur actions in which
ulterior purposes and the combinations of a military pro-
gramme play very little part, but which are simply trials of
strength. The battle of the Wilderness was such a mortal
combat — a combat in which the adversaries aimed each,
respectively, at a result that should be decisive — Lee to
crush the campaign in its inception, by driving the Army of
the Potomac across the Rapidan ; Grant to destroy Lee.

"Out of this fierce determination came a close and deadly
grapple of the two armies — a battle terrible and in-
describable in those gloomy woods. There is something
horrible, yet fascinating, in the mystery shrouding this
strangest of battles ever fought — a battle which no man
could see, and whose progress could only be followed by the
ear, as the sharp and crackling volleys of musketry, and the
alternate Union cheer and Confederate yell, told how the
fight surged and swelled. The battle continued two days ;
yet such was the mettle of each combatant, that it decided
nothing. It was in every respect a drawn battle; audits
only result appeared in the tens of thousands of dead and
Avounded in blue and gray that lay in the thick woods. The
Union loss exceeded fifteen thousand, and the Confederate
loss was about eight thousand."

On Saturday, the 7th of May, Grant determined
to move from the Wilderness and station himself
at Spottsylvania Court House, some fifteen miles
southeast. The march was to begin at night, but
the Confederates, hearing the noise, started under
Longstreet for the same spot.

The two armies met, early on the next morning,
and that day and the next were spent in getting
into position. On the 10th an attack upon the
enemy was ordered along the line, to carry his in-

THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 179

trenchments, but it was unsuccessful. The next
day was spent in preparations for the assault, by
Hancock's division, upon the enemy's right centre.
At early dawn it took place, and a point was gained
in the first line of intrenchments which was held that
day in spite of the deadly contest that followed.
Sometimes the rival standards were placed on op-
posite sides of the breastworks, and a tree eighteen
inches in diameter was actually cut in halves by the
flying bullets.

Grant sent his first despatch to Washington, since
the advance, on the 11th. It read as follows : —

" We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy fight-
ing.

" The result to this time is very much in our favor.

"Our losses have been heavy, as well as those of the
enemy. I think the loss of the enemy must be greater.

" We have taken over five thousand prisoners by battle,
while he has taken from us but few, except stragglers.

"I propose to fight it out on this line, if it takes all sum-
mer."

On the next daj 7 , he adds : —

"The eighth day of battle closes, leaving between
three and four thousand prisoners in our hands for the day's
work, including two general officers, and over thirty pieces
of artillery.

"The enemy is obstinate, and seems to have found the
last ditch. We have lost no organization, not even a com-
pany, while we have destroyed and captured one division,
one brigade, and one regiment entire of the enemy."

180 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

Lee had now retired to his inner line of works,
and the next week was spent in trying to find some
spot in which his lines could be pierced. One of
the minor episodes of the fearful struggle at Spott-
sylvania, and one which throws much light on the
military character of Grant, as well as it reveals the
working of his mind under such tremendous pres-
sure, was his action, on the dismal morning of the
12th of May, when Burnside reported that he had
lost connection with Hancock : —

" Push the enemy," was Grant's response ;
" that's the best way to connect."

The design of having the co-operating armies aid
the Army of the Potomac by distracting the atten-
tion, cutting the communications, and preventing
re-enforcements from reaching the army covering
Richmond, had been unsuccessful. It also seemed
an impossibility to carry the enemy's position at
Spottsylvania ; so Grant determined to flank the
position, and, by a similar movement to that per-
formed in the Wilderness, to place the Union army
between Richmond and Lee's army. On the night
of the 20th the move was made, and not more than
a half hour later Lee set his troops in motion.
Having the advantage of moving on the chord of
the arc, while Grant was obliged to use the arc
itself, Lee had reached and posted himself upon the
south bank of the South Anna River when our
forces came up to the opposite bank. This position

THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 181

was one of especial importance to him, since it
covered the Virginia Central Railroad, by which he
was receiving re-enforcements from the Shenan-
doah Valley.

" Finding," says Grant, " the enemy's position
stronger than any of his previous ones, I withdrew
on the night of the 26th, to the north bank of the
North Anna." On the 23d Sheridan and his cavalry
expedition had reached White House, and two
days later rejoined the Army of the Potomac.
That same night he was sent down the Pamunkey
(a river formed by the union of the North and
South Anna), and by noon on the 27th had seized
the ferry crossing at Hanovertown, fifteen miles
from Richmond, and thrown a pontoon bridge
across.

On Sunday, the 29th, the Union army was across
the river and three miles beyond it. The next day
the advance was continued, with Hancock in the
centre, Warren on the left, and Wright on the
right. Early in the afternoon, our cavalry pickets
on the left, which were advancing on the Cold
Harbor road, were driven in, and Warren was
attacked in force about five.

An attack was at once ordered along the line,
but the main position of the enemy was too strong
to be carried. In order to cover the Chickahom-
iny, and prevent our advance upon Richmond,
Lee had taken up a position parallel to our front

182 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GTCAXT.

and extending on his left from Hanover Court-
House to Bottom's Bridge, on his right. As it
was very evident that to attempt to force a pas-
sage directly in front would be attended with
severe loss of life, Grant determined to attempt a
passage by his left, at Cold Harbor. This spot,
the point of convergence for the roads leading
both to Richmond and to White House — our base
of supplies — was as important for us to secure,
as it was necessary for the enemy to defend.
The result of the contest here was quite severe,
costing us the loss of some two thousand men, but
the place was finally secured by Sheridan and his
force of cavalry, aided by the Sixth Corps.

As Butler's force had proved useless at Ber-
muda Hundred, Grant had ordered him to send
all the troops he could spare to join the Army of
the Potomac. Accordingly, on the 29th of May,
a column of sixteen thousand men embarked on
transports, and, passing down the James, ascended
the York and the Pamunkev Rivers. By the 1st
of June these troops had reached Cold Harbor
and taken their position on the right of the Sixth
Corps. The Union line now extended about six
miles, Hancock occupying the left, Warren and
Burnside the right, while the Sixth Corps and
Smith's command held the centre.

At half-past four in the morning the assault was
made, and the disastrous battle of Cold Harbor

THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 183

ensued, in which we suffered much more than the
enemy, losing about seven thousand five hundred
men.

Again Grant determined to flank the position,
and, by passing round Lee's right wing, lay siege
to the southern defences of Richmond. Gradually
withdrawing the right, and extending his left flank,
the Union army was brought within easy distance
of the lower crossings of the Chickahominy . War-
ren's Corps, preceded by a division of cavalry, took
the lead, and by crossing the Chickahominy at Long
Bridge, threatened an advance on Richmond, and
covered the movement of the army.

The distance across the peninsula, which was
here about fifty-five miles, was marched by the
army in two days.

During this movement, Smith's command had
returned to Bermuda Hundred, and upon their
landing, the troops were sent by Butler to take
Petersburg. This city is situated on the south
bank of the Appomattox, about twenty-two miles
from Richmond. It is the third city of Virginia,
and as an outpost of Richmond was at this time of
great strategic value, and strongly fortified by
the enemy.

184 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

CHAPTER XVLL

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC BEFORE PETERSBURG.

A FTER several ineffectual attempts to take
-*--*- possession of Petersburg, a spot in front of
General Burnside's lines, where a hollow occurred,
just behind a deep cut in the City Point Railroad,
Avas selected for a mine. The work was begun on
the 25th of June, and was completed in about a
month. It extended five hundred and ten feet,
ending under the parapet of one of the enemy's
redoubts, and if a crest just behind it could be
carried, Petersburg might be secured. The plan
was to explode the mine early on the morning of
July 30th, and then, through the breach thus
made, to begin the assault. The idea of the mine
originated with Lieutenant-colonel Pleasant, of
the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, a prac-
tical miner ; but it proved a failure, as after the ex-
plosion the crater became a horrible charnel-house,
into which the enemy hurled every kind of deadly
missile. To advance was impossible; to remain,
certain death, and to retreat was no less danger-
ous. Over four thousand men were killed or
captured in this " miserable affair," as Grant
termed it.

BEFORE PETERSBURG. 185

The failure was probably owing to the fact that
the charge was led by white instead of black
troops, and that the assaulting column was directed
to push at once for the crest of Cemetery Hill, in-
stead of first clearing the enemy's lines to the right
and left of the mine.

Early in July, as soon as he had heard that the
enemy intended to threaten the Capital, Grant
sent troops from the Army of the Potomac to pro-
tect "Washington. One of the main objects of the
Confederates had been to force Grant to transfer
his army from the James to the defence of Wash-
ington, but to do this would have been to give up
all that had been gained by the previous campaign.
A man with less firmness and persistence might
have yielded, but Grant, taking a comprehensive
military view of the whole situation, knew' that it
was of the utmost importance to keep his army
just where it was, and this one thing he was de-
termined to do.

It was necessary, however, to prevent the
enemy from proceeding farther, and on the 4th of
August Grant sent for Sheridan to come up to
Harper's Ferry and take command of the Middle
Military Division, in which were united the de-
partments of Western Virginia, Washington and
the Susquehanna, and two cavalry divisions from
the Army of the Potomac.

On the 19th Sheridan advanced, met the enemy

186 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

at Winchester, and drove them through the town.
The Confederate General, Early, retreated to
Fisher's Hill, some thirty miles south of Winches-
ter ; but Sheridan, still pushing, drove him back
to the passes of the Blue Ridge, and pushed his
pursuit as far as Staunton, where he destroyed
the Virginia Central Railroad, and laid the country
waste on every side.

The next month while Sheridan still occupied a
position on the north bank of Cedar Creek, Early,
having received re-enforcements from Lee's army,
moved forward on the night of the 18th of October
to surprise the Union force. Under the cover of a
fog they crossed the north fork of the Shenandoah
and attacked our forces while Sheridan was absent
at Winchester. A severe disaster was threatened,
but the Sixth Corps stood firm and protected the
retreat, until Sheridan himself, hearing the guns at
Winchester, rode down at posthaste, and, infusing
new spirit into his men, led them back and com-
pletely routed the enemy. This finished the war
in the Shenandoah Valley, so that most of Sheri-
dan's troops returned to the Army of the Poto-
mac ; and Early's scattered forces to the main
Confederate army under Lee.

During the summer and autumn months of 18G4,
the Army of the Potomac had remained in its posi-
tion before Petersburg, but constant attempts had
been made either to cut the enemy's lines of com-

BEFORE PETERSBURG. - 187

munication, or else, by diversions upon the north
side of the James, to threaten Kichmond directly.
The position of affairs at the opening of the spring
campaign was as follows : Sherman had arrived at
Goldsboro, and Johnston's army, which opposed
him, being made up of various small detach-
ments, was unable to resist his further advance.
Thomas had sent out one cavalry expedition into
northern Alabama, and another into eastern Ten-
nessee, while Pope was taking care of the west of
the Mississippi. Hancock was in the valley of
the Shenandoah, at Winchester, and ready to co-
operate with Grant's army in a march against
Richmond.

The chief difficulty now was to prevent Lee
from forming a junction with Johnston's army, and,
thus re-enforced, to prolong the war by retreating
to the mountainous portions of West Virginia and
East Tennessee.

On the 24th, General Grant issued the following
order : —

" On the 29th instant the armies operating against Rich-
mond will be moved by our left, for the double purpose of
turning the enemy out of his present position around Peters-
burg, and to insure the success of the cavalry under General
Sheridan, which will start at the same time, in its efforts to
reach and destroy the Southside and Danville railroads.
Two corps of the Army of the Potomac will be moved, at
first, in two columns, taking the two roads crossing
Hatcher's Run nearest where the present line held by us

188 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

strikes that stream, both moving towards Dinwiddie Court-
House.

" The cavalry under General Sheridan, joined by the di-
vision now under General Davies, will move at the same
time, by the Weldon road and the Jerusalem plank road,
turning west from the latter before crossing the Nottoway,
and west with the whole column reaching Stony Creek.
General Sheridan will then move independently under other
instructions which will be given him. All dismounted
cavalry belonging to the Army of the Potomac, and the dis-
mounted cavalry from the Middle Military Division not re-
quired for guarding property belonging to their arm of ser-
vice, will report to Brigadier-general Benhag, to be added
to the defences of City Point. Major-General Parke will be
left in command of all the army left for holding the lines
about Petersburg and City Point, subject, of course, to or-
ders from the commander of the Army of the Potomac. The
Ninth Army Corps Avill be left intact to hold the present line
of works so long as the whole line now occupied by us is
held. If, however, the troops to the left of the Ninth corps
are withdrawn, then the left of the corps may be thrown
back so as to occupy the position held by the army prior to
the capture of the Weldon road. All troops to the left of the
Ninth corps will be held in readiness to move at the shortest
notice by such route as may be designated when the order
is given.

" General Ord will detach three divisions, two white and
one colored, or so much of them as he can, and hold his
present lines, and march for the present left of the Army of
the Potomac. In the absence of further orders, or until
further orders are given, the white divisions will follow the
left column of the Army of the Potomac, and the colored
division the right column. During the movement Major-
General Weitzel will be left in command of all the forces
remaining behind from the Army of the James.

"The movement of the troops from the Army of the

BEFOEE PETEKSBUKG. 189

James will commence on the night of the 27th instant.
General Orel will leave behind the minimum number of
cavalry necessary for picket duty in the absence of the main
army. A cavalry expedition from General Orel's command
will also be started from Suffolk, to leave thereon Saturday,
the 1st of April, under Colonel Sumner, for the purpose of
cutting the railroad about Hicksford. This, if accomplished,
will have to be a surprise, and, therefore, from three to five
hundred men will be sufficient. They should, however, be
supported by all the infantry that can be spared from Nor-
folk and Portsmouth, as far out as to where the cavalry
crosses the Blackwater. The crossing should probably be
at Uniten. Should Colonel Sumner succeed in reaching the
Weldon road, he will be instructed to do all the damage
possible to the triangle of roads between Hicksford, Wel-
don, and Gaston. The railroad bridge at Weldon being
fitted up for the passage of carriages, it might be practicable
to destroy any accumulation of supplies the enemy may have
collected south of the Roanoke. All the troops will move
with four days' rations in haversacks, and eight days' in
wagons. To avoid as much hauling as possible, and to give
the Army of the James the same number of days' supplies
with the Army of the Potomac, General Ord will direct his
commissary and quartermaster to have sufficient supplies
delivered at the terminus of the road to fill up in passing.
Sixty rounds of ammunition per man will be taken in
wagons, and as much grain as the transportation on hand
will carry, after taking the specified amount of other sup-
plies. The densely wooded country in which the army has
to operate, making the use of much artillery impracticable,
the amount taken with the army will be reduced to six or
eight guns to each division, at the option of the army com-
manders.

"All necessary preparations for earring these directions
into operation may be commenced at once. The reserves of
the Ninth corps should be massed as much as possible.

190 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GEANT.

"Whilst I would not now order an unconditional attack on the
enemy's lines by them, they should be ready and should
make the attack, if the enemy weakens his line in their
front, without waiting for orders. In case they carry the
line, then the whole of the Ninth corps could follow up so as
to join or co-operate with the balance of the army. To pre-
pare for this, the Ninth corps will have rations issued to
them the same as the balance of the army. General Weitzel
will keep vigilant watch upon his front, and if found at all
practical to break through at any point, he will do so. A
success north of the James should be followed up with great
promptness. An attack will not be feasible unless it is
found that the enemy has detached largely. In that case,
it may be regarded as evident that the enemy are relying
upon their local reserves principally for the defence of Rich-
mond. Preparations may be made for abandoning all the
line north of the James, except enclosed works ; only to be
abandoned, however, after a break is made in the lines of
the enemy.

" By these instructions, a large part of the armies opera-
ting against Richmond is left behind. The enemy, knowing
this, may, as an only chance, strip their lines to the merest
skeleton, in the hope of advantage not being taken of it,
whilst they hurl everything against the moving column, and
return. It cannot be impressed too strongly upon com-
manders of troops left in the trenches not to allow this to
occur without taking advantage of it. The very fact of the
enemy coming out to attack, if he does so, might be regarded
as conclusive evidence of such a weakening of his lines. I
would have it particularly enjoined upon corps commanders,
that in case of an attack from the enemy, those not attacked
are not to wait for orders from the commanding officer of
the army to which they belong, but that they will move
promptly, and notify the commander of their action. I wish,
also, to enjoin the same action on the part of division com-
manders, when other parts of their corps are engaged. In

BEFORE PETERSBURG. 191

like manner, I would urge the importance of following up a
repulse of the enemy."

Lee had resolved to make an attack upon the
rio-ht flank of the Union army to force the weaken-
ing of the left flank to support the right, and
thus open a road for his retreat to the south bank
of the Appomattox. On the morning of the 25th
of March, a column of his troops assaulted Fort
Stedman, and took as prisoners the majority of
the garrison. Having possession of the fort, they
immediately turned the guns upon other adjacent
points of the Union line, and three batteries were
one after another abandoned. The success of the
rebels' plan, however, was short-lived, for the as-
saulting column was not sfficiently supported,
and, holding the fort isolated from the main army,
they were caged and forced to surrender.

On the 28th, Grant gave the following instruc-
tions to Sheridan : —

" Move your cavalry at as early an hour as you can, and
without being confined to any particular road or roads.
You may go out by the nearest roads in rear of the Fifth
Corps, pass by its left, and, passing near to or through Din-
widdie, reach the right and rear of the enemy as soon as
you can. It is not the intention to attack the enemy in his
intrenched position, but to force him out if possible.
Should he come out and attack us, or get himself where he
can be attacked, move in with your entire force in your
own way, and with the full reliance that the army will
eno-ao-e or follow as circumstances will dictate. I shall be

192 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

on the field and will probably be able to communicate with
you. Should I not do so, and you find that the enemy keeps
within his main intrenched line, you may cut loose and
push for the Danville road. If you find it practicable, I
would like you to cross the Southside road, between Peters-
burg and Burkesville, and destroy it to some extent. I
would not advise much detention, however, until you reach
the Danville road, which I would like you to strike as near
to the Appomattox as possible Make your destruction on
that road as complete as possible. You can then pass on to
the Southside road, west of Burkesville, and destroy that in
like manner.

" After having accomplished the destruction of the two
railroads, which are now the only avenues of supply to Lee's
army, you may return to this army, selecting your road
farther south ; or you may go on into North Carolina, and
join General Sherman. Should you select the latter course,
get the information to me as early as possible, so that I
may send orders to meet you at Goldsboro."

On the afternoon of the 29th, Sheridan, with his
force of about nine thousand men, was at Dinwid-
die Court-House, thus forming the extreme left of
the Union line. Grant, who was now with the ad-
vance at Gravelly Run, wrote him from there : —

" Our line is now unbroken from the Appomattox to
Dinwiddie. We are all ready, however, to give up all from
the Jerusalem plank road to Hatcher's Run, whenever the
forces can be used advantageously. After getting into line
south of Hatcher's, we pushed forward to find the enemy's
position. General Griffin was attacked near where the
Quaker road intersects the Boydton road, but repulsed it
easily, capturing about one hundred men. Humphreys
reached Dabney's Mill, and was pushing on when last heard
from.

BEFORE PETERSBURG. 193

"I now feel like ending the matter, if it is possible to do
so, before going back. I do not want yon, therefore, to
cut loose and go after the enemy's roads at present. In
the morning, push round the enemy if you can, and get on
to his right rear. The movement of the enemy's cavalry
may, of course, modify your action. We will all act to-
gether as one army here, until it is seen what can be done
with the enemy."

On the morning of the 30th a severe rain-storm,
which had begun the night before, and contin-
ued steadily all that day, prevented any active
operations, on account of the condition of the
roads. Warren's corps advanced a little to the
left, on the following day, and touched the ex-
treme right of the Confederate position on the
White Oak road. Lee immediately took the in-
itiative step, and made an attack upon Warren.
At first it promised success to the Confederate
arms, but the Union Corps soon rallied from the
sudden assault, and forced the enemy back to their
old line on the White Oak road.

On the 1st of April, Sheridan advanced against
Five Forks, which position had been wrested from
him by Lee ; and here, after a brilliant engage-
ment, he finally succeeded in entirely routing the
enemy and capturing over live thousand prisoners,
besides numerous guns and standards. This vic-
tory broke the line of defence against the advance
of the Army of the Potomac, and the enemy, flee-
ing west, was hotly pursued by the cavalry. The

194 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

guns along the entire line were now opened upon
the enemy's defences, and the bombardment was
kept up all night.

Lee now made a last and desperate stand in the
chain of works immediately about Petersburg, so
that he might prepare to evacuate the town as
soon as possible. Grant, expecting this retreat,
took measures to prevent it, but that night the
Confederate army quietly withdrew through the
town, over to the north bank of the Appomattox.
Turning from there to Chesterfield Court-House,
it received re-enforcements from Bermuda Hundred
and Richmond, and then started westward.

April 3, at eleven o'clock in the morning, Gen-
eral Weitzel telegraphed as follows : —

""We took Richmond at 8:15 this morning. I captured
many guns. The enemy left in great haste.

" The city is on fire in one place. We are making every
effort to put it out.

"The people received us with enthusiastic expressions

of joy.

"General Grant started early this morning, with the
army, towards the Danville road, to cut off Lee's retreating
army, if possihle.

"President Lincoln has gone to the front."

THE SURRENDER OF LEE. 195

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE SURRENDER OF LEE.

"TTTHILE the whole country was filled with re-
* * joicing and celebration of the victory, Grant
lost no time in organizing a vigorous pursuit of the
retreating army. On the 4th he telegraphed to
Washington : —

"The array is pushing forward in the hope of overtaking
or dispei-sing the remainder of Lee's army.

" Sheridan, with his cavalry and the Fifth Corps, is be-
tween this (Wilson's Station) and the Appomattox, General
Meade, with the Second and Sixth, following; General Ord
following the line of the Southside Railroad. All of the
enemy that retain anything like organization have gone
north of the Appomattox, and are apparently heading for
Lynchburg, their losses having been very heavy.

"The houses through the country are nearly all used as
hospitals for wounded men. In every direction I hear of
rebel soldiers pushing for home, some in large and some in
small squads, and generally without arms. The cavalry
have pursued so closely that the enemy have been forced to
destroy probably the greater part of their transportation,
caissons, and munitions of war.

"The number of prisoners cnptured yestei-day will ex-
ceed two thousand. From the 28th of March to the present
time, our loss, in killed, wounded, and captured, will prob-
ably not reach seven thousand, of whom from fifteen bun-

196 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

dred to two thousand are captured, and many but slightly
wounded.

" I shall continue the pursuit as long as there appears to
be any use in it."

Meanwhile Lee, with the remains of his army,
had withdrawn to the north bank of the Appomat-
tox ; the retreat had been commenced with but one
day's rations, and as an accident had deprived them
of the supplies forwarded to Amelia Court House,
they were forced to depend upon the already ex-
hausted country for food. The sufferings of the
soldiers were intense ; many of them could find
nothing to eat save the young twigs of trees, and
hundreds dropped to the ground from exhaustion,
while thousands had not strength enough to carry
their muskets.

President Lincoln's last order to Grant read as
follows : —

" General Sheridan says : ' If the thing is pressed, I think
that Lee will surrender.' Let the thing be pressed."

Already the Confederate officers were thinking
seriously of a concession, although Lee was de-
termined to hold out as long as there was a shadow
of hope. On the 7th of April, Grant sent the fol-
lowing- note to the rebel commander : —

April 7, 1865.
General R. E. Lee, Commander C. S. A.

General, — The result of the last week must convince you
of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the

THE SURRENDER OF LEE. 197

Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it
is so, and regard it as mj r duty to shift from myself the re-
sponsibility of any further effusion of blood, by asking of
you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States
known as the Army of Northern Virginia.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-Oeneral,
Commanding Armies of the United States.

Lee replied as follows : —

April 7, 1865.
General, — I have received your note of this date.
Though not entertaining the opinion you express on the
hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of
Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless
effusion of blood, and, therefore, before considering your
proposition, ask the terms you will offer, on condition of its
surrender.

R. E. Lee, General.
To Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant,

Commanding Armies of the United States.

That night Lee again retreated, but Grant, on
the next morning, wrote him as follows : —

April 8, 1865.
To General R. E. Lee,

Commanding Confederate States Army :

General, — Your note of last evening in reply to mine of
same date, asking the conditions on which I will accept the
surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, is just re-
ceived.

In reply, I would say that, peace being my first desire,
there is but one condition that T insist upon, namely, —

That the men and officers surrendered shall be disqualified
for taking uja arms again against the Government of the

198 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

United States until properly exchanged. I will meet you,
or will designate officers to meet any officers you may name
for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to you, for the
purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which the
surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia will be re-
ceived.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant- General,
Commanding the Armies of the United States.

On the 8th the pursuit was renewed, and
about midnight of that date, General Grant, who
was with Meade's column, received the following
from General Lee : —

April 8.
General, — I received at a late hour your note of to-day
in answer to mine of yesterday.

I did not intend to propose the surrender of the Army of
Northern Virginia, but to ask the terms of your proposition.
To be frank, I do not think the emergency has arisen to call
for the surrender. But as the restoration of peace should be
the sole object of all, I desire to know whether your propo-
sals would tend to that end.

I cannot, therefore, meet you with a view to surrender the
Army of Northern Virginia, but so far as your proposition
may affect the Confederate States forces under my com-
mand, and lead to the restoration of peace, I should be
pleased to meet you at ten A. M. to-morrow, on the old stage-
road to Richmond, between the picket-lines of the two
armies.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. Lee,
General Confederate States Armies.
To Lieutenant-General Grant,

Commanding Armies of the United Stotes.

THE SURRENDER OF LEE. 199

Grant, in his official report says : " Early on
the morning of the ninth, I returned him an answer
as follows, and immediately started to join the
column south of the Appomattox.

April 9.
General R. E. Lee. Commanding C. S. A.

General,— Your note of yesterday is received. As I
have no authority to treat on the subject of peace, the meet-
ing proposed at ten A. M„ to-day could lead to no good. I
will state, however, General, that I am equally anxious for
peace with yourself; and the whole North entertain the
same feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are
well understood. By the South laying down their arms they
will hasten that most desirable event, save thousands of
human lives, and hundreds of millions of property not yet
destroyed.

Sincerely hoping that all our difficulties may be settled
without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. Grant,
Lieutenant- General U. S. A.

"On the morning of the ninth," continues Gen-
eral Grant, "General Ord's command and the
Fifth Corps reached Appomattox Station just as
the enemy was making a desperate effort to break
through our cavalry. The infantry was at once
thrown in. Soon after a white flag was received
requesting a suspension of hostilities pending ne-
gotiations for a surrender.

Before reaching General Sheridan's headquar-
ters, I received the following from General Lee : —

200 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

April 9, 1865.
General, — I received your note of this morning on the
picket-line, whither I had come to meet you and ascertain
definitely what terms were embraced in your proposition of
yesterday with reference to the surrender of this army.

I now request an interview in accordance with the offer
contained in your letter of yesterday for that purpose.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

It. E. Lee, General.

To Lieutenant-General Grant,

Commanding United States Armies.

To this communication the following answer was

returned : —

April 9.
General R. E. Lee,

Commanding Confederate States Armies:
Your note of this date is but this moment (11.50 A. M.,)
received.

In consequence of my having passed from the Richmond
and Lynchburg road to the Farmville and Lynchburg road,
I am at this writing about four miles west of Walter's
Church, and will push forward to the front for the purpose
of meeting you.

Notice sent to me on this road where you wish the inter-
view to take place will meet me.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.

The interview w 7 as held at Appomattox Court-
House, the result of which is given in the follow-
ing correspondence : —

Appomattox Court-IIouse, Va.,
April 9, 18G5.
General R. E. Lee, Commanding C. S. A.

In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of

THE SURRENDER OF LEE. 201

the 8th instant, I propose to receive the surrender of the
Army of Northern Virginia, on the following terms, to wit:
Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate,
one copy to be given to an officer designated by me, the
other to be detained by such officers as you may desig-
nate.

The officers to give their individual paroles not to take
arms against the United States until properly exchanged,
and each company or regimental commander sign a like
parole for the men of their commands.

The arms, artillery, and public property to be packed and
stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to
receive them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the
officers, nor their private horses or baggage.

This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return
to their homes, not to be disturbed by United States
authority so long as they observe their parole and the laws
in force where they may reside.
Very respectfully,

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant- General.

Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,
April 9, 1865.
General,— I received your letter of this date containing
the terms of the surrender of the Army of Northern Vir-
ginia as proposed by you. As they are substantially the
same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th instant, they
are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers
to carry the stipulations into effect.

R. E. Lee, General.
Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant.

After the signatures had been affixed, Lee said
that he had forgotten one thing. Many of the
cavalry and artillery horses in his army belonged

202 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

to the men in charge of them, but, of course, it
was too late then to speak of that.

Grant immediately replied, "I will instruct
my paroling officers that all the enlisted men of
your cavalry and artillery who own horses are to
retain them, just as the officers do theirs. They
will need them for their spring ploughing and other
farm work."

Lee, with great earnestness, responded, " There
is nothing, General, you could have done to ac-
complish more good, either for them or for the
government."

Grant also acquiesced in Lee's request that each
of his soldiers might be furnished with a parole to
protect him from Confederate conscription officers.

At a dinner party, not long after, Grant spoke
of the interview as follows : —

" I felt some embarrassment in the prospect of
meeting 1 General Lee. I had not seen him since
he was General Scott's chief of staff in Mexico.
And in addition to the respect I entertained for
him, the duty which I had to perform was a dis-
agreeable one, and I wished to get through it as
soon as possible.

" When I reached Appomattox Court-House,
I had ridden that morning thirty-seven miles. I
was in my campaign clothes, covered with dust
and mud. I had no sword. I was not even well-
mounted. ... I found General Lee in a fresh

THE SURRENDER OF LEE. 203

suit of Confederate gray, with all the insignia of
his rank, and at his side the splendid dress-sword
which had been given to him by the State of
Virginia.

..." When I disclaimed any desire to have
any parade, but said I should be contented with
the delivery of arms to my officers, and with the
proper signature and authentication of paroles, he
seemed to be greatly pleased. When I yielded
the other point, that the officers should retain
their side-arms and private baggage and horses,
his emotions of satisfaction were plainly visible.
. . . We parted with the same courtesies with
which we had met. It seemed to me that General
Lee evinced a feeling of satisfaction and relief
when the business was finished."

After this interview in the Appomattox Court-
House, Grant rode to his headquarters and sent a
modest despatch to Washington, which " set the
whole North ablaze."

Secretary Stanton immediately ordered that
salutes of two hundred guns should be tired at the
headquarters of every army and department, and
at every post and arsenal in the United States, in
commemoration of the great victory. The glad
news seemed too good to be true. As one writer
happily expressed it, " The storm of war, which
had rocked the country for four long years, was
now rolling away, and the sunlight of peace fell

204 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

athwart the national horizon. The country for
which Washington fought and Warren fell, was
once more safe from Treason's hands, and Liberty
was again the heritage of the people."

The Confederate General Lee was received in
his camp with the wildest cheers. The soldiers
pressed forward in a dense mass to shake hands
with him, and Lee, as little inclined to show emo-
tion as Grant, was affected to tears, as he said in
a broken voice, —

" Men, we have fought through the war to-
gether. I have done the best I could for you."

It was a relief to both armies that no more lives
were to be sacrificed ; and that very night twenty
thousand Union rations afforded the hungry Con-
federates such a feast as they had not enjoyed for
months.

Three days after the surrender, the Confeder-
ate Army formed for the last time, and delivered
up their arms. "I loved the cause," said one of
the officers, "but we are thoroughly beaten ; now
the stars and stripes are my flag, and I will be as
true to it as you."

"This is bitterly humiliating to me," remarked
Gordon, "but I console myself by thinking that
the whole country rejoices at this day's work."

On the morning after the surrender, Grant re-
ceived a card, bearing the name of a West Virginia
cousin whom he had not seen since he was a boy.

THE SURRENDER OF LEE. 205

"Arc you one of Aunt Rachel's sons?" inquired
the general.

"Yes — Charley."

" But what are you doing here ? "

"I have been fighting in Lee's army."

"Bad business, Charley. What do you want
to do now ? "

" I want to ffo home ! "

" Have you got a horse ? "

" No, mine was killed under me, day before
yesterday."'

rr Have you any money?"

"No."

Grant immediately furnished the "reconstruc-
ted" cousin with fifty dollars, a horse, and a
pass.

To Gibbon, left in charge of the paroling,
Grant gave the following directions : —

" On completion of the duties assigned 3-011 at
this place, you will proceed to Lynchburg, Va.
It is desirable that there shall be as little destruc-
tion of private property as possible. ... On
reaching the vicinity of Lynchburg, send a summons
to the city to surrender. If it does so, respect all
private property, and parole officers and men
garrisoning the place, same as has been done
here. If resistance is made, you will be governed
by your own judgment about the best course to
pursue. If the city is surrendered, as it will in

206 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

all probability be, take possession of all public
stores. Such as may be of use to your command,
appropriate to their use. The balance distribute
among the poor of the city. Save all the rolling
stock of the railroads, and if you find it practicable
to do so, bring it to Farmville and destroy a
bridge to the rear of it. Destroy no other portion
of the road. All the warlike material you find,
destroy or carry away with you."

Grant's sense of justice, and his magnanimous
treatment of the conquered army, won the admi-
ration of both the North and the South.

"It has been my fortune," he says in his official
report, " to see the armies of both the West and
the East fight battles, and from what I have seen
I know there is no difference in their fiorhtins:
qualities. All that it was possible for men to do
in battle they have done. The Western armies
commenced their battles in the Mississippi Valley,
and received the final surrender of the remnant of
the principal army opposed to them in North
Carolina. The armies of the East commenced
their battles on the river from which the Army of
the Potomac derived its name, and received the
final surrender of their old antagonist at Appomat-
tox Court-House, Va. The splendid achievements
of each have nationalized our victories, removed
all sectional jealousies (of which we have, unfor-
tunately, experienced too much), and the cause of

THE SURRENDER OP LEE. 207

crimination and recrimination that might have
followed had either section failed in its duty.

"All have a proud record, and all sections can
well congratulate themselves and each other for
having done their full share in restoring the su-
premacy of law over every foot of territory be-
lono-incr to the United States. Lei them hope for
perpetual peace and harmony with that enemy
whose manhood, however mistaken the cause, drew
forth such herculean deeds of valor "

208 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

CHAPTER XIX.

CLOSE OF THE WAR — ASSASSINATION OF PRESI-
DENT LINCOLN MEXICAN AFFAIRS.

/GENERAL GRANT reached Washington on
^-^ the morning of the loth, and before night an
order had been issued from the War Department
directing government agents to stop all drafting
and recruiting, and all purchasing of ammunition,
arms, and provisions. That evening a grand illu-
mination, surpassing any ever beheld before in
Washington, expressed the joy of the people at the
glad tidings of Lee's surrender. The next day,
the 14th of April, and the fourth anniversary
of the capture of Fort Sumter by the rebels, was
destined to be one most sadly memorable in Amer-
ican history. At eleven o'clock that morning a
Cabinet meeting Mas held, at which General Grant
was present by special invitation. Plans were dis-
cussed for the early restoration of the South, and
Stanton made an elaborate argument to show that
ample powers of reconstruction lay in the execu-
tive, without the aid of Congress.

Turning to Grant, President Lincoln asked:
" Have you heard from Sherman ? "

CLOSE OF THE VAE, ETC. 209

"No," replied Grant, "but I am expecting
hourly a despatch announcing Johnston's surren-
der."

" I am sure you will get important news soon."

To Grant's look of inquiry the President ex-
plained that often before any exciting occurrence,
as Bull Run, Antietam, and Gettysburg, he had
had the same singular dream.

" I had it again last night," he continued, " and
(turning to the Secretary of the Navy) it is in your
line, too. I see a ship sailing very rapidly, and it
always precedes some important event."

After the meeting adjourned, Grant returned to
his office to complete some writing ; his children
were then in school at Burlington, N. J., and, re-
fusing an invitation from the President to accom-
pany him to the theatre that evening, the general
and his wife took the late train for Burlington. It
was afterwards remembered that Wilkes Booth
galloped beside the carriage as it drove to the
station, and glanced in at the windows.

Upon reaching Philadelphia at midnight, a des-
patch was received from Stanton announcing the
terrible tragedy at Ford's Theatre. Grant returned
to Washington by a special train, and was informed
that arrangements had been perfected for assassi-
nating him also, but his unexpected departure
from the city with Mrs. Grant had frustrated these
demoniacal plans.

210 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

The country, still in the midst of its rejoicings
at the dawn of peace, was now plunged into the
depths of profound sorrow. Abraham Lincoln
had won the hearts of all the people, and high and
low mourned for him as for a dear and personal
friend.

The cruel assassination of our beloved President
was by no means an expression of the dominant
feeling at the South — it was only an outcome of
the frenzied rage of a few hot-headed rebels — but
it aroused the animosity of the whole North. The
demand of the moment seemed to be that some, at
least, of the rebel leaders ought to be hanged at
once, " as an example to posterity." Lincoln, how-
ever, had always favored a lenient policy towards
the Confederates, and Grant had given very liberal
terms at Appomattox. If the rebels were now
willing to lay down their arms, obey the laws, and
become good citizens, it seemed unworthy of a
great people to degrade or humiliate them. The
South had already been fearfully punished — why
should there be further bloodshed and suffering?
With the national authority restored, and those
who had helped to restore it fully protected from
their late foes, was it not better to leave the rest
to the softening influences of time?

Sherman, then in North Carolina, received on
the 14th of April a note from Johnston, con-
cerning a surrender. Remembering President

CLOSE OF THE WAR, ETC. 211

Lincoln's leniency, he granted an armistice, and
agreed to articles of capitulation that he thought
Mould be approved by the Government. President
Johnson, however, immediately rejected Sher-
man's treaty, and Stanton set forth the*reasons in
a public order, in terms that were needlessly offen-
sive.

Grant, sent forward by the Government to in-
form Sherman that his terms were countermanded,
reached that officer's headquarters on the 24th of
April, and delivered the ungracious message in
his own happy manner.

Sherman promptly acquiesced, and demanded the
surrender of Johnston's army on the same terms as
those accorded to Lee. This new treaty was
acceded to without further parley.

Grant now established his headquarters in
Washington, and from here he wrote to Halleck
on the 6th of May : —

" Although it would meet with opposition in the
North to allow Lee the benefit of amnesty, I
think it would have the best possible effect toward
restoring good feeling and peace in the South to
have him come in. All the people, except a few
political leaders in the South, will accept whatever
he does as right, and will be guided to a great ex-
tent by his example."

Afterwards, when Lee was indicted for treason
by a Virginia grand jury, General Grant said : —

212 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

" In my opinion, the officers and men paroled at
Appomattox Court-House, and since, upon the
same terms given to Lee, can not be tried for trea-
son so long as they observe the terms of their pa-
role. This is my understanding. Good faith, as
well as true policy, dictates that we should observe
the conditions of that convention. Bad faith on
the part of the Government, or a construction of
that convention subjecting the officers to trial for
treason, would produce a feeling of insecurity in
the minds of all the paroled officers and men. If
so disposed, they might even regard such an in-
fraction of terms by the Government as an entire
release from all obligations on their part."

The last gun in the war of the rebellion was fired
in a little skirmish near the Rio Grande, on the
13th of May. Three days later, the Government
paroled and liberated all prisoners of war — sixty-
three thousand. Those who surrendered with the
various rebel commands numbered about one hun-
dred thousand. Our army rolls showed one
million of men, of whom six hundred thousand
were bearing muskets. Four months afterwards,
nearly five-sixths had been mustered out and sent
back to their northern homes. Before the Union
army disbanded, a grand review was held at Wash-
ington, and, on the 2d of June, General Grant
issued this final order to his brave soldiers : —

CLOSE OF THE WAR, ETC. 213

Soldiers of the Army of the United States, —

By your patriotic devotion to your country in the hour of
danger and alarm, your magnificent fighting, bravery, and
endurance, you have maintained the supremacy of the Union
and the Constitution, overthrown all armed opposition to the
enforcement of the laws, and of the proclamations forever
abolishing slavery (the cause and pretext of the rebellion),
and opened the way to the rightful authorities to restore
order, and inaugurate peace on a permanent and enduring
basis on every foot of American soil.

Your marches, sieges, and battles, in distance, duration,
resolution and brilliancy of results, dim the lustre of the
world's past military achievements, and will be the patriot's
precedent in defence of liberty and right in all time to come.

In obedience to your country's call, you left your homes
and families, and volunteered in its defence. Victory has
crowned your valor and secured the purpose of your patriotic
hearts ; and with the gratitude of your countrymen, and the
highest honors a great and free nation can accord, you will
soon be permitted to return to your homes and families,
conscious of having discharged the highest duty of Ameri-
can citizens.

To achieve the glorious triumphs, and secure to your-
selves, your fellow-countrymen and posterity the blessings
of free institutions, tens of thousands of your gallant com-
rades have fallen and sealed the priceless legacy with their
lives. The graves of these a grateful nation bedews with
tears, honors their memories, and will ever cherish and sup-
port their stricken families.

Several leaders of the late Confederacy now
migrated to Mexico and tried to take many fol-
lowers ; and through the Pacific States a war to
expel the troops of Louis Napoleon, who had in-

214 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

vaded Mexico to establish an imperial government,
"would have been universally popular.

The following letter, written by Grant to the
President, gives, in a clear, terse manner, his own
excellent views upon the subject : —

The great interest which I feel in securing an honorable
and permanent peace, whilst we still have in service a force
sufficient to insure it, and the danger and disgrace which,
in my judgment, threaten us, unless positive and early
measures are taken to avert them, induce me to lay my
views before you in an official form.

In the first place, I regard the act of attempting to es-
tablish a monarchical government on this continent, in
Mexico, by foreign bayonets, as an act of hostility against
the Government of the United States. If allowed to go on
until such a government is established, I see nothing before
us but a long, expensive, and bloody war; one in which the
enemies of this country will be joined by tens of thousands
of disciplined soldiers, embittered against their government
by the experience of the last four years.

As a justification for open resistance to the establishment
of Maximilian's government in Mexico, I would give the
following reasons: —

First — The act of attempting to establish a monarchy on
this continent was an act of known hostility to the Govern-
ment of the United States; was protested against at the
time, and would not have been undertaken but for the great
war which was raging, and which it was supposed by all the
great powers of Europe, except, possibly, Russia, would re-
sult in the dismemberment of the country, and the over-
throw of republican institutions.

Second— Every act of the empire of Maximilian has been
hostile to the Government of the United States. Mata-
moras, and the whole Rio Grande under his control, has

CLOSE OF THE WAR, ETC. 215

been an open port to those in rebellion against this Govern-
ment. It is notorious that every article held by the rebels
for export was permitted to cross the Rio Grande, and from
there go unmolested to all parts of the world, and they in
return to receive in pay all articles, arms, munitions of war,
etc., they desired. Rebels in arms have been allowed to
take refuge on Mexican soil, protected by French bayonets.
French soldiers have fired on our men from the south side
of the river, in aid of the rebellion. Officers acting under
the authority of the would be empire have received arms,
munitions, and other public property from the rebels, after
the same had become the property of the United States. It
is now reported, and I think there is no doubt of the truth of
the report, that large organized and armed bodies of rebels
have gone to Mexico to join the imperialists. It is further
reported, and too late we will find the report confirmed, that
a contract or agreement has been entered into with Dr.
Gwinn, a traitor to his country, to invite into Mexico armed
immigrants for the purpose of wrenching from the rightful
government of that country states never controlled by the
imperialists.

It will not do to remain quiet, and theorize that by show-
ing a strict neutrality all foreign force will be compelled to
leave Mexican soil. Rebel immigrants to Mexico will go
with arms in their hands. They will not be a burden upon
the States, but, on the contrary, will become producers,
always ready, when emergency arises, to take up their arms
in defence of the cause they espouse. That their leaders
will espouse the cause of the empire, purely out of hostility
to this Government, I feel there is no doubt. There is a
hope that the rank and file may take the opposite side, if
any influence is allowed to work upon their reason. But if
a neutrality is to be observed which allows armed rebels
to cro to Mexico, and which keeps out all other immigrants,
and which also denies to the liberals of Mexico belligerent
rights, the right to buy arms and munitions in foreign

216 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

markets, and to transport them through friendly territory to
their homes, I see no chance for such influence to be brought
to bear.

What I would propose' would be a solemn protest
against the establishment of a monarchical government in
Mexico by the aid of foreign bayonets. If the French have
a just claim against Mexico, I would regard them as having
triumphed, and would guarantee them suitable award for
their grievances. Mexico would no doubt admit their claim,
if it did not affect their territory or rights as a free people.

The United States could take such pledges as would se-
cure her against loss. How all this could be done without
bringing on an armed conflict, others who have studied such
matters could tell better than I.

If this course cannot be agreed upon, then I would
recognize equal belligerent rights to both parties. I would
interpose no obstacle to the passage into Mexico of emi-
grants to that country. I would allow either party to buy
arms, or anything we have to sell, and interpose no obstacle
to their transit.

These views have been hastily drawn up, and contain
but little of what might be said on the subject treated of. If,
however, they serve to bring the matter under discussion,
they will have accomplished all that is desired.

Some weeks later, he writes from Galena, 111,, to
the President upon the same subject : —

Seven weeks 1 absence from Washington, and free inter-
course with all parties and classes of people, have convinced
me that there is but one opinion as to the duty of the United
States toward Mexico, or rather the usurpers in that coun-
try. All agree that, besides a yielding of the long-proclaimed
Monroe doctrine, non-intervention in Mexican affairs will
lead to an expensive and bloody war hereafter, or a yielding
of territory now possessed by us. To let the empire of

CLOSE OF THE WAR, ETC. 217

Maximilian be established on our frontier, is to permit an
enemy to establish himself who will require a large standing
army to watch. Militaiy stations will be at points remote
from supplies, and therefore expensive to keep. The trade
of an empire will be lost to our commerce, and Americans,
instead of being the most favored people of the world
throughout the length and breadth of this continent, will be
scoffed and laughed at by their adjoining neighbors, both
north and south — the people of the British provinces and
of Mexico.

Previous communications have given my views on our
duty in the matter here spoken of, so that it is not necessary
that I should treat the subject at any length now. Conver-
sations with you have convinced me that you think about it
as I do; otherwise I should never have taken the liberty of
writing in this manner. I have had the opportunity of
mingling more intimately with all classes of the community
than the executive can possibly have, and my object is to
give you the benefit of what I have heard expressed.

I would have no hesitation in recommending that notice
be given the French that foreign troops must be withdrawn
from the continent and the people left free to govern them-
selves in their own way. I would openly sell on credit to
the government of Mexico all the ammunition and clothing
they want, and aid them with officers to command
troops. In fine, I would take such measures as would se-
cure the supremacy of republican government in Mexico.

I hope you will excuse me for the free manner in which
I address you. I but speak my honest convictions, and then
with the full belief that a terrible strife in this country is to
be averted by prompt action in this matter with Mexico.

218 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

CHAPTEE XX.

RECONSTRUCTION.

TN November of that year, General Grant started
- 1 - on a journey through the Southern States; visit-
ing Raleigh, Charleston, Savannah, Augusta, and
other of the larger cities, scrutinizing the military
forces, the Freedmen's Bureau, and mingling 1 freely
with all classes of citizens. Upon his return he
made the following report, at the request of the
President : —

I am satisfied that the mass of thinking men of the
South accept the present situation of affairs in good faith.
The questions which have hitherto divided the sentiments of
the people of the two sections — slavery and State rights, or
the right of a State to secede from the Union — they regard
as having been settled forever by the highest tribunal —
arms — that man can resort to. I was pleased to learn from
the leading men whom I met, that they not only accepted
the'decision arrived at as final, but, now that the smoke of
battle has cleared away, and time has been given for reflec-
tion, that this decision has been a fortunate one for the
whole country, they receiving the like benefits from it with
those who opposed them in the field and in the council. . . .
T did not meet any one — either those holding places under
the Government, or citizens of Southern States — who
thought it practicable to withdraw the military from the

RECONSTRUCTION. 219

South at present. The white and black mutually require
the protection of the general government.

There is such universal acquiescence in the authority of
the general government throughout the portions of the
country visited by me, that the mere presence of a military
force, without regard to numbers, is sufficient to maintain
order. The good of the country requires that a force be
kept in the interior, where there are many freedmen. Else-
where in the Southern States than at ports upon the sea-
coast, no force is necessary. The troops should all be white
troops. The reasons for this are obvious. Without men-
tioning many of them, the presence of black troops, lately
slaves, demoralizes labor, both by their advice and furnishing
in their camps a resort for the freedmen for long distances
around. White troops generally excite no opposition, and
therefore a smaller number of them can maintain order in a
given district.

Colored troops must be kept in bodies sufficient to defend
themselves. It is not the thinking man who would do vio-
lence toward any class of troops sent among them by the
general government, but the ignorant in some places might;
and the late slave, too, who might be imbued with the idea
that the property of his late master should by right belong
to him, at least should have no protection from the colored
soldier.

. . . My observations lead me to the conclusion that the
citizens of the Southern States are anxious to return to self-
government within the Union as soon as possible; that
while reconstructing they want and require protection from
the Government; that they are in earnest in wishing to do
what they think is required by the Governmctt, not humili-
ating to them as citizens, and that if such a course was
pointed out they would pursue it in good faith. It is to be
regretted that there cannot be a greater commingling at
this time between the citizens of the two sections, and par-
ticularly with those intrusted with the lawmaking power.

220 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

I did not give the operation of the Freedmen's Bureau
that attention I would have done if more time had been at
my disposal. Conversations, however, on the subject, with
officers connected with the bureau, led me to think that in
some of the States its affairs have not been conducted with
good judgment or economy, and that the belief, widely
spread among the freedmen of the Southern States, that the
lands of their former owners will, at least in part, be divided
among them, has come from agents of the bureau. ... In
some form the Freedmen's Bureau is an absolute necessity
until the civil law is established and enforced, securing to
freedmen their rights and full protection. . . . Everywhere
General Howard, the able head of the bureau, has made
friends by the just and fair instructions and advice he
gave. . . . The effect of the belief in the distribution of
the lands is idleness and accumulation in camps, towns, and
cities.

About this time a bill was revived in the House
of Representatives for creating the grade of " Gen-
eral of the Army of the United States." This
had never been held by any American except
Washington, and was now intended, not as a per-
manent rank, but only for Grant, its terms pro-
viding : —

Whenever any general shall have been appointed and
commissioned under the provisions of this act, if thereafter
the office shall become vacant, this act shall thereupon expire
and remain no longer in force.

After numerous tributes to General Grant from
members of both parties, and one vehement pro-
test against our emulating " the effete monarchies
of Europe " in hero-worship, the bill passed the

RECONSTRUCTION. 221

House, one hundred and sixteen yeas to eleven
nays. The Senate concurred almost unanimously,
Grant was appointed general, and Sherman pro-
moted to the lieutenant-generalship thus made
vacant.

President Johnson now requested the Secretary
of War to have Grant accompany our new minis-
ter to Mexico, which was about to be evacuated
by the French, in order " to give him the aid of
his advice," and "as evidence of the earnest desire
felt by the United States for the proper adjust-
ment of the questions involved."

Grant, however, replied to Stanton in a letter
marked "private," and dated October 21: "It
is a diplomatic service for which I am not fitted,
either by education or taste. It has necessarily to
be conducted under the State Department, with
which my duties do not connect me. Again, then,
I most respectfully but urgently repeat my request
to be excused from the performance of a duty en-
tirely out of my sphere, and one, too, which can
be so much better performed by others."

To the President, who reiterated his request,
Grant replied : " I now again beg most respect-
fully to decline the proposed mission, for the fol-
lowing additional reasons, to wit, — Now, whilst
the army is being reorganized and troops distribu-
ted as fast as organized, my duties require me to
keep within telegraphic communication of all the

222 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GEANT.

department commanders, and of this city, from
which orders must emanate. Almost the entire
frontier between the United States and Mexico is
embraced in the departments commanded by Gen-
erals Sheridan and Hancock, the command of the
latter being embraced in the military division
under Lieutenant-General Sherman, three officers
in whom the entire country has unbounded confi-
dence. Either of these general officers can be in-
structed to accompany the American minister to
the Mexican frontier, or the one through whose
command the minister may propose to pass in
reaching his destination.

"If it is desirable that our minister should com-
municate Avith me, he can do so through the officer
who may accompany him, with but very little de-
lay beyond what would be experienced if I were to
accompany him myself. I might add that I would
not dare counsel the minister in any matter beyond
stationing of troops on the United States soil, with-
out the concurrence of the administration. That
concurrence could be more speedily had with me
here than if I were upon the frontier. The sta-
tioning of troops would be as fully within the
control of the accompanying officer as it would be
of mine."

In speaking of the issues of the day, Grant said
to a friend : " I never could have believed that I
should favor giving negroes the right to vote :

RECONSTRUCTION. 223

but that seems to me the only solution of our
difficulties."

To the ex-rebel General Taylor, a son of Presi-
dent Taylor, and an old acquaintance, he wrote :
" The day after you left here the President sent
for me, as I expected he would, after conversation
with his attorney-general. I told him my views
candidly about the course I thought he should
take, in view of the verdict of the late elections.
It elicited nothing satisfactory from him, but did
not bring out the strong opposition he sometimes
shows to views not agreeing with his own. I was
followed by General Sickles, who expressed about
the same opinions I did. Since that I have talked
with several members of Congress who are classed
with the radicals — Schenck and Boutwell, for in-
stance. They express the most generous views as
to what would be done if the constitutional amend-
ments proposed by Congress were adopted by the
Southern States. What was done in the case of
Tennessee was an earnest of what would be done
in all cases.

" Even the disqualification to hold office imposed
on certain classes by one article of the amendment
would, no doubt, be removed at once, except it
might be in the cases of the very highest offend-
ers, such, for instance, as those who went abroad
to aid in the Rebellion, those who left seats in
Congress, etc. All, or very nearly all, would soon

224 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

be restored ; and so far as security to property and
liberty are concerned, all would be restored at once.
I would like exceedingly to see one Southern
State, excluded State, ratify the amendment, to
enable us to see the exact course that would be
pursued. I believe it would much modify the de-
mands that may be made if there is delay."

To Orr of South Carolina, Brown and "Walker
of Georgia, and other late secessionists, Grant
gave the following advice : " Go to the Union
Republicans in Congress, and to them alone. Have
nothing whatever to do with Northerners who
opposed the war. They will never again be in-
trusted with power. The more you consort with
them, the more exacting the Republicans will be,
and ought to be. When you get home urge your
people to accept negro suffrage. If you had
promptly adopted the constitutional amendment
abolishing slavery, or the one making negroes
citizens, and guaranteeing the public debt, Con-
gress would undoubtedly have admitted you ere
this. Now it will add impartial suffrage. The
sooner you accept that, the better for all con-
cerned."

The first reconstruction act, a military bill,
"for the more efficient government of the late
rebel States," which passed March 2d, 1867, was
framed chiefly by General Grant. He also urged
the holding of the extra session, three weeks later,

RECONSTRUCTION. 225

when a supplementary act was passed so that the
legislative power might be ready to frustrate any
effort of the President to violate the laws.

Knowing Johnson's determination to be rid of
Stanton and Sheridan, Grant wrote him on the 1st
of August the following earnest letter, marked
"private." Had it been made public at the time,
much unjust criticism of Grant would have been
averted : —

I take the liberty of addressing you privately on the
subject of the conversation we had this morning, feeling as
I do the great danger to the welfare of the country should
you carry out the designs then expressed.

First — On the subject of the displacement of the Secre-
tary of War. His removal cannot be effected against his
will without the consent of the Senate. It is but a short
time since the United States Senate was in session, and why
not then have asked for his removal if it was desired? It
certainly was the intention of the legislative branch of gov-
ernment to place cabinet ministers beyond the power of
executive removal, and it is pretty well understood that,
so far as cabinet ministers are affected by the Tenure
of Office Bill, it was intended specially to protect the Secre-
tary of War, whom the country felt great confidence in. The
meaning of the law may be explained away by an astute
lawyer, but common sense and the views of loyal people
will give to it the effect intended by its framers.

On the subject of the removal of the very able com-
mander of the Fifth Military District, let me ask you to
consider the effect it would have upon the public. He is
universally and deservedly beloved by the people who sus-
tained this Government through its trials, and feared by
those who would still be enemies of the Government. It

226 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

fell to the lot of but few men to do as much against an
armed enemy as General Sheridan did during the Rebel-
lion, and it is within the scope of the ability of but few
in this or any other country to do what he has. His civil
administration has given equal satisfaction. He has had
difficulties to contend with which no other district com-
mander has encountered. Almost, if not quite, from the
day he was appointed district commander to the present
time, the press has given out that he was to be removed ;
that the administration was dissatisfied with him, etc.
This has emboldened the opponents to the laws of Con-
gress within his command to oppose him in every way
in their power, and has rendered necessary measures which
otherwise may never have been necessary. In conclusion,
allow me to say, as a friend desiring peace and quiet,
the welfare of the whole country, North and South, that
it is, in my opinion, more than the loyal people of this
country (I mean those who supported the Government dur-
ing the great Rebellion) will quietly submit to, to see the
very men of all others whom they have expressed confi-
dence in removed.

I would not have taken the liberty of addressing the
Executive of the United States thus but for the conversa-
tion alluded to in this letter, and from a sense of duty, feel-
ing that I know I am right in this matter.

The President, however, suspended Stanton and
made Grant Secretary of War, ad interim, on the
12th of August.

Dreading above all things a direct conflict be-
tween the Executive and Congress, Grant wrote
to Stanton that same day, " In notifying you of
my acceptance, I cannot let the opportunity pass
without expressing to you my appreciation of the

RECONSTRUCTION. 227

zeal, patriotism, firmness, and ability with which
you have ever discharged the duties of Secretary
of War."

The Senate refused to sanction the suspension
of Stanton, and Grant, upon receiving official
notice of the action of the Senate, at once sur-
rendered the office to Stanton.

The President was very much incensed, and
asserted in a letter to Grant, "You promised you
would either return the War Office to my posses-
sion in time to enable me to appoint a successor
before final action by the Senate on Mr. Stanton's
suspension, or would remain at its head, awaiting
a decision of the question by judicial proceed-
ings."

To this Grant replied on the 3d of February : —
"Performance of the promises alleged to have
been made by me would have involved a re-
sistance of the law, and an inconsistency with the
whole history of my connection with the suspen-
sion of Mr. Stanton. From our conversation and
my written protest of August 1, 1867, against the
removal of Mr. Stanton, you must have known
that my greatest objection to his removal was the
fear that some one would be appointed in his stead
who would, by opposition to the laws relating to
the restoration of the Southern States to their
proper relation to the Government, embarrass the
army in the performance of the duties especially

228 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

imposed upon it by the laws, and that it was to
prevent such an appointment that I accepted the
appointment of Secretary of War, ad interim,
and not for the purpose of enabling you to get
rid of Mr. Stanton. The course you have under-
stood I agreed to pursue was in violation of law,
and that without orders from you ; while the
course I did pursue, and which I never doubted
you fully understood, was in accordance with law,
and not in disobedience to any orders of my su-
perior. And now, Mr. President, when my honor
as a soldier and integrity as a man have been so
violently assailed, pardon me for saying that I can
but regard this whole matter, from beginning to
end, as an attempt to involve me in the resistance
of law for which you hesitated to assume the re-
sponsibility, in order thus to destroy my character
before the country. I am in a measure confirmed
in this conclusion by your recent orders, directing
me to disobey orders from the Secretary of War,
my superior and your subordinate, without having
countermanded his authority."

During the five months, ad interim, that Grant
held the office of Secretary of War, he curtailed
the monthly expenditures of that department $100,-
000, which would have made an annual saving of
more than $1,200,000.

ELECTED PRESIDENT. 229

CHAPTER XXI.

GENERAL GRANT IS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES.

rpiIE Republican National Convention met at
-L Chicago on the 20th day of May, 1868. On
the second day after the adoption of the platform,
General John A. Logan arose and said : —

" In the name of the loyal citizens, soldiers and
sailors of this great republic, the United States of
America ; in the name of loyalty, of liberty, of
humanity, of justice ; in the name of the National
Union Republican party, I nominate as candidate
for the chief magistrate of this nation, Ulysses S.
Grant." The States were called, and 650 votes
were cast for Grant — not one against him. On
the fifth ballot Schuyler Colfax was nominated for
the second place on the ticket. The platform on
which Grant and Colfax were placed was compar-
atively short. It was almost entirely devoted to
issues arising from the war and reconstruction,
and the course of President Johnson, the impeach-
ment proceedings against whom were just draw-
ing to a close. Some of Grant's intimate friends
advised him not to accept the nomination, because

230 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

of his inexperience in civil affairs. But to all such
he replied : " All you say is plain to me. I am
aware of the difficulties awaiting any man who
takes that position with its present complications.
I have no ambition for the place. My profession
is suited to my tastes and habits. I have arrived
at its height, and been honored with a position to
continue for life, with a generous compensation,
and satisfactory to the highest aspirations of a
soldier. It will be the greatest sacrifice I ever
made to give this up for the turmoil of the presi-
dential office. But if the people ask it, I must
yield. For some years, the people of America
have trusted their sons and brothers and fathers to
me, and every step taken with them, in the period
from Belmont to Appomattox, has been tracked
in the best blood of this country. If now they
need me to finish the work, I must accept the
duty, if in doing so I lay down the realization of
my most ambitious hopes."

In his letter of acceptance, dated at Washington,
May 29, 1868, Grant wrote to the Committee : —
"In formally accepting the nomination of the
National Union Republican Convention of the
twenty-first of May inst., it seems proper that
some statement of views beyond the mere accept-
ance of the nomination should be expressed. The
proceedings of the convention were marked with
wisdom, moderation and patriotism, and, I believe,

ELECTED PRESIDENT. 231

express the feelings of the great mass of those
who sustained the country through its recent trials.
1 indorse the resolutions.

"If elected to the office of President of the United
States, it will be my endeavor to administer all
the laws in good faith, with economy, and with
the view of giving peace, quiet and protection
everywhere. In times like the present, it is im-
possible, or at least eminently improper, to lay
down a policy to be adhered to, right or wrong,
through an administration of four years. New
political issues, not foreseen, are constantly aris-
ing ; the views of the public on old ones are con-
stantly changing, and a purely administrative
officer should be left free to execute the will of
the people. I always have respected that will,
and always shall. Peace, and universal prosperity
— its sequence — with economy of administration,
will lighten the burden of taxation, while it con-
stantly reduces the national debt. Let us have
peace."

Six w r eeks later the Democratic Convention
nominated Horatio Seymour, and filled out its
ticket with the name of Gen. Frank P. Blair. So
small had been General Grant's interest in party
politics hitherto, that his name had often been
associated with the Democratic candidacy.

Upon November 3d, General Grant w r as elected
President, having received the electoral votes of

232 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

twenty-six states. New York, New Jersey and
Oregon were the only northern states to vote for
Seymour ; Grant carried six of the former slave
states, and Mississippi, Virginia and Texas did
not vote at all. Grant would not inform the pub-
lic whom he proposed to invite to places in the
cabinet, as he did not desire to be importuned to
change his selections. They were as follows : —

Secretary of State, E. B. Wasiibukne, of Illinois.
Secretary of the Treasury, A. T. Stewart, of New-
York.

Secretary of War, John M. Schofield, of Illinois.
Secretary of the Navy, A. E. Borie, of Pennsylvania.
Secretary of the Interior, J. D. Cox, of Ohio.
Postmaster-General, J. A. J. Cresswele, of Maryland.
Attorney-General, E. R. Hoar, of Massachusetts.

They were at once confirmed, but the following
day it was discovered that Mr. Stewart's appoint-
ment was illegal, under a law preventing the hold-
ing of the office by a man engaged in trade or
commerce. The President asked Congress to ex-
empt the great dry-goods merchant from the
operation of the statute. Mr. Sumner objected
to hasty action, and three days later the President
withdrew his request. Mr. Stewart resigned, and
George S. Boutwell, of Massachusetts, was ap-
pointed to succeed him. As Mr. Washburne
resigned at the same time, to accept the French
mission, his place was filled by Hamilton Fish, of
New York. General Schofield was succeeded in

ELECTED PRESIDENT. 233

the war department by General John A. Rawlins,
who died in less than six months, and whose
place was filled by General W. W. Belknap. Mr.
Borie stayed in the navy department but four
months, when he was succeeded by George M.
Robeson.

The first of President Grant's proclamations was
issued May 19, 1869, and directed that Congress
having passed a law declaring eight hours a day's
work for all laborers, mechanics and workmen in
the employ of the Government, no reduction
should be made in the wages paid by the Gov-
ernment by the day to the laboring men in its
employ on account of such reduction of the hours
of labor.

In a message to Congress on the subject of pub-
lic education, he wrote : " The adoption of the
Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution com-
pletes the greatest civil change and constitutes the
most important event that has ever occurred since
the nation came into life. The change will be
beneficial in proportion to the heed that is given
to the urgent recommendations of the f Father of
his Country,' to r promote, as a matter of primary
importance, institutions for the general diffusion
of knowledge.' If these recommendations were
important then, with a population of but a few
millions, how much more important now !

" I therefore call upon Congress to take all the

234 LIFE OF GEjST. U. S. GRANT.

means within their constitutional powers to pro-
mote and encourage popular education through the
country ; and upon the people everywhere to see
to it that all who possess and exercise political
rights shall have the opportunity to acquire the
knowledge which shall make their share in gov-
ernment a blessing and not a danger. By such
means only can the benefits contemplated by this
amendment to the Constitution be secured."

In regard to the pernicious system of political
assessments, Grant wrote : " The utmost fidelity
and diligence will be expected of all officers in
every branch of the public service. Political as-
sessments, as the}' are called, have been forbidden
within the various departments ; and while the
right of all persons in official positions to take
part in politics is acknowledged, and the elective
franchise is recognized as a high trust to be dis-
charged by all entitled to its exercise, whether in
the employment of the Government or in private
life, honesty and efficiency, not political activity,
will determine the tenure of office."

It was during Grant's first term as President
that the Pacific Railroad, connecting California
with the Mississippi Valley, was completed. This
road is one thousand seven hundred and seventy-
six miles in length, and was laid in the short space
of three years.

One of the highest honors of Grant's first ad-

ELECTED PRESIDENT. 235

ministration was the settling, by peaceful negotia-
tion with Great Britain, of a long-standing inter-
national dispute over what were known as the
" Alabama Claims." This was the demand for in-
demnification made by the American nation for
the injuries done the American merchant marine
by Confederate cruisers built and fitted out in
England. Negotiations upon the subject with the
British Minister at Washington resulted in an
agreement to refer the questions in dispute to a
joint commission, which met in Washington on the
27th of February, 1871, and on the 8th of May
following signed a treaty expressing the regret of
the British Government at the escape and the depre-
dations of the rebel cruisers, and referring the
Alabama Claims to a tribunal of five arbitrators, to
be appointed respectively by the President, the
Queen of Great Britain, the Emperor of Brazil,
the King of Italy and the President of the Swiss
Confederation. The arbitrators held their delib-
erations at Geneva during the summer of 1872,
and made a final award of about sixteen millions
of dollars damages to America.

The success of this negotiation was hailed by
the whole world as one of the highest triumphs of
peace and international law, and as an example to
all nations — heralding the glad day when peaceful
arbitration should settle all disputes, and wars be
only a relic of the past.

236 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

Of the part which Grant took in bringing about
this grand result, Hon. Mr. Bout well stated that
when the unwritten history of the treaty came to
be known, it would be learned that its success was
largely owing to the personal tact, skill, and wis-
dom of our Soldier-President.

Special legislation was also given to the investi-
gation of the Ku-klux conspiracy, which resulted in
the conviction and punishment of a large number
of persons in North Carolina, and the suppression
of a conspiracy which, if neglected, might have
resulted in a new rebellion.

The President and Congress were in harmony
on the measures taken for the reconstruction of
the southern states ; but a scheme which the former
favored for acquisition of the island of St. Do-
mingo, was disapproved by the Senate.

General Grant was very sensitive to assaults
upon his sense of fairness. We recall his indig-
nation in respect to charges made that his criti-
cism and action caused the death of Minister
Motley. Concerning him the great general said :
" Mr. Motley was certainly a very able, very hon-
est gentleman, fit to hold any official position, but
he knew long, long before he went out that he
would have to go. When I was making the ap-
pointments, Mr. Sumner came to me and asked me
to appoint Mr. Motley as minister to the Court of
St. James. I told him I would, and did. Soon

ELECTED PRESIDENT. 237

after, Mr. Sumner made that violent speech about
the Alabama Claims, and the British Government
was greatly offended. Sumner was at the time
chairman of the committee on foreign affairs.
Mr. Motley had to be instructed. The instruc-
tions were prepared very carefully ; and after Gov-
ernor Fish and I had gone over them for the last
time I wrote charging him that above all things he
should handle the subject of the Alabama Claims
with the greatest delicacy. Mr. Motley, instead
of obeying his explicit instructions, deliberately
fell in line with Mr. Sumner, and thus added insult
to the previous injury. As soon as I heard of it, I
went over to the State Department and told Gov-
ernor Fish to dismiss Motley at once. Mr. Fish
advised delay, because of Sumner's position in the
Senate and attitude on the treaty question. We
did not want to stir him up again just then. We
despatched a note of severe censure to Motley at
once, and ordered him to abstain from any further
connection with that question. Thereupon com-
menced negotiations with the British Minister in
Washington, and the result was the joint high
commission and the Geneva Award. I supposed
Mr. Motley would be manly enough to resign
after that, but he kept on till he was removed.
' Mr. Sumner promised that he would vote for the
treaty ; but when it was first before the Senate, he
did all he could to beat it.

238 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT

" I had nothing to do with his dismissal from
the chairmanship of the foreign relations commit-
tee, but I was glad when I heard that he was put
off, because he stood in the way of even routine
business, like ordinary treaties with small coun-
tries. I may be blamed for my opposition to Mr.
Sumner's tactics, but I was not guided so much by
reason of his personal hatred of myself, as by a
desire to protect our national interests in diplo-
matic affairs. It was a sad sight to find a Senate
with a large majority of its members in sympathy
with the Administration, and with its chairman of
the foreign committee in direct opposition to the
foreign policy of the Administration, in theory and
detail. So I was glad when I heard of his suc-
cessor's nomination. I shall never change my
mind as to the wisdom of the policy that brought
about the Washington Treaty with Great Britain.
No matter how much the friends of Sumner and
Motley may defend them, we never could have
procured the agreement of the British commission-
ers or people to such a thing."

"I have no disposition," continued the general,
"for controversy, and particularly would I abstain
from anything that seemed like unfavorable reflec-
tions upon the dead, but something is due to truth
in history, and my object in making my statement
to Mr. Copeland was to correct grossly unjust
and untrue statements in regard to facts and state-

ELECTED PRESIDENT. 239

ments which reflect upon the living. I had no ill-
will towards Mr. Motley. Mr. Copeland will no
doubt recollect that in the conversation I had with
him, I said I regarded Mr. Motley as a gentleman
of culture and ability, and in every way qualified to
fill any position within the gift of the President or
the people. I said that the best people, even men
as accomplished and estimable as Mr. Motley,
made mistakes, and that Mr. Motley had made a
mistake which made him an improper person to
hold office. I was then, and I am now, absolutely
without any unkindness of feeling towards Mr.
Motley. I was sorry for the necessity which
compelled me to replace him, and if called upon
to speak of him I should pay a high tribute to his
character and qualifications."

rt It is possible," said the general, " that but for
Mr. Sumner's opposition to the St. Domingo treaty,
he would never have been removed from the chair-
manship of the committee on foreign relations.
But if that opposition had anything to do with the
estrangement of Mr. Sumner and myself, the fault
was his, and not mine. I made no question with
senators who opposed St. Domingo. I recognized
on that question, as I did always, that a senator
had his independent duty and responsibility, the
same as an executive. Some senators, like Mr.
Edmunds, whom I rank among my best friends,
and for whom I have never ceased to feel the

240 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

highest admiration and respect, opposed the St.
Domingo treaty as vehemently but not as abu-
sively as Mr. Sumner. It is one thing to oppose
the measures of an executive, and another to ex-
press that opposition in terms of contumely, and
attributing the basest motives, as were attributed
to me in the St. Domingo business. My relations
with Mr. Edmunds and his colleagues, with Mr.
Wilson, and numerous other senators who op-
posed the St. Domingo treaty, and whose names
can be found in the Congressional Record, were
never disturbed for a moment."

General Grant then said, with some earnest-
ness : " There is another misapprehension. It is
said that I made my visit to Mr. Sumner about
January 1, 1870, to try and induce him to sup-
port the St. Domingo treaty. I never thought of
such a thing. I had no idea that the treaty would
meet with opposition from him or any one else.
I called simply out of respect to the position Mr.
Sumner held as the head of the committee on
foreign relations, and to explain why the fact of
such a treaty being negotiated should have been
kept from the public and from Congress until that
time ; and to explain to him also the reports
brought back by the agents of the Government
who had visited the island, as to the resources of
St. Domingo, its soil, the character of the people,
their wishes in regard to annexation, and other

ELECTED PEESIDENT. 241

points. The question as to whether or not he
would support the treaty was asked by Colonel
Forney, who happened to be present."

At the national convention which met in Phila-
delphia June 5, 1872, Grant was nominated for
a second term. His opponent was Horace Gree-
ley, who secured the Democratic nomination, but
Grant was re-elected by a popular majority of
762,991.

In his second inaugural address he said : " From
my candidacy for my present office in 18G8, to the
close of the last presidential campaign, I have been
the subject of abuse and slander, scarcely ever
equalled in political history, which to-day I feel I
can afford to disregard, in view of your verdict,
which I gratefully accept as my vindication."

During Grant's second administration the recon-
struction of the South went on successfully. Se-
rious troubles arose during this time in Louisiana,
where two governments, each claiming to be right-
fully elected, sought to possess the governing
power of the state, but the President proved him-
self equal to the emergency, and succeeded in
keeping order there as elsewhere in the South.

His most important act during this second term
was the veto of a bill to increase the currency.
Adherents of the policy of inflation had been
steadily increasing, but this action of the President
checked the advance of an idea with which, as

242 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

subsequent events showed, the majority of the
people were not in sympathy.

In the Autumn of 1873, the business of the entire
country received a severe shock from a financial
panic. It began with the failure of Jay Cooke &
Company, who had become deeply involved in the
building of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and the
panic soon spread through all channels of business,
till mercantile credit seemed well-nigh ruined.
Excessive production and over-speculation were
the chief causes of the crisis.

As President of the United States, General
Grant inaugurated the ceremonies of the Centen-
nial Exposition at Philadelphia ; and on the 4ih of
March, 1877, he resigned his position to his suc-
cessor, Rutherford B. Hayes.

TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. 243

CHAPTER XXIL

GENERAL GRANT'S TOUR AROUND THE WORLD.

A FTER, sixteen years of incessant public ser-
-*--*- vice, General Grant gladly availed himself
of an opportunity for rest and recreation. He
could now carry out his long-cherished idea to see
foreign countries, but declining the proffer of a
man-of-war offered him by the government, he
determined to take passage on the Indiana, which
was to sail from Philadelphia on the 17th of May,
1877.

On the morning of the departure, Mrs. Grant
and her son Jesse, who was to accompany them,
were taken to the steamer by the revenue cutter
Hamilton, while the general was escorted by a large
and distinguished company on board the steamer
Twilight. General Sherman, at the farewell break-
fast, said: "General Grant leaves here to-day with
the highest regards of his fellow-citizens, and on
his arrival at the other side there is no doubt he
will be welcomed by friends with as willing hands
and warm hearts as those he leaves behind. Ex-
President Grant — General Grant — while you,

244 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

his fellow-citizens, speak of him and regard him
as ex-President Grant, I cannot but think of the
times of the war, of General Grant — President of
the United States for eight years, yet I cannot but
think of him as the General Grant of Fort Don-
elson. I think of him as the man who, when the
country was in the hour of its peril, restored its
hopes when he marched triumphant into Port Don-
elson. After that, none of us felt the least doubt
as to the future of our country, and therefore, if
the name of Washington is allied with the birth of
our country, that of Grant is forever identified
with its preservation, its perpetuation. It is not
here alone, on the shores of the Delaware, that
the people love and respect you, but in Chicago
and St. Paul, and in far-off San Francisco, the
prayers go up to-day that your voyage may be
prosperous and pleasant. God bless you, and
grant you a pleasant journey and a safe return to
your native land."

General Grant was much affected, and re-
sponded : " I feel much overcome by what I have
heard. When the first toast was offered, I sup-
posed the last words here for me had been spoken,
and I feel overcome by sentiments to which I have
listened, and which I feel I am altogether inade-
quate to respond to. I don't think that the com-
pliments ought all to be paid to me or any one
man in either of the positions which I was called

TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. 245

upon to fill. That which I accomplished — which
I was able to accomplish — I owe to the assistance
of able lieutenants. I was so fortunate as to be
called to the first position in the army of the
nation, and I had the good fortune to select lieu-
tenants who could have filled (here the general
turned to Sherman), had it been necessary, my
place better than I did. I do not, therefore, re-
gard myself as entitled to all the praise. I be-
lieve that my friend Sherman could have taken my
place as a soldier as well as I could, and the same
will apply to Sheridan. And I believe, finally,
that if our country ever comes into trial again,
young men will spring up equal to the occasion ;
and if one fails, there will be another to take his
place — just as there would have been if I had
failed."

Hon. William M. Evarts, who was then Secre-
tary of State, sent out the following official com-
munication to the diplomatic and consular officers
of the United States : —

Gentlemen, — Ulysses S. Grant, the late President of the
United States, sailed from Philadelphia on the 17th inst. for
Liverpool.

The route and extent of his travels, as well as the dura-
tion of his sojourn abroad, were alike undetermined at the
time of his departure, the object of his journey being to
secure a few months of rest and recreation after sixteen
years of unremitting and devoted labor in the military and
civil service of his country.

246 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

The enthusiastic manifestations of popular regard and
esteem for General Grant shown by the people in all parts
of the country that he has visited since his retirement from
official life, and attending his every appearance in public
from the day of that retirement up to the moment of his de-
parture for Europe, indicate beyond question the high place
he holds in the grateful affections of his countrymen.

Sharing in the largest measure this general public senti-
ment, and at the same time expressing the wishes of the
President, I desire to invite the aid of the diplomatic and
consular officers of the Government to make his journey a
pleasant one should he visit their posts. I feel already
assured that you will find patriotic pleasure in anticipating
the wishes of the department by showing him that attention
and consideration which are due from every officer of the
Government to a citizen of the Republic so signally dis-
tinguished both in official service and personal renown.

Upon landing at Liverpool, General Grant was
met by a large delegation, headed by the Mayor of
the city, who, in a brief and happy address, gave
him a most hearty welcome to the shores of Old
England. At London, the freedom of the city
was conferred upon him, which is the highest
honor that can be given by the municipal authori-
ties.

At a banquet given by the Trinity Corporation
in their hall at Tower Hill, the Prince of Wales
presided, and welcomed General Grant in the fol-
lowing words : " It is a matter of peculiar gratifi-
cation to us Englishmen to receive as our guest
General Grant. I can assure him for myself and
for all loyal subjects of the queen, that it has given

TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. 247

me the greatest pleasure to see him as a guest in
this country." A few days later, the general re-
ceived the following invitation : " The lord steward
of her majesty's household is commanded by the
queen to invite Mr. and Mrs. Grant to dinner at
Windsor Castle, on Wednesday, the 27th inst., and
to remain until the following day, the 28th of
June, 1877." To this dinner, which was served in
the famous Oak Room, the American minister, Mr.
Pierrepont, and his wife, Mr. Jesse R. Grant and
General Adam Badeau were also invited.

On the 3d of July, General Grant received a
deputation of workingmen, who presented him
with an address of welcome in the name of their
comrades throughout the United Kingdom. No
honor, royal or civic, that he received during the
whole three years' tour, so touched the general's
heart, and he responded to it as follows : —

Gentlemen, — In the name of my country, I thank you
for the address you have just presented to me. I feel it a
great compliment paid to my government, to the former
government, and one to me personally.

Since my arrival on British soil, I have received great
attentions, and, as I feel, intended in the same way for my
country. I have received attentions, and have had ovations,
free handshakings, and presentations from different classes,
and from the government, and from the controlling authori-
ties of cities, and have been received in the cities by the
populace.

But there is no reception I am prouder of than this one
to-day. I recognize the fact that whatever there is of

248 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

greatness in the United States, or indeed in any other coun-
try, is due to the labor performed. The laborer is the author
of all greatness and wealth. Without labor there would be
no government, or no leading class, or nothing to preserve.
With us labor is regarded as highly respectable. When it
is not so regarded, it is that man dishonors labor.

We recognize that labor dishonors no man; and no mat-
ter what a man's occupation is, he is eligible to fill any post
in the gift of the people. His occupation is not considered
in the selection of him, whether as a lawmaker, or an ex-
ecutor of the law. Now, gentlemen, in conclusion, all I
can do is to renew my thanks to you for the address, and to
repeat what I have said before, that I have received noth-
ing from any class since my arrival on this soil which has
given me more pleasure.

After a flying trip to the Continent, where he
was received with the highest honors, General
Grant made his promised visit to Scotland. The
freedom of Edinburgh was tendered him in the
Free Assembly Hull, by the lord provost, in the
presence of two thousand people ; and from thence
the general went to Dunrobin us the guest of the
Duke of Sutherland. At Elgin and Glasgow he
was presented with the freedom of each city, to
which honors he responded in his usual happy
manner — striving always to make still closer the
union of the two great English-speaking nations in
the bonds of fraternity and amity. At Inverary
( lastle he was the guest of the Duke of Argyle, a
nobleman who was a great friend of the North
during the civil war.

TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. 249

At Newcastle, Sheffield and Birmingham he was
received with unusual honors, and after staying a
couple of weeks at Brighton, the Saratoga of En a--
land, he went to Paris.

The struggle between the republicans, under
Gambetta, and the adherents of the Count de
Chambord, under the Due de Broglie, was just
then at an end. General Grant's course through
the Franco-German war, when he had expressed
his sympathy for the German cause, had occa-
sioned much bitter comment throughout France.
The French people could not understand that
Grant's enmity was entirely directed against Louis
Napoleon and his family — not against the French
nation. He believed that the triumph of Germany
over the Napoleonic dynasty would prove a bless-
ing to the country.

In spite of these misunderstandings, however,
the general was everywhere received in France
with marked courtesy, and through the mediation
of the American artist, Mr. Healy, he had the
pleasure of a personal interview with Gambetta.

Our Government having placed the man-of-war
Vandalia at General Grant's disposal, the whole
party embarked on the 13th of December, 1877,
for Italy, Egypt, and the Holy Land. After vis-
iting Herculaneum and Pompeii, and ascending
Vesuvius, the party proceeded to Palermo, and
from thence to Alexandria. At Cairo, the Khe-

250 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GKANT.

dive gave a large reception in honor of the gen-
eral, and placed a palace at his disposal. After
visiting various cities and towns along the Nile,
the party left for Constantinople, where they were
cordially received by the Sultan. From thence
they proceeded to the shores of Greece, and from
that historic land they returned to Italy, where
the general was received at Eome by the Pope,
Leo XIII. , and by King Humbert.

At Paris the general was present and took part
in the ceremonies of the opening of the exhibi-
tion ; and then after a short visit in Holland he
w r ent to Berlin. The important event of this trip
was the meeting of Prince Bismarck. The hotel
where the general made his headquarters was only
a short distance from Bismarck's palace, and Grant
proceeded there on foot, in his usual democratic
manner.

Arriving at the entrance gate, he was ushered
into a spacious marble hall, and was very soon
joined by Prince Bismarck, who clasped both his
hands and cordially exclaimed : —

"Welcome to Germany, general."

" There is no incident in my German tour," the
general replied, "more interesting to me than this
meeting with you, prince."

" You look remarkably young," said Prince Bis-
marck ; " } r ou must be at least twenty years
younger than I am ? "

TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. 251

"Not at all," the general replied, " only seven."

" That " returned the prince, " shows the value
of a military life, for here you have the frame of a
young man, while I feel like an old one."

All this took place in the chancellor's study,
and after the general was seated, the prince in-
quired about General Sheridan.

"The general and I," said Bismarck, "were fel-
low-campaigners in France, and we became great
friends."

" I have had letters from Sheridan recently," the
general replied, "and he writes me that he is feel-
ing quite well."

" Sheridan," said the prince, "seems to be a man
of great ability."

" Yes," replied the general. "I regard Sher-
idan as not only one of the great soldiers of our
war, but one of the great soldiers of the world, —
as a man who is fit for the highest commands. No
better general ever lived than Sheridan."

"I observed," said the prince, "that he had a
wonderfully quick eye. On one occasion I re-
member, the emperor and his staff took up a posi-
tion to observe a battle. The emperor himself
was never near enough to the front, was always
impatient to be as near the fighting as possible.
' Well,' said Sheridan to me as we rode along, ' we
shall never stay here ; the enemy will in a short
time make this so untenable, that we shall all be

252 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

leaving in a hurry. Then while the men are ad-
vancing, they will see us retreating.' Sure enough,
in an hour or so the cannon-shot began to plunge
this Way and that way, and we saw we must leave.
It was difficult to remove the emperor, though ; but
we all had to go," and, said the prince, with a hearty
laugh, "we went rapidly. Sheridan had seen it
from the beginning. I wish I had so quick an
eye."

The Congress of Berlin being then in session,
the general said he hoped there would be a peace-
ful result.

"That is my hope and belief," said the prince.
" That is all our interest in the matter. We have
no business with the congress whatever, and are
attending to the business of others by calling a
congress. But Germany wants peace, and Europe
wants peace, and all our labors are to that end.
In the settlement of the questions arising out of
the San Stefano treaty, Germany has no interest
of a selfish character. I suppose," said the prince,
" the whole situation may be summed up in this
phrase : in making the treaty, Russia ate more
than she could digest, and the main business of
the congress is to relieve her. The war has been
severe upon Russia, and of course she wants
peace."

" How long do you think the congress will sit ? "
asked the general.

TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. 253

"I believe," replied the prince, "there will be
seven or eight more sittings. I wish it were over,"
he added, " for Berlin is so warm, and I want to
leave it, Besides, it keeps me so busy that I am
unable to take you around and show Berlin to
you."

The emperor having been shot at and wounded
while General Grant was in Berlin, he was unable to
see the warrior-king. Alluding to this fact, Prince
Bismarck said : —

"His majesty has been expecting you, and
evinces the greatest interest in your achievements,
in the distinguished part you have played in the
history of your country, and in your visit to Ger-
many. He commands me to say that nothing but
his doctor's orders that he shall see no one pre-
vents his seeing you."

" I am sorry that I cannot have that honor," re-
plied the general, " but I am far more sorry for
the cause, and hope that the emperor is recov-
ering-."

"All the indications are of the best," answered
the prince, " for the emperor has a fine constitution
and great courage and endurance, but you know
he is a very old man."

"That," said the general, "adds to the horror
one feels for the crime."

" It is so strange, so strange and so sad," an-
swered the prince, feelingly. "Here is an old

254 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GIIANT.

man — one of the kindest old gentlemen in the
world — and yet they must try and shoot him!
There never was a more simple, more genuine,
more — what shall I say ? — more humane character
than the emperor's. He is totally unlike men who
come into the world in his rank ; born princes are
apt to think themselves of another race and another
world. They are apt to take small account of the
wishes and feelings of others. All their education
tends to deaden the human side. But this em-
peror is so much of a man in all things ! He
never did anyone a wrong in his life. He never
wounded anyone's feelings ; never imposed a hard-
ship ! He is the most genial and winning of men
— thinking always, anxious al way s for the comfort
and welfare of his people — of those around him.
You cannot conceive of a finer type of the noble,
courteous, charitable old gentleman, with every
high quality of a prince, as well as every virtue of
a man. I should have supposed that the emperor
could have walked alone all over the empire with-
out harm, and yet they must try and shoot him.
In some respects," added the prince after a pause,
" the emperor resembles his ancestor, Frederick
William, the father of Frederick the Great. The
difference between the two is that the old kins:
avou Id be severe and harsh at times to those
around him, while the emperor is never harsh to
anyone. But the old king had so much simplic-

TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. 255

ity of character, lived an austere life ; had all the
republican qualities. So with this king; he is so
republican in all things that even the most extreme
republican, if he did his character justice, would
admire him."

"The influence," said General Grant, "which
aimed at the emperor's life, was an influence that
would destroy all government, all order, all soci-
ety, republics and empires. In America, some of
our people are, as I see from the papers, anxious
about it. There is only one way to deal with it,
and that is by the severest methods. I don't see
why a man who commits a crime like this, a crime
that not only aims at an old man's life, a ruler's
life, but shocks the world, should not meet with
the severest punishment. In fact," the general
continued, "although at home there is a strono-
sentiment against the death penalty, and it is a
sentiment which one naturally respects, I am not
sure but it should be made more severe rather than
less severe. Something is due to the offended as
well as the offender, especially when the offended
is slain."

>r That," said the prince, "is entirely my view.
My convictions are so strong that I resigned the
government of Alsace because I was required to
commute sentences of a capital nature. I could
not do it in justice to my conscience. You see,
this kind old gentleman, the emperor whom these

256 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

very people have tried to kill, is so gentle that lie
will never confirm a death sentence. Can you
think of anything so strange as that a sovereign
whose tenderness of heart has practically abolished
the death punishment should be the victim of as-
sassination, or attempted assassination ? That is
the fact. Well, I have never agreed with the
emperor on this point, and in Alsace, when I
found that as chancellor I had to approve all com-
mutations of the death sentence, I resigned. In
Prussia that is the work of the minister of justice ;
in Alsace it devolved upon me. I felt, as the
French say, that something was due to justice,
and if crimes like these are rampant, they must
be severely punished."

" All you can do with such people," said the
general, " is to kill them."

" Precisely so," replied the prince.

After chatting on various other topics, the prince
said that the emperor regretted very much his ina-
bility to show General Grant a review in person, and
that the crown prince would give him one. " But,"
said the prince, " the old gentleman is so much of a
soldier, and so fond of his army, that nothing would
give him more pleasure than to display it to so
great a soldier as yourself."

"The truth is," said the general, smiling, "I
am more of a farmer than a soldier. I take little
or no interest in military affairs, and although I

TOUE AROUND THE WOELD. 20 (

entered the army thirty-five years ago, and have
been in two wars, in Mexico as a young lieutenant,
and later in our civil war, I never went into the
army without regret, and never retired without
pleasure."

" You are so happily placed," replied the prince,
" in America, that you need fear no wars. What
always seemed so sad to me about your last great
war was that you were fighting your own people.
That is always so terrible in wars, so very hard."

"But it had to be done," said the general.

" Yes," said the prince, " you had to save the
Union, just as we had to save Germany."

" Not only save the Union, but destroy slavery."

"I suppose, however, the Union was the real
sentiment, the dominant sentiment," said the
prince.

" In the beginning, yes," said the general ; " but
as soon as slavery fired upon the flag, it was felt,
we all felt, even those who did not object to slaves,
that slavery must be destroyed. We felt that it
-was a stain upon the Union that men should be
bought and sold like cattle."

" I had an old and good friend, an American, in
Motley," said the prince, "who used to write me
now and then. Well, when your war broke out, he
wrote me. He said, f I will make a prophecy,
and please take this letter and put it in a tree or a
box for ten years, then open it and see if I am not

258 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GEANT.

a prophet. I prophesy that when this war ends
the Union will be established and we shall not lose
a village or a hamlet.' This was Motley's proph-
ecy," said the prince, " and it was true."

"Yes," said the general, " it was true."

" I suppose if you had had a large array at the
beginning of the war, it would have ended in a
much shorter time ? "

" We might have had no war at all," said the
general ; " but we cannot tell. Our war had
many strange features — there were many things
which seemed odd enough at the time, but which
now seem providential. If we had had a large reg-
ular army, as it was then constituted, it might have
gone with the South. In fact, the Southern feeling
in the army, among high officers, was so strong that
when the war broke out the army dissolved. We
had no army then — we had to organize one. A
great commander, like Sherman or Sheridan, even
then might have organized an army and put down
the rebellion in six months, or a year, or at the
furthest, two years. Pmt that would have saved
slavery, perhaps, and slavery meant the germs of
new rebellion. There had to be an end of
slavery. Then we were fighting an enemy with
whom we could not make peace. We had to de-
stroy him. No consideration, no treaty was pos-
sible."

"It was a long war," said the prince, "and a

TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. 259

gre.it work well done — and I suppose it means a
long peace."

" I believe so," said the general.

This ended the conversation between the two
great men. General Grant arose and said : —

" Prince, I beg to renew the expression of my
pleasure at having seen a man who is so well
known and so highly esteemed in America."

"General," replied the prince, "the pleasure and
the honor are mine. Germany and America have
always been in such friendly relationship that
nothing delights us more than to meet Americans,
and especially an American who has done so much
for his country, and whose name is so much
honored in Germany as your own."

The prince and the general thereupon shook
hands, and the general left, pleased with the recep-
tion he had received, and greatly impressed with
the ability of his host.

The following day the review took place, and
the soldierly bearing of the troops was freely re-
marked upon by the general.

The general was attended by Major Igel, and in
a discussion he had with that officer on the use of
the bayonet and sabre in modern warfare, the gen-
eral said : —

" What I mean is this : anything that adds to
the burdens carried by the soldier is a weakness to
the army. Every ounce he carries should tell in

260 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GEANT.

his efficiency. The bayonet is heavy, and if it
were removed, or if its weight in food or ammuni-
tion were added in its place, the army would be
stronger. As for the bayonet as a weapon, if sol-
diers come near enough to use it, they can do as
much good with the club-end of their muskets.
The same is true as to sabres. I would take away
the bayonet, and give the soldiers pistols in the
place of sabres ; a sabre is always an awkward
thing to carry."

TOUR ABOUND THE WORLD. 261

CHAPTER XXLLI.

TOUR AROUND THE WORLD, CONTINUED.

A FTER leaving Berlin, General Grant visited
-^- Hamburg, where a large banquet was given
in his honor by American residents. In response
to the consul's toast, he made the following char-
acteristic reply : —

Mr. Consul and Friends : I am much obliged to you
for the kind manner in which you drink my health. I share
with you in all the pleasure and gratitude which Americans
so far from home should feel on this anniversary. But I
must dissent from one remark of our consul, to the effect
that I saved the country during the recent war. If our
country could be saved or ruined by the efforts of any one
man, we should not have a country, and we should not be
now celebrating our Fourth of July.

There are many men who would have done far better
than I did under the circumstances in which I found myself
during the war. If I had never held command ; if I had
fallen ; if all our generals had fallen, there were ten thou-
sand behind us who would have done our work just as well,
who would have followed the contest to the end, and never
surrendered the Union. Therefore it is a mistake and a
reflection upon the people to attribute to me, or to any
number of us who held high commands, the salvation of
the Union. We did our work as well as we could, and so
did hundreds of thousands of others.

262 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

"We deserve no credit for it, for we should have been un-
worthy of our country and of the American name if we had
not made every sacrifice to save the Union. What saved
the Union was the coming forward of the young men of the
nation. They came from their homes and fields, as they
did in the time of the Revolution, giving everything to the
country. To their devotion we owe the salvation of the
Union. The humblest soldier who carried a musket is
entitled to as much credit for the results of the war as
those who were in command. So long as our young
men are animated by this spirit, there will be no fear for
the Union.

A few days were then spent in Copenhagen,
Stockholm and St. Petersburg. At the latter city
General Grant met the unfortunate Emperor Alex-
ander II., and, at the close of the interview, the
emperor said : " Since the foundation of your gov-
ernment, the relations between Russia and America
have been of the friendliest character, and as long
as I live nothing shall be spared to continue this
friendship."

" Although the two governments," replied the
general, " are very opposite in their character, the
great majority of the American people are in sym-
pathy w T ith Russia, which good feeling I trust will
long continue."

A call was also received at St. Petersburg from
the Grand Duke Alexis, who alluded with much
pleasure to the reception he had received when in
America. From St. Petersburg General Grant
went to Moscow, and, passing through Poland,

TOUR AEOUXD THE W~OELD. 263

reached Vienna on the 18th of August. Here
he had an audience with the Emperor Francis
Joseph, and also met Count Andrassy, the Chan-
cellor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

After remaining a few days at the Austrian capital,
the party left for Munich, and passed through the
south of France during the vintage season. From
thence the general went to Spain, where he met
King Alphonso, the Duke of Montpensier, and the
distinguished republican orator, Emilio Castelar.

Returning to England, the party then made a
pleasant tour through Ireland, and on the 24th of
January, 1878, set sail from Marseilles for India,
on board the Labourdonnais. Bombay was reached
on the 13th of February, and the Government
House on Malabar Point was placed at the disposal
of General Grant. From thence he went to Ala-
habad, and his journey from that city to Agia was
made upon elephants. All the Oriental splendors
of the place were shown to the travellers by the
maharajah, and at Delhi, Lucknow and Calcutta the
native population, as well as the English residents,
gave to General Grant a welcome of the most flat-
tering nature.

From Calcutta the party left for Burmah on
board the Simla, and, passing through the Straits
of Malacca, came to Singapore. Here the general
received an urgent invitation from the King of
Siani to occupy Suranrom, one of the beautiful

264 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

palaces at Bangkok, and nearly a week was spent
in visiting the various temples of this interesting
and curious city. While here General Grant paid
his respects to the king at his own palace, and on
the next day the king returned the visit by coming
in state to the palace of Suranrom, which is re-
garded in Siani as the highest honor the king can
bestow. A dinner was given the next day to the
guests, at the king's own palace, and to the ad-
dress of welcome General Grant replied : —

Your Majesty, Ladies and Gentlemen : I am very
much obliged to your majesty for the kind and compli-
mentary manner in which you have welcomed me to Siam.
I am glad that it has been my good fortune to visit this
country and to thank your majesty in person for your letters
inviting me to Siam, and to see with my own eyes your
country and your people.

I feel that it would have been a misfortune if the pro-
gramme of my journey had not included Siam. I have now
been absent from home nearly two years, and during that
time I have seen every capital and nearly every large city
in Europe, as well as the principal cities in India, Burmah
and the Malay Peninsula. I have seen nothing that has
interested me more than Siam, and every hour of my visit
here has been agreeable and instructive.

For the welcome I have received from your majesty, the
princes, and members of the Siamese Government, and the
people generally, I am very grateful. I accept it not as per-
sonal to myself alone, but as a niark of the friendship felt
for my country by your majesty and the people of Siam. I
am glad to see that feeling, because I believe that the best
interests of the two countries can be benefited by nothing
so much as the establishment of the most cordial relations
between them.

TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. 265

On my return to America I shall do what I can to ce-
ment these relations. I hope that in America we shall see
more of the Siamese, that we shall have embassies and
diplomatic relations, that our commerce and manufactures
will increase with Siam, and that your young men will
visit our country and attend our colleges as they now go to
colleges in Germany and England. I can assure them all
a kind reception, and I feel that the visits would be inter-
esting and advantageous.

I again thank your majesty for the splendid hospitality
which has been shown to myself and my party, and I trust
that your reign will be happy and prosperous, and that
Siam will continue to advance in the arts of civilization.

I hope you will allow me to ask you to drink to the
health of his majesty the King of Siam. I am honored by
the opportunity of proposing that toast in his own capital,
in his own palace, and of saying how much I have been
impressed with his enlightened rule. I now ask you to
drink the health of his majesty the king, and prosperity and
peace to the people of Siam.

Leaving Singapore on the 23d of April, the
party started four days later, in the steamer
Irrawaddy, for Hong Kong, China. The first per-
son to greet General Grant at this city was the
guerrilla chief, Colonel John S. Mosby, who
during the war had stoutly upheld the Confederate
cause, but was now enjoying the position of
American Consul at this port. The two men,
however, shook hands as cordially as if they had
never been enemies — the past, for the time being,
was both forgiven and forgotten. Having re-
ceived marked honors from both the English

266 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

officials and the native population, General Grant
left Hong Kong for Canton. He was now beyond
British rule in China, and the Emperor had given
orders to receive the illustrious guest with honors
due to his rank. The viceroy of the province had
issued proclamations to the people, of which the
following is a translation : —

©

We have just heard that the King of America, being on
friendly terms with China, will leave America early in the
third month, bringing with him a suite of officers, etc., all
complete, onboard the ship. It is said that he is bringing a
large number of rare presents with him, and that he will
be here in Canton about the 6th or 9th of May.

He will land at the Fintay Ferry, and will proceed to
the viceroy's palace by way of the South Gate, the Fantai's
Ugamun and the Waning Street. Viceroy Kun has ar-
ranged that all the mandarins shall be there to meet him,
and a full court will be held.

After a little friendly conversation, he will leave the vice-
roy's palace and visit the various objects of interest within
and without the walls. He will then proceed to the Roman
Catholic Cathedral, to converse and pass the night. It is
not stated what will then take place, but notice will be
given.

The reception indicated by the viceroy in this
proclamation took place on the day after the
general's arrival. The party were carried in
sedan chairs to the palace, where the viceroy was
seen standing at the door. After welcoming them
in true Oriental fashion, the viceroy showed them
all the wonders and beauties of his home, and

TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. 267

offered them a cup of tea. From Canton the party
sailed for the Portuguese settlement of Macao,
where they visited the famous grotto of Camoens.
Returning to Hong Kong, they embarked on board
the government vessel Ashuelot for a cruise
along the coast of China. At Siraton, Amoy, and
Tientsin, the general was received with great
honor, and little Prince Kung (who was then only
seven years old, but regent and uncle of the em-
peror) welcomed him in person at Pekin.

As the Ashuelot w r as to remain in Chinese
waters, the party was transferred to the United
States man-of-war Richmond, and early in June
they landed in Japan, at the town of Nagasaki,
where they were received by Prince Dati, Mr.
Yoshida (who was the Japanese minister to our
country during Grant's administration), and the
o-overnor. While here the general was informed
that the town intended to erect a monument in
the park, commemorating his visit, and would like
him to write an inscription that would be engraved
upon the stone in English and Japanese charac-
ters. In compliance with this request, he wrote

the following : —

Nagasaki, Japan, June 22, 1879.
At the request of the governor, Utsurni Togatsu, Mrs.
Grant and I have each planted a tree in the Nagasaki Park.
I hope that hoth trees may prosper, grow large, live long,
and in their growth, prosperity and long life be emblematic
of the future of Japan. U. S. Grant.

268 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

After a brief visit at Hiogo, the party proceeded
to Yokohama, and from thence to Tokio, the cap-
ital of Japan. Here the general was escorted to
the emperor's summer palace, Euriokam, and on
the afternoon of the 4th of July he had an inter-
view with the mikado.

In reply to an address from one of his highness'
ministers, General Grant said : —

Your Majesty, — I am very grateful for the welcome
you accord me here to-day, and for the great kindness with
which I have been received ever since I came to Japan,
by your government and your people. I recognize in this
a feeling of friendship towards my country. I can assure
you that this feeling is reciprocated by the United States ;
that our people, without regard to party, take the deepest
interest in all that concerns Japan, and have the warmest
wishes for her welfare. I am happy to be able to express
that sentiment. America is your next neighbor, and will
always give Japan sympathy and support in her efforts to
advance. I again thank your majesty for your hospitality,
and wish you a long and happy reign, and for your people
prosjierity and independence.

The national holiday was celebrated by the
American residents at Tokio, by a magnificent
display of fireworks and illuminations in one of
the summer gardens. On the 7th of July, the
Japanese troops were reviewed by General Grant.
The armament and equipment of the native soldiers
were modelled after the best European and Ameri-
can patterns, and great surprise and admiration
were expressed by the general for the marvellous

TOUR AROUND THE "WORLD. 269

advance already made by Japan in military
tactics. After the review, the whole party were
entertained by the mikado, at the Shila palace.

On taking leave of the mikado, some weeks
later, General Grant said : —

Your Majesty, — I come to take my leave, and to
thank yon, the officers of your government, and the people
of Japan, for the great hospitality and kindness I have
received at the hands of all during my most pleasant visit
to this country. I have now been two months in Tokio and
the surrounding neighborhood, and two previous weeks in
the more southerly part of the country.

It affords me great satisfaction to say that during all
this stay and all my visiting I have not witnessed one dis-
courtesy to myself, nor a single unpleasant sight. Every-
where there seems to be the greatest contentment among
the people, and, while no signs of great industrial wealth
exist, no absolute poverty is visible. This is in striking
and pleasing contrast with almost every country I have
visited.

I leave Japan greatly impressed with the possibilities
and probabilities of her future. She has a fertile soil, one
half of it not yet cultivated to man's use; great unde-
veloped mineral resources, numerous and fine harbors, an
extensive seacoast, the surrounding waters abounding in
fish of an almost endless variety, and, above all, an industri-
ous, ingenious, contented, and frugal population.

With all these, nothing is wanted to insure great pro-
gress, except wise direction by the government, peace at
home and abroad, non-interference in the internal and
domestic affairs of the country by outside nations. It is the
sincere desire of your guests to see Japan realize all possible
strength and greatness, to see her as independent of foreign
rule or dictation as any western nation now is, and to see

270 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

affairs so directed by her as to command the respect of the
civilized world.

In saying this, I believe I reflect the sentiments of the
groat majority of my countrymen. I now take my leave,
without expectation of ever again having the opportunity
of visiting Japan, but with the assurance that pleasant
recollections of my present visit will not vanish while my
life lasts. That your majesty may long reign over a pros-
perous and contented people, and enjoy every blessing, is
my sincere prayer.

To this the mikado replied : —

Your visit has given us so much satisfaction and pleas-
ure that we can only lament that the time for your departure
has come. We regret also that the heat of the season lias
prevented several of your proposed visits to different places.
In the meantime, however, we have greatly enjoyed the
pleasure of frequent interviews with you, and the cordial
expressions which you have just addressed to us in taking
your leave have given us a great additional satisfaction.

America and Japan, being near neighbors, separated
by an ocean only, will become more and more closely con-
nected with each other as time goes on. It is gratifying to
feel assured that your visit to our empire, which enabled us
to form very pleasant personal acquaintance with each other,
will facilitate and strengthen the friendly relations that have
heretofore happily existed between the two countries.

And now we cordially wish you a safe and pleasant voy-
age home, and that you will on your return find your nation
in peace and prosperity, and that you and your family may
enjoy long life and happiness.

On the 2d of September, General Grant and
his party started lor home in the Pacific mail
steamer City of Tokio. The voyage was made in

TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. 271

eighteen days, and impatient crowds covered the
hilltops of San Francisco, as the vessel glided
into the harbor. An enthusiastic reception was
given to him by the citizens, and the bands played
" Home Again," as General Grant stepped once
more upon American soil.

272 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE WELCOME HOME.

rpHE reception of General Grant in California,
- 1 - and on the whole Pacific coast, was some-
thing phenomenal in the history of the American
people. In the latter part of October he left for
the East, by way of Virginia City, and reached
Chicago on the 12th of November, where a recep-
tion was held by the Army of the Tennessee, at
the Palmer House. At this banquet, Generals
Sherman, Sheridan and Gresham, Governor Cul-
lom and many other warm personal friends of
Grant were present. The general's speech upon
this occasion was one of the longest and most bril-
liant he ever made. It was as follows : —

After an absence of several years from the gatherings of
the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, it affords me
heartfelt pleasure to be again with you — my earliest com-
rades in arms in the great conflict for the nationality and
union of all the States under one free and always to be
maintained government. In my long absence from the
country, I have had a most favorable opportunity for com-
paring in my own mind our institutions with those of all
European countries, and most of those of Asia; comparing
our resources, developed and dormant, the capacity and en-

THE WELCOME HOME. 273

ergy of our people for upholding the government and
developing its resources, with most of the civilized peoples
of the world.

Everywhere, from England to Japan, from Russia to
Spain and Portugal, we are understood, our resources
highly appreciated, and the skill, energy and intelligence
of the citizens recognized. My receptions have been your
receptions. They have been everywhere kind, and an ac-
knowledgment that the United States is a nation, a strong,
independent and free nation, composed of strong, brave and
intelligent people capable of judging of their rights, and
ready to maintain them at all hazards.

This is a non-partisan association, but composed of men
who are united in a determination that no foe, domestic or
foreign, shall interfere between us and the maintenance of
our grand, free and enlightened institutions and the unity
of all the states. The area of our country, its fertility, the
energy and resources of our population compared to the
area, postpone the day, for generations to come, when our
descendants will have to consider the question of how the
soil is to support them, how the most can be produced to
support human life, without reference to the tastes or de-
sires of the people, and when but few can exercise the
privilege of the plain luxury of selecting the articles of
food they will eat, and the quantity and quality of clothing
they wear. But it will remain the abundant home of all
who possess energy and strength, and make good use of
them.

Such a country is one to be proud of. I am proud of it,
proud that I am an American citizen. Every citizen —
North, South, East and West — enjoys a common heritage,
and should feel an equal pride. I am glad these society
meetings keep up so long after the events which in a sense
they commemorate have passed away.

They do not serve to keep up sectional feeling or bitter-
ness towards our late foe, but they do keep up the feeling

274 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

that we are a nation and that it must be preserved, one and
indivisible. We feel and maintain that those who fought,
and fought bravely, on the opposite side from us have equal
claim with ourselves in all the blessings of our great and
common country.

We claim for them the right to travel all over this broad
land and select where they please to settle, become- citizens
and enjoy their political and religious convictions free from
molestation or ostracism, either on account of them or con-
nection with the past. We ask nothing more for ourselves,
and would rejoice to see them become powerful rivals in
the development of our great resources, in the acquisition
of all that should be desirable in this life, and in patriotism
and in love of country.

His journey to Philadelphia was a continued
series of ovations. On the third day of his stay
in the latter city, an imposing reception was given
him by the Grand Army of the Kepublic, at the
Academy of Music. On the rear of the stage was
a mimic forest with a camp scene, and at the right
was a fac-simile of General Grant's headquarters
at City Point. Fifty comrades, each carrying a
tattered battle-flag, escorted the general to the
Academy ; and in response to the address of wel-
come, he said : —

Governor Hoyt and Comrades of the Grand Army
of the Republic, — It is a matter of very deep regret with
me that I did not pi-ovide something to say to you respect-
ing the welcome I received at your hands this evening, but
really since I arrived here I have not had time, and before
that I had not given it a thought. I can say to you all that
during the two years and seven months since I left your

THE WELCOME HOME. 275

city to circuit the globe, I have visited every capital in
Europe and most of the Eastern nations.

There has not been a country that I visited in that cir-
cuit where I did not find some of our numbers. In crossing
our own land, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, scarcely a
settlement, scarcely a cattle-ranch, scarcely a collection of
pioneers did I see that was not composed almost entirely
of veterans of the late war. It called to my mind the fact
that while wars are to be deplored, and unjust wars are
always to be avoided, they are not always attended with
unmixed evil.

The boy who is brought up in his country home, or in
his city home, without any exciting cause to quicken his
wits, is apt to remain there, following the pursuits of his
parents, and never getting beyond them, in many cases
never getting up to them. But when carried away by a
great struggle in which so much principle is involved, as
was the case in our late conflict, it brings to him a wider
view than that of his home, and though his affections be-
long to the home which he has left behind him, he finds
only disappointment on his return, and strikes out for new
fields, and develops and prepares new domains for us and
for thousands who will follow us.

Our ex-soldiers are not only becoming the pioneers of
this land, but they are extending its commerce and the
knowledge of their country in other lands ; and when a
brighter day shall dawn for those countries in the East,
America will step in and share in their commerce. And all
this is being brought about by the exertions of the veteran
soldiers, I might say of the veterans of the Grand Army of
the Republic.

Comrades, having been compelled as often as I have
since my arrival in San Francisco to utter a few words, not
only to ex-soldiers, but to other classes, always speaking
without preparation, I was of necessity forced to repeat,
not the same words, perhaps, but the same ideas. What I

276 LIFE OF GEX. U. S. GRANT.

want to impress upon j T ou is, that yon have a country to be
proud of, a country to fight for, and a country to die for if
need be.

While many of the countries in Europe give practical
protection and freedom to their citizens, yet no European
country compares in the liberty which it affords to particu-
lar individuals with our own. In no country is the young
and energetic man given such a chance by industry and
frugality to acquire a competence for himself and his family
as in America. Abroad it is often difficult for the poor man
to make his way at all. All that is necessary is to know
this in order that we may become better citizens.

Comrades, I thank you for your welcome, and regret that
I am not better prepared to say what I would like to say.

During the j^ear 1880, General Grant made a
tour through the Southern States, which did much
to conciliate that part of the country, and cement
the growing union between the North and South.
His journey the following year to Cuba and Mexi-
co was also helpful in bringing about certain com-
mercial treaties advantageous to our country.

" My first personal acquaintance with General
Grant," said Mr. Thomas J. Gargan, " was in the
spring of 1881. I left New Orleans for Mexico
April 1, 1881, on the steamer Whitney. General
Grant, Mr. Romero, Mexican minister, Senator
Chaffee, General Grant's son and Mrs. Grant came
on board at Galveston as passengers. I had a
letter of introduction to the general, but before I
presented it I was introduced by a mutual friend.
We arrived at Vera Cruz Wednesday, April 6,

THE WELCOME HOME. 277

and General Grant very kindly invited my wife
and myself to take seats in a special train, which
had been provided for himself and his party. We
stopped at Orizaba over night, and the next day
arrived in the City of Mexico. At the Hotel
Iturbide in the city we had adjoining rooms, and
I saw much of the general from that time until
the first of the following June. As there were
not many English-speaking people at the hotel, I
met him almost every day at the restaurant where
we had our meals, and we often chatted together
after breakfast. Some days he would be very
silent and smoke his cigar, though always polite
and affable if spoken to. At other times he would
be very communicative.

" One morning in the early part of May, 1881,
we were sitting in the courtyard of the hotel,
when he suggested a drive to Chapultepec. We
drove out until we came to the battlefield of
Molino del Key (King's Mill), when he stopped
the driver and we got out of the carriage. We
went over the battlefield, and he pointed out to
me the spot where he was wounded when a young
lieutenant, and he gave me some very interesting
reminiscences of the day's fight, and told me how
proud he felt, as a young man, of the brevet he
received for his conduct in that battle.

"A few mornings afterward, we were smoking
after breakfast, and the general was in a more than

278 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

usually communicative mood. He talked at length
of incidents of the late war. He spoke of Stan-
ton and General Hal leek. He said that when the
war broke out he did not think at first of applying
for a commission as colonel, and when otfered the
command of a regiment he hesitated about accept-
ing, but when he saw some of the men already in
command of regiments he thought that if those
fellows could command a regiment he could, and
said he considered Halleck the greater man of the
two, intellectually. He said his first memory of
Halleck was that Halleck was just graduating from
West Point, in the engineer corps, when he entered,
a raw country boy from the West, having made
the journey from his father's house on horseback
to the Ohio River, and by steamboat up the Ohio
as far as navigation permitted, and by stage to
Baltimore, and thence by water to New York.
He said he envied Halleck as he pictured him
already an officer in the United States army.

" f In the Mexican war,' said General Grant, f I
became a captain before Halleck. Halleck was in
the engineer corps, however, and I was in the in-
fantry. But yet I was his senior in rank in the regu-
lar army. I always had a great respect for Halleck's
intellectual abilities. But he lacked the qualifica-
tions necessary to command men or to handle an
army in the field. When Halleck was assigned
by the War Department to the command of the

THE WELCOME HOME. 279

Western army, superseding Fremont, I was very
much pleased, as was every West Point man, as
we had no confidence in General Fremont as a
military commander. When Hal leek arrived in
St. Louis and assumed command, I telegraphed
for permission to call and pay my respects, and
received the curt reply : " Remain where you
are." My next attempt to have communication
with Halleck was in relation to the advance on
Forts Henry and Donelson. Halleck warned me
that if I came to St Louis to see him and had no
business with the commanding general of the de-
partment, I would be severely dealt with. I did
not consider the reply very encouraging, but yet
felt it to be my duty to go to see Halleck. On
arriving at his headquarters in St. Louis, I found
him in a large room, with only the desk and chair
occupied by himself. No other article of furniture
was in the room. He never rose to receive me,
although I wus second in command, but said se-
verely : —

r ' You see I have but one chair here. This
office is for business. Communicate what you
have to say quickly." He treated me as if I were
an orderly, dismissed me curtly, entirely disap-
proving of my plan of action, and informed me
that I must be out of St. Louis that night before
six o'clock. I returned to my command very much
discomfited, and it was only through Commodore

280 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

Foote, commanding our gunboats, that I received
a courteous reply to a telegram in which I again
urged the importance of advancing on Fort Don-
elson. Halleck declined to allow me to advance
at that time, but about a month afterwards I re-
ceived a sealed packet from Halleck, containing
instructions, as though the idea had been original
with himself, advising me to move cautiously and
intrench myself; but before Halleck was aware of
it, I had captured Forts Henry and Donelson, and
opened the way to Nashville, Tenn. I telegraphed
Halleck that the way was open, and, if I heard
nothing to the contrary, I should run up to Nash-
ville and take a look at the situation.'

" ' To this despatch Halleck replied refusing
me permission. That despatch I never received.'

It seemed that the telegraph operator, while
pretending to be friendly to the Union, was in full
sympathy with the Confederate cause, and while
Grant's despatches to Halleck were duly for-
warded, Ilalleck's replies to Grant were never
delivered.

"Continuing, General Grant said: f On my re-
turn from Nashville, I was surprised to receive a
note from Halleck ordering me under arrest for
disobedience of orders. I asked for an investiga-
tion, which was granted. I was fully exonerated,
but I sent a request to be relieved from further
service under Halleck.'

THE WELCOME HOME. 281

" The talk at this point was interrupted by a
gentleman who had a special appointment for that
hour with General Grant.

"A few days later, after luncheon, General
Grant spoke of the different generals commanding
under him. He talked of Sherman for a long
time ; spoke of his great ability and his reliability,
and of his bluntness of speech. I then asked him
about Genera] Sheridan, and I spoke of him as a
brilliant, dashing executive officer. Grant removed
his cigar for a moment, and said, with great ear-
nestness : —

'That is where } T ou, in common with a great
many other men, make a mistake about General
Sheridan. He is much more than a brilliant ex-
ecutive officer ; he is a great general, and when he
assumes command of the army the country will
appreciate his great ability. He has great reserve
power, and the country owes much to him for
the success of the movement on Eichmond, and
especially the battle of Five Forks, where his fer-
tile mind saw the emergency, dismounted his cav-
alry and utilized them as infantry. I leaned more
on Sheridan than on any other man in the army.
I repeat, he is much more than an executive officer ;
he is a scientific fighter and a great strategist.'

"After a few moments' silence, he said: 'It
is strange what slight circumstances change a
man's whole career. I have no doubt that many

282 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

commanders during the war have been most un-
justly dealt with. I have now in mind General
Fitz John Porter,' he said. ' The country will yet
do General Porter justice. I mean to do all in my
power to see him vindicated.'

" We then went into the fonda, or restaurant,
had a cup of coffee, and General Grant, much to
my surprise, talked for some time about books and
authors ; he spoke of Buhver Lytton and his style ;
of Prescott and Washington Irving, expressing his
admiration for Washington Irving, but criticising
Prescott at much length, as not being accurate
in his descriptions in his works on Cortez and
Mexico. He said he admired his style ; the story
was fascinating, but he thought it was more of a
romance than a truthful history.

"General Grant, while in Mexico, was an early
riser, affable, and courteous to all whom lie met,
approachable by the humblest person, and none
could be long in his company without feeling that
he Mas an extraordinary man."

Says a certain English writer : ft The four great-
est generals produced by the great civil war, on
the national side, were Grant, McPherson, Sher-
man and Sheridan. One of the most pleasant
memories of American history is, and will forever
be, the fact that between these great commanders
there was never the shadow of jealousy or envy.
It is the highest honor that Grant ever received

THE WELCOME HOME. 283

from men's judgment or admiration that these
three able captains all willingly always looked up
to him as their superior officer. McPherson fell
in battle, before the splendor of his abilities could
attract the world's attention, but in his death
(J rant, as he declared, lost one of the greatest —
perhaps, the very greatest — of his lieutenants.
Sheridan, as in right of his Irish blood, had the
fiercest spirit in battle ; Sherman the greatest in-
vention in council ; while McPherson could fight
with the one and plan with the other, but they all
admitted, because they knew and felt it, that ' the
silent gray-eyed man ' was greater than they.

"'Why,' I asked General Sherman once, 'did
you and Sheridan always acknowledge Grant to be
your leader?' 'Because,' he responded, in his
quick, idiomatic manner, 'while I could map out a
dozen plans for a campaign, every one of which
Sheridan would swear he could fight out to vic-
tory, neither he nor I could tell which of the plans
was the best one ; but Grant, who simply sat and
listened and smoked while we had been talking-
over the maps, would at the end of our talking
tell us which was the best plan, and in a dozen br
two words the reason of his decision, and then it
would all be so clear to us that he was right, that
Sheridan and I would look at each other and won-
der why we had n't seen the advantage of it our-
selves.'

284 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

'I Icll you,' he continued, after a moment's
pause, 'Grant is not appreciated yet. The mili-
tary critics of Europe are too ignorant of American
geography to appreciate the conditions of his cam-
paigns. What is it to march an army from
Berlin to Paris? Look at the shortness of the
distance. Look at the multitude of roads. Look
at the facilities of transportation. Consider how-
many times the same ground has been fought over
by successive commanders. Is not every point of
vantage known? What commander can blunder
where all the conditions lie open to his eye? But
I have seen Grant plan campaigns for half a million
of troops, along a front line twenty-five hundred
miles in length, and send them marching to their
objective points, through sections where the sur-
veyor's chain was never drawn, and where the
commissariat necessities alone would have broken
down any transportation system of Europe ; and
three months later I have seen those armies
standing where he said they should be, and
what he planned accomplished ; and 1 give it as
my military opinion that General Grant is the
greatest commander of modern times, and with
him only three others can stand — Napoleon, Wel-
lington and Moltkc.'"

At the National Republican Convention held at
Chicago in June, 1880, 306 of the delegates cast
their votes for Grant, and even when the decisive

THE WELCOME HOME. 285

ballot was drawn, and General Garfield nominated,
they still exclaimed : " The old guard dies, but
never surrenders."

A third term in the presidential chair was de-
clared by Washington to be inimical to the best
interests of the Republic, and it is doubtful if
Grant would have accepted the nomination, even
if the honor had been thrust upon him.

On the 17th of January, 1881, General Grant
visited Albany, and received here an enthusiastic
ovation, as in fact he did everywhere he went.
He was the guest of Governor Cornell while here,
and also received at the Fort Orange Club. What
surprised those most who then met him for the
first time Avas his unpretentious, natural modesty.
Some men are so aggressive in the assumption
of a modest demeanor as to produce a disagree-
able impression. General Grant was just simple
and natural. A party of gentlemen had been in-
troduced to the general, and were enjoying a quiet
smoke in one of the rooms of the Fort Orange Club.
Several spoke in a delicate way of the wonderful
demonstrations which had greeted the general
during his tour abroad, and of how proud all felt
that such honors had been paid to an American.
Nothing could have exceeded the good taste with
which General Grant received these flattering allu-
sions. Some one happened to mention the fact that
he knew intimately Professor P., a classmate of

286 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

Grant's at West Point. The general's face lighted
up with a pleasant smile of reminiscence. ' Yes,"
said he, "there is P. I remember him well. lie
always knew a groat deal more than I did, and was
an abler man. It just illustrates how circumstances
alter the prospects of men. Now there is P., who
Mas really more deserving of great success than I
was, and yet I suppose there are a thousand men
who know who I am to one who knows him. Yes,
he was a splendid fellow, and, after all, he is lucky
to have won real success without all the bother be-
longing to what the world calls greatness."

A trait of General Grant's character mentioned
by Mr. Dana in his personal description of the
man deserves peculiar emphasis — we refer to the
purity of his conversation. An intimate friend of
his has said that Grant never uttered a word he
would have wished his wife not to hear, and old
comrades in the war will testify that he had no
tolerance for questionable stories, but has often in-
terfered to stop their telling, when it took as much
courage to do so as it would to fight a battle.

On his return from Mexico, General Grant
made New York city his permanent residence. A
brownstone mansion on Sixty-sixth Street, near
Fifth Avenue, was purchased by his friends and
presented to his wife. It was valued at $100,000,
but there was a mortgage on it of $00,000. The
full amount was raised, and $40,000 paid down on

THE WELCOME HOME. 287

the delivery of the deed, while the remainder was
placed to Mrs. Grant's credit in the bank. Re-
peated efforts were made to raise the encum-
brance, but as it had a long term of years to run,
the holder of the mortgage would not discharge it.
When the firm of Grant & Ward was started,
Mrs. Grant transferred her account to the house,
and with it the $60,000 to pay off" the mortgage.

Senator Logan, of Illinois, introduced a bill in
the Senate, on January 11, 1881, to place General
Grant on the retired list, with the rank and full
pay of a general of the army. For certain polit-
ical reasons, however, the bill did not pass at that
session, and personal friends of the general volun-
tarily raised a fund of $250,000, the interest of
which, amounting to $15,000 per annum, he was
to have during his life ; the capital he could dis-
pose of by will.

#
288 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

CHAPTER XXV.

LAST DAYS OF GENERAL GRANT.

FN the summer of 1880, the sons of General
-^ Grunt became partners of Mr. Ferdinand Ward
in the hanking and brokerage business. Mr.
James D. Fish, of the Marine National Bank, also
became a partner, and shortly after General
Grant himself became a member of the firm.
Having little experience in financial affairs, the
genera] and his sons trusted too much to the honor
and integrity of Fish and Ward.

It now appears that the two latter carried on a
number of dishonest speculations without the
knowledge of the other members of the linn, and
appropriated for this purpose the money and
credit of the firm, and also of the Marine National
Bank. $14,000,000 was swept away in the crash
of May 6, 1884, and with it the whole of Grant's
fortune. A few days previous, the general
had borrowed $ 150,000 of Mr. Vanderbilt, and he
now insisted that a levy should be placed on his
personal property, including the valuable gifts re-
ceived during his tour around the world, and also
the medal- presented to him. To satisfy General

LAST DAYS OF GENERAL GRANT. 289

Grant, Mr. Vanderbilt did this, and then offered to
present them to Mrs. Grant. The general, how-
ever, would not allow his wife to receive them, but
a compromise was afterwards made, by which she
was to remain in possession of them until her
husband's death, when they were to be presented
to the nation, and preserved in the Smithsonian
Institute, at Washington.

One of the last official acts of President Arthur
was to sign the bill that retired General Grant
with the rank and pay of general for life. In
signing it, Mr. Arthur remarked that never since
he had become President had it given him greater
pleasure to affix his sign-manual to any act than
to this bill.

A slight throat trouble, which had attacked Gen-
eral Grant from time to time, now besran to
assume a serious phase. On the last day of Feb-
ruary, 1885, a microscopic examination revealed
the presence of ulceration in the soft tissues of the
roof of the mouth, and induration of the base of
the tongue. On the 29th of March a crisis occur-
red, and it was believed that the end was at hand.
He rallied, however, bearing his sufferings with
great fortitude, and during April and May he en-
countered all the ups and downs of the steadily
progressing disease, now pronounced to be cancer.
During all this time, when his sickness would
allow, General Grant was preparing the memoirs

290 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

of his life, hoping that the sale of the volumes
would bring a competence to his family. The ar-
rival of his daughter Nellie (Mrs. Sartoris) from
England, at this time, was a source of great pleas-
ure to the general, but early in June the attending
physicians observed symptoms which caused them
to recommend the removal of the patient to the
clear air of Mt. MacGregor, some eleven miles
from Saratoga. This mountain rises to the height
of a thousand feet, and near the summit is a pretty
Queen Anne cottage, surrounded by trees, which
Mr. Drexel, the owner, offered to General Grant
and his family for the summer months. This offer
Avas accepted, and on the 16th of June the general
was removed thither, standing the long journey
by rail much better than was expected from his
reduced condition.

The cocaine which deadened the pain in the
throat, seemed to increase the paralysis of the vocal
organs, but during all these critical days the
sufferer jotted down on his memoranda pathetic
messages for his family.

Upon the completion of his book, General Grant
remarked that his work was done ; and days of
depression were followed by others of extreme
restlessness, when the sufferer desired fresh em-
ployment for his busy brain. But the insatiable
disease was slowly sapping the sick man's
strength.

LAST DAYS OF GENERAL GRANT. 291

Of the life at Mt. MacGregor, a friend wrote as
follows : " When the general was in his easy chair
he liked to see his family and his friends about
him, unless he felt very miserable. His daughter
was his chief delight. He loved the music of her
voice, and her caresses. Scarcely a day passed
when they were not left for an hour or so to-
gether, that she might read to him the news, and
chat with him. At such times he lay back in his
chair, with closed eyes, commenting occasionally
on what she read, and enjoying every minute of
her company. It was his usual custom of late to
keep his eyes closed when sitting up, though there
were whole days at times when he was as wide
awake as a person in health. His desire for the
company of his daughter was strong also during
his hours of suffering. Pie seemed to want her
always near him when the slightest danger threat-
ened. She could comfort and cheer him more
quickly than any one else. This devotion was fully
reciprocated, for her thoughts were all with him,
and often when he slept she glided into his room
1<> see if anything could be done for him.

"His sufferings were thus lightened by cheerful
and loving companionship. Some one of the fam-
ily was always with him. His little grandchildren
opened the day for him with sweet greetings, and
through the daylight hours Airs. Grant and the
young people of the household were never far from

292 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

him. At evening the entire family, and whoever
else might be present, gathered for prayer and
quiet and affectionate intercourse, and then, after
the doctor's visit, the night-watch began, with the
colonel and the general's body-servant as the regu-
lar sick-room attendants. The general enjoyed
these evenings. No su£rs;estion of o;loom ever
marred them, although he knew that they would
soon be impossible.

"The devotion of Mrs. Grant was touching.
As careful as any one not to tax him when he
needed only rest, she was never beyond easy call,
and had no thought, apparently, but for his com-
fort. Her oreetino: was the first to cheer him in
the morning, after the doctor's treatment. It was
her chair that was drawn close to his on the porch.
Whenever he wanted company she was part of it,
and many hours in his last days were spent with
her alone. Often they could be seen together
when not a word was spoken, mere companion-
ship satisfying them. Visitors seeing them thus
were wont to remark that it was as though nothing
so well suited them as that their last days should
be as were their first, sufficient for each in the
company of the other."

" It is most fitting he should pass away
As he is passing now, without a word —
This nian of many battles, whom Dismay-
Dismayed not, whose stout heart was seldom stirred.

LAST DAYS OF GENERAL GRANT. 293

Master of his emotions — not too keen,

Of simple, primitive tastes, his wants were few

Believer only in things known and seen,

Stubborn and blunt, begotten to subdue,

Not his the blood in Sidney's veins which ran,

Nor his who fell at Roncesvalles of old ;

But there is something in this silent Man,

Something heroic in his rugged mould.

Of this our Soldier dying, Time will be
A kinder, sterner, juster judge than we."

On the second day of July, General Grant wrote,
in the presence of Dr. Douglas, the following mes-
sage : —

I ask you not to show this to any one, unless to the phy-
sicians j'ou consult with, until the end. Particularly, I
want it kept from my family. If known to one man, the
papers will get it, and they (the family) will get it. It
would only distress them almost beyond endurance to know
it, and, by reflex, would distress me. I have not changed
my mind materially since I wrote you before in the same
strain. Now, however, I know that I gain strength some
days, but when I do go back it is beyond where I started to
improve. I think the chances are very decidedly in favor
of your being able to keep me alive until the change of
weather towards winter. Of course, there are contingencies
that might arise at any time that would carry me off very
suddenly. The most probable of these is choking. Under
the circumstances, life is not worth the living. I am very
thankful [for thankful, glad was written, but scratched out,
and thankful substituted] to have been spared thus long,
because it has enabled me to practically complete the work
in which I take so much interest. I cannot stir up strength
enough to review it, and make additions and subtractions
that would suggest themselves to me, and are not likely to

204 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

su"'"-est themselves to any one else. Under the ahove cir-
cuinstances, I shall be the happiest the most pain I can
avoid. If there is to be an extraordinary cure, such as some
people believe there; is to be, it will develop itself. I would
say, therefore, to you and your colleagues, to make me as
comfortable as you can. If it is within God's providence
that I should go now, I am ready to obey his call without a
murmur. I should prefer going now to enduring my present
suffering, for a single day, without any hope of recovery. As
I have stated, I am thankful for the providential extension
of my time to enable me to continue my work. T am further
thankful — and in a much greater degree thankful — be-
cause it has enabled me to see for myself the happy harmony
which so suddenly sprang up between those engaged but a
few short years ago in deadly conflict. It has been an
inestimable blessing to me to hear the kind expressions
toward me in person from all parts of our country, from
people of all nationalities, of all religions and of no religion,
of Confederate and of national troops alike, of soldiers 1 or-
ganizations, of mechanical, scientific, religious and other
societies, embracing almost every citizen of the land. They
have brought joy to my heart, if they have not effected a
cure. So to you and your colleagues I acknowledge my
indebtedness for having brought me through the valley of
the shadow of death to enable me to witness these things.

U. S. GllANT.

To General Buckner he wrote : —

I have witnessed since my sickness just what I have
wished to see ever since the war — harmony and good
feeling between the sections. I have always contended
that if there had been nobody left but the soldiers we
should have had peace in a year. We have some on our
side who failed to accomplish as much as they wished,
or who did not get warmed up to the fight until it was
over, who have not quite full satisfaction. The great ma-

LAST DAYS OF GENERAL GRANT. 295

jority, too, of those who did not go into the war have long
since grown tired of the long controversy. We may now
well look forward to a perpetual peace at home, and a
national strength that will screen us against any foreign
complication. I believe myself that the war was worth all
it cost us, fearful as that was.

The following characteristic and touching mes-
sage to his wife is dated Mt. MacGregor, July
9th, 1885.

Look after our dear children and direct them in the
paths of rectitude. It would distress me far more to think
that one of them could depart from an honorable, upright, and
virtuous life than it would to know they were prostrated on
a bed of sickness from which they were never to rise alive.
They have never given us any cause for alarm on their
account, and I earnestly pray they never will. With these
few injunctions, and the knowledge I have of your love and
affection, I bid you a final farewell, until we meet in
another and, I trust, a better world. You will find this on
my person after my demise.

On the 22d of July, the doctors became con-
vinced that death was rapidly approaching. To his
physicians the general expressed himself as feeling
that he could endure his condition of weakness but
a short time longer, and begged for hypodermic
injections of morphine. Dr. Douglas, however,
preferred that the patient should take food and
stimulants, rather than opiates, and brandy was re-
peatedly entered beneath the skin of the general's
arm. This treatment doubtless prolonged his life
a few hours, and eased his last moments. On the

296 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

following day, the 23d of July, he passed away
peacefully, and without evident pain, at about eight
o'clock in the morning.

The lowering of the flag on the White House
was the first intimation that the citizens of Wash-
ington had of the death of the distinguished man,
although they had been anticipating it throughout
the night.

A few minutes after the White House flag was
placed at half-mast, the flags on the public build-
ings and on many private ones were placed in like
position. The bells of the city were tolled, and
citizens who heard them readily recognized their
meaning. Business men immediately began dra-
ping their houses with mourning, and residents
showed in a similar manner their esteem for the
deceased.

While the bells tolled, President Cleveland sent
the following despatch to Mrs. Grant at Mount
MacGregor : —

Accept this expression of my heartfelt sympathy in tills
hour of your great affliction. The people of the nation
mourn with you, and would reach, if they could, with kindly
comfort, the depths of the sorrow which is yours alone, and
which only the pity of God can heal.

The following proclamation was issued by the
President : —

The President of the United States has just received the
sad tidings of the death of that illustrious citizen and ex-

LAST DAYS OF GENERAL GRANT. 297

President of the United States. General Ulysses S. Grant,
at Mount MaeGregor, in the State of New York, to which
place he had latterly been removed in the endeavor to pro-
long his life. In making this announcement to the people
of the United States, the President is impressed with the
magnitude of the public loss of a great military leader, who
was in the hour of victory magnanimous; amid disaster,
serene and self-sustained ; who in every station, whether as a
soldier or as a chief magistrate twice called to power by his
fellow-countrymen, trod unswervingly the pathway of duty,
undeterred by doubts, single-minded and straight- for ward.

The entire country has witnessed with deep emotion his
prolonged and patient struggle with painful disease, and
watched by his couch of suffering with tearful sympathy.
The destined end has come" at last, and his spirit has re-
turned to the Creator who sent it forth. The great heart
of the nation that followed him when living Avith love and
pride, bows now in sorrow above him dead, tenderly mind-
ful of his virtues, his great patriotic services, and of the
loss occasioned by his death.

In testimony of respect to the memory of General Grant,
it is ordered that the Executive Mansion and the several
departments at Washington be draped in mourning for a
period of thirty days, and that all public business shall on
the clay of the funeral be suspended ; and the Secretaries of
War and the Navy will cause orders to be issued for appro-
priate military and naval honors to be rendered on that day.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this twenty-third day of
July, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and eighty-five,
and of the Independence of the United States the one hun-
dred and tenth.

Grover Cleveland.

By the President,

T. F, Bayard, Secretary of State.

298 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

The whole country mourned for the great sol-
dier as for a dear and personal friend. The
North and the South vied with one another in ex-
pressions of sorrow, and all party feeling was for-
gotten in the universal grief.

"Few men," wrote a southern journal, "have
suffered as General Grant did. The peculiarity
of his affliction, its slowly wasting features, and its
long duration, excited for the sufferer the pity of
the nation. And in the South the animosity born
of the war, and fanned by his later subservience to
political opinions and practices adverse to Southern
sentiment, was obliterated by the flood-tide of
sympathy which went forth to him in his late trials
on earth. The bitterest partisan forgot his spleen,
and added his sympathy to that of other Southern
hearts. He made as great a struggle for life as he
ever made for victory on the battlefield, and it is
remarkable that his affliction, emaciating and
weakening as it was, failed to prostrate him. His
great intellect was clear and bright even in the
closing hours of a career as brilliant and illustrious
as that of an}' other American. With his death
there passed away one of the greatest captains of
modern times, — not as great a general as either
Lee or Jackson, but yet a great soldier. Military
critics may differ as to his character and rank as a
military commander ; but, in the face of his achieve-
ments, any attempt to belittle his military capacity

LAST DAYS OF GENERAL GRANT. 299

is idle. Judged by this standard, be held a place
in the hearts of the people of the North which was
equalled by none except Lincoln. He won the
admiration of the North by his record as a leader
of the Federal army against the South, and because
of this the North regards his undying name as the
proudest chapter in American history. But the
South also admired him and appreciated his worth,
both as a man and a soldier. No better evidence
of this is needed than is shown by the action of
the General Assembly of this State upon the re-
ceipt of the intelligence of his death this morning.
He had consideration for the South, and he has
shown it on occasions when it was needed and
most appreciated."

Ex-Governor Bullock said : " General Grant was
the great central figure in American history since
Washington. He was a man of unquestioned prin-
ciple, and the South grieves over his death."

Judge Hopkins, a prominent Georgian, said :
" General Grant was pre-eminently a man of iron
will and strong sagacity, and will live in history
with Washington."

Benjamin H. Hill, son of ex-Senator Ben Hill,
said: "I regard General Grant as a great man.
His Ions: sickness has toned down all Southern an-
imosity, and this entire section mourns his loss
with America and the world."

General Longstreet characterized General Grant

300 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GKANT.

as the noblest man that ever lived, and recalled
the following reminiscences : —

"Ever since 1839," said he, "I have been on
terms of the closest intimacy with Grant. I well
remember the fragile form which answered to his
name in that year. His distinguishing trait as a
cadet was a girlish modesty ; a hesitancy in pre-
senting his own claims ; a taciturnity born of his
modesty ; but a thoroughness in the accomplish-
ment of whatever task was assigned him. As I was
of large and robust physique, I was at the head of
most larks and srames. But in these young Grant
never joined, because of his delicate frame. In
horsemanship, however, he was noted as the most
proficient in the academy. In fact, rider and
horse held together like the fabled Centaur. In
1842 I was attached to the Fourth Infantry, as sec-
ond lieutenant. A year later Grant joined the same
regiment, stationed in that year at Fort Jefferson,
12 miles from St. Louis. The ties thus formed have
never been broken ; but there was a charm which
held us together of which the world has never
heard. My kinsman, Mr. Frederick Dent, was a
substantial farmer living near Fort Jefferson. He
had a liking for army officers, due to the fact that
his son Fred was a pupil at West Point. One
day I received an invitation to visit his house
in order to meet young Fred, who had just
returned, and I asked Grant to go with rue. This

LAST DAYS OF GENERAL GRANT. 801

he did, and of course was introduced to the fam-
ily, the last one to come in being Miss Julia Dent,
the charming daughter of our host. It is needless
to say that we saw but little of Grant during the
rest of our visit. He paid court, in fact, with such
assiduity as to give rise to the hope that he had
forever gotten over his diffidence. Five years
later, in 1848, after the usual uncertainties of a sol-
dier's courtship, Grant returned and claimed Miss
Dent as his bride. I had been married just six
months at that time, and my wife and I were
guests at the wedding.

" In 1844 the Fourth Regiment was ordered to
Louisiana to form part of the army of observation.
Still later we formed part of the army of occupa-
tion in Corpus Christi, Texas. Here, removed
from all society, without books or papers, we had
an excellent opportunity of studying each other.
I and every one else always found Grant resolute
and doing his duty in a simple manner. His
honor was never suspected, his friendships were
true, his hatred of guile was pronounced, and his
detestation of talebearers was, I may say, ab-
solute. The soid of honor himself, he never even
suspected others, either then or years afterward.
He could not bring himself to look upon the ras-
cally side of human nature. While we remained
in Corpus Christi, an incident illustrating Grant's
skill and fearlessness as a horseman occurred. The

802 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GEANT.

Mexicans were in the habit of bringing in wild
horses, which they would sell for two or three dol-
lars. These horses came near costing more limn
one officer his life. One day a particularly furi-
ous animal was brought in. Every officer in the
camp had declined to purchase the animal, except
Grant, who declared that he would either break
the horse's neck or his own. He had the horse
blindfolded, bridled and saddled, and when firmly
in the saddle he threw off the blind, sunk his
spurs into the horse's flanks, and was soon out of
sight. For three hours he rode the animal over
all kinds of ground, through field and stream, and
when horse and rider returned to camp the horse
was thoroughly tamed. For years afterwards the
story of Grant's ride was related at every camp-
fire in the country.

" During the Mexican War we were separated,
Grant having been made quartermaster of the
Fourth. Regiment, while I was assigned to dutv as
adjutant of the Eighth. At the battle of Molino
del Re}', however, I had occasion to notice his
superb courage and coolness under fire. So no-
ticeable was his bearing that his gallantry was
alluded to in the official reports.

"During the war my immediate command had
engaged the troops of Grant but once — at the
battle of the Wilderness. We came into no sort
of personal relations, however. In the spring of

LAST DAYS OP GENERAL GRANT. 803

1865, one day, while awaiting a letter from Gen-
eral Grant, General Lee said to me, 'There is
nothing ahead of ns but to surrender.' It was as
one of the commissioners appointed to arrange the
terms of peace that I met General Grant at Ap-
pomattox. His whole greeting and conduct to-
wards us were as though nothing had ever happened
to mar our pleasant relations. In 1866 I had occa-
sion to visit Washington on business, and while
there made a call of courtesy on General Grant at
his office. As I arose to leave he followed me out
into the hallway, and asked me to spend an even-
ing with his family. I thanked him, promising
compliance, and passed a most enjoyable evening.
When leaving, Grant again accompanied me into
the hallway and said, r General, would you like to
have an amnesty ? " Wholly unprepared for this,
I replied that I would like to have it, but had no
hope of getting it. He told me to write out my
application and to call at his office at noon the next
day, and in the meantime he would see President
Johnson and Secretary of War Stanton on my be-
half. When I called he had already seen these
men, and assured me that there was not an ob-
stacle in the way. He indorsed my application
by asking that it be granted as a special personal
favor to himself. In the January before he was
inaugurated President for the first time, I paid him
a passing friendly visit. He then said to me :

804 LIFE OF CxEN. U. S. GRANT.

' Longstreet, I want you to come and see me after
I am inaugurated, and let me know what you want.'
After the inauguration I was walking up the avenue
one day to see him, when I met a friend who in-
formed me that the President had sent in my name
for confirmation as surveyor of the port of New Or-
leans. For several weeks the nomination hung in
the Senate, when I went to Grant and begged him
to withdraw the nomination, as I did not want his
personal friendship for me to embarrass his admin-
istration. ' Give yourself no uneasiness about
that,' he said ; ' the senators have as many favors
to ask of me as I have of them, and I will see that
you are confirmed.'

"From what I have already told you," said
General Longstreet, in conclusion, " it will be
seen that Grant was a modest man, a simple man,
a man believing in the honesty of his fellows, true
to his friends, faithful to traditions, and of great
personal honor. When the United States district
court in Eichmond was about to indict General
Lee and myself for treason, General Grant inter-
posed and said : f I have pledged my word for
their safety.' This stopped the wholesale indict-
ments of ex-Confederate officers which would have
followed. He was thoroughly magnanimous, was
above all petty things and small ideas, and, after
Washington, was the highest type of manhood
America has produced."

LAST DAYS OF GENERAL GRANT. 305

Ex-Mayor James W. English said: "I fought
four years against Grant. Georgia and the South
mourn his death. I was in a position at Peters-
burg to shoot Grant, but turned my head away,
preferring to let him live. I regard his plaee in
American history as among the greatest men in
the world. There was something else besides
the force of circumstances to make him great."

Messages of condolence were received from
Queen Victoria, the Prince and Princess of Wales,
and many of the crowned heads of Europe and
Asia. The London Standard wrote : " Though
his death was expected, the event is not the less
to be deplored. We can only share with his
mourning countrymen the sense of the loss of one
whose career was so notable, so honorable to him-
self, so useful to his native land. His popularity
rose, if possible, when the nation saw how he faced
poverty and ruin. He was of a simple and mod-
est nature, never cast down by reverses nor elated
by prosperity. As a general he was never a great
strategist. He knew only one course — namely,
to fight. To-day, from Cape Cod to the Alaskan
Isles, the land will once more be stirred by sad-
dening memories of the war."

The London Xews gave the following trib-
ute : —

"There have been few braver men. England
will sincerely regret his death. It is as a soldier

806 LIFE OF GEN. "C. S. GRANT.

that he will be remembered, and his fame will rest
chiefly upon his eminent military services. After
the death of Lincoln, General Grant was decidedly
the most popular man in the United States, and
his standing as such was not injured by his quar-
rel with President Johnson. He was essentially a
man of action and not of speech. His name must
ever be associated with the memory of that strug-
gle of which Lincoln was the brain and heart and
Grant the arm and weapon."

LAST HONORS TO GENERAL GRANT. 307

CHAPTER XXVI.

LAST HONORS TO GENERAL GRANT.

T~N offering Riverside Park for the final resting-
-*- place of General Grant, Mayor Grace of New
York wrote to Colonel Fred. Grant that the site
was chosen because of the peculiar beauty of the
place in its location on the river, and the fact that
a monument on it would be visible far and wide.
The entire park would become sacred and devoted
to the memory of the great soldier, and the char-
acter of its development would be largely deter-
mined by this fact. There was, however, great
disappointment in Washington that the burial was
not to take place at the Soldiers' Home ; and the
general feeling throughout the country was that
the body of the nation's hero should rest in the
nation's capital.

After the process of embalming, General Grant's
features assumed the firmness of outline which had
been taken away by his long sickness ; and as he
lay wrapped in the stars and stripes in the cottage
at Mt. MacGregor, his little grandchildren, anx-
ious to do something for " Grandpa," stitched
together some oak leaves in the form of a rude

308 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

crown and laid them tenderly upon the casket.
This simple, touching gift of the children remained
in its place among all the floral offerings until the
last rites were performed. August 8 was appointed
as the day for the public ceremonies at New York,
and the memorial services throughout the country ;
but before the funeral college left Mt. MacGregor,
a solemn, impressive service was held in the par-
lors of the little cottage, at which only the mem-
bers of the family were present. Thousands of
people came to take a last look at the beloved
form as it lay in state at Mt. MacGregor, and tens
of thousands more when the funeral party reached
Albany and the dead general was placed in the
grand central court of the Capitol.

From AVednesday, August 5, until Saturday,
the 8th, the body lay in state at the City Hall in
New York. As the afternoon of the first day
wore on, the line of people gradually extended,
until one could almost imagine that as they passed
out of the rear door of the City Hall, they joined
the line once more, and thus kept up a continuous
circuit. The sun wandered away to the west, and
still the crowds increased, and the foot of the line
soon extended far past Chambers street and away
up Centre. It was a remarkable gathering, in that
all feelings of selfishness seemed to have been
buried for the time, and good-naturedly, without
any fretting or pushing, each person moved along

LAST HONORS TO GENERAL GRANT. 309

in the line, awaiting his turn to enter the building.
No loud language was heard, each one seeming to
feel that it would be out of place on such an occa-
sion. It was estimated that on an average 100
people passed the guards every minute, and at 3
o'clock, nine hours after the opening of the gates,
and about the same time before they would be
closed, 55,000 persons had viewed the remains.
At sunrise on Saturday morning, August 8,
minute guns were fired from Maine to California,
to announce the final preparations for the greatest
funeral this country has ever seen. The tolling
of church bells, and the Sunday quiet in the
streets, were a fitting beginning of the day. The
human tide began to set from all directions towards
the line selected for the procession. The people
poured into the city in converging streams from
Brooklyn, from New Jersey, from Staten Island,
from Westchester County and from Connecticut,
to say nothing of the strangers who journeyed
from more distant parts. The dwellers on the
east of the city flocked to the west, those in
the extreme Avest marched to the east until they
faced each other in unbroken ranks to await the
final passing of the famous commander. This influx
of the populace in the early hours was a wonderful
and curious thing to see. Over the bridge, on foot
and in cars, by ferries and trains, they flocked
steadily towards the centre of interest. It seemed

310 LIFE OF GEN". l\ S. OP, ANT.

down town as if everybody was going north, and
as if all business districts below the City Hall
must be drained of all inhabitants. All the ordi-
nary everyday currents of city life were reversed.
Nearly all business ceased.

Although the people disposed themselves early
along the route of the procession, the City Hall re-
mained a centre of interest as long as Grant's body
lay in it. General Hancock and his staff, in full-
dress uniform, rode up in front of the building just
before nine o'clock. At this time one hundred and
twenty members of the Liederkranz Society tiled up
to the steps, and, led by six instrumentalists, sang,
with impressive effect, the "Chorus of the Spirits
from Over the Water." by Schubert, and the
" Chorus of the Pilgrims,'' from M Tannhauser."
The two selections were well rendered, in German.
At the conclusion of the singing, the choristers
looked through the barred gates at the black cata-
falque and the casket of royal purple. Soon after
that, the original G. A. R. guard which served on
Mt. MacGregor filed in. Mayor Grace, dressed in
black broadcloth, arrived at his office about this
time. lie found President Sanger, of the board i^\'
aldermen, and the city officers, awaiting him. The
church bells began their tolling, and all was in
readiness for the transfer of the casket on the
funeral car.

The Governor's Island band, which had already

LAST HONORS TO GENERAL GRANT. 311

taken up its position on the green in front of the
City Hall, commenced to play a military dirge,
with admirable softness and precision. General
Hancock returned and took up his position at the
head of the column. General Fitz Hugh Lee rode
on horseback, wearing civilian's dress, with a
mourning sash across the breast. On the grass on
the southern side of this open space a few soldiers
of the regulars were stationed at intervals, and all
along the approaches to the broad stone platform
before the building were policemen who kept back
the spectators.

The funeral car, drawn by twenty-four jet-black
horses in black trappings, each led by a negro,
halted on the plaza directly in front of the City
Hall steps. Inside the corridor, Commander John-
son was waiting. " Columns in position, right and
left," was his command. "Lift the remains," ho
said, in clear, but low tones. The twelve men
stooped to the silver rails, with gloved hands.
"March," was the next word, and the coffin was
borne down the steps, with measured tread, across
the open space to the steps of the black funeral
car.

Then the pall-bearers, with their broad white
scarfs reaching to the ground, made their appear-
ance in a cluster at the head of the steps. Gen-
eral Sherman, in his full uniform, linked arms with
General Buckner of Kentucky, and General Sheri-

312 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

dan stood with General Joseph E. Johnston. The
iron gates went back, and they entered. Then
there was a pause, and each man held his breath,
and tears involuntarily sprang to the eyes of many,
for all knew what was coming. The white-scarfed
pall-bearers came out from City Hall, and with
them were the men of the Grand Army of the
Republic. Then the band sounded a funeral dirge,
the pall-bearers descended with slow, sad steps
the marble stairs, and the guard of honor of the
U. S. Grant Post of Brooklyn were seen support-
ing the casket with its covering of amaranth vel-
vet and its bars of polished silver. There were
six on each side. Slowly they descended the
stairs, and walked, preceded by the pall-bearers,
across the road to the catafalque, and slowly they
paced up the movable steps and deposited their
burden of the black bier beneath the canopy with
its wealth of nodding plumes.

A little before one o'clock the head of the long
procession arrived at One Hundred and Twenty-
Second Street, and turned into Riverside Park.
One writer happily describes the scene as fol-
lows : —

The street was transformed into one magnificent, far-
reaching mass of blended colors, like a colored floral offer-
ing, ever varying its hues as it undulated under the bright
sunlight, steadily moving on and on, as if borne by unseen
giant genii toward the tomb of the great man, there to be
laid about the burial spot in honor of the dead. Here was

LAST HONORS TO GENERAL GRANT. 313

one even stretch of white helmets so disposed to the eye by
the slope of the hill as to closely resemble a great bank of
immortelles. Then a mass of artillery red plumes gave
color to the fancy that the avenue was an oriental garden
of " General Grant geraniums." The yellow-trimmed ma-
rines, the white and blue capped sailors, the gray of sev-
eral infantry organizations, the frequently recurring black
helmets, the kaleidoscopic changes of blue and white, black
and red, gray and yellow, naturally enough led to the
poetic notion that the famous thoroughfare of the great
metropolis was a monster parterre blossoming by some en-
chantment in funeral progress and rhythm, block by block,
toward the last resting-place of America's greatest general.
A remarkable ami at the same time significant thing about
the multitude who watched this superb spectacle was the
fact that very few persons allowed themselves to forget
the occasion which brought it forth. Several times there
was a faint attempt at hand-clapping, as some popular mili-
tary organization or famous man was passing, but it was
invariably quickly silenced by a subdued " Hush, hush,"
from a hundred lips.

At precisely 3 : 35 o'clock, the sad strains of
music gave notice of the approach of the cata-
falque, and the waiting soldiers came to order. In
a few minutes a number of carriao-es came into
view and shortly drew up in front of the tomb.
From them alighted first Rev. J. P. Newman
and Bishop Harris. Following them were Gen-
erals Sheridan and Buckner, Sherman and John-
ston, General John A. Logan, and George AY.
Boutwell. Then came the funeral car, preceded
by the band, and surrounded by the members of

314 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

George G. Meade Post, of Philadelphia, of which
the dead general was a member. Behind them,
and coining slowly down between the ranks of
soldiers at a present arms, were the family and
mourners. Among them were President Cleve-
land, Vice-President Hendricks, ex-Presidents Ar-
thur and Hayes, and Senator John Sherman.

As the car reached its place before the door of
the tomb, the Governor's Island band, stationed
on the knoll to the north, started to play, and all
down the ranks muffled drums beat a sad tattoo.

When the casket had been placed in the cedar
lead-lined box, the members of Meade Post stepped
forward, and, as was their right, began the last
services over the body of their dead comrade.

At the close of Chaplain Wright's prayer, a
grizzled bugler came out of the throng, and,
standing directly over the body, sounded "Taps."

Post Commander Alexander Reed then said : —
"One by one, as the years roll on, we are called
together to fulfil the last sad rites of respect to
our comrades of the war. The present, full of
the cares and pleasures of civil life, fades away,
and we look back to the time when, shoulder to
shoulder on many battlefields or around the guns
of our men-of-war, we fought for our dear old
flag. We may indulge the hope that the spirit
with which, on land and sea, hardship, privation
and danger were encountered by our dead heroes

LAST HONORS TO GENERAL GRANT. 315

may never be blotted out from the history or mem-
ory of the generations to come — a spirit uncom-
plaining, obedient to the behest of duty ; whereby
to-day our national honor is secure, and our loved
ones rest in peace under the protection of the
dear old flag. May the illustrious life of him
whom Ave lay in the tomb to-day prove a glorious
incentive to the youth of our country. As the
years roll on, we, too, shall have fought our bat-
tles through, and be laid at rest, our souls follow-
ing (he long column to the realms above, as grim
death, hour by hour, shall mark its victims. Let
us so live that when that time shall come those we
leave behind may say above our graves : ' Here
lies the body of a true-hearted, brave and earnest
defender of the republic' "

Then Bishop Harris came forward and began
the beautiful burial service which commences, "I
am the resurrection and the life." When he had
concluded, he read from Corinthians xv. 41 and
following verses : " There is one glory of the
sun and another of the moon, and another glory
of the stars, for one star difFereth from another in
glory," etc. Then Comrade Lewis E. Moore laid
a wreath of evergreens upon the casket, saying :
"In behalf of the post, I give this tribute as a
symbol of undying love for comrades of the war."
Comrade John A. Weidersheim laid flowers upon
the coffin, and named them symbols of purity.

316 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

Another wreath, of laurel, was laid upon the cas-
ket by Comrade J. A. Sellers, as a last token of
affection from comrades-in-arms.

Rev. Dr. Newman read the balance of the burial
service. Then came an address by Rev. J. "VV.
Sayres, chaplain-in-chief of the department of
Pennsylvania, G. A. R., in which he spoke, ac-
cording to the formula prescribed for such occa-
sions, of another comrade's march being over,
whose virtues all should cherish, whose example
all should emulate.

Again came the grizzled bugler to the front.
In his eyes were tears, and his lips quivered.
With trembling arm he lifted the instrument to
his lips, and there broke upon the still air the
beautiful and sad notes of the soldiers' long fare-
well, called by them "Rest." With the last quav-
ering notes of the soldiers' " Good-Night," a gun
from the Alliance, in the river below, boomed out.
But one gun was fired ; and as its echo died away
in the Jersey hills, the casket was placed in the
steel case and taken to the tomb.

Throughout the whole country, East, West,
North and South, that August day, impressive
memorial services were held, and eloquent trib-
utes paid to the great soldier.

" Blessed are Pain, the smiter,
And Sorrow, the uniter!
For one afflicted lies —

LAST HONORS TO GENERAL GRANT. 317

A symbolled sacrifice —
And all our rancor dies !

;< No North, no South! O stem-faced Chief,
One weeping ours, one cowled Grief —
Thy country — bowed in prayer and tear —
For North and South — above thy bier !

" For North and South! O Soldier grim,
The broken ones to weep for him
Who broke them ! He whose terrors blazed
In smoking harvests, cities razed ;
Whose fate-like glance sent fear and chill;
Whose wordless lips spoke deathless will —
Till all was shattered, all was lost —
All hands dropped down — all War's red cost
Laid there in ashes — Hope and Hate
And Shame and Glory !

" Death and Fate,
Fall back! Another touch is thine :
He drank not of thy poisoned wine,
Nor blindly met thy blind thrown lance,
Nor died for sightless time or chance —
But waited, suffered, bowed and tried,
Till all the dross was purified;
Till every well of hate was dried ;
And North and South, sad sisters, cried,
And then — at God's own calling — died! "

John Boyle O'Reilly.

318 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

CHAPTER XXVTL

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT, ANECDOTES, AND
VARIOUS REMINISCENCES.

O AID Senator Hoar in his eulogy, delivered at
^ Worcester : —

I do not think I am indulging the exaggeration so often
imputed to Americans on occasions like this, when I say
that for the last twenty years of his life, if you measure
General Grant by what it was his fortune to accomplish, or
by the honors which have been voluntarily paid him by
mankind, he was

The foremost living man of all the world.

He had commanded armies larger than were ever handled
by any general before or since. Under his command those
armies saved the life of his country. He was called to the
chief executive power in a time of unexampled difficulty.
With that power he preserved his country's honor. But he
achieved conquests more difficult than these. He subdued
to affection and reverence the hatred born of a great civil
war, and the Old World's prejudices of rank and birth.

As his body left Mt. MacGregor for its last resting-place,
a throng of princes and nobles and warriors and statesmen
gathered in Westminster Abbey to do him honor. It is, as
you all know, in English eyes, the holiest spot of the proud-
est empire of the Old World. There for a thousand years
England has garnered up the sacred dust of her royalty and
chivalry, her poets and her sages. One of her most famous
preachers told that august assembly that " this man rose by

TEIBUTES TO GENEEAL GEANT. 819

the upward gravitation of natural fitness ; " that the lessons
taught by this great life were "the vanity of feudalism,"
" the dignity of labor," that " men should be honored simply
as men, not according to the accident of birth," that "the
people have a sovereign insight into intrinsic force," and that
"every true man derives a patent of nobleness direct from
God." Surely we may indulge our love and pride for that
greal and simple character, which, by its native excellence,
carries the ideas which lie at the foundation of American life
victorious into the very stronghold of English feudalism, as
he bore the banner of his country victorious into the ranks
of rebellion. If we needed it, or cared for it, we could find
ample support and justification for the high estimate which
his countrymen have placed on him, when we see how gen-
erally foreign critics compare him with Washington and
Wellington.

You do not expect of any person who shall speak to you
here an attempt to discourse at length on the life or the char-
acter of General Grant. To give the history of tiiose great
campaigns, where the greatest armies ever mustered, oc-
cupying the greatest spaces ever covered by any nation
with its troops, officered by illustrious generals contending
for as great a stake as was ever in issue in human history,
directed, moved as one man, were marshalled to victory by
his genius, would require a lifetime of preparation and re-
search from the ablest military historian. To narrate fitly
the story of those eight eventful years of his presidency,
with its great problems of administration, of pacification, of
reconstruction, of finance, of foreign policy, will be amon°-
the high ambitions of the literary genius of future times.
We cannot even speak with any justice to ourselves or to
him of the great personal qualities of the man, the action
faithful, the honor clear, the integrity without a stain, the
courage never-failing, the unconquerable will,
As constant as the Northern Star,
Of whose true fixed and resting quality-
There is no fellow in the firmament,

320 LIFE OF* GEN. IT. S. GEANT.

the great, gentle, tender, loving heart, the simple speech,
the moderation in triumph, the strong, genuine American
feeling that the flattery of a world could not disturb, the
Christian faith that conquered the great conqueror Death,
and to which God gave the victory.

He was the one man in America whom the people knew
by heart. Since his first great victory at Fort Donelson,
his name has been blended with every great event
that spoke of hope, of joy, of loyalty, of union, of pride to
Americans. The thrill that passed through all loyal hearts
at the news of Henry, of Donelson, of Vicksburg, Appomat-
tox, pulses again as we name his name.

But yet, we shall do him injustice, not honor, we shall
offend that mighty shade, if we fail to draw from his life
the lesson he most desired it should teach. We are paying
him no mere personal honor. It is to Grant as the repre-
sentative American soldier, to Grant the example and in-
spiration of the virtues which his comrades likewise shared,
to Grant stirred as they were stirred by American history,
American quality, American faith, that we pay our respect
to-day. As we bury him in that proud metropolis, by the
bank of the historic river, with martial music, and stately
procession ; as America bows her head in grief, as she remem-
bers her loss, and lifts it again, smiling and in triumph, as
she remembers his glory, the humblest soldier, on country
farm or in city street— aye, in hospital or in home — may
take to himself that honor, may say: "I shared in those
sacrifices, I helped to that victory, I partake of that re-
nown. This is mine, this is mine also."

The story of General Grant's life, says General
Horace Porter, savors more of romance than real-
ity ; it is more like fable of ancient days than
the history of an American citizen of the nine-
teenth century. As light and shade produce the

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 321

most attractive effects in a picture, so the contrasts
in the career of the lamented general, the strange
vicissitudes of his eventful life, surround him with
an interest which attaches to few characters in
history.

His rise from the obscure lieutenant to the com-
mander of the veteran armies of the great repub-
lic, his transition from a frontier post of the
untrodden West to the executive mansion of the
nation : his sitting at one time in a little store in
Galena, not even known to the congressman from
his district ; at another time striding through the
palaces of the Old "World, with the descendants of
a line of kings rising and standing uncovered in
his presence ; his humble birth in an Ohio town
scarcely known to the geographer ; his distressing
illness and courageous death in the bosom of the
nation he had saved — these are the features of
his marvellous career which appeal to the imagi-
nation, excite men's wonder, and fascinate the
minds of all who make a study of his life.

Many of the motives which actuated him, and
the real sources of strength employed in the put-
ting forth of his singular powers, will never be
fully understood, for added to a habit of commun-
ing much with himself was a modesty which always
seemed to make him shrink from speaking of a
matter so personal to him as an analysis of his
own mental powers, and those who knew him best

322 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

sometimes understood him the least. His most
intimate associates often had to judge the man by
the results accomplished, without comprehending
the causes which produced them. In his inter-
course he did not study to be reticent about him-
self; he seemed rather to be unconscious of self.
When visiting St. Louis with him while he was
President, he made a characteristic remark, show-
ing how little his thoughts dwelt upon those events
of his life which made such a deep impression
upon others.

Upon his arrival, a horse and buggy were or-
dered, and a drive was taken to his farm, about
eight miles distant. He stopped on the high
ground overlooking the city, and stood for a time
by the side of the little log house which he had
built, partly with his own hands, in the days of his
poverty and early struggles. Upon being asked
whether the events of the past fifteen years of his
life did not seem to him like a tale of the Arabian
Nights, especially in coming from the White
House to visit the little farm-house of early days,
he simply replied, "Well, I never thought about
it in that light."

Captain John R. Steere, now an inmate of the
Soldiers' Home, tells a good story, showing how
he, when but sixteen years of age, made General
Grant obey* his own orders.

The occurrence took place in the early stages

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 323

of the war, shortly after Grant had received his
commission as brigadier-general, and was placed
in command of the military district of Missouri,
with headquarters at Cairo. John Steere, then a
boy of a little over sixteen years of age, enlisted
and was ordered, with others, to report at Cairo,
which they did. Five days after enlisting, they
were drilled in marching and manoeuvring without
uniform or arms. This was continued for a few
days, when the new recruits were given uniforms
and old Harper's Ferry muskets, one of those old
affairs that every time the gun was discharged the
shooter had to go hunting for the hammer of his gun.
The morning after young Steere was given his
gun he was stationed at General Grant's head-
quarters as guard. The headquarters was located
on the levee fronting the Ohio River, near the
junction of the Mississippi River. It was in No-
vember, and the day was a cold and blusterous one.
Steere's military experience was very limited in-
deed, and the inclement weather did not exactly
suit him. His orders were to let no one except
an officer or one on official business enter the build-
ing. He stood at his post of duty until chilled
through and through, when he set his musket up
in one corner of the door, leaning against the sill,
and himself close up against the building, with the
cape of his overcoat pulled up over his ears to
keep warm.

324 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

As every person who came near the place seemed
to be an officer, he molested no one, devoting all
his time and attention to keeping himself warm
and comfortable. Morpheus courted him, and he
was on the verge of taking a pleasant snooze when
some one coming down the stairway aroused him.
Looking up, he saw an officer buckling on an ele-
gant sword. After passing through the door, the
officer came to a halt, and, looking at the guard
indignantly, asked :

" What are you doing there ? "
"I'm the guard," replied Steere.
"An excellent guard, indeed. Do you know
whose headquarters this is ? "
" Yes, sir ; General Grant's."
The officer looked at the guard a moment in
silence, and then thundered:

" Stand up there, sir, and bring your gun to a
shoulder ! "

Young Steere did as requested, bringing his
gun to his shoulder like a squirrel -hunter. The
officer took the gun from him, and went through
the manual of arms for him. He remained with
him for fifteen or twenty minutes until he taught
him how to handle his gun, when he asked :
" How long have you been in the service ? "
" Several days."
" Do you know who lam?"
"No, sir; never saw you before."

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 325

" I am General Grant. You have deserted your
post of duty, sir, -which is a very serious breach
of discipline. I will not punish you this time,
but, young man, be very careful it does not occur
again. Orders must be strictly and promptly
obeyed always."

With this the general walked away. The oc-
currence was soon known to many of the soldiers,
and is said to have been of advantage to them all
in the way of rudiments for military discipline.
Several days after this, young Steere was put on
guard on a steamboat which was being loaded
with provisions and ammunition, with orders to
allow no one with a lighted pipe or cigar to come
within a given distance — about fifty feet. He
had not been at his post of duty more than an
hour when General Grant approached with a light-
ed cigar between his teeth. He seemed to be
deep in thought, but the moment he came near the
gangplank his musings were interrupted.

" Halt ! " cried the young guard, bringing his
gun to his shoulder.

The general was taken completely by surprise.
He looked at the young guard, who had him cov-
ered with his gun, amazed ; and then his counte-
nance showed traces of arising anger. But he did
not budo-e an inch.

" I have been taught to obey orders strictly and
promptly," explained Steere, quoting the general ;

326 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GKANT.

" and as my orders are to allow no one to approach
this boat with a lighted cigar, you will please
throw yours away."

Grant smiled, threw his cigar into the river,
and crossed the gangplank on to the boat.

In conversation, General Grant once said: "I
never liked service in the army. I did not wish
to go to West Point. My father had to use his
authority to make me go. I never went into a
battle willingly or with enthusiasm. I never want
to command another army. It was only after
Donelson that I began to see how important was
the work that Providence devolved upon me. I
did not want to be made lieutenant-general. I did
not want the presidency, and have never quite for-
given m}'self for resigning the command of the
army to accept it."

The following letter, however, written while at
West Point, to his cousin, McKingstiy Griffith,
shows that his life there was not wholly distasteful
to the young cadet : —

Military Academy, "West Point, N. Y.
September, 22, 1839.
Deak Coz, — I was just thinking that you would be right
glad to hear from one of your relations who is so far away
as I am. So I have put away my algebra and French, and
am going to tell you a long story about this prettiest of
places, West Point. So far as it regards natural attractions,
it is decidedly the most beautiful place that I have ever
seen. Here are hills and dales, rocks and river; all pleas-

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT 327

ant to look upon. From the window near I can see the
Hudson, that far-famed, that beautiful river, with its bosom
studded with hundreds of snowy sails.

Again, if I look another way, I can see Fort Pitt, now
frowning far above, a stern monument of a sterner age,
which seems placed there on purpose to tell us of the glori-
ous deeds of our fathers, and to bid us to remember their
sufferings — to follow their example.

In short, this is the best of places, the place of all places
for an institution like this. I have not told you half its at-
tractions. Here is the house Washington used to live in —
there Kosciusko used to walk and think of his country and
ours. Over the river we are shown the dwelling-house of
Arnold, that base and heartless traitor to his country and
his God. I do love the place ; it seems as though I could
live here forever, if my friends would only come too. You
might search the wide world over, and then not find a bet-
ter. Now, all this sounds nice, very nice; what a happy
fellow you are ; but I am not one to show false colors, or
the brightest side of the picture, so I will tell you about
some of the drawbacks : First, I slept for two months upon
one single pair of blankets — now this sounds romantic,
and you may think it very easy, but I tell you what, coz,
it is tremendous hard.

Suppose you try it by way of experiment for a night or
two. I am pretty sure that you would be perfectly satis-
fied that it is no easy matter, but glad am I these things
are over. We are now in our quarters. I have a splendid
bed, and get along very well. Our pay is nominally about
twenty-eight dollars a month, but we never see a cent of it.
If we wish anything, from a shoestring to a coat, we must
go to the commandant of the post and get an order for it,
or we cannot have it. We have tremendous long and hard
lessons to get in both French and algebra. I study hard,
and hope to get along so as to pass the examination in Jan-
uary. This examination is a hard one, they say, but I am

328 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

not frightened yet. If I am successful here, you will not
see me for two long years. It seems a long while to me,
but time passes off very fast. It seems but a few days since
I came here. It is because every hour has its duty which
must be performed. On the whole, I like the place very
much — so much that I would not go away on any account.
The fact is, if a man graduates here he is safe for life, let
him go where he will. There is much to dislike, but more
to like. I mean to study hard and stay, if it be possible ;
if I cannot, very well — the world is wide. I have now been
here about four months and have not seen a single familiar
face or spoken to a single lady, I wish some of the pretty
girls of Bethel were here, just so I might look at them.
But fudge; confound the girls. I have seen great men.
plenty of them ; let us see — General Scott, Mr. Van Buren,
secretaries of war and navy, Washington Irving, and lots
of other big bugs. If I were to come home now, the way
you would laugh at my appearance would be curious. My
pants set as tight to my skin as the bark to a tree, and if I do
not walk military — that is, if I bend over quickly or run —
they are very apt to crack, with a report as loud as a pistol.
My coat must always be buttoned up tight to the skin. It
is made of sheep's gray cloth, all covered with big round
buttons. It makes one look very singular. If you were to
see me at a distance, the first question you would ask would
be, " Is that a fish or an animal ? " You must give my very
best love and respects to all my friends, particularly your
brothers, Uncles Ross and Samuel Simpson. You must
also write me a long letter in reply to this, and tell me
about everything and everybody, including yourself. If
you happen to see any of my folks, just tell them that I urn
happy, alive and well. I am truly your cousin and obedi-
ent servant, U. H. Grant.
McKingstry Griffith.
N. B. In coming I stopped five days in Philadelphia
with our friends. They are all well. Tell Grandmother

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 329

Simpson that they have always expected to see her before,
but have almost given up the idea now. They hope to hear
from her often. U. H. Grant.

I came near forgetting to tell you about our demerit or
"black marks." They give a man one of these "black
marks " for almost nothing, and if he gets two hundred a
year they dismiss him. To show how easy one can get
these, a man by the name of Grant, of this state, got eight
of these " marks " for not going to church to-day. He was
also put under arrest, so he cannot leave his room, perhaps
for a month — all this for not going to church. We are not
only obliged to go to church, but must march there by com-
panies. This is not republican. It is an Episcopal church.
Contrary to the expectations of you and the rest of my
Bethel friends, I have not been the least homesick. I would
not go home on any account whatever. When I come home,
in two years (if I live), the way I shall astonish you na-
tives will be curious. I hope you will not take me for a
baboon.

My best respects to Grandmother Simpson. I often think
of her I put this on the margin so you may remember it
better. I want you to show her this letter and all others I
may write to you, to her. I am going to write to some of
my friends in Philadelphia soon. When they answer, I
shall write you again to tell you all about them, etc.

Remember and write me very soon, for I want to hear
much.

"I knew him as a boy at school," said Mr.
Markland, who was at the head of the mail service
of Grant's army. "My home was at Maysville,
Ky., and young Grant came there a boy of twelve
or thirteen to attend the academy. He lived with
his aunt in Maysville, and was a very quiet, retir-

330 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

ing and studious boy. As I remember him, he was
a little chubby fellow with a round, freckled face,
and sandy hair. He was a good-natured boy and
went by the name of r Lyss.' Shortly after he left
school, he went to AVest Point, and from that time
I did not meet him again until in the fall of 1861 I
was sent West in connection with the Postoffice
Department. In attending to my business I was
thrown in with General Grant at Cairo at about
the time he took command. Here I got my first
glimpse of him as a man. As an instance of his
remarkable memory of features, though he could
not have known I was coming to Cairo, he recog-
nized me at once one day when I was passing the
window of his headquarters. I did not recognize
him. It did not take us long to revive our old
schoolfellowship, and we became great friends. I
remained about Cairo in my connection with the
Postoffice Department until about the time of the
movement on Fort Henry. At this time General
Grant asked me if I did not want to see a fight, and
invited me to go to Fort Henry with him. On the
way to Fort Henry, on the headquarters steamer
"New Uncle Sam," knowing that I was an officer
of the Postoffice Department, he suggested to me,
or rather inquired if it were not possible to keep
the mail up to the army, and not to take the sol-
diers' letters home. On my answering that I
thought this could be done, he gave me that branch

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 381

of the service, and from that beginning sprang the
great army mail service of the war, and to General
Grant the credit of originating that service belongs.
The army mail service developed the fact that the
mails could be distributed in railway cars and on
the top of railway cars going at the rate of thirty
miles an hour. In wagons, ambulances, and even
on horseback, mails were frequently distributed
and delivered under the murderous fire of the ene-
my, and it may be said that the perfect railway
mail service of to-day is the outgrowth of the army
mail service."

In recalling the religious training and experi-
ences of General Grant, Dr. Newman said: "He
was brought up in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
His father's house was the home of Methodist
preachers for over forty years. The general's
earliest recollections were associated with the
clergy. He had to care for their horses. He re-
membered that the horses were good ones, and
that their owners always insisted on their having
plenty of oats. Many a time he was sent out by
his father to take oif the saddle-bags and put up
the horses. Once a preacher was to move from
the neighborhood in which the Grants lived. He
was to take his family and furniture in a wagon for
two hundred miles, and wanted some one to drive
for him. Applying to the general's father for a
driver, the old gentleman detailed Ulysses, then a

332 LIFE OF GEN. TT. S. GBANT.

lad, for that work. Afterwards the preacher re-
ported to the boy's father that never in his life
had he had such a good and silent driver.

" The general's father was a farmer at that time.
In later years he lived at Covington, Ky. He was
a churchgoer always, serving in the Methodist
church as trustee, steward and class leader.
Wherever he went he was a ruling spirit in church
affairs. He was a man of sterling character, strong
will, high purposes, and at times arbitrary. His
mother was modest, intelligent and sunny in spirit.
The general inherited her nature. All of his sisters
were devout-Methodists. One of them, Mrs. Cra-
mer, married a Methodist preacher, now the min-
ister of the government at Berne, Switzerland.

" The general was thus indoctrinated in the faith
of the church. He held to those great principles
of Christianity all his life. Accepting the Bible as
the word of God to man, he regarded Christianity
as divine. But his mind tended to the sunny side
of Christianity. The beneficent results of the
Gospel promised to him the glory of the Messiah,
the universal triumph of Christianity."

Chaplain J. L. Crane of Grant's regiment writes
of his camp life at Cairo, before going to the front :
"Grant is about five feet ten inches in height, and
will weigh one hundred forty or one hundred forty-
five pounds. He has a countenance indicative of
reserve, and an indomitable will and persistent

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 333

purpose. In dress he is indifferent or careless,
making no pretensions to style or fashionable mil-
itary display. Had he continued a colonel till
now, I think his uniform would have lasted till
this day ; for he never used it except on dress
parade, and then seemed to regard it a good deal
as David did Saul's armor. ' His body is a vial of
intense existence ; ' and yet when a stranger would
see him in a crowd he would never think of asking
his name. He is no dissembler. He is a sincere,
thinking, real man. He is always cheerful. No
toil, cold, heat, hunger, fatigue, or want of money
depresses him. He does his work at the time, and
he requires all under his command to be equally
prompt. This promptness is one of Grant's char-
acteristics, and it is one of the secrets of his suc-
cess. On one of our marches, in passing through
one of those small towns where the grocery is the
principal establishment, some of the lovers of in-
toxication had broken away from our lines and
filled their canteens with whiskey, and were soon
reeling and ungovernable under its influence.
While apparently stopping the regiment for rest,
Grant passed quietly along and took each canteen,
and, wherever he detected the fatal odor, emptied
the liquor on the ground, with as much nonchalance
as he would empty his pipe. On this point his
orders were imperative ; no whiskey or intoxicating
beverage was allowed in his camp. Grant belongs

334 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GHANT.

to no church, } r et he entertains and expresses the
highest esteem for all the enterprises that tend to
promote religion. When at home he generally
attended the Methodist church. While he was
colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment, he gave every
encouragement and facility for securing a prompt
and uniform observance of religious services, and
was generally found in the audience listening to
the preaching. Shortly after I came into the regi-
ment, our mess were one day taking their usual
seats around the dinner-table when he remarked :
' Chaplain, when I was at home and ministers
were stopping at my house, I always invited them
to ask a blessing at the table. I suppose a bless-
ing is as much needed here as at home, and, if it is
agreeable with your views, I should be glad to
have you ask a blessing every time we sit down to
eat.'"

Grant gave the world his creed in his second
inaugural address. "Rather do I believe," he said,
"that our great Maker is preparing the world, in
his own good time, to become one nation, speak-
ing one language, and when armies and navies
will no longer be required."

In the same address, referring to his war record,
he said : "I performed a conscientious duty, with-
out asking promotion or command, and without a
revengeful feeling towards any section or any
individual."

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 335

To the Centennial number of the Sunday-School
Times he sent the following memorial message : —

Washington, June 6, 1876.
To the Editor of the " Sunday-School Times," Philadelphia:
Your favor of yesterday, asking a message from me to
the children and youths of the United States, to accompany
your Centennial number, is received. My advice to Sun-
day-schools, no matter what their denomination, is: Hold
fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties ; write
its precepts in your hearts, and practise them in your
lives [underscoring this]. To the influence of this book
we are indebted for all the progress made in true civiliza-
tion, and to this we must look as our guide in the future :
" Righteousness exalteth a nation ; but sin is a reproach to
any people." Yours, respectfully,

U. S. Grant.

General McLaws, of the Confederate army, tells
the following stories of General Grant : "An officer
who once served on General Grant's staff once
told me an incident which illustrated the quick de-
cision of General Grant. It was just after the
battle of Shiloh. The officers were grouped
around a campfire, when General John A. Mc-
Clernand rode up to General Grant, and handed
him an autograph letter from President Lincoln
directing Grant to turn his command over to Gen-
eral McClernand. General Grant read the letter
carefully, and then, tearing it up into small pieces
and throwing them into the fire, said : —

f f I decline to receive or obey orders which do
not come through the proper channel.'

386 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

" Pausing a moment, he turned to General Mc-
Clernand and said : —

Cf f Your division is under orders to leave this de-
partment in the morning, and I advise you to go
with it.' McClernand went, and that was the last
that was ever heard of the order, for the culmina-
tion of events showed that Grant was right, and
no President dared to remove him, for a change
of commanders just after the battle of Shiloh
would have led to very different results for the
federals.

" The dodged determination to do or die, which
was so characteristic of Grant, was what gave
backbone to the federal army. He would never
acknowledge defeat. General Zachary Taylor
once told me an anecdote of Grant, which occurred
during the Mexican war. Lieutenant Grant was
in charge of a party of men detailed to clear the
way for the advance of boats laden with troops
from Aransas Bay to Corpus Christi, by removing
the oyster-beds and other obstructions. Failing
either by words or signs to make those under
him understand him, Lieutenant Grant jumped
into the water, which was up to his waist, and
worked with his men. Some dandy officers began
making fun of him for his zeal, when General Tay-
lor came upon the scene, and rebuked it by
saying: —

" f I wish I had more officers like Grant, who

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL JSRANT. 337

would stand ready to set personal example when
needed.'

fr He was the most original man I ever knew,"
said Admiral Porter, "not only in his methods but
in personal ideas. With him war meant battle
and peace, the perfection and the protection of indi-
vidual liberty. He never hesitated to draw his
sword at the call of his country, or to sheathe it
when the dust of conflict had drifted away. The
South ought to feel his loss more than the North,
for he was first to yield to a conquered and im-
poverished foe the inheritance of civic liberty.
When Vicksburg fell, he adopted every method of
relieving the distress of his unfortunate adver-
saries, and many a woman and orphan will remem-
ber his generous magnanimity in distributing the
victorious army. When General Lee surrendered,
he said to the Confederate soldiers : « Keep your
horses, and take them home with you to the
plough. You are a brave people ; you have fought
a brave fight. Go back to your farms and work-
shops, and follow as bravely the pursuits of peace.'
General Grant was a military enigma. He over-
reached public opinion. He went far beyond
expectations or the hopes of his admirers. He
agreeably disappointed his friends. He accom-
plished everything that he undertook without any
prior profession of merit. He was a man with no
degree of egotism, but, with a charming and coura-

338 LITE -OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

geous modesty ; he forced opportunities and worked
out success from the most intricate combinations
of circumstances."

Much has been written, and more will hereafter
be written, of the remarkable modesty of General
Grant, but the most striking evidence of his indif-
ference to fame which has yet been recorded ap-
pears in this statement of General Badeau : —

"On Sunday afternoon, the 9th of April, 1865,
as General Grant was riding to his headquarters
from the farmhouse in which he had received the
surrender of Lee, it occurred .to him that he had
made no report of the event to the government.
He halted at once and dismounted, with his staff,
in a rough field within the national lines. Sitting
on a stone, he asked for paper. I happened to be
near, and offered him my memorandum book, such
as staff officers often carry for orders or reports in
the field. He laid the book on his knee and Avrote
the despatch in pencil ; he handed it to me, and
told me to send it to the telegraph operator. I
asked him if I might copy the despatch for the
operator, and retain the original. He assented,
and I rewrote the paper, the original of which is
in the keeping of The Century Magazine"

Said General Sherman at the eighteenth reunion
of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee held
at Chicago, September 9, 1885 : "Though twenty
eventful years have transpired since the close of

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 339

the war, I need not repeat to you the trite expres-
sion that our ranks are growing thinner, and our
hair whiter, and that the eves which look up to me,
and which once kindled and Hashed at the trumpet's
sound, now seem sad, as (hough burying the fate of
those five young fellows whose gay and gallant
spirits took their flight in the glorious day the
memories of which we have come together to cele-
brate. Though in war death makes the battle-
field his harvest, yet in peace he insidiously in-
vades the most sacred premises, taking here the
innocent babe, there the gentle, loving wife, again
the youth in lusty manhood, and the king on his
throne. During our last vacation he has stricken
from our list of members the very head and front
— Gen. U. S. Grant — the same who in the cold
winter of 1861-62 gathered together at Cairo, 111.,
the fragments of an army, and led them up the
Tennessee River. The creator and father of the
army of the Tennessee took his final leave of earth
at 8.08 on the morning of July 23, 1885, from
Mt. MacGregor, a spur of the Alleghanies, in plain
view of the historic battlefield of Saratoga. He
had finished his life's work, and had bequeathed to
the world his example. The lightning's flash car-
ried the sad tidings to all parts of the civilized earth,
and I doubt whether, since the beginning, there
ever arose so spontaneous a wail of grief to bear
testimony before high heaven that mankind had

340 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

lost a kindred spirit, and his countrymen a leader.
We, his first war comrades, concede to the family
their superior rights, but claim the next place in
the grand procession of mourners. We were with
him in his days of adversity as well as prosperity,
and were as true to him as the needle to the pole.
We shared with him the trials and tribulations as
well as the labors and battles of Henry, Donelson,
Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg, when that trans-
cendent and most valuable of all victories turned
the universal £>-aze of our bewildered countrymen
to the ' new star ' in the West, which plainly fore-
told the man who had dispelled the cloud which
lowered o'er our house, and was to lead us to the
triumphal victories of 1865, and to the staple, en-
during prosperity of 1885. Hundreds, yea thou-
sands, of busy brains and pens are now trying to
comprehend and describe this man, who did so
much in so short a time, to trace the mysterious
course of his most wonderful career, and to account
for known results. They look to us, who were his
daily associates in that critical epoch, to aid them
in their commendable work, and as your president
I must on this occasion contribute a share. In the
year 1839 I was a first-class man in the United
States Military Academy at West Point, a posi-
tion of exaltation never reached since, though
reasonably successful in life, and there appeared
on the walls of the hall in the old north barracks a

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 341

list of new cadets, among which was U. S. Grant.
A crowd of lookers-on read United States Grant,
Uncle Sam Grant, Sam Grant, and Sam Grant he
is to-day in the traditions of the old Fourth United
States Infantry. It afterwards transpired that his
name was actually Ulysses Hiram Grant, and the
mistake had been made by Gen. Hamer, the mem-
ber of Congress who nominated him as the cadet
from his district. Cadet Grant tried to correct
this mistake at the beginning and end of his cadet
life, without success ; and to history his name must
ever be U. S. Grant.

"I remember his personal appearance at the time,
but the gulf of separation between a first-class man
and a pleb. at West Point was, and is still, deeper
and wider than that between a general-in-chief and
a private in the army, so that I hardly noticed him.
His reputation in the Fourth Infantry, in which he
served through the Mexican war and until he re-
signed his commission of captain in Oregon, July
31, 1854, Avas of a good, willing officer, always
ready for duty, extremely social and friendly with
his fellows, but in no sense conspicuous, brilliant,
or manifesting the wonderful qualities afterwards
developed in him. I recall an instance when I
met him in St. Louis in 1857, when he was a
farmer in the country, and I, too, was out of the
military service. The only impression left on my
memory is, that I then concluded that West Point

342 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

and the regular army were not good schools for
farmers, hankers, merchants and mechanics. I did
not meet him again till the civil war had broken
out, when chaos seemed let loose and the gates of
hell were wide open in every direction. Then
came the news of General Grant's attack on the
enemy's camp at Belmont on November 7, 1861,
soon followed by the events of Columbus, Paducah,
Henry and Donelson, all so simple, so direct, so
comprehensible, that the effect on my mind was
magical. They raised the dark curtain which be-
fore had almost hidden out all hopes for the future,
and displayed the policy and course of action nec-
essary only to be followed with persistence to
achieve ultimate success. Great as were his after
achievements, I shall ever rate those of Henry and
Donelson among the best. Yet, by one of those
accidents so common in war, he had incurred the
displeasure of his superior, General Halleck, whom
I then esteemed as the master-mind ruling and di-
recting the several armies subject to his orders
from his headquarters in St. Louis, so that when,
in March, 1862, I was permitted to take the field
from Paducah with a new division, I found General
Grant at Fort Henry under order from General
Halleck to remain there, and to turn over the
command of his army, then flushed with victory,
to Gen. C. F. Smith, his next in rank. It so
happened that General Smith had been adjutant

TKIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 343

and commandant when Grant and I were cadets at
West Point, and he was universally esteemed as
the model soldier of his day. He had also acquired
large fame in the Utah expedition, and in the then
recent capture of Fort Donelson, so that General
Grant actually looked up to him as the older if
not the better soldier, though he was at that time
the senior by commission. Not one word of com-
plaint came from him, only a general expression of
regret that he had been wrongly and unjustly rep-
resented to General Hal leek, and he advised me
to give General Smith my most loyal support.

" General Smith conducted the expedition up the
Tennessee River to Savannah, Eastport, and Pitts-
burg Landing, gave all the orders and instructions
up to within a few days of the battle of Shiloh,
when his health, shattered by the merest accident,
compelled him to relinquish the command again to
General Grant, who quietly resumed it where Smith
had left off — ' accepted the situation.' He made
few or no changes, and fought, on the ground which
had been selected by General Smith, the bloody
battle of Shiloh. During this fiercely contested
battle he displayed the coolness, the personal
courage, forethought, and deliberation which after-
wards made him famous among men. Yet was he
traduced, slandered, wronged, not only by the
press universally, but by those who were in posi-
tions of authority over him. You, however, who

344 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

were at the battle's front, stood by him, being true
and loyal always, and to his dying day he loved
the Army of the Tennessee above all others, by
reason of their loyalty to him in these the darkest
days of his eventful life.

"Nor was the end yet. After this great battle,
three armies were assembled on that bloody field
— Buell's, Pope's, and Grant's — and General
Halleck came in person from St. Louis to com-
mand the whole, with the declared purpose to
assume the bold offensive. These armies were
reorganized. Buell's army became the centre,
Pope's the left, and Grant's was broken up. One
part, under General George H. Thomas, was
styled the right, while the other, under General
McClernand, composed the reserve. General
Grant was absolutely left out in the cold, with
a title, 'second in command,' unknown to Ameri-
can law or history. All moved forth to Corinth,
consuming the whole month of May, and during
that month became cemented the personal friend-
ship between us which lasted to the end. Not
one word of complaint came from him, no criti-
cism on the acts of his superiors or the govern-
ment, yet the trembling eyelid, the silent tear,
and averted head told that his big heart was
troubled. He knew that every officer and soldier
who had followed him with such noble courage
and simple faith at Belmont, Henry, Donelson and

TEIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 345

Shiloh felt for him, respected him, and under-
stood the load of neglect, if not of positive insult,
he was carrying. He knew and felt that he was
in the way of the commanding general — as it
were, a fifth wheel to a coach — with no real au-
thority, no command, no positive right to order,
or even advise, his former subordinates, hut I am
sure he knew that he was ever welcome *o our
bivouacs, and that we understood ami appreciated
the entire situation. Then occurred the most
questionable 'strategy' f the whole war. That
magnificent army of nearly one hundred thousand
of the best men on this continent, who could, if
united, have marched to Vicksburg or to Mobile,
was deliberately scattered. General Buell, with the
Army of the Cumberland, which Thomas had re-
joined, was sent eastward toward Chattanooga, and
the others were scattered defensively from Eastport
to Memphis. General Grant was sent to command
the district of Memphis, and General Halleck him-
self, being summoned to Washington, cast about
for a new commander for the Army of the Ten-
nessee. He offered the post to a most worthy
quartermaster, who had the good sense to decline,
and himself being compelled to leave, the com-
mand at the West devolved on General Grant, not
by selection, but by virtue of his superior com-
mission.

" Henceforward his career was ever onward and

346 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GEANT.

upward, and when, on the fourth day of July,
1863, Vicksburg surrendered to him, and the
mighty Mississippi ' went unvexed to the sea,' the
whole country arose and recognized in him the
agent who was destined to guide and lead us all to
final victory and triumph. These circumstances
were all known to you at the time, were little ap-
preciated, and were, in truth, the fires designed
by Providence to test the ability, courage, and en-
durance of him on whom a whole epoch in history
was destined to hinge. General Grant knew little
and cared less about ' strategy.' So with r tac-
tics.' He never — so far as I can recall — ex-
pressed a preference for Hardee over Scott, Casey
or Morriss. Still, he loved to see order and sys-
tem, and wanted his corps, divisions, brigades,
and regiments handy and well instructed when
called for.

"He aimed to achieve results, caring little for the
manner by which they were accomplished. He
possessed and always asserted the most perfect
faith in the justice of our cause, and always
claimed that, sooner or later, it must prevail, be-
cause the interest of all mankind demanded the
existence of just such a republic as we had inheri-
ted. He believed in deeds, not words — in a war
of aggression, not of manoeuvre ; and from Belmont
to Appomattox his strategy and tactics were the
same — ever straight to the mark till all armed

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 347

resistance had ceased, and absolute submission to
lawful authority was promised. Fortunate was it
for us, and for all mankind, that two such men as
Lincoln and Grant were on duty during the criti-
cal year 1863, each the full complement to the
other; the one to think, the other to do, forming
the solid arch in which our glorious Union could
safely repose in the then earthquake of passion
and folly. I will not yield to the temptation to
trace the wonderful career of our comrade through
his later life, which, in its phases, surpasses any
of which history, ancient or modern, records.
Surely Plutarch gives no parallel. To compare
Grant with Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, Napo-
leon, or Wellington, seems to me folly, for he was
not similar to any one of them any more than the
period of time in which they existed resembled
ours. Each epoch creates its own agents, and Gen-
eral Grant more nearly impersonated the Amer-
ican character of 1861-65 than any other living
man. Therefore he will stand as the typical hero
of the o-reat civil war in America of the nineteenth
century."

The following interesting reminiscences of Gen.
Grant are given by George W. Childs, of the Phil-
adelphia Ledge?- : " While living in Long Branch
there was hardly a Confederate officer that came
to the place without visiting the general. He was
always glad to see them, and with those men he

348 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. CHANT.

invariably talked over the war. The general had
a very high opinion of General Joe Johnston, and
always spoke of him as being one of the very best
of Southern generals ; and at one of my dinners
I had the pleasure of getting Johnston, Grant and
Sherman too-ether.

"In regard to election matters General Grant was
a very close observer, and had a wonderful judg-
ment in regard to results. One particular case
ma}' be cited : Daring the canvass of his second
term (towards the latter part) there began to be
doubts throughout the country about the election.
Senator Wilson, who was then running: on the
ticket as Vice-President, who was a man of the
people and had a good deal of experience in elec-
tion matters for forty years, made an extensive tour
through the country, and he came to my house just
after the tour very blue. lie went over the ground,
and showed that the matter was in a £> - ood deal of
doubt. I went to see General Grant, and I told
him about this feeling, particularly as coming from
Senator Wilson. The general said nothing, but he
sent for a map of the United States. He laid
the map down on the table, went over it with a
pencil, and said, f We will cany this State, that
State and that State,' until he covered nearly the
whole United States. It occurred to me that he
might as well put them all in, and I ventured the re-
monstrance : f I think it would not be policy to talk

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 349

that way ; the election now is pretty near ap-
proaching.' When the election came, the result
of it was that lie carried every State that he had
predicted, and that prediction was in the face of
the feeling throughout the country that the Repub-
lican cause was growing weaker, and in spite of
the fact that the Vice-President, who was deeply
interested in the election, had visited various parts
of the country, South and West, and had come
back blue and dispirited.

" He was staying with me in Philadelphia during
the canvass of the election between Tilden and
Hayes, and on the morning of the momentous day
after the election, when the returns gave Tilden a
majority of all the electors, he accompanied me to
my office. In a few moments an eminent Repub-
lican senator and one or two other leading Republi-
cans walked in, and they Avent over the returns.
These leaders, notwithstanding the returns, said,
' Hayes is elected,' an opinion in which the others
coincided. General Grant listened to them, but
said nothing. After they had settled the matter
in their own minds, he said, ' Gentlemen, it looks
to me as if Mr. Tilden were elected.' He after-
wards sent for me in Washington and said, ' This
matter is very complicated, and the people will
not be satisfied unless something is done in regard
to it which will look like justice. Now,' he con-
tinued, c I have spoken of an Electoral Commission,

850 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

and the leaders of the party are opposed to it,
which I am sorry to see. They say that if an
Electoral Commission is appointed 3*011 might as
well count in Mr. Tilden. I would sooner have
Tilden than that the Republicans should have a
President who could be stigmatized as a fraud. If
I were Mr. Hayes, I would not have it unless it
was settled in some way outside of the Senate.
This matter is opposed by the leading Republicans
in the House and Senate and throughout the coun-
try.'

"President Grant invited the leading Republi-
can senators to dine with him, to meet me that day,
and to get their sentiment. He said to me, ' You
see the feeling here. I find them almost univer-
sally opposed to anything like an Electoral Com-
mission.' I named a leading Democrat in the
House, who was, perhaps, one of the most promi-
nent men in the country, a man of great influence
and of great integrity of character, Avhom it would
be well for General Grant to see in the matter,
and the suggestion was acted on. I sent for this
gentleman to come to the White House, and put
the dilemma to him in President Grant's name as
follows: f It is very hard for the President, and
very embarrassing as to men on his own side, that
this matter does not seem to find favor with them
as well as to have Democratic opposition. Repub-
licans think you might as well count Tilden in, but

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 351

as the feeling throughout the country demands as
honest a count of the thing as possible, this Elec-
toral Commission ought to be appointed.'

"The answer at once was that the Democrats
would favor it, and it was through that gentleman
and General Grant that the matter was carried
through. Grant was the originator of the plan.
He sent for Mr. Conkling and said, with deep
earnestness, 'This matter is a serious one, and the
people feel it very deeply. I think this Electoral
Commission ought to be appointed.' Conkling
answered, 'Mr. President, Senator Morton (who
was then the acknowledged leader of the Senate)
is opposed to it and opposed to your efforts ; but
if you wish the commission carried, I can do it.'
He said, f I wish it done.' Mr. Conkling took
hold of the matter and put it through. .The
leading Democrat I have spoken of took the in-
itiative in the House and Mr. Conkling in the
Senate. General Patterson of Philadelphia, who
was an intimate friend of General Jackson, and a
lifelong Democrat, was also sent for. He had
large estates in the South, and a great deal of in-
fluence with the Democrats, and particularly with
Southern Democrats. General Patterson then was
upwards of eighty, but he came down there and
remained one or two weeks with General Grant,
working hard to accomplish the purpose in view.
After the bill had passed and was waiting for sig-

352 LIFE OF GEN. IT. S. GRANT.

nature, General Grant went to a State fair in
Maryland the day it should have been signed, and
there was much perturbation about it.

" I was telegraphed by those interested that Gen-
eral Grant was absent, and they were anxious
about the signing. I replied that they might
consider the matter as s:ood as signed, and the
general came back at night and put his name to
the document. Just before General Grant started
on his journey around the world, he was spending
some days with me, and at dinner with Mr. A. J.
Drexel, Colonel A. K. McClure and myself, Gen-
eral Grant reviewed the contest for the creation
of the Electoral Commission, and the contest be-
fore and in the commission, very fully and with
rare candor, and the chief significance of his view
was in the fact, as he stated it, that he expected
from the beginning until the final judgment that
the electoral vote of Louisiana would be awarded
to Tiiden. He spoke of South Carolina and Ore-
gon as justly belonging to Hayes, of Florida as
reasonably doubtful, and of Louisiana as for
Tiiden.

" General Grant acted in good faith throughout
the whole business. It has been said that the
changing of the complexion of the court threw the
matter into Hayes's hands, and if the court had re-
mained as it was, Tiiden would have been declared
President. General Grant was the soul of honor

TEIBTJTES TO GENERAL, GRANT. 353

in this matter, and no one ever accused him, or
ever hinted that he was untruthful in any way.
I, for one, don't believe that he could possibly tell a
lie or act deceitfully. There is another point of
politics not generally known. During Garfield's
canvass, Garfield became very much demoralized.
He said that he not only did think that they would
not carry Indiana, but he was doubtful if they
would carry Ohio. During that emergency strong
appeals were made to General Grant, and he at
once threw himself into the breach. He saw his
strong personal friends, and told them they must
help. There was one very strong man, a senator,
whom General Grant sent for, and told him that
he must turn in, and, though he at first declined,
at General Grant's urgent solicitation he entered
the field, and contributed handsomely to the vic-
tory. General Grant went into the canvass with
might and main. The tide was turned, and it was
through General Grant's personal efforts, seconded
by his strong personal friends, who did not feel
any particular interest in Garfield's election, that
he Avas elected.

"As to General Grant's third term, he never by
word or by any letter suggested to any one that
he would like to be nominated for a third term.
Neither Mr. Conkling, General Logan nor Senator
Cameron had any assurance from him in any way
that he would like the nomination, and they pro-

354 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GEANT.

ceeded in that fight without any authority from
him whatever. His heart was not on a third term
at all. He had had enough of it. After his sec-
ond term he told me, 'I feel like a boy out of
school.' At first Grant intended to decline. In
his conversation with me he said, c It is very diffi-
cult to decline a thing that has never been offered ; '
and when he left the country for the West Indies
I said, ' General, you leave this in the hands of
your friends.' He knew I was opposed to a third
term ; and his political friends were in favor of it,
not merely as friends, but because they thought he
was the only man who could be elected. There is
not a line of his in existence where he has ever ex-
pressed any desire to have that nomination. To-
wards the last, when the canvass became very hot,
I suppose his natural feeling was that he would
like to win. That was natural. But he never
laid any plans. He had never encouraged or
abetted anything towards a third-term movement.

" He was very magnanimous towards those who
differed from him; and when I asked him what
distressed him most in his political life, he said,
f To be deceived by those I trusted.' He had a
good many distresses.

"Apropos of his power of thinking and of ex-
pressing his thoughts, he wrote with great facility
and clearness. His Centennial Address, at the
opening of the exhibition in 1876, was hastily pre-

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 355

pared at my house, and there were only one or two
corrections in the whole matter. When he went to
England he wrote me a letter of fourteen pages,
giving me an account of his reception in England.
The same post that brought that letter contained a
letter from Mr. John Walter, proprietor of the Lon-
don Times, saying that he had seen our mutual
friend, General Grant, on several occasions, and
wondered how he was pleased with his reception in
England. The letter which I had received was so
apropos that I telegraphed it over that very day
to the London Times ; fourteen pages of manu-
script, without one word being altered ; and the
London Times next morning published this letter
with an editorial. It happened that the cablegram
arrived in London the very night the general was
going through the London Times office to see the
establishment. In the letter he said he thought
the English people admirable, and was deeply sen-
sible of the unexpected attention and kindness
shown him ; the letter was written to a friend, not
supposing that it would ever be put in print, and
not one word had to be altered. I cite this to
show General Grant's facility in writing.

"In illustration of his perception of financial mat-
ters I remember an instance. On one of the great
financial questions before Congress he was consult-
ing with Mr. A. J. Drexel, of Philadelphia, whom
he regarded as one of his strongest personal friends,

356 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

and the general expressed certain views, saying
that he had contemplated writing a message. Mr.
Drexel combated his views, and the general re-
considered the matter and wrote a veto, showing
that he was open to conviction. There was a
matter he had considered, he thought, fully, and
when this new light was given to him by Mr.
Drexel, he at once changed, and wrote a veto in-
stead of favoring it. A great many people had an
idea that General Grant was very much set in his
opinions ; but while he had his opinions, at the
same time he was always open to conviction. Very
often in talking with him he wouldn't make an ob-
servation, and when you had got through it would
be difficult to tell exactly whether he had grasped
the subject or not, but in a very short time, if you
alluded to that matter again, you would find that
he had grasped it thoroughly. His power of ob-
servation and mental assimilation was remarkable.
There was no nonsense about him. He was always
neat in his dress, but not fastidious. He said he
got cured of his pride in regimentals when he came
home from West Point.

" Speaking on one or two occasions of the burial
of soldiers, he observed that his old chief, General
Scott, was buried at West Point, and that he
would like to be buried there also. This was sev-
eral years ago, and mentioned merely in casual
conversation. That was a number of years ago,

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 357

and I think once or twice afterwards ; it mi^ht
have been alluded to incidentally since.

"There was a paragraph in the newspapers re-
cently referring to the speech of Hon. Chaimcey
Depew, that Grant had saved the country twice.
I don't know what could have been meant by that
paragraph. In the Electoral Commission he saved
a great deal of trouble, but whether he saved the
country or not is another question. I don't know
whether or not that could be the implication.
What I have said about the Electoral Commission
I have said of my own knowledge.

" The man who was, perhaps, nearer to him than
any one in his cabinet was Hamilton Fish. He
had the greatest regard for the latter's judgment.
It was more than friendship, it was genuine affec-
tion between them, and General Grant always
appreciated Mr. Fish's staying in his cabinet. Mr.
Fish, if he had been governed by his own feelings,
would have left the cabinet.

" Apropos of the Indian matter he told me that,
as a young lieutenant, he had been thrown among
the Indians, and had seen the unjust treatment
they had received at the hands of the white men.
He then made up his mind if he ever had any
influence or power it should be exercised to try to
ameliorate their condition, and the Indian Com-
mission was his idea. He wished to appoint the very
best men in the United States. He selected Wil-

358 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

liam Welsh, William E. Dodge, Felix Brunot, of
Pittsburg, Colonel Robert Campbell, of St. Louis,
and George II. Stuart, of Philadelphia. They
were a portion of the Indian Commission which he
always endeavored to establish, and they always
could count upon him in aiding them in every pos-
sible way. He took the greatest interest always,
and never lost that interest. Even to his last
moments he watched the progress of the matter,
but it was a very difficult matter to handle at any
time, and then especially, as there was a great
Indian ring to break up.

"He was of a very kindly nature, generous to a
fault. I would often remonstrate with him, and
say, 'General, you can't afford to do this,' and I
would try to keep people away from him. In the
case of one subscription, when they wanted him to
contribute to a certain matter which I did not
think he was able to do, I would n't let them go
near him. Some injudicious person went there and
he subscribed a thousand dollars.

"General Grant always felt that he was badly
treated by Halleck, but he rarely spoke un-
kindly of any one. In fact, I could hardly say he
spoke unkindly, but he did feel that he was not
fairly treated by Halleck: During one of my last
visits to him he showed me his army orders, which
he had kept in books. He had a copy of everything
he ever did or said in regard to army matters.

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 359

He Mas very careful about that, as he had written
all the orders with his own hand. He pointed to
one of this large series of books, and said that it
was fortunate that he had kept these things, be-
cause several of the orders could not be found on
any record of the War Department. But during
my long friendship I never heard him more than
two or three times speak unkindly of Halleck,
although he was very unjustly treated by him — a
fact which I think will be borne out by the records.
I told him of something that occurred to me in
connection with one of the parties in charge of
records at Washington. He had been a strong
friend of Halleck, and prejudiced against General
Grant, in the office, where all these things passed
through his hands. But, after twenty years of
examination, he said that there was not a line re-
lating to Grant that did not elevate him in the
minds of thinking people.

"As to Fitz John Porter, I spoke to him during
the early stages of it, at a time when his mind had
been prejudiced by some around him, and when he
was very busy. Afterwards, when he looked into
the matter, he said he was only sorry that he had
so long delayed going at the examination as he
ought to have done. He felt that if ever a man
had been treated badly Porter was. He had ex-
amined the case most carefully, gone over every
detail, and he was perfectly well satisfied that

360 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

Porter was right. lie wanted to do everything in
his power to have him righted, and his only regret
was that he should have neglected so lonsr and
have allowed him to rest under injustice.

" There are few men who would take a back track
as General Grant did so publicly, so determinedly
and so consistently right through. I had several
talks with him, and he was continually reiterating
his regrets that he had not done justice to Porter
when he had the opportunity. He never ceased
to the day of his death from his right to speak and
write in favor of Porter. He ran counter to a
great many of his political friends in this matter,
but his mind was absolutely clear. Not one man
in a thousand would go back on his record in such
a matter, especially when he was not in accord
with the Grand Army or his strong political
friends. Grant went into the matter most care-
fully, and his publications show how thoroughly
he examined the subject, but he never wavered
after his mind was fixed. Then he set to work to
repair the injury done Porter. If Grant had had
time to examine it while he was President, he
would have carried it through. That was his
great regret. He felt that while he had the power
he could have passed it, and ought to have done
so. When Grant took pains and time to look
into the matter, no amount of personal feeling or
friendship for others would keep him from doing

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 361

the right thing. He could not be swerved from
the right.

"Another great trait of his character was his
purity in every way. I never heard him express
or make an indelicate allusion in any manner or
shape. There is nothing I ever heard General
Grant say that could not be repeated in the pres-
ence of women. If a man was brought up for an
appointment, and it was shown that he was an
immoral man, he would not appoint him, no mat-
ter how great the pressure brought to bear upon
him.

" General Grant would sit in my library with four
or five others, talking freely, and doing, perhaps,
two-thirds of the talking. Let a stranger enter
whom he did not know, and he would say nothing
more during that evening. That was one pecu-
liarity of his. He wouldn't talk to people unless
he understood them. At a dinner-party with a
certain set that he knew all well he would lead in
the conversation, but any alien or novel element
Avould seal his tongue. This great shyness or
reticence sometimes, perhaps, made him misunder-
stood."

One of General Grant's Galena friends says
that Grant went to Springfield alone, and without
the knowledge of any person outside of his own
family. Reaching his destination, he first called
upon ex-Senator B. H. McClellan, of Galena,

362 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

whom he knew slightly, and who at the time was a
member of the Illinois Assembly. He told Mc-
Clellan the object of his visit, and the latter, being
greatly interested in Grant, not only because he
was his fellow-townsman, but because he was
skilled in military matters, accompanied him to
the office of the Governor, and introduced him to
Yates.

It had been ascertained by the interception of
letters, that a plan was brewing to cut off the
southern part of the State of Illinois and attach it
to the Confederacy ; rebel sympathizers thronged
the very capital, and besides this the military
affairs of the State were in a perfect chaos, and
the services of experienced, cool and perfectly
loyal men were needed to take the supervision of
things and reduce order out of what was then ab-
ject disorder. Mr. McClellan knew that Grant
was the man for the emergency, and strongly
urged the Governor to avail himself of his valuable
services. He received slight encouragement at
the first interview, but on the following day, when
the two called again on the Governor, the latter
claimed to have nothing for Grant to do, and
could not promise anything for him in the future.
Disappointed and not a little disgusted with the
aspect of things at Springfield, Grant resolved to
go to Ohio and proffer his services to the Governor
of that State. Mr. McClellan told him he must

TEIBUTES TO GENEEAL GEANT. 363

not leave Springfield ; that notwithstanding the
indifference of Yates to his military experience,
the latter would soon be forced to call his (Grant's)
services into requisition, as troops were rapidly
pouring into the capital, and there was no one to
muster them and assign them to regiments.

On the third day, when Grant had fully resolved
to leave, despite the expostulation of Mr. Mc-
Clellan, Congressman Washburne arrived in
Springfield, having been called thither to assist
A. L. Chetlain, captain of Company A, Twelfth Ill-
inois Infantry, in his candidacy for the position of
colonel of the regiment, in which contest he was
strenuously opposed by Congressman Lovejoy, of
Princeton, who had strong military aspirations.
Chetlain was the choice of the regiment, and it did
not take Washburne Ions; to arrange matters for
him. Having secured Chetlain's commission as
colonel, Mr. Washburne's mission was concluded,
and he was about to start back to Galena, when
Assemblyman McClellan called on him in behalf
of Grant, of whose presence in Springfield up to
that time Mr. Washburne had had no knowledge.
He at once saw the importance of securing Grant's
services, and with characteristic promptness and
energy he went to Governor Yates, and told him
he must assign the captain to duty. The Governor
thought over the matter awhile, and finally said :
"To tell the truth, Washburne, I have forty ap-

364 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

plications for every army position at rny disposal,
but I will create a new place for your friend. I'll
make him my military adviser."

It was in this capacity, and ultimately through
the influence of Mr. Washburne, that Grant was
employed in the military service of the State.
His first labors were in Adjutant-General Fuller's
department, where matters were soon put in proper
shape. The day following Grant's appointment
as " military adviser " to the Governor, Mr. Mc-
Clellan was passing through the State House, when
he met the captain in the rotunda, with his arms
full of old muskets, which he was carrying to the
adjutant-general's office. Nodding to his fellow-
townsman, Grant said : " It's all right, McClellan.
You see I am at work."

The following reminiscences are given by Gen-
eral Morris Schaff : The day General Grant came
down from Washington to take command of the
Army of the Potomac it was generally known at
Meade's headquarters the time his train was due,
and quite a number of stall-officers and soldiers
gathered about the station. There was great curi-
osity to see the hero of Donelson, Vicksburg and
Chattanooga. One after another of the members
of his staff" came out of the car, and then came
Grant in undress uniform. He was about 43
years old and in perfect health. Before coming
down the steps, he looked oiF around the crowd,

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 365

with an entire absence of any self-consciousness,
which has been one of his strongest characteristics,
and which trait no one writing his civil history
while President, or since, can afford to overlook,
for it accounts for the occasion of all the adverse
criticism that he has received.

During the battle of the Wilderness his head%
quarters were in a little clump of pines, and I was
there off and on throughout the battle, and very
well remember how perfectly calm he was. While
aides were coming and going, giving the progress
of the engagement, his manner was in marked con-
trast to that of his friend Washburne, of Illinois,
who, with Assistant Secretary of War Dana, was
present, and could not keep still, his anxiety be-
ing so great for Grant's success.

On the afternoon of the second day of the battle
of the Wilderness I started with his first despatches
and an operator to telegraph them to Washington.
He wrote his despatch while sitting at the foot of
a pine tree. We reached Rappahannock station
about sundown, and while the operator was trying
to call up Washington I opened and read his de-
spatch to the secretary of war. While I cannot
recall the exact language, I remember I was struck
with the simplicity and courage, for to an ordinary
observer things looked black enough at the front.
The occasion of sending these despatches was a
misapprehension as to the amount of ammunition

866 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

on hand in the army, and also to make arrange-
ments for the trains that brought the supplies to
take back wounded. AVhile resting the escort be-
fore goino- back to Manassas, the circuit having
been broken, a spy came through with orders to
return with the despatches.

I saw Grant under tire the night before General
Sedgwick was killed; he was perfectly self-con-
trolled. Men who were in the battle well remem-
ber the desperate assault made by Sedgwick that
night. I remember, while the assault was <roino-
on, Sedgwick coming on foot to Grant. I don't
know what he said, but heard Grant say in quiet
tones-, " Put your men in, General Sedgwick." The
fire at this time was heavy all round. We were
then between our lines of battle, and as he sat on
his tall bay horse "Egypt" (which had been given
him by friends in Egypt, 111.), with his composed
resoluteness, I am sure he must have inspired all
the men with courage who saw him.

When we got to City Point, as some of his staff
were old West Point friends, I used to go over to
headquarters very often, in fact almost every day,
and join the group under the tent-fly in front of
Grant's tent. When he was present he joined in
the talk, and the conversation was perfectly free
and natural, and this I mention as he was the only
commander of the Army of the Potomac, and the
only man of high military rank I have ever seen,

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 367

who did not make one conscious, more or less un-
pleasantly, of his rank.

While he frequently talked of his Western cam-
paigns, I only remember to have heard him make
one reference to pending military matters. This
was when Early was threatening Washington.
During a lull in the talk he said, quietly : "I wish
I was in the rear of old Early to-day with twenty-
five hundred or three thousand good men. I would
relieve Washington mighty quickly."

He has been represented as a stolid and indiffer-
ent man to the fortunes and feelings of others ;
but the night after the ordnance depot I had in
charge at City Point was exploded by a Confeder-
ate torpedo (the report of the men who brought it
down from Richmond was found there after the
evacuation, and is now in Washington), and I was
feeling badly at the loss of a great many of my
men, and worse over criticism of carelessness that
had been made, he spoke to me in the kindest
manner, and told me not to mind it as I could in
no way be held responsible for what had hap-
pened ; that a similar explosion had occurred with
him at Vicksburs;. This is a small affair to men-
tion, but coming at the time it did and under the
circumstances, for I was not on his staff, and was
but a bo}^, it made a deep impression.

The following; story gives a striking illustration
of Grant's prompt action and stern imperturb-
ability.

368 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

The war was over. General Lee and his half-
starved Confederates had returned to their deso-
lated homes on their parole of honor. The
victorious Northern and Western armies, under
command of Grant and Sherman, were encamped
in and around Washington city. Jefferson Davis
was an inmate of a casemate in Fortress Monroe,
and Edwin M. Stanton was the power behind the
throne, who ran the Government while Secretary
of War.

Generals Grant and Rawlins were playing a
game of billiards in the National Hotel. A major
in the regular army entered the room in a hurry
and whispered to General Grant. The latter laid
his cue on the table, saying, " Rawlins, don't dis-
turb the balls until I return," and hurried out.
One of the two civilians said to the other, " Pay
for the game and hurry out. There is something
up."

General Grant had reached the street, where, in
front of the hotel, stood a mounted sentinel. Grant
ordered the soldier to dismount ; and, springing
into the saddle, put spurs to the horse, and rode
up the avenue so fast as to attract the attention of
pedestrians.

Colonel Barroll, of the Second Regular Infantry,
was disbursing officer in the quartermaster's de-
partment, and to the colonel one of the civilians
went for information. Asking him if he knew the

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 369

reason of General Grant's hasty action, Colonel
Barroll answered, " Yes, and as you are aware of
the coming of General Grant I will tell you all
about it." Colonel Barroll then said : " Secretary
Stanton sent for me in reference to the execution
of certain orders, and while listening to his instruc-
tions General Grant came in. The secretary
greeted the general with a pleasant c Good morn-
ing,' which the latter returned, and in continuation
said, ' Mr. Secretary, I understand that you have
issued orders for the arrest of General Lee and
others, and desire to know if such orders have
been placed in the hands of any officer for execu-
tion.'

" ( I have issued writs for the arrest of all the
prominent rebels, and officers will be despatched
on the mission pretty soon,' replied the Secretary.

"General Grant appeared cool, though laboring
under mental excitement, and quickly said : —

"'Mr. Secretary, when General Lee surren-
dered to me at Appomattox Court-House, I gave
him my word of honor that neither he nor any
of his followers would be disturbed so long as they
obeyed their parole of honor. I have learned noth-
ing to cause me to believe that any of my late ad-
versaries have broken their promises, and have
come here to make you aware of that fact, and
would also suggest that those orders be cancelled.'

" Secretary Stanton became terribly angry at

370 LITE OF GEN. U. S. GEANT.

being spoken to in such a manner by his inferior
officer, and said : —

" f General Grant, are you aware whom you are
talking to? I am the Secretaiy of War.'

" Quick as a flash Grant answered back, 'And
I am General Grant. Issue those orders at your
peril.' Then turning on his heel General Grant
walked out of the room as unconcerned as if noth-
ing had happened.

" It is needless to say that neither General Lee
nor any of his soldiers were arrested. I was dis-
missed from the presence of the secretary with the
remark that my services in connection with the
arrest of the leading rebels would be dispensed
with until he took time to consider, and I now
wait the result of his decision." Like some cases
in law, that decision of the great War Secretary was
reserved for all time.

Nathan Paige, a well-known lawyer of Wash-
ington, declares that Grant was one of the most
honest and upright of men, as he had seen his most
acute sense of honor rigidly tested. When Grant
was President, one of his nearest friends, who is
now dead, came to Mr. Paige to make a loan of
$3000. This friend said he had an affair in the
War Department that would net him $50,000,
which would certainly go through if Grant would
approve it. This gentleman counted upon Grant's
approval as absolute. Paige told him : " I will

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 371

let you have the money, but you may be sure that
he will not approve it unless it is right." No more
was said about the matter. Time passed on. The
note given for the loan was promptly met. Paige,
meeting the borrower upon the street soon after,
said to him, "I see your War Department matter
got through all right, as the note was very
promptly met." The debtor shook his head.
"How did you pay then?" was asked. " I will
tell you in confidence," was the reply. " After I
obtained the money from you, I went directly to
the President. I said to him, ' You know I am
poor. With a stroke of your pen you can make
me rich. I am related to you by the closest ties
of blood and association. You cannot refuse me.'
I then explained the matter. Grant said he could
not do it. It would not be right. Seeing me very
much cast down, he asked me if I was in debt. I
explained that I was in debt $3000 — your note
— and could not meet it. He at once wrote me
his check for that amount, without a word. It
was that check which took up your note." Mr.
Paige afterwards investigated his story carefully,
and, having confidential relations with the cashier
of the bank where the note was paid, was able to
verify its truth.

The following eulogy was delivered by Hon.
James G. Blaine : " The public sensibility and
personal sorrow over the death of General Grant

372 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GKANT.

are not confined to one continent. Profound ad-
miration for great qualities, and still more profound
gratitude for great services, have touched the
hearts of the people with true sympathy, increased
even to tender emotion by the agony of his closing
days and the undaunted heroism with which he
morally conquered a last cruel fate. The world,
in its hero-worship, is discriminating and practical,
if not, indeed, selfish. Eminent qualities and rare
achievements do not always insure lasting fame.
A brilliant orator attracts and enchains his hearers
with his inspired and inspiring gift ; but if his
speech be not successfully used to some great,
public, worthy end, he passes soon from popular
recollection, his only reward being in the fitful
applause of his forgetting audience. A victorious
general in a war of mere ambition receives the
cheers of the multitude and the ceremonial honors
of his government ; but if he bring no boon to his
country, his fame will find no abiding place in the
centuries that follow. The hero for the ages is he
who has been chief and foremost in his day in con-
tributing to the moral or material progress, to the
grandeur and glory, of the succeeding generations.
Washington secured the freedom of the colonies
and founded a new nation. Lincoln was the
prophet who warned the people of the evils that
were undermining our free government, and the
statesman who was called to leadership in the work

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 373

of their extirpation. Grant was the soldier who, by
victory in the field, gave vitality and force to the
policies and philanthropic measures which Lincoln
devised in the cabinet for the regeneration and
security of the republic.

" The monopoly of fame by the few in this world
comes from an instinct, perhaps from a deep-seated
necessity of human nature. Heroes cannot be
multiplied. The gods of mythology lost their
sacredness and their power by their numbers. The
millions pass into oblivion, the units only survive.
Who aided the great leader of Israel to conduct
the chosen people over the sands of the desert and
through the waters of the sea into the Promised
Laud? Who marched with Alexander from the
Bosphorus to India? Who commanded the legions
under Ceesar in the conquest of Galil? Who
crossed the Atlantic- with Columbus? Who ven-
tured through the winter passes of the Alps with
the conqueror of Italy ? Who fought with Welling-
ton at Waterloo? Alas! How\oon it may be
asked who passed with Sherman from the moun-
tains to the sea? Who stood with Meade on the
Victorious field of Gettysburg? Who shared with
Ihomas in the glories of Nashville? Who went
with Sheridan through the trials and the triumphs
of the blood-stained valley?

" General Grant's name will survive through the
centuries, because it is indissolubly connected with

374 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GKANT.

the greatest military and moral triumph in the his-
tory of the United States. If the armies of the
Union had ultimately failed, the vast and benefi-
cent designs of Lincoln would have been frustra-
ted, and he would have been known in history as a
statesman and philanthropist who, in the cause of
humanity, cherished great aims which he could not
realize, and conceived great ends which he could
not attain — as an unsuccessful ruler whose policies
distracted and dissevered his country ; while Gen-
eral Grant would have taken his place with that
long and always increasing array of great men
who are found wanting in the supreme hour of
trial.

" But a higher power controlled the result. God
in his gracious mercy had not raised up those men
for works which should come to naught. In the
reverent expression of Mr. Lincoln, 'No human
council devised, nor did any mortal hand work
out, those great things.' In their accomplishment
those human agents were sustained by more than
human power, and through them great salvation
was wrought for the land. As long, therefore, as
the American union shall abide, with its blessings
of law and liberty, Grant's name shall be remem-
bered with honor. As long as the slavery of
human beings shall be abhorred, and the freedom
of man assured, Grant's name shall be recalled
with gratitude. And in the cycles of the future

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 375

the story of Lincoln's life can never be told with-
out associating Grant in the enduring splendor of
his own great name.

"General Grant's military supremacy was hon-
estly earned without factious praise, without extra-
neous help. He had no influence to urge his
promotion except such as was attracted by his
own achievements ; he had no potential friends
except those whom his victories won to his sup-
port. He rose more rapidly than any military
leader in history. In two and a half years he was
advanced from the command of a single regiment
to the supreme direction of a million men, divided
into many great armies, and operating over an
area as large as the empires of Germany and Aus-
tria combined. lie exhibited extraordinary quali-
ties in the field. Bravery among xlmerican officers
is a rule which has happily had few exceptions,
but, as an eminent general said, Grant possessed
a quality above bravery — he had an insensibility
to danger, apparently an unconsciousness of fear.
Besides that, he possessed an evenness of judgment
to be depended upon in sunshine and in storm.
Xapoleon said : ' The rarest attribute anions; sren-
erals is two o'clock in the morning courage. I
mean,' he added, 'unprepared courage — that which
is necessary on an unexpected occasion, and which,
in spite of the most unforeseen events, leaves
full freedom of judgment and promptness of deci-

376 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GEANT.

sion.' No better description could be given of
the type of courage which distinguished General
Grant. His constant readiness to fight was an-
other quality which, according to the same great
authority, established his rank as a commander.
'Generals,' said the exile at St. Helena, 'are rarely
found eager to give battle. They choose their
positions, consider their combinations, and then in-
decision begins. Nothing,' added this greatest
warrior of modern times, ' nothing is so difficult as
to decide.' General Grant in his services in the
field never once exhibited indecision, and it was
this quality which gave him his crowning charac-
teristic as a military leader. He inspired his men
with a sense of their invincibility, and they were
thenceforth invincible.

" The career of General Grant when he passed
from military to civil administration was marked
by his strong qualities. His presidency of eight
years was filled with events of magnitude, in
which, if his judgment was sometimes questioned,
his patriotism was always conceded. He entered
upon his office after the angry disturbance caused
by the singular conduct of Mr. Lincoln's successor,
and quietly enforced a policy which had been for
four years the cause of embittered disputation.
His election to the presidency proved, in one im-
portant aspect, a landmark in the history of the
country. For nearly fifty years preceding that

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 377

event there had been few presidential elections in
which the fate of the Union had not in some decree
been agitated, either by the threats of political
malcontents or in the apprehensions of timid pat-
riots. That day and that danger had passed. The
Union was saved by the victory of the army com-
manded by General Grant. No menace of its
destruction has ever been heard since General
Grant's victory before the people.

"Death always holds a flag of truce over its
own. Under that flag friend and foe sit peacefully
together, passions are stilled, benevolence is re-
stored, wrongs arc repaired, justice is done. It
was impossible that a career so long, so prominent,
so positive, as that of General Grant, should not
have provoked strife and engendered enmity. For
more than twenty years — from the death of Mr.
Lincoln to the close of his own life, General Grant
was the most conspicuous man in America, one to
•whom leaders looked for leadership, upon whom
partisans built their hopes of victory, to whom
personal friends by tens of thousands offered the
incense of sincere devotion. It was according to
the weakness and the strength of human nature
that counter movements should ensue, that General
Grant's primacy should be challenged, that his
party should be resisted, that his devoted friends
should be confronted by jealous men in his own
ranks, and by bitter enemies in the ranks of his

378 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

opponents. But all these passions and all these
resentments are buried in the grave which to-day
receives his remains. Contention respecting his
rank as a commander ceases, as Unionist and Con-
federate alike testify to his prowess in battle and
his magnanimity in peace ; controversy over his
civil administration closes, as Democrat and Re-
publican unite in pronouncing him to have been in
every act and in every aspiration an American
patriot."

Said General Devens in his eloquent address :
It is twenty years since the only name worthy
to be mentioned with that of General Grant has
passed into history. It seems like a caprice of
fortune that while the great soldier of the war of
the rebellion went almost unscathed through a hun-
dred fights, its great statesman should die by the
assassin's hand. How like a wondrous romance
it reads that, in less than three years, from a
simple captain, whose offer of his services to the
"War Department was thought of so little conse-
quence that the letter, although since carefully
searched for, cannot be found, Grant had risen
from rank to rank until he became the lieutenant-
general who was to unite all the military springs
of action in a single hand, to govern them by a
single will, to see (to use his own expression) that
the armies of the Union pulled no longer "like a
balky team," but were moved and animated by a

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 379

single purpose. Yet his way had not been one of
uninterrupted success, and there had been no suc-
cess that had not been won by his own wisdom and
courage. He had seized and controlled the Ohio,
and held Kentucky in the Union; he had opened
the Tennessee and the Cumberland by the victories
of Forts Henry and Donelson, but the much mis-
understood battle of Shiloh had reduced him, un-
complaining always, to a subordinate command
under General Halleck, whose own failure at Cor-
inth finally gave to him at last the command of all
forces operating to open the Mississippi. Again
and again during the often repeated repulses from
Yicksburg there had been attempts to remove him,
mainly at the instance of those who did not com-
prehend the vastness of the problem with which
he had to deal. Mr. Lincoln had stood by him,
saving in his peculiar way, " I rather like that man ;
I o-uess I will try him a little longer," until at last
Vicksburg was taken, by a movement marked with
the audacity of a master in the art of war, who
dares to violate established rules and make excep-
tions when great emergencies demand that great
risks shall be run. The 4th of July, 1863, was
the proudest day the armies of the Union up to
that time had ever known, for the thunders of the
cannon that announced in the East the great vic-
tory of Gettysburg were answered from the West
by those that told that the Mississippi in all its
mighty length ran unvexed to the sea.

380 LIFE OF GEN. U. S. GRANT.

His victory at Chattanooga followed the placing
of the armies of the West under his sole control,
and the time had come when he was to direct the
armies of the whole Union. His place was there-
after with the Army of the Potomac as the most
decisive point of struggle, although its immediate
command remained with General Meade. It was
only thus and through its vicinity to the Capital
that he could direct every military operation. As
he entered upon the great campaign of 1864, Mr.
Lincoln said : " If there is anything wanting which
is within my power to give, do not fail to let me
know it. And now, with a brave army and a just
cause, may God sustain you." And General Grant
had answered, " Should my success be less than I
desire or expect, the least I can say is the fault is
not with you." Side by side they stood together
thus through all the desperate days that ensued,
until in April, 1865, the terrific and protracted
struggle was ended between the two great armies
of the East; the long tried, always faithful Army
of the Potomac held its great rival, the Army of
North Virginia, in the iron embrace of its o-leamino-
wall of bayonets, and the sword of Lee was laid
(figuratively at least) in the conquering hand of
Grant. Side by side Lincoln and Grant will stand
forever in the Pantheon of history, and somewhere
in the eternal plan we would willingly believe
those great spirits shall yet guard and shield the
land they loved and served so well.

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 381

Whatever General Grant's errors or his weak-
nesses — and he was mortal — like the spots on
the sun, they but .-how the brightness of the sur-
rounding surface, and we readily forget thorn as
we remember the vast debt we owe. Whether
without him we could have achieved success, it is
certain that only through him we did achieve suc-
cess. He was thoroughly patriotic, and Ids patri-
otism sprang from his faith in the American Union.
He had been educated to the service of the govern-
ment ; he had looked to this rather than to the
parties that exist under it, whose zeal sometimes
leads men to forget that there can be no party
success worth having that is not for the benefit of
all. His political affiliations were slight enough,
perhaps, but they had not been with the party that
elected Mr. Lincoln. He knew well, however,
that this frame of government once destroyed could
never be reconstructed. He had no faith in any
theory which made the United States powerless to
protect itself. He comprehended fully the real
reason why the slave States, dissatisfied with just
and necessary restraint, sought to extricate them-
selves from the Union, and he knew that a war
commencing for its integrity would broaden and
widen until it became one for the liberty of all
men, and there was neither master nor slave in the
land. His letter to his brother-in-law, lately pub-
lished, although written during the first week of

382 LIFE OF GEN. TJ. S. GRANT.

the war, his written remark to General Buckner
in their interesting interview just before he died,
M that the war had been worth all that it had cost,"
show how strongly he felt that, purified by the
fires of the rebellion, the Union had risen grander
and more august among nations. Who shall say
he was not right? Who shall say that if all the
noble lives so freely offered could be restored, but
with them must return the once discordant Union
with its system of slavery, they who gave would
consent to have them purchased at such a price ?

General Grant was not of those who supposed
that the conflict with the South was to be any
summer's day campaign ; he knew the position
of the South, its resources, its military capacity,
and the fact that, acting on the defensive, it would
move its armies on interior lines. He recognized
the difficulty in dealing with so vast an extent of
territory, and that in a war with a hostile people,
rather than a hostile army only, we could often
hold but the tracts of territory immediately under
our campfires ; yet he never doubted of ultimate
success. He never believed that this country was
to be rent asunder by factions, or dragged to its
doom by traitors. He said to General Badeau
once, who had asked him if the prospect never ap-
palled him, that he always felt perfectly certain of
success. Thus, though to him many days were
dark and disastrous, none were despondent. "The

TRIBUTES TO GENERAL GRANT. 383

simple faith in success you have always mani-
fested," said Sherman to him, "I can liken to
nothing else than the faith a Christian has in the
Saviour." His remarkable persistence has caused
him sometimes to be looked on as a mere dogged
fighter. No suggestion could be more preposter-
ous. He felt sure of his plan before he com-
menced ; then temporary obstructions and difficul-
ties did not dismay him, and, whatever were the
checks, he went on with resolution to the end.

If stern and unyielding in the hour of conflict,
in the hour of victory no man was ever more gen-
erous and magnanimous. He felt always that
those with whom we warred were our erring
countrymen ; and that when they submitted to the
inevitable changes that war had made, strife was at
an end. But he never proposed to yield or tamper
with what had been won for liberty and humanity
in that strife.

He has passed beyond our mortal sight — sus-
tained and soothed by the devotion of friends and
comrades, by the love of a people, by the affec-
tionate respect and regard of many once in arms
against him. In that home where he was almost
worshipped, M he has wrapped the drapery of his
couch around him, as one that lies clown to pleas-
ant dreams." Front to front on many a field he had
met the grim destroyer where the death-dealing
missiles rained thick and fast from the rattling

384 LIFE OF GEN. TL S. GRANT.

rifles and the crashing cannon. He neither quailed
nor blanched, although death came at last with a
summons that could not be denied, when all that
makes life dear was around him. He could not
but know he was to live still in memory as long as
the great flag around which his fio-htinsr lesions

O © © © ©

rallied should wave above a united people. To
most men the call of death is terrible,

" But to the hero, when his sword has won
The battle of the free,
That voice sounds like a prophet's word,
And in its hollow tones are heard
The thanks of millions yet to be."

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

'13 789 257 1

%%%&/%!#

i.M£ ;; ^- ;

■<!■■ ■: :

'