The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-08-19
Lieut.. General Grant.

Lieut.. General Grant.
/ The following is an extract from a
sketch of Gen. Grant, by Prof. Coppee,
Editor of the Unted Sercice Magazine
The whole article is of much ability
The August number of the magazine
will have a full, graphic and interesting
biography of Major Gen. w L. Sher-
man, written by distinguished Off
cer-an intimate personal friend.
Born of respectable parents, at Point
Pleasant, Clermout County, Ohio, Grant
was clever, self reliant, but by no
means uncommon Western lad, who
was fortunate in procuring an appoint
ment to the Military Academy, "the
nursing mother of heroes" He en-
tered that institution in 1889, and while
there was only noted for being plain,
good fellow, of great equanimity, con-
tentment, amiability, and common
sense. He sought no popularity with
his fellows students; but they all liked
him; and it was there he received the
sobriquet (every good fellow has
nickname at West Point of Uncle
Sam, from his initials. No one there
thought he would ever be general;
indeed, his quiet, retiring demeanor
rather yelled than manifested the fine
manly qualities which all believed him
to possess.
Graduating in 1S43, he was brevet-
ted second lieutenant in the Fourth
Infantry, and during the Mexican War
4 participated il every important battle
except Buena Vista In Mexico, his
record is distinguished above his rank.
At Chepultepec he called forth the eulo-
4 gies of his regimental, brigade, and
division commanders, and may well be
proud of the notice of him in Gen.
Worths report,
He resigned his commission in July,
1854, and set about the difficult task
difficult as a general rule, to army of
/ ticers who leave the service without in
1 dependent means--by gaining liveh-
hood for himself and family by hard
work. He dealt in wood, he farmed
little; he turned his hand to many
things, with no great success.
The war broke out; the echoing can
non of Sumpter was Grants summons
to the field. First colonel of volun-
teers; then, when several regiments
came together, an acting brigadier; by
reason of his superior West Point
knowledge, he was soon after appoint
ed full brigadier; and with that
rank he occupied Fort Henry and
moved upon the enemys works at
Donelson. A great victory that, to
people anxious and fearful. Who will
soon forget the enthusiasm it aroused {?
For this he was made major general of
volunteers, and at once given a more
important command.
He fought the battle of Pittsburg
Landing on the 9th and It'll of April,
1862. But here candor compels us to
say that but for the immediate and
timely appearance of General Buells
forces, and the very noble, able, and
gallant conduct of that officer, the dis
aster of the first day might not have
been retrieved. Grant had been over
powered. Grant, who has done so
much and so brilliantly, will, we are
sure, not refuse the chief glory of Shi-
loh to General Buell., who, we think,
richly deserves it.
But all his former glories pale be-
fore the spdendor of his Vieksburg
campaign. The remarkable letter of
President Lincoln is the noblest cpl
tome He says, when you got below,
and took Port Gibson, Grand Gulf,
and vicinity, thought you should go
down the river and join Gen. Banks,
and when you turned northward, east
of the Big Black, / feared it was mis-
take. have now to make a personal
acknowledgment that you aoere right
and ,oas ,crong.
We need dwell no longer upon the
great actions which illustrate his ca
reer. We draw from them few infer
ences which cannot be questioned
Promising to our readers that General
Grant is an educated and practical
soldier. let us look at his chief quail
tiles.
Grant is brave man; not only fear
less in all necessary exposure of his
person in battle but cool, calculating
and clearly administrative in danger.
: A splendid horseman, and of great
, physical endurance, perhaps he is seen
! to best advantage on the field of battle
! directing the movements. .ta
J He is true man; true in his aims,
and in his adherence TO them; true
} in speech and in act. He has no tor