Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-08-29

he went TO work, and, in three weeks, had
everything straight There was one clerk
beside himself and generally more Or less
hired men. As this was the only establish.
ment OF the kind In the place, the trade OF
which is large there was much business to
DO. Captain Grant was not remarkable as a
salesman, but he was good TO oversee and TO
manage GENERALLY, lie bought the hides as
they were brought to the store in country
wagons. He took them in himself. Those
not acquainted mistook him for the porter.
In this way, here in the city of Galena, he
tolled on for two long years. He was
employed at $40 month. The intention on
the part of his father was, after a while, to
establish him in the business, but he was ex-
pected 10 live ON 1880 year Sometimes
his wife had hired girl, but usually she did
her own work
During these two years, Captain Grant
made very few acquaintances. There were
plenty OF business men ON the street who did
not know him, and who never heard his
name spoken. presume it would be easy
| 10 number his associates on ones fingers. |
have heard business men say that they never
neard oil nm till he was put in command at
Cairo. On his arrival here to-day, the vast
majority of the citizens of Galena are able to
recognize him only by his portraits and yet
this is the only home he has
THOSE two years were years Of trial and
encouragement. In fact, the Captain came
hither from st. Louis in great degree dis
heartened; still he would not give up. He
Is described as a broken-down man. This
anecdote is related: During the great depre-
clatlon In currency, Captain Grant bought
pork Of the farmers to send on East to get
New York exchange. One day some farmers
sold him their pork. They inquired where
they could get gold-they must have it to
pay taxes. The clerk in the house would
sell 1t for a certain figure. Capt Grant said
he believed this was too much he did not
know exactly what it ought to be but he
advised them to go to the bank and inquire.
The result was that the farmers saved twelve
dollars
At this time, Captain Grant was drawing
beyond his expenses, though this was not
ascertained till the end of the year. He
could not live on $40 a month. His CONVEX
sation was varied, but he liked to talk on the
Mexican war Mostly he was a man of
silence. MIR. Washburne tells me that he
seemed to him to be thinking ON some abstract
subject, and that he took him to be a thought
full, reflective, and large-minded man. l
will say here, that he always was temperate,
and every way correct in his behavior.
A month or so before the Fort Sumpter
outrage, and afterward, Capt. Grant was
uneasy. He walked through the streets, and
TO and fro in the store, saying nothing, and
apparently in troubled state of mind About
those days the Douglas Guard organized in
the city to counteract the Lincoln Wide
Awakes, and Capt. Grant, as a military man,
was appointed orderly sergeant His reply
was that captain in the United States
Infantry was not the one to take such position.
He did not go near them He meddled so
little with politics that it is to this day
unknown whether he voted for Lincoln OF
Douglas.
AT last war came a war meeting was
held, and Captain Grant was appointed
chairman. Then he went to Mr. Washburne
and said he had been educated at West Poin
at the expense of the Government he had
resigned, expecting never to serve again, but
now he offered his services for what they
were worth. A company was raised in the
town, and under his direction it was equipped
and sent to Cairo.
Galena is in the northwest part of the
State Sometimes the wants of this corner
are disregarded. At Springfield there is
always a ring of politicians who are anxious
to provide for their set. 1t is difficult to dc
anything with them Mr.. Washburne urged
Captain Grant to go down and offer his
services. He would help him all he could.
The Captain went down, and after some delay
he was set to work drawing up and copying
papers. After while he told them they
could get some one to do such work as wei
as he for dollar day. 1t was not in hi
line to be kept in corner at desk, seeing
nobody, and doing so little. He was me-
coldly nobody knew him, nobody cared fol
him. Other persons then toelc an interest il
him among them Mr. Houghton, and Mr..
Mcclellan, President of the bank here. The
latter in particular, pressed the Captain
claims.
Then he was appointed an aid to Governo
Yates, and directed to hunt up the Stat
arms. He found about fifteen hundred rusty
muskets He also mustered i'll men. Still
so many We're his discouragenents and 81
coldly was he looked upon, thnt he told hi
friends he was not wanted, and that he hat
| better go home.
The Importance of being a man of militarl
knowledge was urged upon the Governor
II was proposed that he should be the colone
of the 21st Regiment, but another got it.
About this time Captain Grant went Il
Ohio to see his father, when GoVerno
Dennison was urged to give him an appoint
ment The prospect here was good. Thei
he came back to Illinois. By this time the
21st Regiment had become demoralized
The men talked of putting the colonel in thu
guard-house. Capt Grant was sent to them
by the help of Logan the men were quieted
and then our Captain was appointed thei
colonel.
Then Colonel Grant came back to Galen
to get his clothes; yes, to get his clothes
He had to have a uniform. To get it, none
was pOrTOWtu anu security given lor VI
= money. The American people can afford t
It read this now. Then he went back o.
A taking his men he had them march, sayinl
t they would learn four times as fast He wen
s to Missouri, and was under Fremont.
Meanwhile his friends were ''indeed yer.
few" Mr.. Houghton, editor Of The Gazette
on the 31st May, 1861, describes ColonG
; Grant as the soul of honor, and no ma
n breathes who has a more patriotic heart, an
~ ''our new soldiers need the leadership of
i rare man like Captain Grant" June 20, tn
70 paper saws, command of an Ohio regimen
y has been rendered Captain Grant, and
y urges his fitness for high command. Jun
- 22, is Il notice that Captain Giant has accepte
= the eolonelcy of the 7th District Regiment
u July 81, states that Colonel Grant is TO be pre-
i noted to brigadiership, and congratulate
the service on the event. December 23, is Il
% editorial estimating the character of Gener,
y, Grant, and in particular it mentions h
4 modesty, fTankness, sagacity, and strategy
~ =, take these things from the files Of the papl
Il myself.
~ ~ I will say here, that General Grants fathe
sr was Il thorough going Union man, if not
a. radical, but there were some relatives qqit
III different
is All business is suspended in the city
o Galena. General Grant returns to the onl
lv home he has. Flags float everywhere. Acro'
~ Main street, from the corner OF the De sol
~ Hotel. from the different windows of whic
m .a float one hundred and eighty flags, stretchC
~ ~ n beautiful triumphal arch. On one side
'SV reaching TO the top, are the words
or "Welcome to our Citizen"
he Weldon Railroad, Fair Oaks,
ed Wilderness petersburg,
or Richmond, Five FORKS. "
de On the other side;-