The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-09-08
Miseellaneous.
Familiar History Of Gen. Grant.

A correspondent Of the N. Y. Tribune ai
Galena. illinois, the home Of Lieut.. General
Grant. gives the following familiar history OF
that remarkable man during tho few year.
previous to the war when he had his real
dencc in that place. The account is very in.
tercsting and its truth is vouched for:
"About fifteen years ago Gen. Grants Ia
ther established leather house here, under
the firm Of Collins & Co. The leather was
tanned ut Covington, Kentucky, and sent
hitbcr. The firm did well, and it is under.
stood made fortune. Tho firm was dissolved
aud sou came on to conduct tho business.
but in abont two years hs died Of consump-
ton. lie was well liked and was an excel
lent business man.
Meanwhile, Ulysses Grant, having gradu.
atcd at West Point, went into the Mexican
war. where he distinguished himself in every
battle except one, when he was not present
that was fought; thence he went to Oregon,
and acted as Captain in the Quartcrmaster''
Department. Eleven years since he resigned
his commission and went to st. Louis, where
no had some interest in piece Of land, and
Twas told he engaged in hauling wood to
market, himself driving his own oxen.
On the death Of his brother his father en-
gayed him to come hither and take charge Of
the store. Now come 30 mention things
never before related. have to tell hard
story. Statements previously made about
Gen. Grant will DO blown away. Many a
young man on reading what follows viii be
encouraged. gather my account from the
most trustworthy sources.
Capt. Grant. rs he was called, found the
Affairs Of the concern IN great disorder, but
no went to work, and in three weeks had ev-
erything straight. There WA, one clerk be-
sides himself. and generally more or less hir-
Cd men. As this was tho only establishment
Of the kind in tho place, the trade Of which
is large. there was much business to do.
Capt. Grant was not remarkable rs n sales
man, but he Was good to oversee and to man'
age. Generally he bought the hides as they
wcrc brought to the store in country wagons
He took them in himself. That he might
not dirty his clothes, he bad short leatbei
apron, which he always wore. Those not
acquainted mistook him for the porter. In
this way, here in the city Of Galena. he toll.
sd ON for two long years. lie was employees
at $40 month. The intention ON the par'
Of his tather.was after while, to establish
him IN the business, but no was expected &C
1.-Two on $3.50 year. To do this, and to l,v'
in society, is impossible. Everything mus
bo cheap and plain. Sometimes his wife hat
a hired girl, but usually she did her ,owr
work. ,.r a.. -,.., ar.
During these two years Capt. Grant made
very few acquaintances. There were P'ent,
Of business men on the street who did mol
know him, and who never heard his nam'
spoken. Iprssume Il would be easy to mum
bss his associates on ones fingers. ] hav'
heard basiussa men cay that they nev'r heart
OF him till he vas put Ia command at Cairo
Those two years were years Of trial ant
Encouragement. In TACT, the Captain cam,
hither from ST. Louis in a great degree dis
hearssned. still he would nos give up. II.
10 described ~ brOkn-down man. A, thi,
time Captain Grant was drawing hsyoad hi,
expenses. though this was not ascertained ill
tho end Of the year. lie could not live OF
so month. lie seldom went abroad.
few near neighbom were all he visited her
hs.wauld ait and smoke his pipo. HIS con
vsrsation was varied, bat he liked to talk OF
the Mexican War. Mostly he Was man o
silence. Mr.. washburue tells me that b
seemed to him 10 b thinking on some nd
stract subject, and that no took him to DO