The Shasta courier., 1865-10-14
Familiar History of General Grant.

A correspondent of the Tribune at Galena.
Illinois, the hone of Lieutenant General
Grant, gives the following familiar history Of
that remarkable man, during the few years
previous to the war, when he had his resi-
dence in that place. The account is very
interesting and its truth is vouched for:
About fifteen years; ago General Grants
father established q leather house here,
under the firm of Collins & Co, The leather
was tanned at Covington, kentucky, and
sent hither. The firm did well, and it is
understood made fortune. The firm was
dissolved, and son came on to condnct the
business, but in about two years he died of
consumption. He was well liked and was
an excellent business man.
Meanwhile Ulysses Grant, having grad
uated at West Point, went into the Mexican
war, where be 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 Quartermaster' 5
Department. Eleven years since he resigned
his commission and went to st. Louis, where
he had some interest in piece of land, and
l was told engaged in hauling wood to mar
ket, himself driving his own oxen.
On the death of his brother his father en-
gagged him to come hither and take charge of
the store. Now come to mention things
never before related. | have to tell hard
story. Statements previously made about
General Grant will be blown away. Many
a young man on reading what follows will
be encouraged. gather my account from
the most trustworthy sources
Captain Grant, as he was called found
the affairs of the concern in great disorder,
but he went to work, and in three weeks had
everything straight. There was one clerk
besides 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 be was good to oversee and to
manage. Generally he bought the hides as
they were brought to the store in country
wagons. He took them in himself. That
he might not dirty his clothes, he had a short
leather apron, which be always wore.-
Those not acquainted mistook him for the
porter. In this way, here in the city of
Galena, he toiled on for two long years. He
was employed at $40 month. The inten-
tlon on the part Of bis father was, after a
while, to establish him in business, but he
was expected to live On $3.50 year. To do
this, and to live in society, is impossible
Everything must be cheap and plain
Sometimes his wife had hired girl, but
usually she did her own work.
During these two years Capt. 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 to
number his associates ON ones fingers. |
have heard business men say they never
heard Of him till he was put in command at
Cairo.
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 broken down man. At
this time Captain Grant was drawing beyond
his expenses, though this was not ascertain
ed till the end of the year. He could
not live on $40 month. He seldom went
abroad. A few near neIghbors were all he
visited here he would sit and smoke bis
pipe. His conversation was varied but he
liked to talk Oh the Mexican war. Mostly
he was man Of silence Mr.. Washburne
tells me that he seemed to him to be thinking
on some abstract subject, and that he took
him to be thoughtful, reflective and large
minded man. Such being, his condition.
one is reminded of the case of Frederick the
Great during the years he was banished by
his father. But in whatever makes a man.
Grant the American Hero, far excels.
will say here that he always was temperate.
and every way correct in his behavior.
A month or so before the Fort Sumter
outrage, and afterward, Capt. Grant was
uneasy. He walked through the streets, to
and iro in the store, saying nothing. and
apparently was in troubled state of mind.
About those days the Douglas Guard or
ganized in the city to counteract the Lincoln
Wide Awakes, and Capt. Grant, as a mill
tary man, was appointed Orderly Sergeant.
His reply was that a Captain in the United
States Infantry was not the one to take such
a position. He did not 60 near them He
meddled so little with politics that it is to this
day unknown whether he voted for Lincoln
Douglas
At last war came; war meeting was
held, and Capt. Grant was appointed Chair
man. Then he went to Mr. Washburne and
said he had been educated at West Point at
the expense of the Government he had
io'SN, "a pcNtihe w 4C'Ci otifG dSaAu.
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 northwestern part of the
State. Sometimes the wants of this corner
are disregarded. At Springfield there is
always ring Of politicians who are anxious
to provide for their set 1t is difficult to do
anything with them. Mr.. Washburne urged
Captain Grant to go down and offer his SER
vices. 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 somebody to do such work as
well as he for a dollar day. 1t was not in
his line to be kept up in corner at a desk.
seeing nobody and doing so little. He was
met coldly, nobody knew him, nobody cared
for him. Other persons then took an inter
est in him, among them Mr.. Houehton and
NJ. Mcclellan, President of the Ia. k here.
7 latter in particular, pressed the Cap
tain claims.
Then he was appointed an Aid of Cover.