Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-09-15
AN UNPUBLISHED CHAPTER.
Grant. Ingalls, and PIeasonton-
Grants Accidental Promotion
2 Origin of the Military Ring.
Correspondence st Louis Republican,
Ngw YORK. Septcmber s. ISL

NRw YORK, September s. 1871.
In 1854, Lieutenant u. s. Grant was
the quartermaster of the Fourth in
fantry, stationed at Vancouver's lslund
on the Pacific coast Alfred Pleasanton
was lieutenant Of dragons, and Ruins
ingalls, was the quartermaster of the
post. Grant had been addicted to drink
to that extent that he had been several
times cautioned by his friends, and he
finally, to prevent trouble, and as a
guarantee of future abstinence, placed
his resignation in the hands of Colonel
Buchanan, to be used in case of another
disgraceful spree. Soon after this Grant
went to San Francisco, and while there
got ON another tear" and overstayed
his leave, being seduced by the wonder
full temptations and fascinations Of the
Occidental City, so noted forits wonder
ful and occidetal changes of fortune and
life. When he returned to his post he
found, much to his surprise and mortifi-
cation, that his dissipation had become
known and his resignation had been for
warded with such an Endorsement as Sc
cured its immediate acceptance. In due
course Of time Grant became pri-
yate citizen He was now in bad
fix. Impecunious and respondent,
he tried to drown his sorrows in
the flowing bowl. Pleasanton and
Ingalls, we're warm personal friends
Of "Sam" Grant, and together they
staked him, so as to enable him to
reach the States via Panama. He pro-
ceeded to st. Louis, and there lived the
life of vagabond of the first water,
loafng about the city, alternating be-
tween the city and old Dents farm, sew
eral miles out of the city. At this time
Gen. VIM. s. Hillyer and Gen, Rawlins
were in business together as counsellors
and attorneys at law, and Grant used to
make their rooms a sort of headquarters,
dropping in almost every day, and pass
ing hours with his feet cooked on the
table or chair, enjoying his inevitable
smoke, and no less pleasant chat. In
this way the friendship for Rawlins
and Hillyer became cemented, and this
accounts for their selection on Grants
personal staff when he became Briga-
dier General. Every one knows how
Dick Yates, then Governor of Illinois,
took him for his military secretary, and
afterward gave him the colonelcy of an
insubordinate regiment which had been
tried by two or three Colonels who were
unable to subdue their riotous and mu-
tinous disposition. Grant soon straight
ened them out, and demonstrated his
value as disciplinarian. Being sent to
the department Of Missouri, then under
command of Gen. j. C. Fremont, Grant
was assigned to Gen. John Pope's COM
mand, and was the senior Colonel in
that army. On one occasion Pope had
business away, and Grant, as senior
officer was in. the command. On Pope's |
return he found Grant in his head |
quarters tent, writing and doing such
business as was incident to his com
mand Pope, with that brusqueness and
discourtesy for which he was noted said |
to Grant that he wished he would do his |
writing in his own tent and not intrude |
himself so much at headquarters. Nat |
urally indignant, Grant wrathfully |
stepped ont and proceeded to the tent of
the sutler, with whom he was very init
mate, and whose whisky he had drunk
dd li6itum. To this bosom friend he
poured out all his woes, and as he
slipped his Bourbon straight" he vim
dictively ejaculated 81 hope l shall
live to see the day when / will out-rank
Gen. PopeI" One of his most intimate
friends here was Col. Hurlburt, and he
loved his tod as well if not better than
Grant did himself, So outrageous did
these two officers become in their cups,
that Pope finally found it necessary to
send them to ST. Louis, with q recom-
mendation that they should be both dis
missed for drunkenness. Although Mr..
Lincoln had placed almost autocratic
power in the hands Of Gen. Fremont, he
hesitated TO dismiss them, and let their
case hang on from day to day, awaiting
a leisure moment to give the matter his
attention. Meanwhile, Grant
and Hurlburt loafed about st. Louis,
neglected, impecnnious and shabby,
dancing attendance at headquarters
every day in the hope of speedy settle
ment of their difficulty. At this time
the enemy were advancing upon Cape
which was then occupied by
new levies, undisciplined and undrilled,
under the command of Gen. Prentiss of I
illinois. Owing to Prentiss' want
Of experience, Fremont deemed it !
advisable to supersede him, but in {
The absence of other more experienced !,
officers the general hardly knew whom i
70 select to relieve him. While he was |
n this quandary, gentleman occupy &
ng high official position, in whom Ere Z
mont had great confidence, called to
zee him one day. As he passed up s
stairs he saw in the hall, sitting on d
wooden bench, Grant and Hurlburt.
irant's red face shown over his wooden $
ihirt, dirty and tobacco-stained. He {
lad no collar, his uniform was greasy i
md shabby, and altogether, he presented t
! miserable and woe-begone appearance. Q
The gentleman referred 20 recognized 5
lim, and as he shook hands he asked a
What he was doing there2 Grant re- i
,lied that he was in little trouble,
and" replied he, II want you TO help b
ne out. The difficulty was related by d
irant and his friend said he would see @
What could be done, after which he
,assed up stairs to the presence of the
,reat Pathfinder. During the conversa-
ion, Fremont mentioned the Cape Cir a
rdeau difficulty, and said he did not q
now who to send there. / know the =
cry man you want, said our friend, y
] saw him down stairs as | came W" y
Who is he2" inquired Fremont. .
Why, Sam Grant he's just the man; 4
end him down. Fremont called his ad- h
ntant general and asked him what the =
of Grants case were, and H
e was informed. "0h, yes, l know" Il
aid the other. Sam is drunkard; :,
ut he viii fight, and he knows how TO q
o it, too. - -
But" said Fremont, "they all rank h h
i'm down there. =,
Send every id one of them away, y, y
nd put Grant in command. He'll n
ght, know.
So Fremont somewhat unwillingly, and
~. ,r,a M of n hattar man coneanfad 90 =,