The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-10-27
New York Correspondence st. Lonis Rep j
SAM. GRANTS RISE.
A Racy Chapter Of Unpublished History :
How the General Got out Of the Army
and Into it Again---His Promotion Due
to Fremont. 3 uf1
New YonK, September 8.

/
to Fremont. ufd
NEW YoEK, September 8.
| Tn 1854, Lieut.. U. S. Grant was the
quartermaster OF the Fourth Infantry,
stationed at Vancouvcr's Island, on
the Pacific coast. Alfred Pleasanton
was lieutenant Of dragons, and Ru-
fis 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, to prevent trouble
and as q guarantee Of future absti-
nence, 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 oyerstayed his
leave, being seduced by the wonder
ful temptations and destinations of the
Occidental city, so noted for its won
derful and accidental changes of for
tune and life. When he returned to
his post he found, much to his sur
prise and modification, that his dis
sipation had become known and his
resignation had been forwarded with
such an Endorsement as secured its
immediate acceptance. In due course
of time, Graut became private citi-
zen. lie was now in bad fix. I'm
pecunious and despondcnt, he tried to
drown his sorrows in. the flowing
bowl. Pieasanton and Ingalls, were
warm friends of "Sam." Grant, and,
together they "staked" him, so as TO
enable him to reach the States via
Panama. He proceeded TO st. Louis,
and there lived the life of vagabond
Of the first water, loafIng about the
city, alternating between the city and
old Dents farm, several miles out OF
the city. At this time Gen. William
5. Hillyer and Gen. Rawlins were in
business together, as counsellors and
attorneys at law, and Grant used to
make their rooms a sort of headquar-
tiers, dropping in almost every day,
and passing hours with his feet cock
ed on the table or n chair, enjoying
his inevitable smoke, and no less
pleasant chat. In this way the friend
ship for Rawlins and Hillyer became
cemented, and this accounts for their
selection on Grants personal staff
when he became brigadier general.
Every one knows how Dick Yates,
then governor Of Illinois, took him
for his military secretary. and after
ward gave him the colonelcy of an in
subordinate regiment which had been
1 trIs4 ItN s4ra L.,
were unable to snbdue their riotous
and mutinous disposition. Grant
soon Strengthened them out, and dem
onstrated his value rs disciplinarian.
Being sent to the department. of Mis-
souri,, then under command OF Gen. j.
c. Fremont, Grant was assigned to
General John Pope's command, and
was the senior colonel in that army.
On one occasion Pope had business
away, Grant, as senior officer, was in
the command. On Pope's return he
found Grant in his headquarters tent,
writing and doing such business as
was incident 10 his command. Pope
with that brusqueness and discourtesy
for which he was noted, said To Grant
that he wished he would do his writ
ing in his own tent and not intrude
himself so much at headquarters
Naturally indignant, Grant wrathfully
stepped ont and proceeded to the tent
of the sutler, with whom he was very
intimate, and whose whisky he had
drunk ad libitum. To this bosom
friend he poured out all his woes, and
as he slipped his Bourbon straight
he. vindictively calculated; :" / hope
shall live to see the day when / will
ont-rank Gen. Popep One of his
most intimate friends here was Col.
Hulburt, and he loved his "todh as
well if not better than Grant did him
self. So outrageous did these two
officers become in their cups, that
Pope finally found it necessary to
send them to ST. Louis, with recon-
mendation that they should be both
dismissed for drunkenness. Although
Mr.. Lincoln had placed almost auto
cractic power in the hands of General
Fremont, he hesitated to dismiss
them, and let their case hang on from
day to day, awaiting a leisure mo-
ment to give the matter his personal
attention. Meanwhile, Grant and
Hulburt loafed about St. Louis, neg
lected, impecunious and shabby, dane
ing attendance at headquarters every
day in the hope OF speedy settle
ment of their difficulty At this time
the enemy were advancing upon Cape
} Girardeau, which was then occupied
by new levies, undisciplined and un-
drilled, under the command of Gener-
al Prentiss, of Illinois. Owing to
Prentiss want of experience, Fremont
deemed it advisable TO supersede him,
but in the absence OF other more ex-
, perienced officers the. general hardly
knew whom to select to relieve him.
While he was in this quandary gen
tleman occupying 4. high official posi-
i ton, in whom Fremont had great
, confidence, called to see him one day
AS he passed up stairs he saw in the
hall, sitting on wooden bench
] Grant and Hulburt. Grants red face
!, shone over his wooden shirt, dirty
and tobacco-stained. He had no col
{ lar, his uniform was greasy and shah
, by, and, altogether, he presented 6
r miserable and woe-begone appear
) ance. The gentleman referred to re
I cognized him, and as he shook hand.
$ he asked what he was doing there p
Grant replied that he was in little
: trouble, "and," said he, 81 want 20,
: to help me out" The difficulty wal
/ related by Grant, and his friend safe
! he would see what could be done
q after which he passed up stairs to th'