The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-05-23
GRANT.
How the 6aIsna Tanner Entered the Army
"A Stroke of Unheard.Of Luck.

How the 6aIsna Tanner Entered the Army
"A Stroke of Unheard-of Luck.
Washington Special to the Boston Herald.I
A Sunday paper publishes the story of how
Grant re-entered the army in 1861, as told by
an old classmate who was then mastering
officer IN Illinois Grant" he says, turned
M one day. He had not seen him since the
Mexican war; Grant faid he was married,
and had had very bad luck Somehow he
couldn't get along. He did not know why.
He said Just then he lived in Galena, and
was working in tanner in which he had
small interest. Why don't you 60 into the
army said /. Well, ] have been thinking
of that he answered, but / have no in
huence, and it seems you can't get
anything nowadays without influence That
is very true / said. Did you notice they
have made Halleck (who was instructor in
mathematics when Grant was a CADET
Major General? said Grant; and / see that
red-hsaded 'Cump Sherman has been made
Colonel of the New Thirteenth Infantry he
went on to say, and, after moments medi-
tation, lofty muttered, though Grant was
never violently profane man; 'Halleck
Major General and Sherman Colonel The
Lord look down. Tom continued Grant
after thinking minute, can't you give me
something to do heTe@ Yes, l can said
you can help me make out these muster
rolls right So it was agreed that Grant
should come into my office, help me in my
duties as mastering officer and receive SI2O
per month for his services. So il went on
until had mustered in eighteen regiments.
Oae afternoon Governor Yates sent for me.
I found him IN a state of excitement-poor
fellow, he was that way very often. He had
just had a dispatch from General
Prentiss at Cairo that there
was an immense force of rebels on the
Kentucky side. within few hours of Cairo,
and he had undoubted information that they
were 10 be crossed over at once. perhaps that
very night. He begged the Governor 10 send
him every available man at once. This
alarming news was followed by another tel
egram from President Lincoln at Washing
ton, telling Yates that on no account must
the Rebels get any fOOLhold in Illinois. TO
prevent any crossing if possible, and to CO.
operate with General Prentiss. The Gov
ernor had sent for me TO say that he wanted
the troops then in camp mustered into the
United States service and sent of to Cairo
that night. While the Governor was talking
a thought flashed into my mind Why can't
put Grant into one one IF those new regi-
ments? Governor seid l, these regiments
will probably get into o fight within twenty
four hours. 1t is rather important that they
sho1ld be properly commanded. Who are
TO be made COlOneis2 Most of the candi-
dates for the field officers were in hearing;
and the fact that they would have TO 20 into
battle within twenty-four hours seemed
to repress their military ardor some
what. Now, Governor sad l,
i have in ny Office an
old classmate and comrade. He was ell
through the Mexican war, and was a good
soldier. What ne has been doing since do
not exactly know, but he has not been very
successful 10 business and would like to 60
out in one of these new regiments, especially
as they will probably have 70 60 into fight
so soon. i strongly recommend the appoint
ment of CAPTAIN Grant 10 command one of
these new regiments The Governor didn't
kR0w what 10 do. He had promised nearly
all the positions except the last regiment,
which would De the Twenty-hrst Illinois, and
man named Alexander wanted 10 be the
Colonel and was very strongly backed for the
position. But Alexander had seen no serv-
ice, and was willing TO take the second place
In view of the probable tight. Tates insisted,
however, that Grant must be recommended
for the place by some one in the State.
Can't you get some one TO recommend your
said / TO Grant. He finally said he knew a
man named Washburne little, who was then
member of Congress from the Galena district
but that as be Grant was a Democrat
and Washburne a Republican, it was
doubtful if Washburne would do ii. How
ever, will try him. said Grant. and he tele-
graphed to Washburne about as fellows: Re
commend me for position a. field officer in
new regiments starting for Cairo In four
hours Washburne replied about like this: I
think Captain Grant might be useful as a
field officer in one of the new regiments
leaving Springfield tonight, if you can con-
sistly appoint him. Well, this fixed il.
Giant was made Colonel of the Twenty-First
Illinois Infantry. / loaned him money
enough to send his wife some and have
enough left TO purchase horse aud such ar
tcles of equipment as we're necessary. This
is the way Grant went into the war. The rest
is history"
Grant never forgot the friend who hal st rod
by him so stanchly when the clouds looked
q a m a mi ha
army in 1866, and appointed one son in the
army and the other to West Point where he
graduated well. When his leg got well
enough TO allow him 70 do any service. Grant
made him Superintendent of the United
States Military Academy at West Point, and
after his tour Of duty there, he was appoint
ed superintendent of the Soldiers Home
near Washington. He can always get any
thing Grant can help him to.