The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-17
GRANT AT SPRINGFIELD.
A New Story of His Entrance Into the Mill
tary Service in 1861.

Galena Letter in Chicago Inter Ocean.
1t has been claimed by very many writers that
the Hon. E. B. Washburne induced Grant to go
to Springfield in 1861 for the purpose of soliciting
an appointment in the military service, and that
he (Washburne) accompanied Grant to the State
Capitol and presented him personally to Governor
Yates. The actual truth, however, is that Grant
went to Springfield alone, and without the
knowledge OF any person outside his own family
Reaching his DIES tnation, he first called upon eX
Senator B. H. Mcclellan, Of Galena, whom he
knew slightly, and who at the time was mem
Der of the Illinois Assembly. He told Mcclellan
the object of his visit, and the latter, being
greatly interested in Grant not only because he
was his fellow-townsman, but because he was
skilled III military matters, accompanied him to
the Office of the Governor ard introduced him to
Yates.
1t had been ascertained by the interception Of
southern part Of the State of Illinois and attach
1T to the confederacy; rebel sympathlzers
thronged the very capital, and besides this the
military affairs of the State were in perfect
chaos, and the services of experienced, cool, and
perfectly loyal men were needed to take the
supervision of things and reduce order out of
what was then abject disorder. Mr. Mcclellan
knew that Grant was the man for the emergency,
and strongly urged the Governor to avail him
self of his valuable services. He received slight
encouragement at the first interview, but on the
following day, when the two called again on the
Governor, the latter claimed to have nothing for
Grant to do, and could not promise anything for
him IN the future. Disappointed and not little
disguised with the aspect of things at Spring
field, Grant resolved to go to Ohio and proffer
his services to the Governor of that State Mr.
Mcclellan told him he must not leave Spring
field; that notwithstanding the Indifference of
Yates to his military experience, the latter
would soon be forced to call his (Grants)
services into requisition, as troops were rapidly
pouring into the capital, and there no one
to muster them and assign them to regiments.
On the third day, when Grant had fully re-
solved to leave despite the expostulations of Mr.
Mcclellan, Congressman Washburne arrived in
Springfield, having been called thence TO assist
A. L.. Chetlair, captain of Company A, Twelfth
Illinois Infantry, in his candidacy for the posi-
ton of colonel of the regiment, IN which contest
he was strenuously opposed by Congressman
Lovejoy, of Princeton, who had strong military
aspirations. Chetlain was the choice of the reg
lment, and it did not take Washburne long to
arrange matters for him. Having secured Chef
lain's commission as colonel Mr.. Washburnes
mission was concluded, and he was about to start
back to Galena when AssemblYman Mcclellan
called on him ir behalf of Grant of whose pres
ence in Springfield up to that time Mr.. Wash
burne had had no knowledge. He at once saw
the Importance of securing Grants services, and
with characteristic promptness and energy, he
went to Governor Yates and told him he must
assign the Captain to duty. The Governor
thought over the matter awhile, and finally said
'"To tell you the truth, Washburne, | have forty
posal, but | will create new place for your
friend I'll make him my military adviser
1t was IL this capacity, and ultimately through
the influence of Mr. Washburne that Grant was
employed in the military service of the State.
His first labors were in Acknowledgement Full
lers department, where matters were soon put
in proper shape. The day following Grants APP
pointment as military adviser to the Cover
nor. Mr.. Mcclellan was passing through the
State house. when he met the Captain in the
of TOnSkptS
which he was carrying to the Adjutant- generals
Office. Nodding to his fellow townsman, Grant
said: Its all right, Mcclellan. You see am
at work"
day by Senator Mcclellan, a very modest gen
tleman and one who does not court notoriety by
any means, but who was not unwilling to tell
the story of how Grant entered the military
service of Illinois precisely as it occurred Gen
eral Grant has always entertained for Mr.. Nc
Clellan the warmest feeling, and has frequently
admitted, with emphasis, that if the Galena As
semblyman had not persistently urged him
to remain in Springfield in 1861 he Grant
might have been accorded humber fate than
that with which fortune has seen fit to favor
him.
Mr. Mcclellan told me how and when he first
formed the acquaintance Of Grant. The latter
had been a resident here but short time when
a proposition was made in the city council to
vote funds to pay for damming Galena river, so
as to utilize the water power for manufacturing
purposes. This was opposed by several heavy
taxpayers including Mcclellan, who drew up a
remonstrance and circulated it for signatures
On the rounds he called at the Grant leather
store and presented the paper to Simpson and
Orville Grant who signed it without objection.
From them he went to Ulysses whom he had
never before spoken to, and was brusquely cut
off in the midst of an explanation of the re
monstrancs with, You need not explain, sir
won't sign your paper. am in favor of the
dam"