The Press., 1885-08-20
Issued Every Thursday Evening.

pOSSioly HlOIo tlldu IUU leet. AS we tsp preached the brow of the hill from whict it was expected we could see Harris camp and possibly find men ready formed to meet us, my heart kept getting higher and higher until it felt to me as though it was in my throat. I would have given any thing then to have been back in Illinois, but had not the moral courage to halt and consider what to do I kept right on. When we reached 8 point from which the valley below was ill full view halted. The place where Harris had been encamped a few days before was still there, and the marks of recent encampment were plain ly visible but the troops were gone. My heart resumed it's place. It occurred to me at once that Harris had been as much afraid of me as I had been of him. This was view of the question I had never taken before but 1t was one I never forgot afterwards. From that event to the close of the war never experienced trepidation upon confronting an enemy"
 Grants first great victory was the cap- ture of Fort Donelson and this was the first great success of the war. A short time be. fore the order was to be given for the as- sault in the morning flag of truce ap- peared Buckner wanted terms. Grant s laconic reply was "No terms but uncondi-
 
 cepted-I propose to move immediately upon your works" Buckner surrendered with him nearly 15, 1000 soldiers and vast quantity of military stores. The north was everjoyed at this victory. The con- ception and consummation of it was Grants own and he was the hero of the people. The president nominated him to the senate as major general, commission to date Feb. 16, 1862, the day of the surrender The senate immediately confirmed him. As major general he was placed in command of the district of Western Tennessee. Soon the battle of Pittsburg Landing or Shilo was fought. There was a fearful loss of life on both sides and but little advantage gained although progress had been made by the union forces. The great loss of life was charged to General Grant and false stories circulated to the effect that he was lying at Savannah intoxicated when the surprise took place. Some persons prom inent in political circles urged his removal and the sky which, previous to this battle, was all sunshine to General Grant, became suddenly dark, cloudy and dismal. "It is said there were days when those entering his tent found him almost i'll tears of bit terness over his situation, and at times contemplating his resignation" Thanks l such an act. General Sherman, to his mo- ble name let us give praise, was warm friend to him ill these days of trial, as he has always been since. General Sherman at one time when asked what were the prominent traits in Grants character which constituted him great general, replied, | that when Sheridan and he were looking over the war maps and planning modes of attack upon the enemy and were undecid- ed as to the best plan to adopt and were so perpleXed that they could not decide, they would turn to Grant, who was sitting near them, smoking his cigar with appar- ent indifference, and ask him. He would at once and without hesitation mark out the line of battle to lead to success, and Sher- man and Sheridan would both say it is strange that after hours of deep, anxious study we could not have seen the way | which seems now so plain, and which Grant had pointed out to them. This, said Sher- man, is requisite in great general.
 After the battle of Corinth Grant pro- posed to the general-in-c -chief Halleck, the capture of Vicksburg, and on Nov. 2d, 1862, receiving no answer, he began the movement which after some reverses end ed in his second great triumph. But he had much to contend against, unfaithful
 
 failed to protect an important point, de- layed the success many months, and in tho meantime men in prominent positions were clamoring for Grants removal.
 MT. Lincoln said afterwards-"There was a time when I stood almost alone in supporting him.
 One record states -s'The north was tense with anxiety, and the Vicksburg debate went on in every shop and on every street corner"
 In one Cincinnati store an old man who had listened to Q great deal of the talk said, quietly: ''I think he'll take it. :" There was curious air of confidence in which it was said. ''Yes." continued the old man, "he'll take it. 'Lys always did what he set out to do. You see 'Lys is my boy" ....
 With each delay and failure the storm of clamor rose higher. But Lincoln, slow and wise, always said, 'I rather like the man we will try him Q little longer. !" Learning from more experience the exact situation, he now resolved upon one of the boldest moves of the war. So hazardous was the undertaking that few generals would have dared to stake their reputa- tion upon the results. If success attended his efforts it would be magniied if fail | uiC lb WOultl uCuu Iulu Dub lhO odAAIO calm, self-reIiant spirit manifested itself here as has always controlled him ill the peculiarly trying dangers which he was of ten called upon to face, and while his gen. erals, some of them, questioned the wis dom of his decision, he gave the order to prepare for the seige, and, after weeks of skirmlshing and fighting, on the 4th of July, 1863, he rode triumphantly into Vicksburg, the "Gibralter of the west, " calmly smoking his cigar.
 The prudent, wise, magnanamous sol dier had performed deed that even Ma poleon never equalled. How the whole north raised universal shout on this na- tional day for the grand commander of the west-and he was soon appointed to the vacant major -generalship in the regular army. For a few months comparative quiet reigned in his department, and he improved the time to visit his unassuming, faithful, loyal wife, whom he left plain volunteer and returned to her major general in the regular army. What must have been the emotions which this noble wife experienced as she welcomed home, even for 8 brief stay, the soldier whose praises now were sounded through the loy- al north, and whose name was upon the lips of millions. While the people were singing his virtues, and peans of victory were filling the air, she knew. that she em- | 1