The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-07-30
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President Lincoln's call for troops 10 aid in
suppressing the rebellion was made April 10,
1861, and April 10 u. S. Grant was drilling a
company of volunteers at Galena, with whom
he went four days later TO Springfield, Ill In
May Gov. Yates offered him the Colonelcy Of the
Twenty-frst Illinois Regiment, OF which he took
command early in June and marched at once TO
Missouri, reporting to Gen. Pope, by whom he
was stationed at Mexico. about fifty miles north
Of the Missouri River. Aug he was commits
stoned by the President az Brigadier General of
Volunteers. Aug he was transferred by FIRE.
mont TO lronton, Mo-, and a fortnight later TO
Jefferson City. Sep. j. by direction of Fremont,
he took command of the District OF Southeast
Missouri, and Sept. made his headquarters
at Cairo. at the mouth OF the Ohio. His first
movement was TO seize Paducah. at the mouth
Of the Tennessee River, Sep. g.. and smithland,
at the mouth Of the Cumberland, Sep. %.
On Nov he made a vigorous attack on the
Confederate camp at Belmont. He drove
the rebels down to the river bank and burned
their camps and stores, but re-enforcements
having been sent by Gen. Polk across the river,
and the guns OF Columbus brought to bear on
the Union position, Grant was forced 20 retire.
For the following two months he was employed
in discplining his troops. making no movement
save a reconnaissance toward Columbus In jan
uary. Preparations were now set on foot for an
attack upon Forts Henry and Donelson. the
former OF which commanded the Tennessee
River, and the latter the Cumberland, near the
dividing line between Kentucky and Tennessee.
With this object Grant started from Paducah
Feb. with force OF 1900 men, TO be aided by
n feet of gunboats under Commodore foote.
Fort Henry was captured Feb. g. its batteries
having been silenced by the fire of the boats be-
fore the land forces arrived. The most of the
Confederate troops escaped across the country
TO Fort Donelson. twelve miles distant. Gen.
Grant transported his forces over he same road,
surrounded that tort, and Feb. IA. as soon as the
gunboats had come up the river to cooperate
with him, began the attack upon the rebel
works. The battle was severe and ended Feb.
10 in the unconditional surrender OF the Confed-
crate forces under Gen. Buckner. Grant was
commissioned Major General OF Volunteers from
the date of that victory, and immediate V
achieved national fame. Gen. Hallcck however,
was prejudiced against him at this time, and
used his utmost endeayor to deprive Grant
Of the honors OF the Donelson victory, giving
the credit of it in his report to Gen C. f. Smith,
Grants second in command Fhe Government,
however, had perception enough to understand
the truth and to give Grant his well-deserved
promotion. Whether from irritation at this act
I OF the Secretary of War or other motive Is not
known, but Gen. Halleck immedia civ began
the Command of which was given to Gen smith
and Gem Grant for alleged disregard Of orders
was placed under arrest After few DAYS,
again joined his command, with headquarters
at Savanna, Tenn. Gen. Smith had camped
with the troops at the point where the battle OF
! Shiloh was afterward fought, near Pittsburg
River some miles aJove Savanna. There Gen.
/ Smith was taken i'll with a sickness from which
\ he never recovered, and Gen. Grant was placed
In chief command. At daybreak OF April the
camp at Pittsburg Landing was attacked by a
large force under Gen. A. s. Johnston. and
| driven back with heavy loss. Gen. Grant speed
/ lly arrived on the field of battle and reformed
/ the lines endorsements under Cen Buell.
coming up in the night, the battle was renewed
l the next morning, and the Confederatcs were
defeated and forced to retreat to Corinth
| Gen. Grant was slightly wounded In this battle
IL was one of the most holly contested fights
OF the war, and the losses on both sides
were terrible False reports concerning Grant
conduct In this battle were circulated. and for
time the great General-whose military genius
! under q cloud Haleck Joined the army few
DAYS af<er the fight at'Shiloh. and took personal
lighting IN that locality the next two months
Grant vas left in camp. though stll retaining