Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-08-01


yves drilling a company of volunteers, and
ON the Esd Of April went to Springfield with
them. He was commissioned captain, made
colonel Of the Twenty first regiment Illinois
volunteers, and shortly after brigadier-gen-
eral, each promotion coming to him I'M
sought
From this time forward his services from
a part of the military history of the war for
the Union; he showed himself true leader
and had faculty for inspiring confidence,
as well as for carrying out to the end what
ever he undertook. He was appointed by
his superior officer, Gen. Fremont, over the
district Of southeastern Missouri, with head
quarters at Cairo. Two days after reaching
his post he made movement upon Padu-
cab, anticipating the rebel general Polk; he
fought the battle of Belmont and took Fort
Henry, an important position ON the Ten
nessee 1t was there that he used
the words often quoted of him
afterward: mo terms except unconditional
and immediate surrender can be accepted. I
propose to move Immediately upon your
works. F" 1t has been said Of him that he re-
ceived the surrender of more and larger
forces than any other soldier of modern
times. Shiloh, the siegcs of Corinth, the
Vicksburg and the victory Of Chattanooga
followed. His fame now overshadowed that
of other commander, all eyes were turned
toward him, and higher grade in the
American army, that of lieutenant general,
was conferred upon him. His headquarters
were now transferred to the east, and
he at once made plans for simultaneous
movement from oil quarters upon the rebel
-
the movement upon Richmond, and there
was no relaxation in his efforts unit |
the final decisive siege of Rich
mond, when Lee capitulated. The
terms of tho surrender were drawn up by
Grant and accepted by Lee. They were hon
orable and generous, and in nothing were
more noteworthy than in the terms by which
the privates Ia the cavalry were allowed to
retain their horses ''and take them home to
work their little farms"
The close of the war found Gen. Grant the
hero of the hour The death of President
Lincoln left him still more conspicuous, and
wherever he went he received the most en-
thusiastic welcome by the people, as well as
large gifts as an expression of the gratitude
felt toward him. He remained in Washing
ton and sought in vain to heal tho breach
between the president and congress; he re-
fused SO far as possible to take sides with
either party, but his Judgment expressed
upon every fit occasion was against the inn
polite course OF the president. Before the
close Of Johnson's term Grant had been forced
into collision with him on many points, and
his elevation to the presidency was clearly
foreshadowed.
He was nominated by the Republican
party in May, 1868, and elected by large
majority. During his first term the great
question of reconstruction of the southern
states WIS uppermost, and the plan formed
by congress was carried out There followed
a gradual restoration to power of the ruling
class at the south, and disappearance from
political influence Of the Republican party
there, made up as it was Of tho great body
of blacks under the lead of a few whites.
The return TO power of the men who were
identified with the rebellion, especially I'M
der circumstances which pointed at oppres-
sion and intimidation of the black created
great uneasiness at the north.
Grant was again elected, somewhat under
pressure Of this sentiment, and served for a
second term His administration was beset
with difficulties, and the corruption which
accompanied the unhealthy speculative ac-
tivity of the country in years following the
war came alarmingly into notice, affecting
men high in power. Congress was greatly
under the imitation views, and Grant now
earned the thanks of the nation by the inter-
position of his veto upon bills which threat
ened disastrous further expansion of the
currency At the close, however, Of his
second term, he was not looked upon as a
man who could lead the Republican party to
further victory, and there was, moreover, a
strong current of feeling against third
term, no president having heretofore held
his office longer than eight years.
During the administration which fol-
lowed, Grant visited various for
eign countries, and everywhere re-
ceived great attention as the most Illus
trious living American. His countrymen
were proud of his military achievements,
and many reposed great confidence in his
character and ability; but his administra-
tion of the government had not won him
honor There was a distrust, moreover
within a party of the men who most per-
sstently urged him upon the people,
and when in 1880 he was candidate for
denomination the section Of the party OPP
posed to him prevailed; he was not nomin-
ated, but he supported openly and frankly
the candidate Of the party. He returned to
private life and has since been occupied
largely with the development Of a connec-
tion in commerce with Mexico, and other
pursuits.