Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-08-27
Grant as COlOuel-IrOntOn Reminis-
cenceS.

IRoNToN, Aug. 21.-[Editor Repub.
lican. 1-Judging from recent publica.
tions the brief history of Grant as
colonel of the old Twenty-first Illinois
infantry is not we'll understood. AS a
veteran of that regiment. who served
in it from the very first to the last, |
can state the exact facts. l have no
doubt but they will now be Of interest
to everybody.
The Twenty-first Illinois infantry
was principally recruited in Coles,
Cumberland, Champaign and Douglas
counties, Illinois, and the first regi.
mental rendezvous was at Camp Yates,
Springfield. The regiment was about
/, $50 strong. made up of vigorous,
hardy men from the rural districts, un.
used to any kind of restaint, every man
much inclined to think and act for
himself at first, aud as may be expect.
ed of such men, a little restive under
military restraint.
The first colonel assigned to our reg
iment was literally ridiculed and badg.
cred out of camp. He gave us up as
quite beyond bis control.
Then Col. U. S. Grant was appoint
ed. He was very modest and unpre-
tentious, and We could not exactly
understand the man. He was very
soon called 1.-THE quiet man" by our
men, and few days reduced matters
in camp to perfect order.
Col. Grant read US orders to proceed
to Alton. This was probably July,
1861. A train Of freight cars was sent
to transport the regiment, but our boys
fatty objected to bsing carried "like
stock" and would not go on the cars
unless passenger cars were furnished.
Thereupon Col. Grant ordered the
regiment to march. and we did march
every step of the way from Springfield
along the railroad and crossed into
Missouri at Alton, Col. Grant refusing
tn allow us to get on any train after
our refusal at Springfield.
After that experience I think our
regiment would have ridden on a"rail''
any time if Grant had SO ordered.
We marched northwest to Mexico,
Mo, and after about two weeks stay
there moved directly south through st.
Louis to Ironton, Mo-, in August. 1861
and here went into camp short dis
tance south of the courthouse, on prem
say, and now forming the beautiful
"Sylvan Lake Home"
where the present imposing mansion
quarters. A few rods east OF the house
a spring of cold sparkling water burst
forth under a magnificent widespread
ing oak, and under this oak Col. Grant
spent most of his time reading, some
times writing, then in apparent deep
study, again examining maps and
sketching as if devising plans. The
spring was guarded day and night to
secure its proper use. l was one of the
GU rd much of the time for weeks, and
hence know what happened.
He was very kind to US, but very
strict, and ally fragrant breach Of mill.
tary discipline was sure to bring its re-
buke or punishment.
! remember an amusing incident
W hich occurred the first evening after
we went into this camp at IrontOn
There was an orchard we'll laden with
fruit adjoining our camp. Col. Lind
say, the owner, had given the mer
liberty to get apples, and in few min
utes the trees and orchard we're swarm
ing with us. The men had apples In
th cir pockets, in their shirts, In theii
hats and in their bands, when to our
CONSERVATION Col. Grant suddenly ap-
pea red in our midst, ordering us out
and at the same time brandishing his
sword and engaging in sabre exercise
chasing us In every direction. The
boys made splendid time, the apple.
Hvinp from their boson1s, their pockets
and hats in a very amusing style.
remember escaped through hole
in the fence, losing every one OF my
apples. .,of ,,a hors
treed too high to reach them with his
sword. and Just at that juncture Col
lindsay appeared on the scene and
nIacated Col. Grant by assuring him
that he had given the boys liberty to
While here at Ironton Col. Gran,
was confronting Gen. Hardee, wht
was then encamped only forty miles
south of Greenvilie.
By HIS BOLD MOVEMENTS
with his small force, mepacing Gen
Hardee, he caused that officer to re
treat into Arkansas.
Thus the summer of 1861 passed, ant
early autumn came. One morning ou
| regiment was ordered on dress parad'