The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-17
GENERAL ULYSSES 5. GRANT.

"a paper read before the Indisnarolis literary Club
by Col. James b. Black, and priuted 10y request OF
the club.l
We often meet the cautonary reminder that
the phosophic historian, who traces truly the
progress or decline of period, must be disin-
ierested writer for impartial readers; and there
upon we are frequently told that we must not
expect ever to read anything about our civil war
worthy to be called history-that the preiudices
and the passions, the good and the bad motives
and pretenses which brought it about, or which
sprung from it. must be merged in the absorb
ing interests of the future before there can be
reliable variations of the events of the secession
era correct opinions of its controlling infiu-
ences. or just estimates of its distinguished men.
If prejudice necessarily color the accounts of
contemporaries, their stories have stimulating
taste of real humanity. Too much
admiration for man is perhaps
no more misleading than too great partiality for
theory. Methodical fate is no more interest
ing than Shakespearian naturalness. Xenophon's
account of the retreat from Asia and Caesars
Commentaries are not less entertaining because
written by participants in the events described.
! have found much pleasure in reading such
books as Gen Sherman's autobiography and
review book, or to write biographical sketch;
but, without ambitious attempt at method l
shall try to show what manner of man is the
hero of Appomattox
On the 1st of May, 1868, the first battle of the
campaign which resulted in the capture of
Vicksburg was fought At 10 o'clock, our bri
gade with others had charged and driven the con-
federate left. Hastily reforming our ranks, we
pressed after the retreating enemy. On low
hill. by the foot of which we passed,
two horsemen were scanning the field and
watching our advance. One was our corps COM
mander. We sackened our pace, to take a good
look at the other He was compactly-built,
sturdy looking man. modestly dressed, quietly
mounted with nothing dashing, self-asscrting,
or particularly striking in his appearance; and
he was as undemonstrative and unobtrusiye
as If he already knew that all would be well, or
as if he were visiting spectator He was the
man under whose leadership we, the day before,
had crossed the Mississippi. have many times
seen an army on the march take off their hats
and heard them make the neichboring mountains
echo, as Phil Sheridan galfoped through the col
umns The men of this passing brigade gave no
cheer They had just emerged from a
shower of metal, and there was a
strong prospect that the rain was not
over for the day. But there was
nothing in the appearance of this man indicating
either that cheers were expected or that they
would be acceptable. He had no staff with him
not even an orderly was there The corps
commander by his side was all excitement and
impatience Calling out, not to the officer in
L. Ill
with curse he ordered them to hasten. A
blush suGused the face of the chief, and shame
protested in his eyes and mien; but word
escaped him. We saw that here was man who
in the midst of his own battle was both upper
turbed and as sensitively alive to the propretes
of intercourse as would be gentleman on ordi-
nary occasions. His thoughtful brow. his much
seeingeye, his earnest but not severe countenance
inspired no savish fear hostile emotion, but
commanded respect and won confidence.
The commencement of the war had found
him arrived at the vigorous age of thirty
nine. with a strong body, uniformly good
health, capable of much physical endurance
He was of Scottish descent, born in a Western
State his father mechanic. He was educated
at the national military school He had been a
: had been also a farmer and leather
merchant. He had not said or done any
thing indicating exceptional ability. I'm
PEELED by loyalty and professional ambition
ne sought the service of the Union When he
arrived at Springfield, whittier he had gone on
borrowed money, he called upon an officer Of the
regular army. on duty there as mastering Off
GER, whom he had known in his former service
Grant asked if he remembered him,
and. being answered in the mega
tive, he said, II am Sam Grant" He
was then recognized and was given desk at a
salary of 500 a month. Grant soon expressed
to this officer a wish to serve in the field. He
thought himself qualified for field office, but
does not seem to have sought colonelcy. His
friend told Governor Yates that there was an
officer of the old army there, who would do for
appointment to field Office. The Governor
asked if Grant could procure recommendations
On application to Mr.. Washburne, the congress
man for the Galena district. ne sent the required
recommendation. Soon after, regiment was
called for, to be sent at once to northern Miss
ouri where rebel force was destroying rail
road The Twenty.first Illinois Infantry, selected
for this exigency had no colonel. Grant was
appointed, and with his regiment he hurried away
to Missouri in June 1861. Two months later he
was commissioned as brigadier general of vol
unteers He afterward had some commands
for short periods in various places in Missouri
In an old order-bo in the adjutants Office of
my regiment, have seen an order regulating
the duties of the officer of the day at jefferson
City, issued by him commandant there about
the last of August, 1861. He was assigned by
General Fremont to duty at Cairo. The seizure
Of Paducah, the battle of Belmont, and the ex-
petition against Fort Henry gave promise of his
career The capture of Fort Donelson with the
greatest number of prisoners Of war ever taken
then in one battle on this continent. was the
first substantial success of the Union arms
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