The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-07
"REMINISCENCES.
The True Story of How the General Entered
the Service in 1861.

The True Story of How the General Entered
the Service in 1861.
Galena Letter in Chicago Tribune
heard told, this afternoon, how Grant first
came to enter the service after the breaking out
of the rebellion; and, in view of the gross mac
curacies contained in the alleged newspaper
biographies Of the General which have appeared
of late, it might be we'll enough to repeat the
narrative for the purpose of correcting false
impressions which may have been conveyed.
In brief, ex- Minister Washburne (then congress-
man of this district) had been to Springfield and
observed the confusion which existed there in
the work of receiving and organizing troops
Returning to his home at Galena, he detailed
to w. r. Rowley, then county clerk of 10
Daviess county, and John A. Rawlins, then the
leading lawyer of Galena, the condition of
affairs at the State capital. Rowley suggested
that Captain Grant Ebe urged to proffer his
services to Yates The idea struck Washburne
as good one. and Immediately the latter, Raw
Inns, and Rowley went to see Grant. Mr. Wash
burne represented to Grant the importance of
having an experienced military man at Spring
field. and asked him if he would not 90 down
with him to Springfield the next day and tender
his assistance to Governor Yates in the emer-
gency. Captain Grant consented, and next
morning there started from Galena for Spring
field Washburne, Grant, State Senator B. Fl.
Mcclellan and John E. Smith, then colonel on
Yatess staff On reaching the State capital the
party, after some delay, saw Govornor Yates.
The latter gladly avaied himself of Grants
proffered services and put him in the Adutant
generals Office where he succeeded in reducing
order out of chaos
Grant did not like mere clerical duty and
after some days. seeing nothing better in his
way. he told Senator Mcclellan he was going
home; that Governor Yates did not seem dis
posed to give him what he wanted, and that
matters were then straight in the Adjutant
generals Office, where he had been employed.
Mcclellan told him he must not go homes that
his services were still needed, and that he (Sen
ator McClellan) would see Yates in his behalf at
once. This was done, and as result Grant was
appointed commandant of Camp Yates. While
serving in this capacity he mustered and drilled
troops and organized several regiments among
the number the Twenty first, of which he after
wards became colonel
Having finished the work assigned him at the
camp, Grant quietly went to Cincinnati without
the knowledge of Governor Yates or his friend,
Senator Mcclellan, for the purpose of seeking a
place on the staff of Gen. George B. Mcclellan,
whom he knew at West Point and with whom he
had subsequently served in Mexico. On reach
ing his destination, and before he had seen Gen.
Mcclellan, he received a telegram from Governor
Yates, who had learned by inquiry where he
had gone and upon what mission, offering him
fantry, which was then at Mattoon. Almost
simultaneously with this dispatch came another
from Governor Denison, of Ohio, rendering to
Grant the command of regiment in that State.
The Twenty-frs was preferred, however, and
Grant telegraphed his acceptance at once, and
followed by train to Springfield, where he was
given his commission and orders. Col. John E.
Smith, of Galena. accompanied Grant to
Mattoon.
The Twenty-frst had been commanded by one
Goode, militia Colonel, and was in state of
utter insubordination, having terrorized0e citi
zens of Mattoon by their presence According
to Smith land by the way have heard Grant
himself confirm the story, when they arrived at
camp the men saw their new colonel coming on
to the grounds, and that party of soldiers being
drunk and thinking to have some fun, hustled
him while on his way to headquarters, one of
the number amusing himself by knocking of his
hat Grant quietly stopped down. picked it up
and busted it, and then placed it upon his head
without saying word. He turned around and