davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
"STAND FAST, STAND SURE"

When Grant assumed command Of the
splendid army of the Potomac Gen. Oglesby
asked him:
"How do you like the looks Of itf'
"This is a very fine army" answered
Grant, land I am told these men have fought
with great courage and bravery. 1 think,
however, that the army of the Potomac has
never fought its battles through"
That was the secret of its success when its
last general took hold. Others had more
dash and originality, but none had the iron
hang-on of Grant. With him there was no
halt, and no looking backward. He said once
that it had never for a single moment oc-
Cured to him that he would not capture
Richmond. Wherever he set his foot down,
he set it to stay. As Lincoln expressed it, in
quaint words so like Grants own, he simply
''kept pegging away" There is something
well-nigb terrible in the persistence with
which he followed up the final cam
paign before Richmond. He rained blow
after blow for one year without giving the
enemy time to take breath. The prospect was
gloomy beyond description; the north was at
times disheartened. Civilians and warriors
on paper clamored for a change of generals;
the silent man stood unmoved as a granite
pillar through it all with his face toward
Richmond. Once Early's forces threatened
Washington. The hair of the inhabitants of
that city Of boarding houses and Office
holders stood on end with alright. Grant,
down before Petersburg, was telegraphed for
in hot haste to come with troops and defend
the capital. Lincoln himself added his per-
sonal request to the message. Grant calmly
telegraphed back: II think it would have a
bad effect for me to leave here, " and did not
bulge peg. Grants personal motto, it may
ha ri lie thot pf fha o1a
Grant: "Stand fast, stand firm, stand sure"
So he stood that last year of the war, in
the Wilderness at Spottsylvania, at Cold
Harbor, at Petersburg, and finally at Apo
mattox. The army of the Potomac at last
'fought its battles through"
Grant never asked advice. He obtained
all the information possible from all sources,
and listened without opening his mouth ex-
cept to ask questions. Then he went silently
and made out his orders. He made up his
mind, never was flurried and never lost his
head
After the battles Of Chattanooga, once at
Nashville he sat in his tent in silence putting
bis cigar. Gems. Meigs and w. F. Smith
were with him. Smith was pacing the floor,
wrapped in thought.
''What are you thinking about, BaldyT
said Gen. Meigs.
Smith was so absorbed that he did not hear
the question.
"Baldy is studying strategy" said Meigs
to Grant, with a laugh.
The chief took his cigar from his lips and
said, quite seriously:
II don't believe in strategy in the popular
understanding of the term Iuse it to get up
just as close to the enemy as practicable with
as little loss as possible"
"And what thenl" asked Meigs.
''Then' Then up, guards, and at 'emr re-
piled Grant, with touch of unusual spirit
Tor him.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
" FINISH THIS THING.y

Sheridan and Sherman were Grants favor
tie generals The objectionable military sin in
his eyes was slowness. These two could catch
a plan and carry 1t out with Ggl tning-hke
dash and boldness. They could plan fol
themselves, as well, and then Off wi h whir
and sweep to execute Before slower mer
could get movement through their heads
with these two-loi the thing was done.
To Sheridan, therefore, Grant Entrusted thu
work of starting the movement which was t.
"finish this thing" The task was welcome
one.
at is to be hoped, said Grant to Secretary
Stanton, "that we will have no use for NOR,
men than we have now, but the number mus
be kept up"
He insisted ON that to the very end.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
GRANT AND SHERMAN,

Yet the fall Of Atlanta was only part of
the grand plan Grant himself had made
Sherman ended the task Grant had laid out
in the west. War is terrible enough at its
best, yet in looking back over our great con-
test the perfect and abiding friendship of
Grant and Sherman gilds one part Of the
retrospect with perfect light. Both had
enemies not few on their own side Of the
line; both had been abused and Sandered
without end, in that amiable way American
journalists have of treating their great men.
Able writers had even gone to the extent of
reporting that one of our greatest generals
was IN inebriate, the other a lunatic. AT
this it is rrlmored that Sherman laughed and
remarked:
"Grant stood by mo when was crazy, and
I'll stand by him when he's drunk"
From the beginning Of the war to the end
they worked into each others hands. Be
tween the two large souls there was not a
thought of Jealousy or envy. When Grant
was appointed commander-in-chief Sherman
heard the news in sober silence at first IN
Grants presence. Then he said to his fast
friend:
81 cannot congratulate you. The response
bility is too great"
In January, 1865, after the triumphant
IAfICu W inc RCD, ouCe more u SurOng leellnR
in favor of Sherman arose. Again there
were those who said he ought to have been
the head. Sherman heard Of it and wrote to
Grant,
Il have been told that congress meditates a
bill to make a lieutenant generalcy for
me. l have written to John Sherman to stop
it. 1t would be mischievous, for there are
enough rascals who would try to SOW differ
ences between US, whereas you and are now
! in perfect understanding. Iwould rather have
you in command than anybody else, for you
are fair, honest, and have at heart the same
purpose that should animate all. l should
emphatically decline any commission calcu-
lated to bring us into rivalry.
doubt If men in congress fully realize that
you and are honest in our professions Of
want Of ambition"
Probably it would be rather hard for linen
in congress' to realize how public officer Of
any kind could be wanting in ambition.
Grant wrote back: II have received your
very kind letter. y II you should be
placed in my position, and put subordinate,
it would not change our relations in the least.
/ | would make the same exertions to support
you that you have ever done to support me,
and l would do all in my power to make our
cause win"
And once more the faithful Sherman re-
plies: 81 am fully aware Of your friendly
feeling towards me, and you may always de-
pend upon me as your steadfast supporter.
| Your wish is law and gospel to me, and such
is the feeling that pervades my army"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
NEARING THE END.

On the north side threefold line of fortif-
cations defended Richmond. That was the
side which Grant never besieged. A curious
fact about these Notifications is that they
were built by slave labor. In the first part
Of the war every owner in the vicinity had
bean forced to furnish quota of third to a
sixth Of all his slaves for the work.
In the autumn Grant had REINFORCED his
army again. A draft of 100000 men had
been ordered. The middle of September he
wrote:
"We ought to have the whole number of
men called for by the president in the shortest
possible time. Prompt action in filing up
our armies will have more effect upon the
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

eracy, on the 10Th or February, 1864, pll
passed both houses Of congress reviving the
grade Of lieutenant general in the armies of
the United States, with the idea of comforting
this rank upon Grant, thus giving him COM
mand of all the military forces of the country,
and on the I'd Of March the senate confirmed
1.-THE most important appointr' "'t avs" made
In America" Washington and Scott were
the only men who had ever held this rank
This as we'll as every other promotion he ever
received, was made not only withor solicita-
lion on his part, but without his knowledge
and consent. He was ordered to Washington,
and received his commission directly from
the hands of the president, who had never
before seen him.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
photographed by Brady

GEN. GRANT AND FREDDY AT HEADQUARr
TIERS, CITY POINT, VA.
For the pomp and trappings Of war he
cared nothing. Grant has been honored at
home and abroad more than any other
American in his lifetme-one might almost
say more than any other living man ever
was-yet through it all he remained person
ally the simplest and most unpretentious of
men. During the war, even when COM
mander-in-chief, he went about wearing an
old SLOUGH hat and a common soldiers blue
Overcoat, worn and dingy one at that
When advancing on the rear of Vicksburg
he gave orders to his army to ''move light"
His personal example gave emphasis to his
order. The only baggage" he took with
him was briar-root pipe, tooth brush and
a horn pocket comb.
At City Point, his headquarters the last
winter of the war, the General lived in two
room log hut in the greatest possible simple
lUy. Nhie-tenuns or the captains IN ms urny
lived more luxuriously His food was that
Of the common mess Of the officers. A huge
fire was built out doors in front of the hut,
and before this, wrapped in his old overcoat,
with two or three of his staff about him, the
general liked best of all to sit. Towards the
last, unknown to himself, these devoted
friends watched him night and day. Plots
against his life had been formed-an attempt
to blow up his headquarters with torpedo
had almost succeeded. In the final
days the general became sleepless,
and sometimes sat under the stars
in the cold night till 3 and o'clock
in the morning. His steff made private
plan to take turns in remaining up with him.
Even when he threw himself upon his camp
bed one or the other Of the faithful friends
watched in front of the log-cabin door. "He
never knew Of this, says Badeau, "but we
often bargained with one another for an hour
OF two of rest"
The generals wife and children spent part
Of the tedious months with him in the log
cabin. Our illustration shows them. The
picture is copied from photograph taken ON
the spot. The boy making theridiculous face
in the picture is now the dignifed Col Fred
erick Grant
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
THE END,

That morning Gen. Lee hurriedly donned his rich
est uniform, with his stateliest sword. He knew IT
was all up with the Southern Confederacy When
1t was told him that his works had been carried h6
only said:
ut has happened as thought The lines have
been stretched till they broke"
Twenty minutes before II he sent this dispatch t.
Richmond:
81 see no prospect of doing more than holding oui
position here till night am not certain can dc
that"
The dispatch was sent to Jefferson Davis. Davis
was at church. kneeling in his pew when the dis
patch reached him. He made hasty preparation
and left the city. His cabinet went with him,
cept the secretary of war. He alone stood at his
post Strangely enough not worl of tho Con
federate defeat at Five Forks tho day before had
been permitted to be announced in Richmond. Al
Z o'clock Sunday evening" that fateful April @ Lee
sent to the Confederate secretary the last military
dispatch he ever wrote. 1t announced that he
would make a hasty retreat with his army toward
the Danville railroad which he hoped would still be
open.
But Grant ready for the movement TO Dan.
vile. The distance between Lee and Johnston was
only $50 miles. l. was matter of life and death
that Lees army should be intercepted before the
junction was made.
AFTER them! After them!" was the wa. chword.
The fall of Richmond nothing "The rebel ar.
mics the only strategic points to strike at" said
the General.
Lee went flying along the north side of the Apo.
mattox with army Of 10000 men. Grant and Shc
idan swept along the south side and headed him of.
A tragic and melancholy interest hovers about
Lees last hour in Richmond. Gen. A P. Hill, his
friend NJ one of his aoi lest commanders, had been
kille me morning. They buried him darky, al
dead Of night, like Sir John Moore Lees last act
was to attend this hurried funeral by night. Then
he mounted his horse and rode rapidly away.
President Lincoln Immediately set out for Peters
burg. Grant gave this simple order
Say to the president that officer and escort
will attend him; but as for myself, start toward
the Danville road with the army"
But the president reached Petersburg before
Grant left. The meeting of the two, Lincoln and
Grant-the good president and the victorious gen
eral-took place April in the porch OF private
house in Petersburg.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

enemy than victory The enforce
ment of the draft and the prompt filing ur
of our armies will save the shedding of bloot
to an immense extent"
He hesitated at nothing which would fur
Their the end in view-the stamping out OF
the rebellion Men must be had, draft or no
-,
The fall of Atlanta Infused more hopeful
spirit into tho northern people. The -ueD
called for by the draft were obtained with.
out difficulty.
The forces lay in front Of Richmond, ap
parently doing nothing. Except two or three
indecisive small fights, nothing 'emed to be
done during the winter. What was GRAM,
about7 Yet at this tfme when he seemed
most inactive, he said, one day, to foreign
officer
II feel as sure Of capturing Richmond as
do Of dying"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
WHAT NEXT

Again a howl of disbursement and dis
approval IRON cvInans ana the paper war
riors mt home. But the cool-headed reader
Of these days-of course all readers in these
days are cool-headed-should look upon the
map. If he will do that he will see that every
one Of these successive positions was one step
nearer Richmond. After each, Grant in
trenched himself one stage nearer the
goal He knew. II the country did not.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
his MEETING WITH QUEEN VICTORIA A
WINDSOR CASTLE

His successor was inaugurated March. 1871. and In
May the General and Mrs. Grant sailed from Phila-
dephia for liverpool. September 1879 he set foot
once more upon his native soil upon the western
coast OF the United States landing at San Francisco
from Japan. That voyage has been described by
John Russell Young in his famous book Around the
World with General Grant" Princes AMI potentates
We'd with one another in doing hoaor to the plain,
simple hearted Americ He dinei with the Queen
of England an pad visit of state to Prince Bis
marck. The sacred Mikado of Japan advanced and
shook hands with him like a common man. an honor
never before accorded to any human being. But the
brightest enderest picture OF all Is that of the little
school children OF San Francisco scattering be-
fore him in his path as he landed once more In his
own country.
As time goes 1t will be recognized that one of
the most valuable features of M luung's work is
the frank and pleasant talks of the general during
hat n n F54m the e beck aad
of the strong, WISE terse thoughts and sayings of
Grant. one Cf these well worthy the re-
membrane of his countrymen, will close this bur
ried sketch:
"when the Duke of Cambridge asked me to
view his troops at Aldershott told his royal high
ness that the one thing never wanted to see again
was a military parade. When l resigned from the
army and went to a farm was happy. When the
rebellion came returned TO the service because It
was q duty l had no thought OF rank; all did was
to try and make myself useful"
A few weeks ago the nation was startled to read
that Grant slowly and painfully dying at
his home in New York There no hope that he
sadly watch the going of life of the greatest and
most honorcd OF Americans
The spirit in which they watch the Pickering life
Is exqulstely and touchngly told in the lines be-
low. The poem is from The Columbus (Ohio) Dis
patch Its author is unknown to us
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
THE soUTHsIDE RAILROAD AT LAST !


The immediate assault along the lines" was or.
dered fer o'clock Sunday. April 2. Between and
that morning the General telegraphed the wait
Ing president:
Wright h s gone through the enemy's line. and
now has a regiment tearing up tho track on the
Southsidc railroad"
fnc nuur nau come, anu no Knew
graphed the oficer at City Point:
Make no more deliveries OF rebel prisoners while
the battle is going on"
The reader of the Generals history cannot fail
again and gain to be impressed with his tcrse ring
Ing dispatchcS-every word in its place. and not n
word too many; they like the man. Another
dispatch OF that great day referred his favorite
Sheridan:
II have not yet heard from Sheridan, but have
an abiding faith that he is in the right place and at
the right time"
The battle-ground extended from Five Forks to Pc
tershurg. terrible assault was made on the latter
town. Its earthworks were finally broken through
Dy the famous Sixth corps, with Gen. Wright The
last or Its defenscs to surrender Fort Gregg 1t
was held by 3OJ Confederates, brave and devoted
band OF men as ever lived. Among them a
body OF common teamsters, mouu ted. They were
known in the Confederate army as walkers
Mules" How Walkers mules" fought that day is
story to thrill the American heart Many of these
men fought at the last with bayonets and dubbed
muskets Soldiers fell before Petersburg that day as
though mans life was worth more than that OF
SO many insects The assault on Fort Gregg had
been ordered at o'clock in the day. At half past 2
it fell. the last defense of Richmond and a lost
cause. Gen. Ord's men were the first to plant the
national colors upon its walls
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
THE SURRENDER.

It will be one OF the ever living scenes In Ameri
can history. Lee and his stan were splendidly
dressed for the occasion. Lee was a noble looking
man. He wore n rich suit Of gray and gold with
embroidered gauntpts and q magnificent Gashing
sword The clothing of Grant and his STAFF on
the other hand, was soiled and worn and battle
stained. The two sides presented a marvellous con-
trast Lee had the manner of the grand gentleman.
Grant, as ever, was simple and unpreten tious as
child. He never did anything for effect in his life
looker-on might have supposed that Lee the
victor and Grant the conquered Grant did not even
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
PETERSBURG.

II will have Petersburg secured if pos
sible," Grant had telegraphed Lincoln. He
indeed got his army south of the Potomac
before a move was made to defend the town.
June 18th the Federal forces stormed Peters
burg. The outer works were taken. But
some Of Grants subordinates hesitated, de-
aged, and the day was lost. Lee seized upon
the town, and as usual threw up the earth
intrenchments and filled them with his best
troops, and presented "a powerful fortress in
face of the foe" The opportunity was lost.
The assault was continued some time with
tremendous losses. But on the 18th Grant
said: ''All has been done that could be DONE
Now we will rest the men and use the spade
for their protection till new vein can be
struck"
So once more the army of the Potomac
went to fighting with the spade" Grant
was obliged to extend his lines still farther to
the south. The new vein" the General
struck was to get possession of the Weldon
railroad. Lees supplies came by way Of
this and of the Southside roads. Those roads
taken, then the Confederate army would be
surely starved out.
| For the possession of these Grant struggled
more than three-quarters of a year. Had he
not said: II shall take no backward steps"l
He got possession Of the Weldon road first
What thenl Once more tho eternal earth
works to the south. Cold weather came,
and the soldiers built log huts and went into
them, with Grants headquarters still at City
Point. Winter wore away in seemingly
stupid inactivity before Richmond. The
nation grew weary. The only CLEAN of hope
it had had for more than half year had
been the fall of Atlanta, Sept 2, 1864. Then
the people clamored, Sherman is the only
victorious general, the man to lead our
armies. Give us Sherman"
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10


What is the sad rumor fiyingl
Grant, the sturdy soldier, dyingl
Grant, the grim. yet glorious Mars.
SAVIOR OF the Stripes and Stars
Grant, the warrior DYING
Grant, whose cool, intrepid bearing
Stimulated deeds OF daring
In the hottest OF the field.
And whose cry was "Never yield"-
Grant, unconquered, dylngl
Grant, whose many faults are hidden
'Seaih the cloak that waves unhidden-
Royal robe OF purple dye
In the loom of memory
Grant, the hero. dy'ngi
Ali tits worth a nations sighing.
On Truths wings the ramors fyiUs.
Softly, friends! hero falls
When the unwelcome angel calls
Grant at wosk. Is crinp
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

TINS mouse, ana noe me apple tree, that pse
formal surrender took place.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10

that after this month of fighting Lees
army must he enfeebled. Behind him
self was tho great North still, with generous
supplies of men and money. He called per.
emptorily for reenforcements. They were
sent him, and his army was filed up to its
original full fighting number. His plan
rom the first had been to besiege Richmond
from the south side of the James River On
he 18th OF June, 1864, thirty-seven days
after it had entered the Wilderness, the army
If the Potomac began crossing to the south
ide Of the James. Grant telegraphed to
President Lincoln: "Our forces will COM
mence crossing the James to-day. The
enemy show no signs of yet having brought
troops to the south side Of Richmond. l
will have Petersburg secured, If possible, be-
fore they get there in much force" To
which Lincoln answered back Immediately:
81 begin to see it. You will succeed. God
bless you all"
Then tho General began the same strategy
that had been successful at Vicksburg. A
scare ran through the paper warriors
Of Washington and the country. IL
Grant went south of the James, what
could hinder that Lee should run in and
capture Washington As usual, that scare
did not matter to the impcrturbable man at
the head Of the army. He meant to keep Lee
busy where he was. 1t was not Richmond,
either, at which he was aiming. 1t was Lees
army. He meant to make the investment of
Richmond the siege Of an army rather than
of a town.
One curious fact, however, that comes out
in the retrospect is that the north side Of
Richmond was never really invested by the
Federal forces. From that side the bold Con-
federate cavalry continually made dashes,
land swept the valley and beat back the
Union troops" Thence Early threatened
Washington. Grant, on the other hand, was
obliged to keep his whole line Of communica-
ton open behind him while he was slowly
and painfully extending his lines to the south
ward. This was the task before him.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-04-10
GRANT AND LINCOLN.

Here also to that historic log cabin came
frequently one greater than all-Lincoln. the