Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-04-11
Biographical sketch.

Lieutenant General Ulysses 5. Grant was
)orn on Apr! =, lss', al Point Pleasant, Cler
mont County, Ohio. 1t seems that the only
marked traits of his character he eXhibi eu
II carly boyhoOd were energy. industry. will.
His educational advantages. AZ this period.
we're these Of the ccmron. country school
10 more.
IN the year 1885, at tue age III seventeen.
he entered the United States Military Acad.
emy at West Point, from which he graduated
on tn. 3rh day of January, 1873. During his
stay at this institution he manifested that
unit ring industry, close application aud un
conquerable W II which distinguished his
boyhood, and which have constituted so con
spicuous an element of his military charac
| ter. 1t appears, however, that he was never
regarded rs a genius; and the grade he sus.
tanned on the day of graduation-that OF
tweDty-One in a class OF about fOrty-two-
would not Indicate extraordinary advance
ment in the studies assigned him. But it was
remarked by those who conducted him
through his academic course. as II has been
by those who have observed his military
career, that he never lost an inch of the
ground gained at each successive step in his
progress. At his graduation it is said he
possessed practical knowledge of the use
of the ritied musket the field piece. mortar,
siege and sea-coast guns, small sword ana
bayonet, as well as the construction of field
works and the fabrication of all munitions
and mdtsrisi of war.
At the close of his academic course, he
entered the United States regular army as
Brevet Second Lieutenant of infantry. At
this time the United States being at peace
with all nations. Grant was attached as
Supernumerary Lieutenant to the Fourth In
fantry then stationed on the frontier in Mis-
souri, and Missouri Territory, and engaged
in keeping down the Indian tribes that AT
that time were very troublesome to the early
settlers of that region. Here Grant had not
been many months when he was ordered,
with his regiment, to join the army OF Gen.
eral Taylor in Texas. Soon after this Corpus
Christi, an important port on the Texan
shore, was taken possession OF by the Amer
lean army as a base of operations against
he MeXicans, between whom and the United
States disputes respecting certain imaginary
boundary lines were fast ripenng into war;
and 1t was here that Grant received his com
mission as Second Lieutenant of Infantry.
This commission dated from the 3Uth day OF
September, lS45. On the sth day of May, 1886,
,e participated in the battle of Palo Alto,
and although not noticed in the ofhcial re-
ports, was spoken of by his comrades as
having displayed great gallantry. He was
likewise engaged in the subsequent brilliant
operations of General Taylor along the banks
Of the Rio Grande. On the I'D of Septem-
Der, 1916, he took part. with, great credit 10
II is noteworthy fact that, although Grants
conduct in every one of these engagements
was highly meritorious. he rema ned in the
back ground, claiming no honors or promo
tions, but quietly hiding his time.
After the formal declaration of war by the
United States against Mexico, he was trans
ferred to the command of General scott, ana
subsequently March -, lsi1,) participated
in the siege of Vera Cruz. Immediately al
ter this affair. he was appointed the Quarter
master of his regiment, which office he re-
tained throughout the Mexican campaign
He was, however. horored with the appoint
ment. on the field, of First Lieutenant, to
date from the sth of September, lS47, for
gallant and dist jnguishcd voluntary services
rendered on that day in the famous battle
of NoiinO del Ray. Congress afterwards
wished to contij III the appointment US mere
brevet but Grant refused to accept 1t under
such circumstances.
On the 18th OF September. lS47. he was