Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-04-16

" % " NC q iOhS peace, nc lcslslltd HIS
captaincy and set about establishing
himself in civil life. His first attempt
was to manage a small farm near St.
Louis. One of his biographers thus de-
scribes his mode of life at that time:
Gen. Grant occupied little farm to
the southwest of ST. Louis, whence he
was in the habit of cutting the wood
and drawing it to Carondelet, and sell
ing it in the market there. MANY of
the wood purchasers are now calling to
mind that they had cord of wood de-
livered in person by the great Gen.
Grant. When he came into the wood
market he was usually dressed in an
old felt hat, with blouse coat, and his
pants tucked in the top of his boots. In
truth, he bore the appearance of a
sturdy, honest woodsman. This was
his winters work. In the summer he
turned collector of debts, but for this
he was not qualified. He had a noble
and truthful soul; so when he was told
that the debtor had no money he be-
lioved him, and would not trouble the
debtor again. One of the leading mer-
chants OF st. Louis mentioned this cir
cumstance to me. From all can learn
OF his history here, he was honest, truth
fui interchangeable always at work at
something, but he did not possess the
knack of making money. He was hon
orable, for he always repaid borrowed
money. His habits Of life were hardy,
inexpensive and simple.
But there is nothing to show that he
enjoyed either wood-cutting or dun
ming, and he certainly did not grow
rich at them. In 1859 he tried in vain
to get the appointment of county en-
gineer, and he then went into the leath-
or business in partnership with his
father at Galena, LII. The firm quick
ly attained high standing for intelli-
gence and integrity. and the business
at the breaking out of the war was
prosperous.
A UNION VOLUNTEER.
1t is narrated that Grants determi-
nation to enter the service against the
rebellion was taken and stated along
with the drawing on of his coat instant
~ upon reading the telegram which an
nounced the surrender of Sumter. He
came into the store in the morning,
read the dispatch, and as he took up
his coat, which he had laid off, and put
it on again, he observed in his quiet
way: The government educated me
for the army, and although have served
through one war | am still 4 little in
debt to the government and willing to
discharge the obligation" Grant, tax
ing with him q company of volunteers
that he had enlisted, went 10 Spring.
field and rendered his services to the
country as volunteer Here the Illi-
nois troops We're gathered in chaotic
mass, and Gov. Yates and his staff
were driven almost to distraction by
the amount of business which they had
on hand. Grant presented himself to
the Governor with the remark that he
had been educated at West Point and
had served in Mexico, and asked for
something to do. He was told to call
again, as there were no vacancies.
Grant returned to his hotel, and call
ing again the next day received the
same response. He called again and
again With no better success. Finally.
his funds running low and his board
bill being due, Grant, as last resort,
asked for office work. This was given
him, and he began work, very much
elated over his success. From this sub
ordinate place he was soon transferred
to the Adjutant-Generals office, and
after making tour of inspection OF
the various military camps in the State
was rendered the colonelcy of the 21st
regiment OF infantry, q fine body of
men, but so turbulent and unmanagea-
bic that nobody cared for the COM
mand. He drilled and marched some
OF the unnecessary spirit out of this
regiment during the first four weeks it
was in his charge, and after marching
it into Northern Missouri he was, on
the 9th of August, 1861, through the in
huence of his old-time friend, Mr.. +.
Il. Washburne, of Galcna, appointed
Brigadier-General and put in command
OF district composed of Southeast
Missouri and Southern Illinois, with
headquarters at Cairo Here was be-
gun military career which in less
than four years gave him worldwide
fame
The following account OF the first
month of Grants services during the
rebellion is given by Gov. Yates I'm
April, 1861, he rendered his personal
services to me, saying he had been the
recipient OF military education at
West Point, and that now, when the
country was involved in war for its
preservation and safety, he thought it
his duty to offer his services in defense
OF the Union, and that he would es-
TEEN it a privilege to be assigned to
any position where he could be useful.
The plain, straightforward demeanor
of the man, and the modcsty and earn
estness which characterized his offer of
assistance, at once awakened il lively
interest in him, and impressed me with
desire to secure his counsel for the
benefit of volunteer organizations then
forming for government service. At
first | assigned him desk in the exec
utive Office. and his familiarity with
military organization and regulations
made him an invaluable assistant in my
own and the office of tho Adiutant-Gcn-
eral. Soon his admirable qualities as q
military commander became apparent,
and ! assigned him to the command of
the camps Of organization at Camp
Yates, Springiield; Camp Grant, Mat
toon, and Camp Douglas at Anna, I'm
ion county The 2lst reoi-
ment of Illinois volunteers had become
very much demoralized under the thir-
ty days experiment, and doubts arose
in relation TO their acceptance for
longer period. ! was much perplcxed
to find an efficient and experienced Off
Ger TO take command of the regiment
and take it into the three years SER
vice. decided 10 offer the command
to Capt. Grant ut Covington, Ky. ten
dering him the eolonelcy. He inlme-
diately reported, accepting the commits
sion, taking rank Us Colonel of that
regiment from the 18th of June, 1861
Thirty days previous to that time the
regiment numbered over !, 900 men, but
in consequence of laxity OF discipline
of the first commanding officer and
other discouraging obstacles connected
with the acceptance of troops at that
time, but Cos men We're found willing
TO enter the three years service. In
less than ten days Col Grant filed the
regiment to the maximum standard,
and brought it to q state OF discipline
seldom attained in the volunteer SER
vice in So short 4 time. His was the
only regiment that left the camp of or
ganization on foot. CO... Grant was af-
terward ASST med to command for the
protection of the Quincy and Palmyra
and the Hannibal ard ST Joseph rail-
roads. lie soon distinguished himself
MS Il regimcnial commander in the
field, and his claims for increased rank
,,nrn ,..,l.l,or,,is.o.1 L. LIZ f.;.... =.