The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-04
ANECDOTES OF GRANT.
| How He Entered the Army-His Acquaint.
ance with E. II. Washburne.

How He Entered the Army-His Acquaint-
ance with e. b. Washburne.
Correspondence Salem (Mass.1 Gazette.
/ have thought that few anecdotes of General
Grant, which have from time to time been re-
lated to me during a long residence in Galena
might not be uninterestng to your readers A
friend of mine once told me that he walked
home with General Grant at the close of the first
war meeting which was held in Gaena, and at
which the General presided, an6 that he said to
him: II am going into this thing. | am going
to begin at the foot of the ladder. lam acquaint-
ed with the Governor of Ohio and am going to
write to him tonight and ask him to give me a
commission" My friend asked him why he did
not apply to Governor Yates. He replied that
he knew Ohio's Governor and should write to
him. Before hrs application was an
Springfield and Governor Yates said to him
I'VE have got men enough and money enough,
but we have no one here to organize; we need a
military man here" Mr. Washburne said: I'VE
have got just the very man up at Galena that
you want" "Who is he!" Captain Grant
WHO is Captain Grant?" Mr.. Washburne ex-
planned that he was a graduate of West Point
and had seen service in the Mexican war. ''Send
Captain Grant down here the reply.
While Grant was at work at the duty assigned
him the colonel of regiment came in one day
and said that he could do nothing with his men,
and offered to resign in Grants favor If he would
take command of it. Grant went out to see the
regiment, and being satisfied that the men were
full of fight and would make good soldiers ac-
cepted the command. Instead of taking his soldiers
from Springfield to Quincy by rail, ne marched
them on foot, and by the time they reached their
destination they knew they had no militia colo
mel to deal with Then followed Belmont DON
elson, Shiloh and those other victories which
have placed Grants name with the highest Of
the worlds heroes
General Grant became acquainted with Mr..
Washburne in this wise: Some gentlemen were
one evening discussing, in one of the stores of
Galena, subject relating to the Mexican war,
and Mr.. Washburne coming in, they appealed to
him for decision. He replied that he was in
doubt with regard to it; and would like to have
some information about it. A gentleman re-
marked, Mr. Washburne, there is man back
here who will be able to answer that question
for you," and took him back and introduced him
to Captain Grant. After having gained the in.
formation he sought, upon retiring he asked the
friend who introduced MIN, .sWho is this Captain
Grant, Upon being told that he was brother
to Orville Grant, he said ''He is % very smart
man. SIR Before the war, conyersng
with friend he one day expressed him
self pretty strong with regard to ths
arrogance of some of the Southern officers
of the army whom he had met in the Mexican
war; and said: There is one Of them whom I
would like to get even with, and that is Bishop
Polk" After the war had closed he remarked
to friend that when those fellows were running
away from him he used to think how he talked
about them when he was in Galena When
standing near his headquarters willie at the
South, one day, one of the natives came up and
asked him to point out General Grant to him.
He pointed to Dr. Kitto, of Galena who was q
long time upon his staff His visitor surveyed
the Doctor and remarked: He's - ornery-
looking old cuss, aint he?' Upon visiting Galena
he good humoredly ioked the Doctor about the
comment that was then made upon him. Upon
his last visit to Gaena friend asked him how
his boys were getting along. He replied: II
think the boys are doing WELL think they are
making money. If they fail it will bankrupt
me, for they have all own We know the
result.