The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-01-14
THE 21St ILL.
How Gen. Grant Commenced His Career In the
Late War.

To THE EDITOR: As is generally known Gen.
Grant began his active service in the late war
as Colonel of the 2lst Ill. DR.. John A. Meski-
men, prominent practicing physician, who
lives on Allison Prairie, ILL.,, about four miles
west of Vincennes Ind, and from whom ob-
tanned these facts, was private OF Co. L, 2lst
Ill., At the time of his enlistment he was one
of the Youngest men in his regiment, and the
events that then occurred made a lasting i'm
preston upon his mind. The 2lst was first Or
ganized as three-months regiment, with s. 5.
Good, of Decatur, ILL.,, as Colonel, and encamp-
ed at Nation, ILL.,, where it was kept and drilled
until the regiment re-enlisted as three years
regiment, and was ordered to Camp Yates,
Springfield III. Here the men concluded they
did not want Col. Good, but some one else, to
lead them to the front. Not knowing whom to
choose they made their wants known to the
persons in authority. One day shortly after
their arrival, Gov. Yates and John A. Logan
visited the 21st in camp, and each made
speech. Gov. Yates told the regiment that
Capt Grant, of the Regular Army, was present,
and if the 21st desired him knowing they did
not want Col. Good they could have him for
their Colonel. Although there were hundred
men in the regiment as progressing as Capt.
Grant at that time, yet something about MIN
seemed to please the soldiers, for they at once
elected him their Colonel. Col. Grant soon
won the esteem, respect, love and confidence OF
his regiment. He was very kind and attentive
to the men, but at the same time firm and reso-
Lutte He drilled them in person, putting them
through the battalion drill with great interest
and ZEAL When he took his men out to drill
he did so in earnest. If he went to drill two
hours, he would drill two and half hours.
Although quiet. having but little to say, the
Colonel was ever watchful and attentive, and
observant of all that took place.
Shortly after he took charge OF the 2lst
soldier, big, burly Irishman, member of one
of the companies of the regiment, had been out
| up town and came back drunk and was very
disorderly. The Officer of the Day, either not
knowing fully his duties or not desiring to
tackle such burly fellow, hesitated to arrest
| him. Col Grant, perceiving the situation, Or
dered the Officer of the Day to arrest the fellow.
But the Irishman was not going to be taken
Col. Grant threw off his blouse, clinched, and
helped to throw him down, and had him held
down while he bucked and gagged him, and
| sent him to the guardhouse to sober Oft.
At last Adj't-Gen. Fuller, Of Illinois, ordered
| the regiment to be in readiness to move from
Camp Yates to Quincy, III. In one hour after
receiving the order Col. Grant informed Gen.
Fuller that his regiment was ready. This very
much astonished Gen. Fuller. He had ex-
pected that it would require much longer
| time. 1t had generally taken two or three
days to have regiment put in moving order.
| Col Grant at once proceeded to march his regi-
ment to Quincy instead of taking them by rail-
road. He said he wanted to tougher his men
and get them ready for active duty in front.
After marching as far as Mendoza, Ill, Col.
Grant received dispatch to take the cars at
said place and proceed by rail to Quincy, where
his presence was desired. Cars being in readi-
ness, the 21st shipped at once to Quincy. From
Quincy the regiment crossed the Mississippi
into Missouri, and entered upon the laborious
duty that awaited them in the southern part Of
that State. But Col. Grant was not permitted
long to remain with his regiment. He was soon
| called to fill a higher sphere.
Thus began the first chapter of the active
duties of Gen. Grant in his great and unequaled
military career in the late war-one that stands
without an equal in the history of the world.
JAMES P. L. WEEMs, Vincennes, Ind.