St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-04-25
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
BY W. Il. CLINE.
ULYSSES s. GRANT.

Hiram Ulysses Grant was porn HI ON
Pleasant, Ohio, April q, 1922. He wa
noted in his youth for his fondness TO
horses. and his ability to train young
horses. Receiving appointment to cadet
ship at West Point, he entered that insti
tuition and was enrolled, by mistake, as I
s. Grant, instead of II. u. Grant. d.
made some effort to have his enrollmen
changed, but finding that it would require
the unwinding of lot of red tape to sue
coed, he gave up the attempt and accord
ingly graduated and was commissioned a.
second lieutenant under the name Of
Ulysses Simpson Grant.
The boys at West Point called him
Uncle Sam, and for short, Sam Grant. Al
the breaking out of the Mexican wal
Grants regiment was in Texas, and took
part in the first battles. At Resaca de la
Palma, Grant, in the absence of his cap
tain, commanded his company. He was
acting quartermsster for his regiment, and
as such served under Gen. Taylor until
after the siege of Monterey, when
with his regiment, he joined the army
under Gen. Scott, and took part in the
siege of Vera Cruz, the battle of Cerro
Gordo and the battles around the city of
Mexico. His GOODNESS and gallantry were
recognized by two brevet promotions, one
for the battle of Moline del Rey, and the
other for gallant conduct at Chapultapec.
At the close of the war he was married
to Miss Julia Dent, of St. Louis. After
remaining in the army for a few years,
he reached the full rank of captain, and
then resigned and tried farming on farm
near st. Louis. Failing of the success he
had hoped for in this business, he tried
the real estate business in St. Louis, and
then moved to Galena, ILL.,, and entered
the leather store, which had been estab-
lished by his father and brother, as sales
man and partner.
He was engaged in that business when
Sumpter was besieged and because he was
an old army officer, was called upon to
preside in the meeting Of citizens called
together on that occasion. Congressman
Washburn and John Rawlins, afterwards
"chief of staff to the commanding gen.
eral, were present and spoke at that meet
ing. A company of infantry was raised
and organized by the assistance OF Grant
and Immediately marched to Springfield.
Grant went with the company, although
he declined the position of captain.
Arriving in Springfield, although un-
known to the governor and the leading
L I'D
known that he was an old army officer, to
take position in the adjutant general
office. and assist In organizing the troops
of Illinois.
He accepted the invitation and faithfully
discharged the duties incumbent on him,
until the governor, seeing his ability, ap-
pointed him colonel of the twenty
regiment of Illinois volunteers. Although
this regiment had been considered almost
incorrigible, Grant soon brought them to
a high state of discipline, and marched
with them to Missouri. Here he was sur
prised by,Yeceiving notice of his promotion
to the rank of biigadier- general.
After few temporary assignments he
was put in command at Cairo, LII. Here he
organized his forces and moved from this
point upon Paducha, ky., which he cap
tured In October he moved with 5000
men down the Mississippi river and fought
a severe battle at Belmont.
During the succeeding winter he moved
with strong army, aided by Foote'S feet,
against forts Henry and Donaldson. There
was severe fighting and heavy losses on
both sides, but finally Gems. Floyd and
Pillow, the chief Confederate generals,
having retreated, Gen. Buckner surren-
dered with his army.
After the capture of Donaldson, Grant
was made major-general, but was for a
time relieved of his command, and Gen. G.
f. Smith led the army to Pittsburg Land
ing. Being restored to his command,
Grant Joined his army and was preparing
to move on Corinth, when he was suddenly
attacked by the Confederate army under
Gen. A. 8. johnson.
After desperate conflict Grant, who
had been reinforced by Buell. and his army,
succeeded in repulsing the Confederates.
He was second in command to Halleck in
the advance on Corinth, and was left in
chief command of the army of the Tenne-
see when Halleck went to Washington.
He fought the battles of Iuks and Corinth
in the fall of 1862, and then commenced
his famous Vicksburg campaign. Fooled
for a long time by the swamps and high
waters as we'll as BY the enemy, he
persisted, and finally causing his
fleet to run the batteries, he landed his
army below Vickshurg ON the high land,
and made one of the most brilliant cam
paigns on record He broke loose from
his base of supplies, defeated the Confed-
crates at Port Gibson, Raymond, jackson,
Champion Hill and Black river bridge, and
finally invested the city of Vicksburg,
which surrendered to his army July 4,
1868.
Notwithstanding his success, there were
those who tried to induce the president to
remove him from his command. One of
the charges they brought against him was
that Grant was q drunken sot." President
Lincoln said to those making this charge |
z s'Do You know where Grant gets his
whisky ?"
They said they did not, but could prob
sbly find out. 1
s'Well," said the president. ''find out
for me, and will send q few barrels to all
of my generals.
I'm the fall of this year Grant was placed
in command of all the armies in the West,
and FASTENED to Chattanooga, where Rose
Grams was besisged by Bragg. He soon
changed the face of affairs and defeated
Bragg Of the Great battle OF Chattanooga
He was then made acknowledgement and