The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-03-27
SOLDIERS BUDGET.
Grants Fall and Rise,

left the service, TO enter 1t again when
his services were needed and troops
were called out to suppress the retel-
lion. General Grant was a captain in
the Fourth Infantry ct the time of his
resignation, and his regiment was sta
toned in Oregon. Major II. g. Buch
anau, also graduate of the academy,
who was fine type of the old-time SOL
der, was in command of the battalion
to which Captain Grants company was
attached
"Old buck" as Major Buchanan was
generally called in the army, was rigid
and unbending in his manner and the
sternest of disciplnarians. He took it
into his head that Captain Grant was
drinking too much, and said so to him.
AT that time there was a good deal of
drinking in the army. Finally, in the
spring of 1854, "Old Buck" made Grant
sign a pledge which, with his resigna-
ton, he aced in Major Buchanan's
hands. Grant meant to keep his
word, but one cold morning he called
upon a brother officer, who had just
brought his wife to the post. OF course,
there were refreshments, and among
them eggnog, and Grant was invited by
the bride TO join her in a glass of this
delicious drink, little thinking of the
consequences, as she did not know of
the captains pledge, and he took one
"What possessed me l never could
tell" Grant said brokenly to brother
officer as he told him the story, "but
the first thing knew l had broken
my pied le." A few days after this
Captain Grant was sent for by Maj or
Buchanan. Poor Grant knew what
was coming as he walked across the
parade ground to the office of the COM
manding officer, and when he entered
the office several brother officers left.
Major Buchanan nodded to his adju-
tant, who also left the office, leaving
the poor captain to "face the music"
alone. Holding two papers in his
hand, Major Buchanan said in his
sternest manner:
Captain Grant, here are two papers
you signed two months ago. One is
your pledge, the other your resignation.
Is it true that you have broken the
former?'
Grant met his commanding officers
eye fearlessly. eyes, sir, it is true,n
he said
What do you deem my duty in the
matter of your resignation?" was the
majors next question.
There was moments silence. Th, n
Grant spoke: You are an old soldier,
Major Buchanan. You do not need in
struction from me. But since you have
asked me the question, l will answer it.
1t is your duty to send in The resigna
ton of any officer who breaks his pledge
and know of no reason why an excep-
ton to the rule should be made in the
case before you"
"That is all, sir" answered cod
Buck" as he rose and bowed poor
Grant out. Two months later an off,
cial communication reached the post
1t informed Captain U. S. Grant that
his resignation had been accepted, to
take effect July 81, 1854. This was the
end of it, and Captain Grant ceased to
be an army officer from that date. He
packed up his goods and early one
morning left for the East.
This is how Grant left the army the
first time. How he got back is told be-
low: In the spring of 1861 captain of
the regular army was ordered to repair
to Springfield, ILL.,, and begin the du
ties of mastering officer. He found on
his arrival at the capitol that the adju.
man who knew very little of army mat
tiers and papers, and who was really of
no assistance to him in making out the
Intricate muster rolls. He was told by
the Acknowledgement that he was author
lied to hire clerk. That same day,
whilelhe was working over pile OF
muster rolls, the door of his office
opened and a man, plainly clad and
uaarinnx hoouxy
Walking up to the desk he said:
I" Why, don't you know me, Tom?"
It's Sam Grant, isn't it?" replied
the captain, as he rose and warmly
shook hands with his comrade of West
Point and the Mexican war days. He
ran his eyes over Grant, and it was
clear that he was not prosperous.
"Pve come here to get something to
do, but I've no influence and I'm get
ting discouraged. Can't you give me
something to do?" Grant asked.
81 need clerk to help me with these
rolls" said the captain, "and if you
will take the place at 800 month
will be glad to have you"
Grant accepted at once, and hanging
his not very new SLOUGH hat on a peg
he was soon hard at work. He grad
ually told his old comrade his story
He blamed no one but himself, and al
he wanted was a chance to redeem the
past-just one chance.
''If can get that chance for you, ]
will, SAM" answered the captain
IN try to get you commission"
A few days later the chance arrived
News reached Springfield that General
Polk was on his way to Cairo with
10000 men. The war department di
rected that every available man be SEM
TO the front at once. There were 5000
men in camp The captain reported to
the governor that he was ready tC
muster in three regiments. Uniforms
and arms had been issued that morn
ing. Nothing but the mastering il
and the making out of commissions fol-
the field officers remained TO be done.
Governor, whom are you going t.
appoint colonies and lieutenant. colonel
of these new regiments?" inquired tn,
captain. I" ask because if the new
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