Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-06-27
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Grants Fall and Rise.
nv" lie LOST HIS PLACE IN TIE
ARMY, AND HOW HE GOT
ANOTHER THERE.

ANOTHER THERE.
Inc majority of people who know
much about the life of Grant arf
aware that he graduated from tb,
Military Academy at West Point
and remained in the army for some
years, when he left the service. tC
enter 1T again when his services were
needed and troops were called out tC
suppress the rebellion. Genera
Grant was a Captain i'm the Fourth
Infantry at the time of his resiyna
ton, and his regiment was stationed
in Oregon. Major r. G. Buchanan
also graduate of the academy, who
was a fine type of the old-time sol.
dier, was in command of the bat.
talon to which Captain Grants com.
was attached.
cold Buck" az Major Buchanan
was generally called i'm the army,
was rigid and unbending in his man
ner, and the sternest of disciplina-
rians. He took it into his head that
Captain Grant was drinking too
much, and said so to him. AT that
time there was good deal of drink
ing in the army. Finally, IN the
spring Of 1854, "OId Buck" made
Grant sign pledge, which, with
his resignation, he placed in Major
Buchanan's hands. Grant meant to
keep his word, but one cold morning
he called upon brother officer, who
had just brought his wife to the post.
or course there were refreshments,
and among them eggnog, and Grant
was invited by the bride to join her
in glass of this delicious drink, lit
tie 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 a brother Of
ficer, as he told him the story, "but
the first thing l knew / had broken
my pledge"
A few days after this Captain
Grant was sent for by Major Buch-
anan. Poor Grant knew what was
coming as he walked across the pa
rade ground to the Office of the COM
manding officer, when he entered
the Office several brother officers
left. Major Buchanan nodded to
his adjutant, who also left the office,
leaving the poor Captain to Z" face
the music" alone. Holding two pa
pers in his hand, Major Buchanan
said, in his sternest manner:
"Captain Grant, here are two pa
pers 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 Off
GERS eye tearlessly. Yes, sir, it is
true" he said.
" What do you deem my duty in
the matter of you resignation ?"
was the MAJORS next question.
There was moments silence.
Then Grant spoke: "You are an old
soldier, Major Buchanan. You DO
not need instruction from me. But,
since YOU have asked me the ques-
ton, ! will answer it. 1t is your
duty to send in the resignation OF
any officer who breaks his pledge,
and know of no reason why an eX-
ception to the rule should be MADE
i'm the case before you"
"That is all, sir" answered "Old
Rucku AS he rose and bowed poor
Grant out.
Two months later, an official COM
munication reached the post. 1T IN
formed Captain L. s. Grant that MS
resignation had been accepted, 10
take effect July 81, 1854. This was
the end of it, and Captain Grant
ceased to be An officer from that
date. He packed up his goods, ana
early one morning left for the East.
This is how Grant left the army
the first time. How he got back Is
told below. continues the Cinclnnati
Tn the spring of 1861 captain OF
,be repular army was ordered TO re-
renair to Springfield, H., and begin
the duties of mastering officer. ne
fnnnd. on his arrival at the caPitai'
,bat the Adjutant-General OF the
| State was q young Hi"h ~
yerv little of army matters ana pa
na,S and who was really OF no aSs'S'
tpnnce IN him in making out the IN
trirate muster rolls. He was toiu ny
tbe Adiutant.General that he was an. .
tho,ized to hire IL clerk. That same .
dav, while he was working over "a q
niie of muster rolls, the door 0i n'9
pflice opened, and man, P,an",E ~
ciad and wearing a heavy nr"Wn .n
hoard entered. Walking up 10 '' 'no
1e".'' Se",, ba said, "Why, don't you
know me, TOM" :, o, ronIied
NJ" :" It,s sam Grant isn't it 20 rePnl1u P1,,
tho captain, as he rose ana Warmly war; y,
shooE sho hands with his comraue q. o..
west Point and the MeNlc"r Grant m
davs He ran his eyes over ",""s' ns"s
aaSII aaS il was clear that he was not pros
porous. ,oro 70 get something