St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-03-29
Selected Stnru.
GRANTS FALL AND RISE.
How He Lost His Place In the Army, and
How He Got Another Chance.

his OTHuI blOIy lTOIH the NlHCll
matt Enquirer is interesting though
we are unable TO vouch for It's histor.
zeal exactness. Grants own state.
ment in his Memoirs regarding his
resignation from the army in 1854
after serving in the Mexican war, is
that, being stationed at Humboldt
Bay. Cal, and seeing no prospect
OF supporting his wife and two chill.
dren on the Pacific coast out OF his pay
as an army officer, he therefore con
Guided to resign, and in March APP
piled for leave OF absence until the
end OF July following, rendering my
resignation to take effect at the end
OF that time"
The majority of people who know
much of the life OF Grant are aware
that he graduated from the military
academy at West Point, and remain
ed in the army for some years, when
he left the service, to enter it again
when his services were needed and
troops were called out to suppress
the rebellion. Gen. Grant was cap
tain in the Fourth Infantry at the
time OF his resignation, and his regi-
ment was stationed IN Oregon.
Major X. c. Buchanan, also grad
uate of the academy, who was fine
type of the old-time soldier, was in
command of the battalion to which
Capt. Grants company was attach
ed.
"Old Buck" as Major Buchanan
was generally called IN the army,
was rigid and unbending in his man
ner, and the sternest OF discipline
rams. He took it into his head that
Capt. Grant was drinking too much,
and said so to him. At that time
there was good deal OF drinking in
the army. Finally, in the spring OF
1854, "Old Buck" made Grant Sign
a 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. o.
course, there were refreshments, and
among then eggnog, and Grant was
invited by the BRIDE to JON her in
glass of this delicious drink, little
thinking OF the consequences, as she
did not know otthe Captains pledge,
and he took one. What possessed
me | never could TELL" Grant SAID
brokenly to a brother officer as he
told HIM the story, but the first
thing | knew | had broken my
pledge. y A lew days after this Capt.
Grant was sent Tor by Major Bu-
chanan. Poor Grant knew what
was coming as he walked across the
parade ground TO the office OF the
commanding officer, and when he en-
tered the office several brother OF
hcers lett. Major Buchanan nodded
10 his adJutant, who also lett the OF.
hce, leaving the poor captain to
lace the music" alone. Holding
two papers IN his hand. Major Blu
chanan said in his sternest manner:
Capt. Grant, here are two papers
YOU signed two months ago. One is
your pledge, the other your resigna-
ton. Is 1t true that you have brok-
the lormer?"
Grant met his commanding officers
eye tearlessly, Eyes, sir, it is true"
he said.
What do you deem my duty in
the matter OF your 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 question
will answer it. Ii is your duty to
send IN the resignation OF any officer
who breaks his pledge, and know
Of no reason why an exception to
the rule should be made III the case
before you"
That is all, sir" answered "Old
Buck, as he rose and bowed poor
Grant out. Two months later an
othcial communication reached the
post, 1t informed Capt. U. S. Grant
that his resignation had been accept
ed, to take effect July 81, 1854. This
was the end oft, and Capt. Grant
ceased to be an army officer from
that date. He packed up his goods
and early one morning left tor the
East.
This is how Grant left the army
the first time. How he got back is
told below:
In the spring of 1861 captain of
the regular army was ordered to re-
pair to Springfield, ILL.,, and begin
the duties OF mastering officer. He
found on his arrival DIT the capitol
that the acknowledgement OF the state
was a young man who knew very
little OF army matters and papers,
and who was really of no assistance
10 him in making out the intricate
muster rolls. He was told by the
acknowledgement that he was author
ized to hire a'clerk. That same day,
While ne was working over a pile OF
muster rolls, the door of his Office
opened and a man, plainly clad and
wearing heavy brown beard enter
ca, Walking up to the desk he said:
Why, don't you know me, Tom ?"
It's Sam Grant, isn't it ?" replied
Inc captain, as he rose and warmly
shook hands With he co,,,roda rs