Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-04-09

i never COutu tell, ofhut setu oioASuiy
to brother officer rs he told him the
story, "but the first thing | knew l had
broken nv pledge" A few days after
this Capt. Grant was sent for by Major
Buchanan. Poor Grant knew what was
coming as he walked across the parade
ground TO the Office Of the commanding
officer. and 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 "face the music" alone. Hold
Ing two papers In his hand Major Blu
chsna said In his sternest manner:
Capt. Grant, here are two papers
you signed two months sgo. One Is
your pledge, the other your resignation.
IL II true that you have broken the for
merF'
Grant met his commanding officers
eve fearlessly. "ies sir, 1t Il true" he
said.
"what do you deem my duty In the
matter OF your resignationT was the
Mrjor's next question.
There Mss n moments silence. Then
Grant spoke: "You are An old soldier,
NJ jor Buchanan. You do not need In
s.ric ion from me. But, since you have
asked me the question, | Will answer IT,
IL Ia yoar duty To send In the resignation
of any officer Who breaks his pledge,
aud know OF no reason why an excep-
ton To the rule should be made 10 I'll,
case before YOU"
THAT l. all, sir" answered "Old
Bucs." "a ne rose and bowed poor Gran,
out. Two months later, an official com
mupication reached the post. |, In
formed Capt. L. 5. Grant that his resig
nation had been accepted. to tske effect
July 81, 1854. This was the end OF II,
and Capt. Grant ceased To be nm army
officer from that date. He packed W
his goods, and early one morning ief'
for the east.
This Is how Grant left the army the
first time. How he got back IL told be
low. continues the Cincinnsti Enquirer
10 the spring Of 1861 captain OF the
regular army was ordered to repair "a
Springfield, H., and begin the duties OF
mastering officer. He found, on hi:
arrival nj the capital, that the Adjutant
General OF the state WAS young mar
who knew very little OF army matters
and papers and who was really OF no as-
sistance TO him In making out the intri
cate muster rolls. He Was told by fh'
Acknowledgement thst he was authorized
10 hire clerk. That same day, while
he WAS working over pile OF muster
rolls. the door OF his Office opened, anc
a man, plainly clad and wearing heavy
brown beard, entered. Walking up e
the desk. he said:
"why, don't you know me, Tom.
ATS Sam Grant, isn't liz" replied the
captain, as he rose and warmly shoot
hands with his comrade Of West Poin
nd the Mexican war days. He ran hi
ewes over Grant and II was clear that h
was not prosperous.
ave come here In get something u
do. but I've no influence and I'm getting
discouraged. Ctn't you give me some
thing TO doY" Grant asked.
~ need clerk TO help me with these
rolls" said the csptsin, land II you ]
take the place At 500 per month | vii
be glad TO have you"
Grant accepted st once, and hanging
his not very new SLOUGH hat on peg, N
was soon hard at work. He gradual,
told his old comrsde bis story. liz
blamed no one but himself. and all h
wanted was chance 10 redeem the pas
Just one chance.
s.If can get that chance for you, ] viii
SAM" answered the captsiu. "Tll Try
and get you II commission"
A few DAYS later the chance arrived
News reached Springfield that Gen
Polk was on his way 10 Cairo viii
90. 900 men. The war department di
rec,ed that every available man be senl
10 the front ut once. There were 3,oV
men In camp. The captain reported Il
the Governor that he was ready to mus,
ter IN three regiments. Uniforms and
arms had been issued that morning
Nothing but the mastering In and ths
making out Of the commissions for the
field officers remained TO be done.
"Governor, who are YOU going to ap.
point colonies and observation-disclosures oi
those new regiments:' inquired the
captain. 81 ask because II the news be
true these regiments will be led into
battle by those officers 10 forty-eight
hours"
The room WAS 1ull Oh cauuihtes io'
these positions, and they listened un-
easily to the reply.
"By Jovc. don't want any troops
DESTROYED, because their officers are I'M
trained" answered the Governor. Have
you any suggestion to maker"
III have 10 my office" said the muster
ing officer, "an old soldier. He was at
West Point with me and also served
through the Mexican war. He knows
his business. l recommend him for a
commission as colonel or lieutenant-colo-
mel of one Of these regiments"
III will give your friend the commits
sion of Colonel Of the Twenty-first Reg
iment upon your Recommendation. Make
out his commission" said the Governor,
turning to his Adjutant-General.
"What Is his name, captainT
ULYSSES S. Grant," said the captain.
Half an hour later the captain laid on
the desk In front of the clerk, Sam
Grant, his commission as colonel OF the
Twenty-flrst Regiment Of Illinois Vol
unteers, saying:
"Here's your chance, Sam"
And so 1t was. The rest Is history.
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