The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-22

academy at West Point, and remained
In the army for some years, when he
left the service, to enter 1t again when
his services We're needed and troops
were called out to suppress the rebel
lion. General Grant was a captain In
the Fourth infantry ct the time of his
resignation. and his regiment was sta
toned I'm oregon. Major Il. c.
Buchanan, also graduate of the acad-
Temy. who was fine type of the old
time soldier. was IN command of the
battalion to which Captain Grants com
pany was attached.
"Old Buck as Major Buchanan was
generally called in the army. was rigid
and unbending I'm his manner, and the
sternest of disciplinarans. He took 1t
into his head that Captain Grant was
drinking too much, and said 80 to him.
At that time there was Il good deal of
drinking In the army. Finally, in the
spring of 1854, "Old Buck" made Grant
sign pledge. which, with his resigna-
ton, he placed In Major Buchanan's
hands. Grant meant to keep his word,
but one cold morning he called upon a
brother officer, who has just brought
his wife to the post. or course, there
were refreshments, anu ufnOHp tnen
eggnog. and Grant was invited by the
bride to join her in n glass of this de-
licious drink. little thinking of the con-
sequences. as she did not know of the
captains pledge and he took one.
what possessed me never could tell"
Grant said brokcnly to 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 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. 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 1t true that you have broken the |
former?"
Grant met his commanding efiicers |
eye fearlessly. YES 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 a moments silence. Then
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, 1 will answer it.
1t is your duty to send in the resigna
tion of any officer who breaks his
pledge, and l know of no reason why
an exception to the rule should be
made in the case before you"
That is all, SIR answered "Old
Buck" as he rose and bowed poor
Grant out. Two months later an official
communication reached the post. 1t in
formed 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
below:
In the spring of 1861 a captain of the
regular army was ordered to repair to
Springfield, H., and begin the duties
of mastering officer. He found on his
arrival at the capitol that the adju-
tant general of the state was young
man who knew very little of army
matters and papers, and who was
really Of no assistance to him in making
out the intricate muster rolls He was
told by the adjutant general that he
was authorized to hire a clerk. That
same day, while he was working over
a pile of muster rolls, the door of his
office opened and a man, plainly clad
and wearing a heavy brown beard, en-
tered. Walking up to the desk he said:
why, don't you know me, Tom?'
TITS 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 1t was clear that
he was not prosperous.
'I've come here to get something to
do. but I've no influence and I'm get
ting discouraged. Can't you give me
to do?" Grant asked.
81 need a clerk to help me with these
rolls" said the captain. "and If you will
take the place at 500 a month l will
be glad to have you"
Grant accepted at once and hanging
his not very new slouch hat on a peg
he was soon hard at work. He gradu-
ally told his old comrade his story.
He blamed no one but himself, and all
he wanted was a chance to redeem the
past-just one chance.
"If / can get that chance for you /
will. Sam" answered the captain. "Pll
try and get you a commission"
A few days later the change arrived.
News reached Springfield that General
Polk was on his way to Cairo with
20, 900 men. The war department d-
rected that every available man be
sent to the front at once. There were
8 900 men in camp. The captain re-
ported to the governor that he was
ready to muster in three regiments.
Uniforms and arms had been issued
that morning. Nothing but the muster
ing in and the making out of the COM
missions for the field officers remained
to be done.
Governor. who are you going to APP
point colonels and lieutenant colOnels
of these new regiments?" inquired the
captain. II ask because II the news be
true these regiments will be led into
battle by those officers in forty-eight
hours"
The room was full Of candidates for
these positions, and they listened un-
easily to the reply.
"By Jove! I don't want my troops
destroyed because their officers are un-
frained answered TIM governor "Hayc
you any suggestions to makeT'
~ have in my Office said the mus
tering officer. ian old soldier. He was