Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-03-15
Grants Fall and Rise.
How lie Lost His Place in the Army,
and How lie Got Another Chance.

How lie Lost Ills Place in the Army
and How lie Got Another Chance.
IThis Grant story from the Cincinnati Enquirer is
interesting. though we are unable TO vouch for
its historical exc ctness. Grants own statement
in his Memoirs regarding his resignation from
the army in 1854. after serving in the Mexican
war is that, being statione at Humboldt Bay,
Calf, and seeing no prospect of supporting his
wife and two children on the Pacific coast, out
of his pay as army officer, he therefore
concluded to resign. and in March applied for
a leave Of absence until the end of July follow.
ing, rendering my resignation to take effect at
the end of that time
The majority of people who know much
about the life of Grant are aware that he
graduated from the military academy at
West Point, and remained in the army for
some years, when he left the service, to en-
ter it again when his services were needed
and troops were called out to suppress the
rebellion. Gen. Grant was a captain in the
Fourth Infantry at the time of his resigua-
ton, and his regiment was stationed in Or
egon. Major r. 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 COM
pany was attached.
cold buck" as Major Buchanan was
unbending in his manner, and the sternest
of disciplinarians. lie took it into his
head that Capt. Grant vas 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 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. OF course, there were
refreshments and among them eggnog, and
Grant was invited by the bride to join her
in 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 ! never
could tell Grant said brokenly to broth
er officer as he told him the story, "but
the first thing knew | had broken my
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 Of
flee of the commanding officer, and when
he entered the Off e several brother officers
left. Major Buchanan nodded to his adiu-
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:
Capt. 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" he said
"What do you deem my duty in the mat
ter of your resignation?' was the Majors !
next question.
There was a moments silence. Then |
Grant spoke: "You are an old soldier, Ma !
jor Buchanan. You do not need instruc-
tion from me. But since you have asked !
me the question, l 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 exception to the rule
should be made in tie case before YOU"
THAT is all, SIR" ans wered "Old Buck"
as he rose and bowed poor Grant out.
Two months later an official communi-
cation reached the post. 1t informed Capt
U. S. Grant that his resignation had been
accepted, to take effect July 81, 1854. This
was the END of it, and Capt. Grant ceased
to be an army officer from that date. He
packed up his goods and early one morn
ing 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 captain of the
regular army was ordered to repair to
Springfield, ILL.,, and begin the duties of
mastering officer. He found on his arri-
val at the capitol that the adjutant- gem
eral of the state was a young man who
knew very little of army matters and pa
pers, and who was really of no assistan e
TO him in making out the intricate muster
rolls. He was told by the adjutant- gen
eral that he was authorized to hire a clerk
That same day, while he was working over
pile of muster rolls, the door of his Office
opened and man, plainly clad and wear
ing heavy brown beard, entered. Walk
ing 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 wal 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 getting dis :
couraged. Can't you give me something
to do?" Grant asked.
81 need clerk to help me with these
rolls, said the captain, land if you will .
take the place at 500 month | will be
glad to have YOU"
Grant accepted at once, and hanging his
not very new SLOUGH hat on peg, he was
soon hard at work. He gradually told his
old comrade his story. lie 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 l will, 7
Sam" answered the captain. "rll try to
get you commission" {
A few days later the chance arrived. c
News reached Springfield that Gen. Polk t
was on his way to Cairo with 10000 men. t
The war department directed that every
available man be sent to the front at once. I
There were 5000 men in camp. The cap t
tain reported to the governor that he was f
ready to muster in three regiments Uni d
forms and arms had been issued that morn [
ng. Nothing but the mastering in and 1
he making out of the commissions for the /
ield officers remained to be done. /
"GovernOr, whom are you going to appoint f
,olOnels and observation-disclosures of these q
lew regiments" inquired the captain. 81 Y
lsk because if the news be true these regi- a
nents will be led into battle by those Off /
'ers in forty eight hours" e
The room was full of candidates for these b