The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-17
General J. A. RalOlins.

was few years later to rule the nation
began his formal service in the war. a
day or two later Captain Chetlain had oc-
casion TO go to the djutantgenerars office,
every one did through the little anteroom.
He saw what he thought was a familiar
figure.
What are you doing, captain?' said
Chetlain.
"0h, I'm ruling blanks and some other
work upon minor reports such as any clerk
can do. l can't do it any longer There's
no place for me here, no chance, and I'm
going back to Galena."
mo, would not do that captain" cried
Chetlain, "be patient. Everything is in
turmoil here. Even if you give up this
work don't go back to Galena. l am sure
some chance Will come for you very soon"
Saying nothing, Grant turned back to
his work. That evening he met Captain
Chetlain and told him that he had decided
to remain in Springfield little while
longer, but that he had got to practice the
strictest economy in order to support him
self. Then he made suggestion. Said he:
~ can't live at the hotel any longer; it
costs too much. But have found room
right across the street 1t is of good size
and has a double bed in it. The price is So
week. Now, if you will come and share
the room, it will cost US only 81 80 a week
apiece and we can get our meals where we
can find them
Captain Chetlain agreed to this PROPOSE
ton, and that evening he became Captain
Grants roommate, and remained with
him until the company was mustered into
the service and joined its regiment Cap
tain Grant must have lived very plainly at
that time. He did not complain, but
there is some reason to believe that he
now and then skipped meal, and when
he did eat he bought the plainest food. He
! To fhn Gfofa IL 4 4
returned every evening more and more de-
! spondent. Twice he decided to go to
Galena. Once he determined to go by the
| next train, and 1t was only after the most
urgent pleading of Chetlain that he
changed his mind and decided to remain a
few days longer.
At last one day he came to Captain
| Chetlain in camp and said to him: ''They
have asked me to go down to Mattoon
| and look after regiment which is going
into camp there" and then he also con-
| fessed that his money had so completely
| given out that he would be unable to take
| the trip unless some friend would advance
| him no more than $15 That little sum
was found and Grant went down to Mat
toon and spent day or two with the new
regiment, giving its officers such advan-
| tage as his own experience enabled him to
! do. He returned to Springfield and again
there was time of delay. But after a
little, owing to some disappointment or in
efficiency somewhere, it was found neces-
sary TO send some one competent to do the
work to Nation again to muster that
| regiment in and Captain Grant was sent
| upon that service. He came back from
| NATION feeling somewhat encouraged but
! found that his service had entitled him to
no recognition.
Thinking that there might be an oppor-
tunlty In St Louis he went there, and al
though he met one or two old army COM
rades, and even rode with them when they
set out to dlsperse hostile demonstration,
nevertheless he found no announcement
that Missouri would accept his services.
Returning to Springfield, and again almost
determined to go to his home he hap
pened to think OF Mcclellan, who was then
IN Cincinnati preparing to leave for the
front. He knew Mcclellan slightly and
was certain that Mcclellan knew of him.
But In Cincinnati he faced the same indif-
ference and bad luck. Mcclellan had lust
gone to Washington, but his brilliantly
uniformed staff were in and about the hotel
when Captain Grant timidly introduced
himself to two or three of them There
was nothing to do but to return to Spring
field, and on his way thither he stopped
over for day in Indianapolis. thinking
that perhaps his services might be accepted
by Governor Morton. A few hours there
showed him plainly that the political colo
nels and political influences were quite as
strong in Indiana as they were in illinois.
Then his mind was made up. He went to
Springfield, babe Captain Chetain good-by,
and then returned respondent man to
his home in Galena believing that for the
time at least there was no chance for an
obscure military man, since the politicians