Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-05-28
ULYSSES S. GRANT.
A Tribute to the Great Com
mander

finds an exception certainly in the heart
felt honors that were everywhere paid to
the memory of General Grant Immediately
after his death. and which honors were re-
peated in respectful services and ceremonies
at the final and formal dedication of his
tomb, on the 9th of April last-the ami
versary of his birthday The long, SPLEEN
did marching procession, containing many
prominent men from different and distant
sections of our country, together with the
numerous assembages massed along the
route, and at Riverside near the tomb,
forming a pageant never exceeded, or per
haps equaled in kind in any country, and
demonstrating the profound respect of the
American people for their renowned gen.
eral.
! well remember, and doubtless many
remember, what new and strong impulse
was given to the Union cause in the late
war, when Brigadier-General Grant, then
scarcely known to fame, captured Fort
Donelson. His ringing words, "Uncondi-
tional surrender, or l propose to move i'm
mediately on your works. sent thrill
throughout the loyal states, and turned a
new leaf in the progress of the Union arms.
Other victories of the largest Importance
soon followed; he became the hero of Nicks-
burg: and from that time forward he kept
victory on the run till fame was out of
breath. From Donelson to Appomattox,
he proved equal to every emergency, and
at the end of the war he stood the peer in
military genius of the mightiest comman-
ders the world has ever known.
1t was of no little Importance to the sue
cess of General Grant in his campaigns
that he possessed an iron constitution and
vigorous health, which enabled him to
brave and endure all kinds of weather with
impunity; to do this, too, with loss of sleep,
or but short intervals of it, when circum
stances required; to keep strong and active
amid the anxeties and requirements of a
campaign, and not infrequently with but
poor and meagre fare. He could thrive
with very plain, simple food, of little va
riety, and it was said that he ate less than
any man at headquarters, and was inva-
riably and exceptionally abstemious in the
use of stimulants He was fond of horses
and an uncommonly expert rider and
driver of them A vicious or a high-spir-
tied horse soon found his master with Gen
eral Grant in saddle upon his back, and
soon became obedient to the wishes of the
rider. Napoleon said that the prime req
uisite of good generalship is sound, robust
health. Attacks of indigestion troubled
him at times, and lost him at least two i'm
portant battles
was one of the most unique and tremen-
dously difficult campaigns of which history
gives record. The calm, imperturbable
spirit and bearing of General Grant, its
commander -in-chef. surrounded with such
great natural difficulties, and so much
anxiety on the part of all his officers, was
simply sublime. Retcent of speech, his
busy brain was constantly in deep, thought
full plans 1t was said of him by other
officers, that when he had perfected plans
in his own mind, he never seemed to
doubt success in following them out, but
exhibited entire confidence that they would
bring success. Each princip,l movement
upon the enemy's lines prepared the way
for the next, until all eliminated at length
in the surrender of General Lees entire
forces.
General Grants inherent greatness of
mind, that elevation, and dignity, and
tranquility of soul, which enabled him TO
encounter and overcome the tremendous
difficulties and obstacles of the campaign
through a wilderness section of country
comparatively unknown to him and his
army, but familiar to the enemy, proved
the greatness of his military genius, and
brought its final triumph at Appomattox.
The world furnishes no more marvellous
record of generalship.
During, and for years after the war,
General Sherman repeatedly mentioned,
with surprise General Grants remarkably
calm spirit, and his mistaken confidence in
his plans under the most hazardous and
trying circumstances, and particularly SO
at the investment of, attack upon and cap
ture of Vicksburg, where the two generals
worked together so harmoniously and sue
cessfully. OF a more anxious, excitable
and impetuous organization, General Sher-
man could find no solution of these charac-
teristics of General Grant Indeed, Gen
eral Grant was a profound mystery to Gen
eral Sherman from first to last But diff
ferently organized as these two renowned
generals were, yet the noble and manly
friendship ever existing between them was
very honorable to both. Their entire trust
and confidence in each other never wa
vered, and led to great success in all mill
tary operations.
General Grants chivalrous generosity
and magnanimity to a defeated and cap
tured foe awakens universal admiration, a:
illustrated in his offering his purse to the
defeated commander at Donelson-a broth
er cadet of his when at West Point acade
my-and his treatment of General Lee anC
his captured forces at their final surrender
While opposed in arms, he woulG bring al
the terrible forces of war to confront anC
defeat the opposers; but after, he would bt
as gentle as a lamb to them, and evinct
most manly consideration to their faller
estate.
General Grant soon won the confdenc,
and warm personal friendship of Presiden
Lincoln. In Mr.. Lincoln's visit to Genera
Grant during the Virginia campaign, cul
minating at Appomattox, he greatly en-
hvened camp headquarters by his droll
funny stories and sayings, with which b,
was overlooking, and was himself in higl
spirits at the probable final success of tn,
campaign. He made a unique appearance,
on horseback in his civilian dress, covered
with dust or despatched with mud, as Gen
eral Grant and staff made excursion
around with him TO show him how matters
were going and were situated and he wa
a constant source of amusement to his mill
tary escorts. Especially was General Gran
amused and generally enlivened with al
this, and lasting friendship between tn,
two men resulted from these visits of tn,
President.
General Grant dreaded and hated war
Grim, severe and masterful soldier as h
was in his many resources in battle and il
preparation for the clash of arms, vet tn
sight of blood and carnage, of the WOUNDED
and the dead and dying, affected him keen
", and his thoughtful and sensitive natur
turned from the sight of these things witt
loathing and sadness. The real soldier i
not infrequently found to dread war, TO
he realizes what it means. In disputes anC