The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-30
GRANTS START
BEGINNING OF UNION GENER.
 AIS GREAT CAREER
Recommended by Senator Washburne --Got His First War Horse From
 a Livery Man on Credit.

Milwaukee Sentinel
 HOW old do you think I am?" asked J. Ii. Evans of Plattsville, Wis, in the course of a conversation reminiscent in character. "
 ''Sixty-fve
 Seventy-ona"
 Knew General Grant before, during and after the war; continued Mir. Ev. ans am thirteen years ulder than my brother, H. Clay Evans, the Pension Commissioner about whom so much has been written and said
 As l was saying, I knew General Grant before the war He used to drive from Galena to Platteville as a salesman for Grant & Perkins. trying to sell leather. He was not a successful busi- ness man. He succeeded brother, Simp- son Grant. who died in St. Paul. Minn. When Simpson died, Jesse Grant. the father who resided in St Louis, and who was the senior member of the firm Of Grant & Perkins. wrote his partner telling him they would have to give Ulysses Grant a chance. I know he parent; he has rroved failure in. ev- orything he has undertaken. However. put him on, pay him what you think he is worth, and if 1t is not enough to support him and his family 1 will pay the difference.
 MT. Perkins put the future command CT of the largest army in the world at work travelling about the leighborhood
 
 cluded he was worth $45 a month. paid hi'n $9, and charged Jesse Grant with half of the amount. This was told me by MT. Perkins himself General Grant was in Galena only a short time when the war broke out A mass meeting was held at which John Rawlings, an eloquent young law yer and companion of the leather sales man. presided. At the conclusion of the speaking Grant declared that, having been educated by the Government at West Point, he should fight for the Gov erpment: He and Rawlings started in, to raise a company.
 Before the ranks were filled, Governor Yates met E. B. Washburne in Chicago, and said:
 "seantor. we are In tangle out in Springfield over the mastering in of our soldiers. Can you tell me where l can get good man to attend to the busi- ness?"
 Senator washhurnc was silent for a moment, and then he exclaimed:
 7 The very man for the place. I have him. Captain Grant of Galena.
 For Heavens sake send for him as quickly as you can.'
 Captain Grant reported for duty at Springfield. was placed in the Adjutant Generals office and began bringing or der out of chaos.
 "A regiment-the 2Sd-was raised in out in Hannibal. Mo, and the 2Sd was ordered there to quell the disturbance. The Quincy men refused to go. claiming that they did not enlist to fight their neighbors Quincy Is just across the river from HannihaI) The Colonel of the Reg iment was a weakling. thoroughly ip- competent. Governor Yates sent for Cap tain Grant.
 Can you take the 23d Regiment to Haanibal. Captain? inquired the Cover nor.
 "I can. replied the Captain
 You are In conand, sir, do it. neither uniform nor accoutrements to war He finally obtained an ordinary an imal of William Culderwood, a livery man, on credit for $50. and his father partner. Mir. Perkins. loaned him the money to buy the uniform and sword.
 Then Colonel Grant In the shade of night, issued his first order m the war of the rebellion. It was for the 2Sd llli- nois Infantry to appear the following day for inspection parade. This made 1t nee essary for the men to have their knap- sacks packed ready for the march. Or dinarily such an order would mean lit tle but when the inspection parade ter minated the 23d Regiment was twelve miles from Springfield on the road to Hannibal with wagons and camp inn pcdImenta following in their wake.
 The men did not realize what was up and went into camp without a murmur. The march was continued until Quincy was reached. Hannibal was invaded and the disturbance was ended. Down the river the regiment journeyed and Partic- mated in the battle of Belmont, opposite Columbus, Ky, and Grants career as a soldier started, en route for Appomat- toX."