Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1921-04-27
HOW GEN. GRANT
CAME TO FRONT
Is Recalled on Occasion of 99th
Anniversary of His Birth
at Galena Today
By Associated Pressl


sent him into the Civil war, from
which he emerged as the victori-
Gus commandments, are re-
called here today on the GOTH an
niverSary of his birth.
Here it was that the future
president took command of his
first regiment, the Twenty-frst
Illinois infantry, as colonel. This
one OF the worlds greatest sol
diers applied three times in
Springfield for a chance to serve
in the struggle which he foresaw
meant the doom of slavery" be-
fore his worth was recognized
and appointment given him.
political colonies" stood in his
way. After organizing volun-
teer company in Galena, ILL.,, he
left it, realizing that his nine
years in the regular army should
be put at once at the service Of
the union.
Galena is celebrating Grants
birthday today. This city, where
General Grant had his home when
the war opened and where he left
his wife and children, honors the
days as its greatest. Senator !.
Thomas Hefin of Alabama, is
the speaker of this years celebra-
ton.
Even War Governor Richard
Yates, however, repulsed him,
I'm sorry to say, Captain" he
told the former army man.
there is nothing for YOU to do.
Call again"
Remaining iii Springfield until
his finances ran low, Capt Grant |
called a second time at Governor
Yates office. this time at the
governors invitation. He was
given a desk in the adjutant gen
erals office and put to work
drawing lines and filling in blanks. |
Any boy could do my work" his
tory records him as saying. Hell
remained faithfully at the task.
however, and on May IA, 1861. !
was given the title of mastering
officer.
His first duty was mastering in
the regiment he was later to COM
mand, the Seventh Congressional |
district regiment at Mattoon.
From there he proceeded to two !
other points, mastering i'll sol
diers, and on May 70 closed this
work and drew a voucher ior
$50. His pay had been at ire
rate of So day, but he did not
receive the MONEY until long at.
ter.
Out of funds, lonesome, poor
and detected, Capt. Grant return
ed to Galcna. Offering his service
then to the adjutant general at
Washington and receiving no re-
Spouse, he came back to Spring
field. His reception differed little
from that of his first visit. Gov
ernor Yates, it is said, did not
think of giving him command
Without political influence and
without a chance with the orators
and other wire-pullers who were
a military deadbeat" by politi-
clans. and a "decayed soldier" by
it is recorded by the his
toriap.
"it is strange" he told friend,
that a man of my experience and
education cannot secure a COM
nand."
With that he left Illinois. He
tried Ihio, and was almost OBJ
tanned for the service by that
state by offer of the command of
the Twelfth Ohio, but telegram
drew him back to Springfield.
"Will you accept the command OF
the Seventh District Regiment"
was the dispatch which procured
future president his entrance in
the conflict. 1t came, although be
lated, from Governor Yates.
This regiment was composed Of
luSty, bold young men, who had
abused the lax discipline of their
first commander. One of them
knocked Colonel Grants hat off.
''YounE man, that's very not po-
lite. was Grants only comment
at the time, but step by step he
tightened discipline until insubor-
dination was dead and the regi-
ment was military unit ready
for service.
The first call came to Illinois
from General Fremont, who de-
sired a regiment in northern Mis-
souri,.
"Send me-" was Grants request
to Governor Yates
No transportation" was the
governors reply. u
"I'll find transportation" the Il
colonel insisted, and on July 2,
1861, he issued his first marching
49,