13 chapters
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13 chapters
Preface
Preface
The events related in the following life of General Grant have been derived from authentic sources; and it has been the writer's aim to give a plain and truthful narrative,— like the subject him-self,— without resorting to invention, high coloring, or rhetorical exaggeration, to add to the interest which attaches to One who occupies so eminent a position. It has also been the writer's purpose, avoiding minute details, controversy, and lengthy extracts from official reports, to offer a sufficient
52 minute read
I.
I.
The ancestors of General Ulysses S. Grant came from Scotland, and probably belonged to the Scottish clan named Grant, whose ancient motto was, “Stand fast, Stand firm, Stand sure.”The clan has never afforded a better illustration of that motto than the distinguished subject of this sketch. They First settled in Connecticut, from which state General Grant's grandfather, who was a soldier through the whole war of the revolution, removed to Westmoreland County, in Pennsylvania, and was a thrifty fa
15 minute read
II.
II.
When Grant received his First commission, the little Army of the United States was occupied chiefly on the western frontier, a few troops only garrisoning the more important forts along the Atlantic seaboard, and on the shores of the Great Lakes. The Fourth Infantry was stationed on the western frontier to protect settlers from the Indians. The hostility of some of the Indians occasionally made the duties of the troops somewhat active, though no engagements occurred, and no very long marches wer
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III.
III.
Grant, as before remarked, had never taken much interest in political affairs, both on account of his quiet, retiring disposition and his training as an officer, and he gave but little attention to the agitation which preceded secession and rebellion. But his patriotism led him to support the government against all assailants; and when the secessionists collected troops at Charleston, and planted batteries around Fort Sumter, he avowed himself without reserve for the government. When the war was
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IV.
IV.
In recognition of his victory Grant was at once nominated by the President as a Major General of volunteers, and the nomination was promptly confirmed by the Senate, February 19, 1862. General Halleck, commanding the Western Department, and thus Grant's superior officer, appears to have ignored Grant, and in his letters and despatches speaks of “Our” movements and “Our” victory, without a word for him to whom belonged the honor of the victory. Halleck also recommended that Smith should be appoin
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V.
V.
Vicksburg, which will be forever associated with the name of Grant, was the scene of achievements which confirmed him in the estimation of his country-men, and established his reputation as a general above the reach of the detractions of jealousy and misrepresentation. While Grant was engaged in defending his District of West Tennessee from the threatened invasion of the superior forces of the enemy, McClernand, who had been his subordinate, and was One of the political appointments which he had
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VI.
VI.
Soon after the capture of Vicksburg, and in recognition of his distinguished services, Grant was appointed a Major General in the regular army, his commissions hitherto having been in the volunteers. With his characteristic generous regard for his subordinates, he recommended many of them for promotion; and Sherman and McPherson were, at his request, appointed brigadier generals in the regular army. All Grant's promotions had been won by merit and eminent services. He had risen in rank without p
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VII.
VII.
After the victory at Chattanooga, Grant personally inspected every part of this extensive department, his purpose being so to dispose his troops that he might assume the offensive in the-spring, still making the rebel armies his objective. He sent an expedition, under Sherman, from Vicksburg into the interior of Mississippi, for the purpose of “Cleaning out” the rebel forces in that state, and so destroying communications and supplies that large armies could not easily move there; and he kept al
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VIII.
VIII.
As soon as the general plan of the campaign of 1864 had been determined upon by Grant, he went vigorously to work to carry it into effect. He had no taste for show, and gave no time to it. He did not believe in delay, and would not tolerate it. Ready to work himself, and capable of accomplishing a great deal of labor, he set a good example, and required it to be followed. His headquarters were always distinguished by the quiet, business-like industry of his staff and clerks. And in the selection
27 minute read
IX.
IX.
The surrender of Lee was soon followed by like submission of the other rebel armies. But Johnston, under instructions from the fugitive rebel government, attempted to gain from Sherman what Lee had failed to obtain from Grant,— a negotiation for the settlement of civil as well as military matters. Sherman, less prudent than Grant, and anxious to secure peace, agreed with Johnston upon terms which confessedly exceeded his authority, and which assumed to settle some political questions contrary to
10 minute read
X.
X.
The return of peace imposed new duties upon General Grant, not, perhaps, so much to his taste as active employment in the field, but none the less faithfully performed. His headquarters were at Washington, where some of the citizens of the North, in gratitude for his great service to the country, presented to him a spacious and well-furnished house, with an excellent library well supplied with military works, and adapted to the use of the commander of the armies. These and other free gifts from
38 minute read
XI.
XI.
The leading traits of General Grant's character have been indicated in the foregoing sketch of his career, but it may be well to group together some of the characteristics and habits which go to make up the man who now holds so prominent a position before the American people. His intellectual ability, which early in the war was not appreciated nor even admitted among those who measured such ability by scholarship or brilliant success in some civil pursuit, has been fully proved. It only required
19 minute read