f LIBRARY UNIVE'-S'TY OF CALIPOR A I EX L I B R Robert W. Brofcaw No Gift of-- FROM A PHOTOG-RAPH TAKEN AT THE CLOSE OF THE CIVIL "WAR. THE LIFE OF ULYSSES S. GRANT By J. T. HEADLEY Author of "WASHINGTON AND HIS GENERALS," "NAPOLEON AND HIS MARSHALS," " FARRA- GUT AND OUR NAVAL COMMANDERS," etc., etc. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS A. L. BURT COMPANY, & * * * * * * * * PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK r. 1385, BY 8. a. TRKAT. PREFACE. IN a former work, composed of biographical sketches of the distinguished generals that shared the fortunes and the triumphs of General Grant, we gave a brief outline of the military history of the latter. The object of the present work is to fill up that outline, and present him nob merely as a great military leader, but, by a careful collection and faithful narration of the facts and events that go to make up his history from Lis boyhood to his obsequies, to furnish the reader with materials for obtaining a cor- rect estimate of his character as a man, and of the work he has done. Immediately after the war things were in that state of chaos that it was impossible to get IV PREFACE. hold of those details so necessary to the proper understanding of them. These having since come to light, has enabled the biographer to make that history complete. Since then, too, his ad- ministration of the government for two presi- dential terms has exhibited his qualities as a statesman, and illustrated still more the patriot- ism that characterized him as a soldier. His extraordinary reception by the crowned heads and distinguished statesmen in the old world, such as was never before given to an American, and the simple, unostentatious manner in which he bore the distinguished honors lav- ished on him, form another, and not the least interesting, portion of his career. Added to all this, his character as a private citizen, the calm though painful closing of his eventful career, combine to round up a life that has had more to do with the destiny of this country than that of any other man since Washington. Now that time has quenched the fire of party hatred and hushed the voice of political passion, PREFACE. it becomes every American citizen to take a parting survey of the man whose deeds hold so conspicuous a place in American history, whose brow was wreathed with so many laurels from other lands, and whose demise has been so deeply regretted throughout the world. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Childhood of Great Men Influence of Circumstances How Generals are Made Grant's Ancestry Nativity Early Life Examined by a Phrenologist His Love for Horses Hides a Circus-PonySent Alone on Business to Ken- tucky Ingenuity in Loading Heavy Timber Resolves to go to West Point 17 CHAPTER II. Enters West Point How his Name became Changed Distin- guished for his Horsemanship Graduates Brevetted Sec- ond Lieutenant Ordered West Serves under Taylor on the Rio Grande Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma Joins Scott at Vera Cruz Made Quartermaster and Serves also on the Staff Distinguishes himself at Molino del Rey and Chapultepec Complimented for his Gallantry Returns Home and Marries Stationed at De- troit and Sackett's Harbor Sent to California to Oregon Resigns his Commission Settles on a Farm near St. Louis Joins his Father in the Leather Business Break- ing out of the War 27 CHAPTER IIL His Politics Raises a Company and takes it to Springfield He offers his Services to the Government Made Colonel of the 21st Regiment Serves in Missouri Made Brigadier- General Makes Cairo his Headquarters Occupies Pa- ducah Battle of Belmont Letter to his Father, giving an Account of the Action The Cairo Expedition Proposes to Halleck to Seize Fort Henry Rude Treatment by Hal- leek ; 41 CHAPTER IV. Importance of the Capture of Fort Henry taken by Admiral Foote Grant's Advance against Fort Donelson Repulse vill CONTEND. of Foote Desperate Assault of Pillow Arrival of Grant on the Field Escape of Pillow and Floyd The Surrender- Grant Breakfasts with the Rebel General Buckner Result of the Victory Congratulatory Order to the Troops Fall of Nashville Columbus Flanked 63 CHAPTER V. Halleck's Neglect Failure of his Attempt to Injure Grant with the Government Grant Ordered to Fort Henry Halleck puts Smith in his Place Noble Conduct of Grant Asks to be Relieved from Command till his Conduct can be In- vestigated Attempts to Vindicate his Conduct General Morgan Treated in a Similar Manner Magnanimity of Grant and Smith . 83 CHAPTER VI. The Army on the Tennessee Located at Pittsburg Landing and Savannah Grant Restored to his Command Buell Ordered to Join him with Forty Thousand Men Grant Forbidden to Give Battle Concentration of tiie Enemy at Corinth Accident to Grant Surrender of Prentiss Gallantry of Sherman Arrival of Grant on the Battle Field The Army Driven back to the River Arrival of Buell Grant Sleeps on the Field The Second Day's Bat- . tie The Victory Correspondence with Beauregard Causes of First Day's Defeat Outcry against Grant . . 97 CHAPTER VII. Halleck Takes Chief Command Again Disgraces Grant His Calm Reply Offers Halleck Good Advice Evacuation of Corinth Halleck Called to Washington Order respecting Fugitive Slaves Severe Order to the People of Memphis Battle of luka Of Corinth Sends Sherman to Attempt the Capture of Vicksburg Causes of his Failure Plans his Great Expedition against the Stronghold 116 CHAPTER VIII. Situation of Vicksburg Attempt to get below it by a Canal Sanitary Commission Aided by Grant His Solicitude for the Comfort of the Soldiers The Red River Route At- tempt on the East Side of the River, by Moon Lake A Fourth Attempt by Steele's Bayou Its 'Difficulties Por- ter's Account of it . . . 128 CONTENTS. IX CHAPTER IX. Grant Resolves to Run the Batteries with his Fleet Boldness of the Resolution Attempt to Remove him Cooperation with Banks The Army Marches below Vicksburg Run- ning the Batteries Grand Gulf Attacked Its Batteries Run Grant Superintends Everything Battle of Port Gibson The Victory 145 CHAPTER X. A Perilous Resolve Sherman's Arrival Grant Marches for Jackson Address to his Troops His Little Son Accom- panies him McPherson Defeats Johnston Jackson Evac- uated Grant's Son the First to Enter it The Army Marches back toward Vicksburg Battle of Champion's Hill Grant with his Boy under Fire Before Vicksburg Sherman's Opinion of the Campaign 164 CHAPTER XL Description of the Enemy's Works First Assault Bombard- ment of the City by Porter Second Assault Terrific Scene Heroism of the Troops Gallant Deed of Joseph Griffith The Chicago Battery Mistake of McClernand Grant Deceived by it, and Orders the Assault Renewed Its Failure Our Loss Grant's Reasons for Making the As- sault Grant Resolves on a Regular Siege Pember- ton Asks for a Suspension of Hostilities Burial of the Dead 189 CHAPTER XII. Perilous Position of the Army Want of Competent Engineers Labor of Grant Progress of the Siege Famine in the City They Hide in Caves Explosion of a Mine Desper- ate Fighting Pemberton's Condition Hopeless 199 CHAPTER XIII. Intei-view between Grant and Pemberton Impressive Scene Terms Agreed upon Rudeness of the Latter and his Offi- cers Grant Enters the City in Triumph The Soldiers Celebrate the Fourth of July Grant's Despatch to the Government Parole and Departure of the Prisoners The President's Letter Summing up of the Campaign. . . 208 X CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIV. Employment of Negro Troops Grant Threatens to Eetaliate if they are Abused when Captured Proposes an Expedition against Mobile Wife Visits him Public Dinner at Mem- phis Thrown from his Horse at New Orleans and Laid up Ordered to Reinforce Rosecrans Leaves Vicksburg Placed over all the Troops in the Mississippi Valley . . 227 CHAPTER XV. Grant's Despatch to Thomas Puts him in the Place of Rose- crans Gloomy Entrance into Chattanooga Positions of the Two Armies Hazen's Expedition Seizure of Lookout Valley by Hooker Burnside Threatened at Knoxville Sherman Hurried Forward Grant Resolves to Attack the Enemy His Anxiety for Burnside 241 CHAPTER XVI. Anxiety and Restlessness of Grant Sherman Makes a Lodg- ment on Missionary Ridge Hooker Carries Lookout Moun- tain A Thrilling Spectacle Night before the Battle Sherman's Attack Heroism of the Troops The Victory Hooker Attacks by Moonlight Grant's Despatch to Hal- leek Sherman Sent to Relieve Burnside Review of the Campaign and Battle Letter from the President 256 CHAPTER XVII. Grant again Proposes to .Capture Mobile His Views Opposed Congratulatory Order to his Troops Congress Orders a Medal Struck for him He Wishes to Carry on a Winter Campaign, but is Unable Sends Sherman on a Raid into Mississippi Made Lieut. -General, and Ordered to Wash- ington His Reception His Commission Presented him by the President Grandeur of his Position Maturing his Plans 277 CHAPTER XVIII. The Way to a Stable Peace The Right Plan of Action Sketch of Grant's Plan of Campaign Instructions to Sherman To Butler To Meade Army of the Potomac Its Route De- cided upon Strange Confidence of the South Not Shared by Lee, who Orders a Day of Humiliation and Prayer- Numerical Strength of the Two Armies 292 C6NTEN f TS. CHAPTER XIX. The March Begun The Rapidan Crossed Lee's Flank Turned He Determines to Attack Grant in the Wilderness First Day's Battle of the Wilderness Arrival of Longstreet and Burnside Second Day's Battle Third Day Grant At- tempts to Move around Lee's Left to Spottsylvania The Enemy Arrive First Gallant Charge of Hancock A Third Attempt to Get between Lee and Richmond Last Effort to Reach Richmond from the North Battle of Cold Har- bor Change of Base to the James River Attempt to Capt- ure Petersburg 302 CHAPTER XX. The Overland and Peninsula Routes Considered " Continuous Hammering" Grant Distinguished for his Skilful Man- oeuvres Compared to Napoleon Not to Blame for the Slaughter in the Wilderness, or the Error at Cold Harbor Failure of Siegel and Butler to do their Part 821 CHAPTER XXI. Disheartening Aspect of Affairs Importance of Petersburg Hunter Succeeds Siegel Wilson's Raid Movement North of the James River Explosion of a Mine Defeat of Hun- ter Invasion of Early Grant's Letter to Washburn Ap- points Sheridan Commander of all the Forces around Washington Effect of Sheridan's Victories Grant At- tempts to get around Lee's Left Hancock Attacked Winter Operations Atlanta Reached Grant's Grief at the Death of McPherson His Letter to the Grandmother Is Anxious to have Thomas Attack Hood Fort Fisher Butler's Disobedience Capture of the Place Directs Sherman to Come to him Schofield Ordei'ed East Stone- man's Raid Expedition against Mobile Directions to Thomas Sheridan's Raid Correspondence with Lin- coln Interview with him and Sherman Resolves to Move , 335 CHAPTER XXII. Attack of Lee Sheridan's Orders Revoked Grant Changes his Plan and Resolves "to Finish the Job" Battle of Five Forks The Victory Evacuation of Richmond Or- dered Davis Receives the News in Church Terrific Scene in the Streets Blowing-up the Rebel Irou-elads Burning 3t!i OONTENfS. of the Bridges and Warehouses The City Takes Weitzel and Ewell Entering the City The Capitol- square at Night 357 CHAPTER XXIII. The Pursuit Sheridan's Victory over Ewell Lee Cut off from Burkesville Endeavors to reach Lynchburg Grant's Letter to Sherman Lee Headed off by Sheridan Grant Addresses a Note to Lee Asking him to Surrender The Reply Lee Seeks an Interview with Grant Description of the Meeting The Surrender of the Army Agreed upon Grant Visits Washington Is Sent down to Eeceive the Surrender of Johnston The Army Starts for Home Grand Eeview in the Capital 368 CHAPTER XXV. Grant after the War His Freedom from Animosity to the South His Calm and Dispassionate Judgment Interferes in Behalf of Lee Opposed, to the Distinctions Made in the Amnesty Proclamation between Officers of Different Rank Opposed to Military Government Intercedes for Rebels Asking for Pardon His Reception at the Sanitary Fair in Chicago Welcome at Galena, Sent South to Examine into its Condition Remonstrates against the Removal of Sheridan Appointed Secretary of War ad interim His Reticence on Political Questions His Platform of Prin- ciples 386 CHAPTER XXVI. Grant's Freedom from Party Prejudice Vacates the War Office Correspondence with the President Statements of the Members of the Cabinet Contradictory Statements Ex- planation of the Discrepancy His Course Approved Re- fuses to Sanction Hancock's Order at New Orleans His Character His Courage Power of Concentration Tenac- ity Knowledge of Detail On the Picket Line Anecdote of him Skill in Handling Large Armies Lincoln's Esti- mate of his Character McPherson's . . . 398 CHAPTER XXVII. The Presidential Election of 1868 General Grant Candidate of the Republican Party Elected by a Large Majority Enters on his Duties in Trying Circumstances The Four- CONTENTS. Xlll teenth and Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution Eeorganization of the Southern States Completed San Domingo Petitions to be Annexed to the United States The President Sends a Commission of Inquiry The Ala- bama Claims Referred to a Board of Arbitration Ap- pointed by European Powers The United States Awarded Fifteen and a H^j: Millions Settlement of the Vancouver Boundary Line Unsettled State of the South 410 CHAPTER XXVIII. The Democrats Nominate Horace Greeley, Editor of the Trib- une Excitement Caused by the Bitterness of the Cam- paign Grant Sympathizes with the Angry Feelings of Neither His Election Modoc War His Action Right The Credit Mobilier The Great Centennial Exhibition The Contested Presidential Election General Grant's Course Defended His Last Sound Advice to Congress The Future Generation Alone can Do him Justice .... 418 CHAPTER XXIX. General Grant Seeks Recreation in Foreign Travel A National Vessel Put at his Disposal Grand Reception at Liverpool Reception at London Dines with the Lord Mayor The Prince of Wales Invited to Windsor Castle The Free- dom of the City Conferred upon him Visits the King of Belgium A Trip up the Rhine Visits Wiesbaden, Frank- fort, Hamburg, Black Forest Interlachen Vale of Cha- mouni A Trip to Northern Italy Goes to Edinburgh Visits Glasgow The Guest of the Duke of Sutherland Addresses Working Men at Newcastle Reception at Shef- field His Visit to Paris A Brilliant Dinner Sails for Naples Vesuvius Pompeii A Christmas Dinner Re- ception at Alexandria Cairo The Pyramids Ascent of the Nile 435 CHAPTER XXX. OS for Jerusalem The Sacred Places Gethsemane Naz- areth Damascus Constantinople Presented with two Arabian Steeds Greece Reception by the King Marathon and Thermopylae Rome The Coliseum Au- dience of the King and Pope Visits the Paris Exhibition The Hague Rotterdam and Amsterdam Berlin Bis- marck Review of the Army Hamburg A Fourth of July Dinner Copenhagen Gothenburg Cliristiania Queer XIV CONTENTS. Mode of Travelling Beception at St. Petersbnr^ Inter- view with the Emperor Saluted by the Russian Fleet Moscow Vienna Munich Ulm Through Fi ance to Bordeaux Its Wine-cellars Visits Spain Received by the King as Captain -General Madrid Portugal Inter- view with the King Cordova Seville The Chapel where Ferdinand and Queen Isabella Received Colnmbus Re- ception at Gibraltar Intercourse with Lord Napier Re- turn to Southampton Reception at Dublin Insulted at Cork Reception at Deny 457 CHAPTER XXXL General Grant Turns his Footsteps to the East In a French Steamer to Alexandria By Rail to Suez Embarks in the Richmond for Bombay Grand Reception Strange-look- ing Population Cave of the Elephants Journey to Delhi Reception at Bhurtpoor Its Magnificent Ruins Delhi Palace of the Grand Mogul Jeypoor Its Sights Through Lucknow to Allahabad Reception at Benares A City of Priests Its Streets and Temples Sight-seeing Reception at Calcutta Novel Way of Cleaning and Watering Streets A Flying Trip to Burmah Its Religion Elephants Their Use here Trip to Siam Anniversary of Lee's Surrender Vexatious Delay A Sh^wy Reception The Palace of the Prince Placed at Grant s Disposal Visits the Regent and King Second Kirg and First King A Royal Dinner Costly Silver Service The Great Pa- goda 491 CHAPTER XXXII. Off for Hong-Kong Received with a Display of Fireworks Reception on Board of an American Man of -War Shang- hai Fireworks and Torchlight Procession A Brilliant Spectacle Peking Interview with the Prince Regent Description of the City Reception at Tien-Tsin Inter- view with the Viceroy on the Chinese Question in Califor- nia The Loochoo Islands A Singular Farewell Dinner A Visit to the Chinese Wall Reception at Yeddo 612 CHAPTER XXXIII. Waiting for the Tokio at San Francisco Enthusiasm of the People Public Reception at the Mayor's Office Trip to Oakland Reception by School-ChildrenVisits the Yo- semito Valley A Trip to Portland Visits {Sacramento CONTENTS. XV Starts East Late Tab re- Capital of Nevada Visits the Virginia Mine Grant Reproves a Man for his Profanity At Omaha At Home iu Galena Beception at Chicago, 531 CHAPTER XXXIV. General Grant Returns to Philadelphia Speech at Camp-Fire of the Veterans Starts for Havana Triumphal Journey through the South Reception at Cuba Sails for Vera Cruz Reaches Mexico Reminiscences Sails for Galves- ton Reception at Galvestou Through Texas Reception at New Orleans Speech at Vicksburg Reception at Mem- phis -Speech at Cairo Visits the Home of Lincoln A Candidate for the Presidency Takes an Active Part iu the Presidential Campaign A Quarter of a Million Dollars Raised for Him Visits Mexico Again A Banquet Given Him Views on the Reciprocity Treaty His Strong Desire to see Sectional Feeling Allayed His'Defence of Fitz John Porter Will Take no Pension A Fall on the Ice Part- nership with Ward and Fish Loss of Fortune His Prop- erty Turned Over to Vand^rbilt, Who Offers to Cancel the Debt Grant's Refusal His Presents to be Deposited in the Archives of the Government . 542 CHAPTER XXXV. Last Illness Cancer of the Throat Commences the Task of Writing his Memoirs Letter and Resolutions of Sympathy Removed to Mt. McGregor Death Burial at Riverside Park, New York His Character 563 LIFE OF GRANT. CHAPTER L BOYHOOD. Childhood of Great Men Influence of Circumstances How Generals are made Grant's Ancestry Nativity Early Life Apt at Figures Examined by a Phrenologist His love for Horses Early management of them Bides a Circus-Pony Sent alone on business to Kentucky Ingenuity in loading heavy timber Dissatisfied with his position Besolves to go to West Point THERE is always more or less desire to know something of the early life of great men, in the expectation of finding those traits or qualities of character, in boyhood, which afterwards rendered them so distinguished. Sometimes the wish is so strong to find these early revelations, that every floating rumor is caught at, and accepted as true, if it goes to establish precocity of genius. Thus, the boyhood of Napoleon and Washington has been turned into a romance, in the eagerness to show how, almost in their infancy, they gave indications of their former greatness. But the truth is, circumstances make men oot that circumstances can make a strong man 20 LIFE OF GRANT. maxim is true, that " the child is father to the man." A child of weak and vacillating will never be- comes a man of great decision and executive force ; nor one who exhibits a total lack of perse- verance and energy in every thing he undertakes be distinguished for marking out a course, and persisting in it, over all obstacles, and amid the greatest discouragements. Those qualities of character for which Grant is so remarkable, he exhibited as a child. He confronted difficul- ties with the same dauntless resolution then, that he did afterwards. His father, proudly loved to recall and recount the events in the childhood of his distinguished son ; hence, there is no public character of mod- ern times, of whose early life so much is known. He was of Scotch descent ; and though much effort has been made to trace his lineage to Con- necticut, we can find very little that is reliable, beyond his great-grandfather, who settled in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where, in in 1794, the father of Ulysses was born, and, five years after, emigrated to Ohio then the far west Here he in a few years died, leaving his son, eleven years of age, an orphan, and nearly pen- niless. There were seven children in all, the old- est of which was , but twelve years of age when the family was broken up. When sixteen years ms BOYHOOD. 51 old he was apprenticed to his half -brother, in Maysville, Kentucky, to learn the tanner's trade, and served out his time, and then went back to Ohio, and set up in business for himself at Kav^nna, Portage county. Compelled by illness, after a few years of toil, to abandon his trade, he finally settled down again, for a while, at Point Pleasant. He shortly after became acquainted with Miss Hannah Simpson, who had emigrated from his native county, in Pennsylvania, and married her. Ulysses, their first child, was born here, on the 27th day of April, 1822. The mother was a Methodist, and trained her child to respect re- ligion, to avoid profanity and strife, and to love truth, industry, and honesty. The father was poor, and Ulysses was early taught to help him, on whom a rapidly increasing family pressed hard. Thus, at eight years of age, we find him driving team for him ; and at ten he was accustomed to drive a pair of horses alone from George- town, where he lived, forty miles, to Cincinnati, and bring back a load. Like many farmer-boys, he was very fond of horses, and, though a mere lad, showed great skill in 'managing them, and acquired a knack, no one knew how, of breaking them to pace. Most of the incidents of his boy- hood differ but little from those which make up the life of boys of poor parents, whose necessities 22 LIFE OP GRANT. compel them to work instead of play. Some of them, however, exhibit those traits which have since distinguished him in fact, have led to his success. That tenacity of purpose, which no ob- stacles or dangers can shake, was illustrated in the persistency with which he once clung to a circus- pony that he was induced to mount in the ring. The trained little animal could not, with its ut- most efforts, shake him off; and the ring-master, disappointed to see him succeed, where others always failed, let loose a monkey, which sprung up behind him and mounted on his shoulders, and began to pull his hair. The spectators shouted, and the pony struggled still more fran- tically to get rid of its rider ; but Ulysses, with his face wearing the same imperturbable expres- sion it hi after-years wore in battle, rode on, until pony and ring-master had to give it up. That quiet, fixed resolution, which was such a notably marked feature in his character, he pos- sessed when a mere lad. His father possessed great confidence in his ability to take care of himself, and once sent him, when but twelve years of age, to Louisville, alone. We give the incident in his own language. lie says : " It was necessary for me to have a deposition taken there, to be used in a law-suit in which I was engaged in the State of Connecticut. I had written more than once about it to my lawyers, but could not get the SENT ON A JOURNEY. 23 business done. ' I can do it/ said Ulysses. So I sent him on the errand alone. Before he started I gave him an open letter that he might show the captain of the boat, or any one else, if he should have occasion, stating that he was my son, and was going to Louisville on my business. Going down, he happened to meet a neighbor with whom he was acquainted ; so he had no occasion to use the letter. But when he came on board a boat, to return, the captain asked him who he was. He told him ; but the captain answered, ' I cannot take you ; you may be running away.' Utysses then produced my letter, which pat every thing right ; and the captain not only treated him with great kindness, but took so much interest in him as to invite him to go as far as Maysville with him, where lie had relatives living, free of expense. He brought back the deposi- tion with him, and that enabled me to succeed in making a satisfactory adjustment of my suit." * The father remembered also the following inci- dent, of which doubtless similar may be related of hundreds of others who never reached any emi- nence, yet it has a peculiar interest in the light of after events. He says, " I will relate another cir- cumstance which I have never mentioned before, which you may use as you think proper. He was always regarded as extremely apt in figures. When he was ten years old a distinguished phre- nologist came along and stayed several days in the place. He was frequently asked to examine heads blindfolded. Among others, Ulysses was placed in the chair. The phrenologist felt his head for several minutes without saying any * Written for the " Ledger. " 24 LUTE OF GRANT. thing ; at length, a noted doctor asked him if the boy had a capacity for mathematics. The phre- nologist, after some further examination, said, 4 You need not be surprised if you see this boy nil the presidential chair some time. 1 " * Now, whether the opinion of the phrenologist was worth any thing or not, or whether it was a mere piece of flattery, or a scientific opinion, may not, perhaps, be of much aonsequence ; but one thing is certain, if he had not been different from the ordinary class of boys of his age he never would have been selected as a subject for public examination. This fact alone shows that he was a marked lad, possessing certain positive, distinct qualities which distinguished him from others. If it were not so, the examination of his head would have been without significance. Another anecdote is told of him when a little older, show- ing that great self-reliance which also formed so remarkable a trait of his manhood. Sent once to the woods with a team to bring some pieces of timber, where his father supposed there were work- men to do the loading for him, he, on his arrival, found no one there. Instead, however, of return- ing with the team and reporting the state of af- fairs, he immediately set about performing the herculean task himself; and unhitching the horses, he with their help hauled up the pieces of hewn * "The Hero Boy," by Kev. P. 0. Hoadloy. DISSATISFIED WITH HIS LOT. 2 timber on a half-fallen tree, that served as an in* clined plane, the ends projecting over. He then backed the wagon under them, and hitching a chain to the ends, pulled them one after another in, and started for home with his load. The means for securing that mental discipline and culture necessary to fit him for any position of eminence were wanting in the little town where he resided. His moral training, however, O" was excellent. Though his parents were not the old rigid Scotch Covenanters, they had the Scotch probity and prudence, and inculcated right prin- ciples into the boy, and it is said of him what can be said of few lads, that he was never known to tell a lie or use a profane word. He devoted himself to his father's business of tanning leather with reluctance, preferring to drive a team instead. But while he was thus growing a strong, broad- shouldered young man in an obscure western vil- lage, he was not satisfied with his lot. Besides, his father felt that he ought to have the benefit of a better education than could be obtained at home. It was a subject of much anxious thought with him, for he believed that his son had capacity for a more important position than that which the trade of a tanner would give him. But his means were limited the want of money, which chains so many gifted minds to the mere effort to obtain a 2 26 LIFE OP GRANT. livelihood in the dull routine in which they have been brought up, stood sadly in the way of young Grant being placed in the more enlarged sphere for which he seemed to be fitted. There was, however, one way of securing an education, and that was by adopting the profes- sion of arms and obtaining the appointment of Cadet at West Point. Besides, Ulysses had a strong inclination for a military life, and so it was decided to apply for a situation in the United States Military Academy. Thus, in the early struggles of this Western youth in the discussion and balancing of various plans and projects, fate was silently weaving the first threads of that web on whose completion hung most important destinies. CHAPTER IL fflS MILITARY EDUCATION AND EARLY SERVICE. Enters West Point How his Name became changed Application to his Studies His steady Progress Distinguished for his Horsemanship Graduates Brevetted Second Lieutenant Ordered West Serves under Taylor on the Rio Grande Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma Joins Scott at Vera Cruz Made Quartermaster and serves also on the Staff Dis- tinguishes himself at Molino del Rey and Chapultepec Com- plimented for his gallantry West Point Officers turn Gunners Value of their early training in the Field Returns home and Marries Stationed at Detroit and Sackett's Harbor Sent to California to Oregon Made Captain Resigns his Commis- sion Settles on a Farm near St Louis Sells Wood Anec- dotes Turns Collector Poor Success Joins his Father in the Leather business Breaking out of the War West Point vin- dicated. IN accordance with the plan finally adopted, the father applied to Mr. Morris, member of the Sen- ate from Ohio, to obtain the desired situation for his son. But he was unable to assist him, as his promise had already been given to another appli- cant ; but in stating the fact to Mr. Grant, he in- formed him that there was a vacancy in the con- gressional district of Mr. Ilamer, and advised him to apply to him. He did so, and Mr. Hainer at once interested himself in the case, and on his ap- plication Ulysses received the appointment. Mr 28 LIFE OF GRANT. Grant had another son named Simpson, the mother's family-name, and in some way Mr. Ha- mer got the idea that this was the middle name of Ulysses ; hence in his application for the appoint- ment he gave the name of the applicant as Ulysses S. Grant, and it was so entered on the books at West Point. Ulysses tried several times to have it changed, but at length gave it up, and he became U. S. Grant Thus, by mere accident he acquired those initials which, according to the conceit of this or that person, have been made to stand for so many different things: Uncle Sam Grant, United States Grant, Unconditional Surrender Grant. It was a trying position for the awkward, rough, Western youth of eighteen to be thrown suddenly into the company of a hundred young men, many of whom had received the advantages of a good education and a wide intercourse with the world. He saw at once that he must make up for his deficiency by close application. Acquaint- ed only with the first rudiments of the difficult mathematics he must become master of, ignorant of French and drawing, he had to begin at the be- ginning. Taking patiently the fagging still per- mitted at West Point during the Freshman year, to the disgrace of the institution, he applied him- self diligently to the arduous work before him. His aptitude for mathematics was now of great AT WEST POINT. 29 service to him, and learning thoroughly what he undertook, he made slow but steady progress, and soon distanced many who with the same applica- tion and energy would have been far in advance of him. At the close of the first year, after the examina- tion, the usual thinning process took place by which many were thrown back to go over again the studies they so little understood ; but young Grant, notwithstanding the difficulties he had labored under, took his place with the successful ones in the next class. Passing through this year in the same studious way, he was made in the subsequent class of 1841 sergeant of battalion. In the examination of this year more cadets were thrown back, and the Western boy found himself in a class dwindled down to nearly half of its original number. The last year he was promoted to the position of officer of cadets, and finished his course successfully. Though not, like the brilliant McPherson, graduating at the head of his class, he stood No. twenty-one, which was above the average. His acquisitions were of a solid, substantial character, but in no one thing did he evince any peculiar excellence, except in horsemanship. He was a bold and skillful rider, and showed here his boyish fondness for horses and knowledge of their character, which to this day distinguish him. 30 LIFE OF GRANT. He could talk " horse * then as well as now when badgered by politicians. Only thirty of the original number that formed the class with which young Grant began his ca- reer graduated with him. Some of those suc- cessful ones he afterwards served with under a common flag, and still later met them as foes on the battle-field. Brcvetted as second lieutenant of the Fourth Infantry, he now joined his regiment at Jefferson Barracks, in Missouri, empty yet of any actual command. He had little to do beyond the rou- tine of daily duties, except now and then to ac- company an expedition along the frontiers, to look after troublesome Indians. In 1844 his regiment was ordered to the Red River, in Louisiana. His life here was dull and dreary to one ambitious of distinction. But the rumors of hostilities between the United States and Mexico, growing out of the boundary line, roused every young officer into new life. The right or wrong of a war troubled them but little, so that the road to distinction was opened to them. In 1845, when Gen. Taylor was sent to the Rio Grande with an army of occupation, Grant's regiment formed part of his force. In the mean- time he was transferred to the Seventh regiment, but this change was so repugnant to him that he HIS FIRST BATTLE. applied to the government for permission to remain with his old regiment This request was granted, and in 1840 we find him a full second lieutenant, lying with his regiment at Matarnoras. March- ing with Taylor to Point Isabel, he, on the return of the little army to relieve the sore-pressed gar- rison of Fort Brown, took his first lesson in prac- tical war, at Palo Alto. In this, his first battle, he acted with that settled coolness and prompt- ness which have always characterized him. The shout of victory rolling over the field had hardly died away before the sharp, decisive action of Resaca de la Palma completed the discomfiture of the Mexican army, arid it ficd over the river in confusion. Then came the long, joyful shout of welcome from the manned ramparts of Fort Brown, as the liberated garrison saw their deliv- erers marching gayly forward to the sound of triumphant music. The war had now fairly begun, and Taylor took up his line of march for Monterey. In the des- perate fight for this place Grant's regiment bore its appropriate part. The young soldier had now received the full baptism of fire necessary to his introduction into the stern realities of his profession. ^'lien Scott organized his force for the invasion of Mexico, Grant's regiment was among the num- ber of those he withdrew from Tavlor. 32 LIFE OF GRANT. After the fall of Vera Cruz, the army started for the Mexican capital, and Grant received the appointment of quartermaster of his regiment, and at the same time acted on the staff of his general. The long and toilsome marches, the bloody bat- tles, the splendid strategy of Scott, that make up the history of the weeks and months that followed, were an important part of the training of Grant, the results of which were to be seen in future years. At the battle of Molino del Rey his gallant bearing won for him promotion on the spot, as first lieutenant, though Congress did not confirm the appointment. At the battle of Chapultepec, which followed in a few days, he had an opportunity to especially dis- tinguish himself. Nearly half way up the slope to the foot of the castle's walls, stood a strong field- work, so flanked by ravines and chasms that its capture was a most hazardous enterprise. But it must be carried before the storming parties with fascines and ladders could advance, and the batta- lion ordered to take it marched boldly forward, under a fierce, withering fire. The ranks were frightfully thinned and more or less dis- organized, especially when they got in close musket- range of the redoubt, and success became doubtful. At this critical moment Grant rallied a few men of his regiment, and with Captain GALLANT CONDUCT. 33 Brookes, who did the same with that of the Second Artillery, suddenly wheeled to the left, and enveloping the enemy's right flank with their rapid fire, rolled it back in confusion. Other regiments now coming up to their support, the Mexicans fled, and the redoubt was carried This flank movement was a brilliant conception in the heat of the battle, and was carried out against overwhelming numbers, and in the face of a dead- ly fire. It was mentioned in the various reports of the officers, and among others by Col., subse- quently General Garland, who after describing it says, " I must not omit to call attention to Lieut. Grant, who acquitted himself most nobly upon several occasions, under my observation." It would be interesting to know the details of the events in which he " acquitted himself most nobly" But this much is on record, that in galloping all steadily through storms of shot and shell to deliver orders, and rallying a handful of men right under the enemy's guns, and heading the des- perate charge, " he acquitted himself most nobly.' 1 One of the occasions referred to by Garland, was in the battle of Molino del Hey, which occurred a few days before that of Chapultepec. The thrilling scene was described to us by General Garland him- self. After the battery midway to the mills on the top of the slope was carried by the desperate charge of Major Wright, with a handful of men, the Mex- 2* 84 LIFE OF GRANT. lean forces were divided, and the battle resolved it self into two separate attacks. Garland commanded one of the columns, which now, with Drum's bat- tery of only two pieces at its head, took up its desperate march for the works on the top of the hilL The advance was slow and toilsome, for that slight battery had to contend against overwhelm- ing odds, and its progress gauged that of the col- umn. Covering the infantry, it had to make a path for it to the walls of the mill. Garland watched with the deepest anxiety the effect of its fire, for should it be silenced he would be compelled to march over the wreck of the guns, and push the uncovered, naked head of his column up to the very muzzles of the Mexican cannon, or retreat. He did not mean that any contingency should force him to the latter alternative, for when the mo- ment of decision arrived he had resolved to charge with the bayonet, over barricades, guns, gunners, and all. At length, weary with the slow and deadly effort, he, while Drum, after a short and rapid fire, was advancing his pieces, called a drum- mer and bade him place his drum on the ground for a seat, on which he might rest for a moment The instant after he was seated, a grapeshot struck the cap from his head, and grazed the skull so closely as to carry away his wig. Had he been standing erect it would have passed through his body. A NOBLE EXAMPLE. 35 At length, under the overwhelming fire of the enemy's batteries, every gunner attached to Drum's pieces was killed or wounded. Garland then called on the infantry to supply their places, but not a man volunteered. They had one and all toiled bravely forward to the spot where the bay- onet must decide the conflict, and they would not throw aside their muskets at such a critical mo- ment. But those guns must be served, for every shot was worth a whole regiment of men hi de- molishing the defences preparatory to the final as- sault. A few young men seeing the dilemma, sprang forward, manned the pieces, and rolled them forward through the iron hail till they were within a hundred yards of the hostile batteries, and there played on the foe with a rapidity and power nothing could withstand. Each one of those gallant youthful artillerists was a West Point officer. Right there in the blaze of the hos- tile guns they loaded and fired as coolly as though on parade. Carried away by such a noble ex- ample of self-devotion, the soldiers charged with a high and ringing cheer, and clearing every ob- stacle that opposed their progress, swept the de- fences with resistless power. No wonder Garland could say of such officers, " they acquitted them- selves most nobly? At the outset of the campaign Scott had called the West Point officers about him, and told them 36 LITE OF GRANT. that he was entering on it " with a halter around his neck," with " the end of it at Washington" and said he, "I expect you, my young friends, to get this halter off for me." Grant was one of the brave officers who did get it off. At length, Grant had the proud satisfaction of riding into the grand plaza of the Mexican capi- tal beside his commander, and seeing the stars and stripes hoisted on its public buildings. That young officer, standing proudly in the heart of the conquered city, and the tanner's son with his pole and hook fishing out hides from his father's vats, present a striking contrast, and yet such, in some form or other, our republican institutions furnish every year, to the astonishment of the old world. The* siege, the toilsome march, the consummate strategy exhibited in every important movement, the bloody battles, furnished a school in which young Grant was trained for a position of which he then little dreamed. He was one of those who in time of war, if death spares them, rise rapidly in rank. But the proclamation of peace soon ended his dreams of preferment, and the army was scattered through the various posts of our wide country. Young Grant returned home, and in August of 1848 married a Miss Dent, daughter of a mer- chant 'n St. Louis, Missouri. His regiment being stationed at Detroit, he, DKEAET SERVICE. 37 after a short furlough, joined it there, still hold- ing the position of quartermaster. It was after- wards transferred to Sackett's Harbor, on the northern frontier of New York State. Subse- quently the regiment was ordered to California, where, after its arrival, a portion was detached for duty in Oregon, then almost as much out of the country as our new possession of Alaska now is. Nothing could be more dreary than life in this remote region, far away from his family through summer and the long winter, day after day, and month after month, the same monoto- nous round of duties. The morning reveille the drill the evening tattoo these constitute the excitements of a soldier's life on one of our frontier posts. No places of amusement, no so- cial circles in which to spend an hour, no libraries, papers and letters coming only at long intervals, combine to make an officer's life at one of them dismal and lonely in the extreme. For two years Captain Grant (for his rank had been confirmed), was thus shut up in that then remote, thinly set- tled territory. The Mexican war had promoted so many young officers that there was no probability that Grant would get beyond the rank of captain till his head was gray. He had now served more than the eight years required by the government to pay for four years of education at West Point, and hence 38 LIFE OF GRANT. felt at liberty to consult his own interest in future, v Other officers had resigned, and were already on the fair road to wealth and competence, and there was no reason why he should waste the best part of his life in idleness. There seemed no prospec* of his services in the field ever being needed by the government; besides, if they were he could vol- unteer them. In fact, there was every motive to induce an active, enterprising young man to leave the army at that time, and many, especially north ern officers, did. Grant followed their example, and, resigning his commission, returned home to try his fortune in civil life. Taking a small farm near his father-in-law, in the vicinity of St. Louis, he settled down to the quiet life of a western farmer. A person familiar with this part of his life says : It is well known that when he resided in Missouri he was very poor, and lived in a small, uncomfortable house, cultivating a farm of a few acres. His chief income was derived by hauling wood to the City of St. Louis. He used to supply Hon. Henry T. Blow, of that city, with his fuel. Mr. Blow was elected to the Thirty-ninth Congress, and on one occasion went with his wife to one of Gen. Grant's popular receptions. Mrs. Blow won- dered if General Grant would recognize her as an old friend or acquaintance, under the different circum- stances of their relative situations in life. Well, Mrs. Blow had not been long at the General's before he came to her and said, " Mrs. Blow, I remember you well. What great changes have taken place since we last met ! " " Yes, General," said Mrs. B., " the war is over." " I did not mean that," he replied ; " I mean with mysel Do you recollect when I used to supply A LEATHER-DEALER. your husband with wood, and pile it myself, and meas- ure it too, and go to his office for my pay ? " " Oh, yes, General, your face was familiar in those days." " Mrs , Blow, those were happy days ; for I was doing the best I could to support my family." He afterwards endeavored to add to his income by the collection of debts for others, though dunning delinquent debtors proved neither a pleasant nor a profitable business. The ex-captain was not getting along very pros- perously in his new vocation, and his chances of obtaining even a competence were very doubtfuL His father learning-the unfavorable condition of affairs, wrote to him, proposing that he should come on to Illinois and assist in the leather trade. It promised to be far more lucrative than his pres- ent occupation, and he accepted the offer and re- moved to Galena. In 1859, over a modest store, the sign of "Grant & Son, Leather Dealers," could be seen. It is said that he did not prove a very active merchant. Handling sides of leather was very different from handling a sword, and chaf- fering with customers came rather hard after being so many years accustomed to command. Still the business was in a flourishing condition, and to all human appearance his occupation was fixed for life. He expected to be leather-dealer, nothing more, and his highest ambition could reach no farther than moderate wealth. Here the history of his life might have ended 40 LITE Of GRANT. but for the civil war into which we were plunged. Although like McClellan, and Sherman, and Hooker, and Slocum, and others, he was out of the service, no sooner did the country need his ex- perience and aid than his civil pursuits were cast aside. It is to the everlasting honor of West Point, and a complete refutation of the slanders uttered against it, that though so many officers had resigned their commissions, and a portion of them were on the high road to wealth, every one, to a man, abandoned at once his profession or business and took up his long-neglected sword, and offered his services to his country. From the counter, from the law-office, from the engineer's room, and from the school-room, they came swarming at her call CHAPTER IIL A BRIGADIER-GENERAL. His Politics Raises a Company and takes it to Springfield He of- fers his services to the Government His letter unanswered Assists Governor Yates in organizing the troops Made Colonel of the 21st Regiment Endeavors to get on McClellan's staff Serves in Missouri Made Brigadier-General Amusing Anec- dote of him Makes Cairo his Headquarters Occupies Padu- cah Proclamation to the People Correspondence with General Polk Battle of Belmont His congratulatory Order Letter to his Father, giving an account of the Action The Cairo Ex- pedition Order respecting it Retaliatory Order Proposes to Halleck to seize Fort Henry Rude treatment by the latter. THOUGH opposed to the election of Mr. Lincoln, because he believed that it would intensify the hostility already existing between the North and South, he took no active part in politics, content- ing himself simply with voting. Then, as now, he thought little of party his country was his party, her welfare his only object, and hence he watched with the deepest anxiety the gathering elements of civil strife on every side. The news of the fall of Fort Sumter of the insult to the flag he had so often battled under, aroused all the slumbering fire of his nature, and he im- mediately organized a company of volunteers arid took it to Springfield, Illinois. He then wrote a 42 LIFE OF GKANT. letter to the adjutant-general, offering his services to his country, but it was never even acknowledged With that modesty which always distinguished him, he did not, like others, apply for a high rank, but was willing to serve in any capacity the gov- ernment might select. But he was too obscure to be wanted when so many eminent civilians offered themselves as commanders. His name was in the meantime presented to Governor Yates, by a friend, who spoke of bis mil- itary education and his gallant record, acquired during the Mexican war. The governor needing some one to assist him in arranging the quota of the State, that had been called out, commissioned him as adjutant and set him to work. A short time after, the governor, receiving a re- quest from the President to send on two names for the position of brigadier-general, proposed to Grant to send his. The latter, however, de- clined the offer, preferring, he said, to earn his promotion. Having completed the work required of him to meet the first call on the State for troops, he was in the middle of June commissioned a colonel of the 21st Regiment, that its own colonel could not manage. Below the medium height, and shabby in appearance, the new colonel did not make a favorable impression on the regiment, but the men soon found they had a character to deal with that would not admit of trifling. . He was now SERVICES NOT WANTED. 43 at last, in the army of the Union. He had offered his services to the general government, but no notice was taken of it. He had also tried to get on the staff of McClellan, but failed. Hearing of the latter's appointment as Major-General of Ohio Volunteers, he modestly thought, as an old army friend, he might offer him a position on his staff, and went to Cincinnati to see him. He called on him twice, but finding him not in either time, and seeing a crowd of applicants around his head- quarters, he became discouraged, and returned home. On what slight events a man's destiny sometimes turns ! Had Grant obtained an inter- view with McClellan, he doubtless would have re- ceived the coveted appointment, and shared that commander's fortune and fate, and been lost to the war. However, it will be seen that the whole credit of putting Grant in the field belongs to Governor Yates. Grant's regiment was first assigned to Pope's department in Northern Missouri, where his duty was to guard the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. Other regiments were in this region, and he be- came for a time acting brigadier-general. On the 7th of August, 1861, he received his commission as brigadier-general, for which he was indebted to E. B. Washburn, a fellow- townsman, though scarce an acquaintance, who ever after, as member 44 LIFE 09 GRANT, of Congress, stood nobly by him when all others seemed ready to desert him. He was now sent to Southern Missouri, which was threatened by Jeff. Thompson. He inarched to Ironton and Marble Creek, fortifying and garrisoning the latter places, and thence to Jefferson City, which was re- ported to.be in danger. The following incident, which occurred on this long and tedious march, illustrates one phase of Grant's character. It is said that he is as " distin- guished for his eccentric humor, as for his skill and bravery." In this case there was a certain grimness in the humor, for while it raised a laugh on one side, on the other it cut like a sword, for : t administered a stern rebuke. A member of his staff says : "When Grant was a brigadier in Southeast Missouri, he commanded an expedition against the rebels under Jeff. Thompson in Northeast Arkansas. The distance from the starting point of the expedition to the supposed rendezvous of the rebels was about one hundred and ten miles, and the greater portion of the route lay through a howling wilderness. The imaginary suffering that our soldiers endured during the first two days of their march was enormous. It was impossible to steal or 'confiscate 1 uncultivated real estate, and not a hog, or a chicken, or an ear of corn was anywhere to be seen. On the third day, A COSTLY PIE. 45 however, affairs looked more hopeful, for a few small specks of ground, in a state of partial cul- tivation, were here and there visible. On that day, Lieutenant Wickfield, of an Indiana cavalry regiment, commanded the advance guard, consist- ing of eight mounted men. About noon he came up to a small farmhouse, from the outward ap- pearance of which he judged that there might be something fit to eat inside. He halted his com- pany, dismounted, and with two second lieuten- ants entered the dwelling. He knew that Grant's incipient fame had already gone out through all that country, and it occurred to him that by rep- resenting himself to be the general he might obtain the best the house afforded. So, assuming a very imperative demeanor, he accosted the in- mates of the house, and told them he must have something for himself and staff to eat. They desired to know who he was, and he told them that he was Brigadier-General Grant. At the sound of that name they all flew around with alarming alacrity, and served up about all they had in the house, taking great pains all the while to make loud professions of loyalty. The lieu- tenants ate as much as they could of the not over-sumptuous meal, but which was, neverthe- less, good for that country, and demanded what was to pay. ' Nothing/ And they went on their way rejoicing. 46 LIFE OP GRANT. "In the meantime General Grant, who had halted his army a few miles further back for a brief resting spell, came in sight of, and was rather favorably impressed with the appearance of, this same house. Hiding up to the fence in front of the door, he desired to know if they would cook him a meal. " 4 No,' said a female, in a gruff voice; ' General Grant and his staff have just been here, and eaten every thing hi the house except one pump- kin pie. " * Humph,' murmured Grant ; 4 what is your name ? ' " ' Selvidge,' replied the woman. " Casting a half dollar in at the door, he asked if she would keep that pie till he sent an officer for it ; to which she replied that she would. " That evening, after the camping ground had been selected, the various regiments were notified that there would be a grand parade at half-past six, for orders. Officers would see that all their men turned out, etc. "In five minutes the camp was hi a perfect up- roar, and filled with all sorts of rumors. Some thought the enemy were upon them, it being so unusual to have parades when on a march. "At half-past six the parade was formed, ten columns deep and nearly a quarter of a mile in length." AN EXCITING OBDBB. 47 After the usual routine of ceremonies, the acting assistant adjutant-general read the follow- ing order : HEADQTJABTEBS, ARMY IN THE FIELD. SPECIAL ORDER NO. . Lieutenant Wickfield, of the Indiana Cavalry, having on this day eaten every thing in Mrs. Selvidge's house, at the crossing of the Trenton and Pocahontas and Black River and Cape Girardeau roads, except one pumpkin-pie, Lieutenant Wickfield is hereby ordered to return with an escort of one hundred cavalry, and eat that pie also. II. S. GRANT, Brigadier-General Commanding. One can scarcely imagine the astonishment which the promulgation of this order caused, made as it was with all the seriousness of one just preceding a battle, nor of the uproarious merriment and laughter of the soldiers as the true state of the case became known. Shout after shout rolled over the field as the astounded lieutenant ordered up his escort and trotted out of camp. There was no evading the order. Back along the road he had just travelled so wearily, he made his way to the widow's house, and deliber- ately ordered out the solitary pie he had been so kind as to leave for his general a little while before. It was carried off as a grand joke, yet there was a sting to it. It required no explana- tion. Each officer learned two things by it he would not be apt soon to forget First, not to 48 LIFE OF GRANT. forage right in front of his commander without any reference to his needs ; second, to be careful how he assumed his character and authority any. where. The last was doubtless the chief lesson Grant designed to inculcate. Reports and slan- ders of all kinds against a general who was com- pelled to march through a divided country were rife enough, without having any act that a subor- dinate might commit charged to him. We ven- ture to say Lieutenant Wickfield has never eaten a pie since, without thinking of that one which required an escort of a hundred men to dispose of. The district of Southeastern Missouri was placed under his command on the 1st of Septem- ber, by Fremont, who succeeded Pope, and in- cluded such portions on the borders of Kentucky and Tennessee as he might deem best to occupy. His headquarters were at Cairo, a most important point strategetically, for here the four rivers, Mis- sissippi, Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee, unite. The two first kept open his own communications, and the two latter carried supplies to the enemy. Grant early saw how vital the occupation and hold- ing of it was. Kentucky claimed to be neutral territory, thereby forbidding the establishment of any military post within her boundaries ; yet Co- lumbus and Hickman, both in the limits of the State, and situated on the banks of the Mississip- pi, had been seized and held by the rebels, as well OCCUPIES PADUCAH. 49 as the central position of Bowling Green. Grant felt that it would not do to regard a neutrality which allowed the enemy to seize all the import- ant points in the State ; and Paducah, at the mouth of the Tennessee, commanding the naviga- tion both of it and the Ohio, being a most im- portant place, he determined to seize it before it fell into their hands. Delay was dangerous, and if he waited until the vexed question of occupying neutral territory was thoroughly discussed, it might be too late. He did not even apply for per- mission to his immediate superior, Fremont, but simply notified him that he was going to move at once, unless he received a telegram to the contrary. He did not delay a moment longer than neces- sary, but on the 6th of September despatched a steamer loaded with troops to occupy it. To make it as little offensive as possible, he issued the following proclamation to the people, explana- tory of the motives that governed him : PADUCAH, KT., September 6, 1861. To tfo Citizens of Paducah: I am come among yon, not as an enemy, bnt as your fellow-citizen, ^"ot to maltreat you, nor annoy you, but to respect and enforce the rights of all loyal citizens. An enemy in rebellion against our common Govern- ment has taken possession of, and planted his guns upo& the soil of Kentucky, and fired upon you. Columbus and Hickman are in his hands. He is moving upon your city. I am here to defend you against this enemy, 50 LIFE OF GBA5T. to assist the authority and sovereignty^ your Govern- ment. / have nothing to do with opinions, and shall deal only with armed rebellion, and its aiders and abet- tors, i on can pursne your usual avocations without fear. The strong arm of the Government is here to pro- tect its friends and punish its enemies. Whenever it is manifest that you are able to defend yourselves, and maintain the authority of the Government, and protect the rights of loyal citizens, I shall withdraw the forces under my command. U. S. GRAJNT, Brigadier-General Commanding. The legislature of the State remonstrated against the seizure of Paducah as an act of aggression, and a correspondence followed between it and Grant, in which the latter vindicated his course in a courteous manner, and quietly held the post. The next month he received a communication from Gen. Polk, proposing an exchange of pris- oners several having been taken in portions of his department. To this he sent the following short reply: HKA.DQUABTEKS DEPT. SOUTHEAST MISSOUBI, OAIEO, October 11, 1861. General: Yours of this date is just received. In regard to an exchange of prisoners, as proposed, I can of my own accordance make none. I recognize no " Southern Confederacy " myself, but will communicate with higher authorities for their views. Should I not be sustained I will find means of communicating with you. Respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Brigadier-General Commanding, To Major-Qcrural Poflk, Columbus, Ky. BELMONT. 51 During this month Col. Plummer obtained a victory over Jeff. Thompson in Southeast Mis- souri, which brought out a highly complimentary order from Grant. Columbus, only a few miles below the mouth of the Ohio, was the first of a series of defences erected by the enemy along the Mississippi to pre- vent its navigation by our steamers, and the whole country, especially the Northwest, were clamorous for its capture. In the meantime, word having been received that troops were about being moved from this point to cooperate with Price in Mis- souri, Grant was ordered to make a demonstration against Columbus to prevent it. The enemy at this time had a large force under Polk at Columbus, also a camp and garrison op- posite, at Belmont. Grant, finding his force too small to attack the former place, determined to break up the camp at the latter. In order not to be overwhelmed by the garrison at Columbus, he asked Gen. Smith, commanding at Paducah, to make a demonstration against the former place, which he did, by sending a small force, that was not to advance nearer, however, than twelve or fifteen miles. He also despatched another detach- ment on the Kentucky side, for the same purpose, with directions not to advance nearer than Elli- cott's Mills, twelve miles from Columbus. The force under his own command was two 52 LIFE OF GRANT. thousand eight hundred and fifty strong. These were embarked in transports on the evening of the 6th of November, and moved down to the foot of Island No. Ten, within eleven miles of Columbus, where they stopped for the night, and tied up to the Kentucky shore. At daylight next morning the transports passed quietly down-stream till almost within range of the rebel guns, when they were quickly pushed to the Missouri shore, and the troops landed. The gunboats Tyler and Lexing ton accompanied them. The cannon were hauled by hand up the steep banks amid dropping shot and shell from the rebel encampment, from which, as it occupied an elevated position, Grant's movements could be dis- tinctly seen. The troops, after landing, passed through some cornfields and halted, preparatory to an advance. Colonel Buford was ordered to make a detour to the right, and come down on the rebel camp in that direction. The main army then moved for- ward till it arrived within a mile and a half of the abatis that the rebels had piled in their front This was composed of trees, that for several hun- dred yards had been felled with their tops pointing outward, and the limbs sharpened, so that a dense breastwork of points confronted any force advanc- ing down the river. The gunboats in the mean- time were engaging the batteries at Columbus, THE BATTLE. 53 As the columns advanced, the dropping fire of the skirmishers showed that the enemy had been met, and was determined to dispute every inch of ground to their encampment. The Thirtieth and Thirty-first having been sent forward to relieve the skirmishers, a spirited action was commenced, which lasted for half an hour, in which our ranks were thrown into disorder. Colonels Foulke and Logan, however, soon rallied them, and drove the enemy back for a quarter of a mile, where, being reinforced, they attempted to turn McClernand's left flank. Being defeated in this by a prompt movement of Colonel Logan, and suddenly swept by a fierce fire of artillery and musketry, they be- gan to show signs of wavering. Foulke and Lo- gan, sword in hand, shouted to their men, urging them forward by stirring appeals, which were an- swered with cheers, and these raw troops stood up like veterans to their work. The officers, however, had to set the example of exposure, for now, added to the fire in front, the batteries at Columbus, which had ceased firing at the gunboats, sent their huge projectiles crash- ing through the tree-tops overhead. Grant and McClernand were both in the thickest of the fight, exposing themselves like the commonest soldier. The latter, while leading a gallant charge, received a ball in his holster ; and the horse of Grant was killed under him. While this struggle was going 54 LIFE OF GBANT. on, a tremendous fire from the Twenty-seventh broke over the woods, to the right and rear of the rebel encampment The other regiments having now worked their way into line through the brush- wood, the whole closed sternly up on three sides of the abatis at once, and sweeping rapidly for- ward, drove the enemy pell-mell through it. Fol- lowing close on their heels, our excited troops dashed through and over with a cheer. The sight of the Twenty-seventh in the open space beyond roused all their ardor, and they, too, soon stood in the clear ground around the camp. The artil- lery opened on the tents, not three hundred yards distant, and the rebels broke for the river and the woods like a flock of frightened sheep. The torch was then applied to the tents and bag- gage, and in a moment the spot was wrapt in flames and smoke. The enraged enemy across the river at Columbus now turned their batteries on the smok- ing camp, and soon shot and shell were hurtling through the air on every side. Grant saw at once that he could not stay here ; and to make matters worse, he was informed that the rebels had thrown a large force across the river, directly in his rear, and between him and his transports. Without showing the least surprise or anxiety, he quietly said, " Well, if that is so, we must cut our way out as we cut our way in." Soon after, in reply to an expression of anxiety as to the re CONGRATULATORY OBDEB. 55 suit, by an officer, he said, " We have whipped them once, and can whip them again." Order- ing the artillery to the front, he gave the com- mand to advance, and his little army moved straight on the astonished enemy, and reached the transports waiting to receive them. It was a spirited contest The Seventh Iowa especially fought gallantly, losing their lieutenant- colonel and major, the colonel himself being wounded. Our total loss was about five hundred, while that of the rebels was nearly a thousand a great disparity, especially when it is considered that we were the attacking party, and the former fought a part of the time behind defences. Two guns were brought off, and two more spiked, and some battle-flags captured, together with many prisoners. Grant was delighted with the conduct of his men, and issued the following congratula- tory order to his troops, the first he ever penned after a battle : HEADQUARTKKS DISTRICT, S. 0., Mo., ) OAIEO, November 8, 1861. J The General commanding this Military District re- turns his thanks to the troops under his command at the battle of Belmont on yesterday. It has been his fortune to have been in all the battles fought in Mexico by Generals Scott and Taylor, except Buena Yista, and he never saw one more hotly contested, or where the troops behaved with more gallantry. Such courage will insure victory wherever our flag 56 LIFE OF GRANT. may be borne and protected by such a class of men T the brave men who fell, the sympathy of the country is due, and will be manifested in a manner unmistakable U. S. GKANT, Brigadier-General Commanding. Though this action was gallantly fought, it in- jured, rather than helped, the opening prospects of Grant. It being generally thought that the object of the expedition was to take Columbus, it was regarded as a total failure, and so reported by the rebels. Since the war he has written a full and com- plete report of the whole movement, and request- ed it to be substituted for the one that he made at the time. In this, which is given in the Appen- dix, he shows that he simply executed orders ; so that whatever blame may attach to the expedition, it does not rest on him. More interesting, however, than this report, is the following private letter to his father, giving an account of the battle, and showing his feelings at its result. He says that he can assert " with great gratification, that every man, without a single exception, set an example to their comrades that inspired a confidence that will always give victory when there is the slightest possibility of gaining one. I feel truly proud to command such men. " From here we fought our way from tree to tree, through the woods to Belmont, about two LETTER TO HIS FATHER. 57 and a half miles, the enemy contesting every foot of ground. Here the enemy had strengthened their position by felling the trees for two or three hun- dred yards, and sharpening their limbs, making a sort of abatis. Our men charged through, mak- ing the victory complete, giving us possession of their camp and garrison equipage, artillery, and every thing else. " We got a great many prisoners. The major- ity, however, succeeded in getting aboard their steamers and pushing across the river. We burned every thing possible, and started back, having accomplished all that we went for, and even more. Belmont is entirely covered by the batteries from Columbus, and is worth nothing as a military position cannot be held without Co- lumbus. " The object of the expedition was to prevent the enemy from sending a force into Missouri to cut off troops I had sent there for a special pur- pose, and to prevent re-enforcing Price. " Besides being well fortified at Columbus, their number far exceeded ours, and it would have been folly to have attacked them. We found the Con- federates well armed, and brave. On our return, stragglers, that had been left in our rear (now front), fired into us, and more recrossed the river and gave us battle for a full mile, and afterward at the boats, when we were embarking. 58 UFB OF GRANT. "There was no hasty retreating or i mining away. Taking into account the object of the ex- pedition, the victory was completa It has given confidence in the officers and men of this command, that will enable us to lead them in any future ac- tion without fear of the result General McCler- nand (who, by the way, acted with great coolness and courage throughout) and myself each had our horses shot under us. Most of the field-offi- cers met with the same loss, besides one third of them being themselves killed or wounded. As near as can be ascertained, our loss was about two hundred and fifty killed and wounded." This battle took place on the 7th of November. Four days after, General Halleck superseded Fre- mont in the Western Department, and Grant's district was enlarged. lie now began to assemble troops at Paducah, preparatory to some general movement of the forces under his command. It was generally supposed its objective point was Columbus, and great hopes were entertained that this stronghold, whose occupation by the enemy was a source of such constant irritation to the West, would be captured. The Cairo expedition, as it was called, com- menced in the very heart of winter, and three grand columns, under Paine, McClernand, and C. F. Smith, in all nineteen regiments of infantry, six of cavalry, and seven batteries, moved off intc A NOBLE ORDER. 59 the interior. McClernand, with some five thou- sand men, made a march of seventy-five miles over ice, and through snow and mud, while the cavalry marched a hundred and forty, and came back again, reporting that some new roads had been discovered, foolish reports exploded, the in- habitants impressed with our military strength, &c., and that apparently was all. The movement, however, was in accordance with Halleck's order, and the object of it was to prevent the enemy from sending reinforcements to Buckner at Bowl- ing Green. An order, designed to guide the conduct of the troops in this expedition, reveals that even balance of Grant's judgment and feelings under all circumstances which forms one of the brightest traits in his character. Swayed neither by false logic nor carried away by passion, he sees the right, and has the firmness to pursue it. He says, u Disgrace having been brought upon our brave fellows by the bad conduct of some of their members, showing, on all occasions, when passing through territory occupied by sympathiz- ers of the enemy, a total disregard of the rights of citizens, and being guilty of the wanton destruc- tion of private property, the General Command- ing desires and intends to enforce a change in this respect" ***** "It is ordered that the severest punishment 60 LIFE OF GRANT. be inflicted upon every soldier who is guilty of taking or destroying private property, and any commissioned oiiicer guilty of like conduct, or of countenancing it, shall be deprived of his sword, and expelled from the army, not to be permitted to return," &c. It will stand recorded to his enduring honor, that, amid all the exasperation, public clamor, and private temptations, that carried so many be- yond the limits and laws of civilized warfare, he maintained a character above reproach. Many of our officers were guilty of atrocious violations of private property, whose conduct, for the time, escaped public condemnation ; but when the cha- otic state of affairs then existing gave place to calm reflection and Christian feeling, they must take their place in history with those epauletted marauders that disgraced the English flag, both in our first and second wars with England. Grant's record in this respect is untarnished What he was at first, he continued to be to the last, temperate in judgment, dispassionate in feel- ing, and forbearing in the hour of victory. But while he could be thus forbearing, and show himself superior to petty revenge and a false public sentiment, he could be severe and re- lentless in the discharge of duty, no matter what suffering it might cause, or charge of cruelty it might provoke. A SEVERE OBDER. 61 Hearing that his pickets were shot by the in habitants who sympathized with the rebels, and yet whose property he was protecting, he issued the following order : HEADQTTABTEBS, OAIEO, January ll f 1862. Brigadier- General Paine, EircTa Point: I understand that four of our pickets were shot this morning. If this is so, and appearances indicate that the assassins were citizens, not regularly organized in the rebel army, the whole country should be cleared out for six miles around, and word given that all citi zens making their appearance within those limits are liable to be shot. To execute this, patrols should be sent out in all di- rections, and bring into camp, at Bird's Point, all citi- zens, together with their subsistence, and require them to remain, under the penalty of death and destruction of their property, until properly relieved. Let no harm befall these people, if they quietly sub- mit ; but bring them in and place them in camp below the breastwork, and have them properly guarded. The intention is not to make political prisoners of these people, but to cut off a dangerous class of spies. This applies to all classes and conditions, age and Bex. If, however, women and children prefer other protection than we can afford them, they may be allowed to retire beyond the limits indicated not to re-turn un- til authorized. By order of TL S. GRANT, Brig.-Gen. Commanding. There is the true Cromwellian ring in this order. A Carlyle would say, here is no " rosewater sur- gery." Those who have mistaken his leniency for 62 LIFE OF GRANT. mawkish sensibility, or any sympathy with those who are warring against a common government, may read this with much profit to themselves. It is worth pondering upon. This man, so quiet and moderate, and careful of the wants and rights of peaceable citizens, can strike with the relentless severity of a Nero when outraged justice and hu- manity require it. His heart, ever open to kind- ly feelings, delights to mitigate the horrors of war, but it does not prevent his grasp from tightening like steel on the throat of the guilty who abuse his forbearance, and mock his authority. Smith, one of the commanders of the Cairo Ex- pedition, reporting on his return that Fort Henry, on the Tennessee river, could be easily taken, Grant immediately forwarded this information to Halleck, and soon after asked permission in per- son to attack it. Halleck, however, treated the proposition with contempt and positive rudeness, which took Grant by surprise. It is difficult to determine what motive prompted this treatment, for the plan to capture this fort had been thor- oughly discussed the fall before, hi Washington, previous to the departure of Buell for the west. CHAPTER IV. FORTS HENRY AND DONELSON. Importance of their Capture Grant commands the land forces in the Expedition against them Fort Henry taken by Admiral Foote Grant's advance against Fort Donelson Repulse of Foote Investment of the place Description of its defences Desperate Assault of Pillow The Battle Arrival of Grant on the Field His sublime determination Assault of the enemy's works Smith's Success The Night-Consultation of the Rebel Officers Escape of Pillow and Floyd Correspondence between Grant and Buckner The Surrender Grant breakfasts with the Rebel General Result of the Victory Enthusiasm of the People Congratulatory Order to the Troops Fall of Nash- ville Consternation and Flight of the People Violence of the Mob Columbus Flanked. IT has been supposed that the movement against Forts Henry and Donelson originated out West some giving Halleck, others Grant and Foote, the credit of it ; but it had its origin much farther back than the suggestions made by those com- manders. Notwithstanding Hallecks rude treatment of Grant's proposition to seize Fort Henry, he soon found that Government had determined to send an expedition against both it and Fort Donelson, the one on the Cumberland and the other on the Tennessee river. Foil Columbus, deemed so im- 64 LIFE OF GRANT. pregnable, was to be flanked by their capture, and a way opened into Tennessee. Fort Henry was the first object of attack which was to be a combined one of the naval and land forces Foote commanding the former and Grant the latter. A cordon of rebel posts extended at this time across the country from Columbus, on the Missis- sippi, to Richmond, on the James river, and with the line thoroughly broken at any one important point, the loyal armies would be let loose to com- mence their southward march into the enemy's territory. Thomas had partially done it at Mill Spring, but at a point that, especially at mid- winter, rendered an advance impossible. But with the Ten- nessee and Cumberland rivers cleared, our gun- boats could move along with the land forces, car- rying all the supplies needed. The grand movement was fixed for the fore- part of February ; and when, on the morning of the 6th, Foote was unmooring from the bank where the fleet had lain all night, several miles below the fort, he told Grant that he must hurry forward his columns, or he would not be up in time to take part in the action, and secure the prison- ers. The latter smiled incredulously. But re- sent rains had made the cart-paths and roads so heavy, that his progress was slow. As he toiled forward, the heavy cannonading, as Foote ad- FORT HENET. 65 vanced to the attack, broke over the woods, and rolled in deep vibrations down the shore, quick- ening his movements. Before, however, the fort was reached, the firing ceased. Grant was per- plexed at the sudden termination of the contest ; it did not seem possible that the fort had been taken so soon ; it was far more probable that the gun- boats had fallen back disabled. He sent scouts forward to ascertain the truth, which soon came galloping back with the news that our flag was flying above the fort. The unexpected tidings rolled down the line, followed by long and deafening cheers. Grant, with his staff, spur- red forward, and in half an hour rode into the fort, which was immediately turned over to him. Halleck, who never was anything but a martinet, though conducting war, as he believed, on scientific principles, now wrote to Grant to hold on and strengthen his position, and forwarded intrench- ing tools for that purpose. But this, Grant had no intention of doing. Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland, some twelve miles distant, was the key to Nashville, and he at once determined to advance against it. Having left a force in com- mand at Fort Henry, to hold it, he, with some fifteen thousand men, struck across the country, while Foote, with six regiments aboard, went round with his gunboats to attack it on the water 66 LITE OF GRANT. front Floyd commanded the fort, with Pillow and Buckner under him. The rebel works here covered a series of hills, some of them steep, and a hundred feet high, while in front of them the trees had been felled with the bushy tops pointing downward and out- ward, through which it seemed impossible that troops could force their way. Gullies and ravines also obstructed the advance ; two streams setting back from the river protected either flank, while batteries crowned every commanding height All these, however, were defences independent of the fort itself, which was three-quarters of a mile back of the first breastworks. It stood near the river, commanding both it and the interior, and mount- ed, in all, sixty-five cannon, many of them of large calibre. Twenty thousand men manned and held this strong position. Grant appeared before it on the 12th having driven in the rebel pickets and began to move his army to the right and left, towards the river, to invest the place, and cut off all avenues of escape to the garrison. This was slow work, and, strange to say, Grant threw up no intrenchments to protect his troops, or serve as rallying points in case of a repulse a neglect he would not, a year after, have been guilty of. Foote, with his fleet, having arrived below the FORT DONELSOtf. 67 fort before Grant was ready to cooperate with him, he advanced to the attack, hoping, with his gunboats, to reduce it, as he had Fort Henry. But his fleet, after a short, determined contest, was driven off, badly crippled. Grant saw at once that a delay was now inevitable. He there- upon determined to closely invest the place, and wait till Foote could repair his losses, so as to coop- erate with the movements of the army. McCler- nand's division, composed of three brigades, was sent to the south, closing in with his right on the river, so as to bar all egress to the garrison in that direction, while Gen. Smith held a corresponding position below, his left resting likewise on the river. Between these two divisions the army stretched in a huge semi-circle round the works and the fort The rebel commanders, finding themselves thus cooped up, saw at once that immediate action must be taken, or they would be starved into a surrender, and they resolved, by a desperate assault all along Grant's line, to cut their way out to the south, towards Nashville. Saturday dawn- ed damp and chill, for the ground was covered with snow, and the soldiers, roused from their wintry couch, moved stiff and shivering to their places in the ranks. Grant, in the meantime, had repaired on board the flag-ship, to consult with the gallant, disabled Foote, and ascertain when 05 LIFE OF GRANT. he would be ready for a combined attack on the place. At this critical juncture, the enemy moved out of his works. The main force, estimated at seven to twelve thousand strong, under Pillow, ad- vanced against McClernand's right wing. The other columns moving against the centre, were mere feints to distract Grant's attention, and prevent him from succouring McClernand. Her- alded by three commanding batteries, attended by a regiment of cavalry, Pillow struck the right with a force that threatened to sweep it from the field. But the brave Illinoians stood man- fully up to their work, and the battle had hardly commenced before it was at its height. The country was wooded, and covered with underbrush, and broken into hollows and ridges, rendering a survey of the field impossible. Our lines ex- tended for two miles around the fort, and this sudden uproar early in the morning, on our ex- treme right along the banks of the Cumberland, called each division into line of battle. Wallace was posted next to McClernand, on the top of a high ridge, with forests sweeping off to the front and rear. When the deep and mingled roar of artillery and musketry first broke over the woods, Wallace thought McClernand had moved on the enemy's works. But the latter was making, instead, des- FORT DONELSON. 69 perate efforts to hold his own against the over- whelming numbers that, momentarily increasing, pressed his lines, with a fierceness that threatened his complete overthrow. Finding, at length, that his troops were giving way, he, at eight o'clock, sent off a staff-officer at full speed to Wallace, for help. The latter had received orders from Grant to hold the position he occupied, in order to keep the enemy from escaping in that direction, and dared not move; and so hurried off the courier with his despatch to headquarters. But Grant not being there, the messenger kept on to the gunboats, in search of him. McClernand, wondering that no help came, and seeing his lines swinging back, despite the heroic efforts of the commanders, hastened off another messenger to Wallace, say- ing that his flank was turned, and his whole division was wavering. Wallace could wait no longer to hear from Grant, and immediately des- patched Colonel Croft, commanding a brigade, to his help. Wallace all this time sat on his horse, anxiously waiting to hear from Grant, and listen- ing to the steady crash to the right, that made the wintry woods resound, when there burst into view a crowd of fugitives, rushing up the hill on which he stood. The next moment an officer dashed on a headlong gallop up the road, shout- ing, " We are cut to pieces." Seeing his whole line of the third brigade beginning to shake be- 70 LITE OF GRANT. fore this sudden irruption, he ordered its com- mander to move on by the right flank, he himseli riding at its head to keep it steady. He had not gone far before he met portions of regiments in full retreat, yet without panic or confusion, calling aloud for ammunition. He immediately formed his line of battle, and sent off to the left for help. The retiring regiments kept on to the rear, a short- distance, and refilled their cartridge-boxes. Scarcely was this new line of battle formed, when the rebels, following up their advantage on the right, swooped down, confident of victory, full upon him. The shock was firmly met, and the enemy brought to a pause. Hours had passed, in the meantime, in which desperate fighting over batteries ; repulses and advances of regiments and brigades; shouts and yells, heard amid the intervals of the uproar, sweeping like a thunder- storm through the leafless woods, out of which burst clouds of smoke, as though a conflagration was raging below; hurrying crowds in all the openings, combined to make up the terrific scene that was displayed that wintry morning on the banks of the Cumberland. All this time, Grant, miles away and ignorant of what was going on, was slowly riding back to the army, having finished his consultation with the Admiral. Suddenly he saw an officer tearing down the A BOLD RESOLVE. 71 road, on a wild gallop, towards him. Reining up beside his surprised commander, the latter delivered his despatch, and in a few words ex- plained the critical condition of affairs. Grant immediately put spurs to his horse, but had not gone far before he met General Smith, commanding the left. From a brief conversation with him, he at once comprehended the whole matter, and with that sudden inspiration which belongs to true genius, told him to get ready for a general assault on the enemy's works in his front. He then gal- loped on to the vortex of the battle. As he advanced, a sight met his gaze that would have ap- palled a less iron- willed, self-reliant man. Crowds of fugitives covered the fields even those forma- *ions that stood firmest were dreadfully disordered ammunition was gone, the dead and wounded lay thick around, and discouragement and confu- sion were on every side. He had not arrived a moment too soon. Although explosions of artil- lery, and volleys of musketry, rising out of the woods, showed that the conflict was still raging, he saw that the force of the blow had been spent, and the enemy was exhausted by the tremendous effort he had put forth. He knew at once, he said, that whichever now first attacked would win, and he resolved to break into a furious offensive. True, his own losses had been heavy the troops were worn out with the long struggle, and the entire 72 LIFE OP GRANT. army in a disordered condition. But he found the haversacks of the rebel prisoners that had been captured in the fight packed with rations for three days, and instantly saw through the plan of the enemy. The bloody contest that had been waged since early in the morning was not for victory, so that the place might be held, but for escape. Said he thoughtfully, u They mean to cut their way out ; they have no idea of staying here to fight us." Wheeling, he dashed the spurs into his horse and galloped back to the left, and ordered Smith to move at once on the rebel works. It was a bold resolution, to give up in a moment the gunboats, which had been the chief reliance abandon the plan of a combined movement, and stake every thing on one bold throw. Napoleon once said, "A battle often turns on a single thought. 11 It was so in this case. Grant knew from the course the battle had taken all day, that the enemy must be weakest at this point, and most unprepared for an attack, and in order to keep it from being reinforced, he directed McClernand exhausted and shattered as he was to recover his lost ground, piled with his own dead, and assault the rebel works on the left from before which he had been driven. Wallace commanded the assaulting columns, composed of the two bri- gades of Colonels Smith and Croft. As the brave regiments moved past him, he coldly told STOBMING THE HEIGHTS. 73 them that desperate work was before them. In- stead of being discouraged by this, they sent up loud cheers, and " Forward, forward," ran along the ranks. " Forward, then ! " he shouted, in turn. Through dense underbrush, over out-cropping ledges of rock, across open stony places, up the steep acclivity, swept by desolating volleys, they boldly charged, or climbed like mountain- goats. Now lying down to escape the murderous volleys, then rising with a cheer, they pushed on till they got within a hundred and fifty yards of the in- trenchments, when the order came to fall back. In the mean time Smith was in motion. In front of him was an entrenched hill, which com- manded the interior of the rebel works. If that were reached, the garrison would be uncovered to batteries planted on the top, and Smith resolved to take it. Sending a force around to the right, to make a feint, he took three picked regiments the 2d and 7th Iowa, and 57th Indiana to compose the storm- ing column, and, riding at their head, ordered the advance. As his eye glanced along that splendid body of men, he felt they were equal to the bloody task assigned them. The bayonet was to do the work this time. Mounting the slope with leaning forms, those brave troops entered the desolating fire, that rolled like a lava-flood adown the height, and pressed rapidly upward and onward. Their 4 74 LIFE OF GRANT. gallant leader moved beside them, with his cap lifted on his sword, as a banner to wave them on. Grim and silent, with compressed lips and flash- ing eyes, they breasted the steep acclivity and the blinding, fiery sleet, without faltering for one instant. They sternly closed the rent ranks as they ascended, until at last the summit was gained. Then the long line of gleaming barrels came to a level altogether ; a simultaneous flash, a crashing volley, a cheer, ringing high and clear from the smoking top, a single bound, and they were over and in the rebel works. The flag went up, and with it a shout of victory that was the death knell of Fort Donelson. Hurry- ing up his artillery and supports, Smith fixed him- self firmly in position and awaited the morning light to complete the work already more than half done. That wintry night the troops on the extreme right, ignorant of Smith's success, lay down with their arms in their hands, on the blood-stained snow, weary and hungry, and cold, yet resolute, and prepared for the assault in the morning. Smith's heroes also bivouacked on the frozen, crimson ground they had so gallantly won, while Grant with his heart relieved of a heavy burden, took refuge in a negro hut. to snatch a short re- pose, or ponder on the events of the coming morn- ing. He knew that he had been near defeat, but THB FLAG OF TBUOK. 75 he now felt that victory was sure, and he longed impatiently for the morning to dawn. At daylight, the roll of the drum and bugle note called the ranks on the right from their frozen bivouac, to prepare for the grand final assault Though cold and chill, they sternly closed up their thinned ranks on the blood- stained snow, while not a heart beat faint. No sublimer specta- cle was ever witnessed than those gallant men pre- sented, on that Sabbath morning, as they took their position in front of the frowning works of the enemy. Marching from Fort Henry without tents or rations, except such as they could carry in their haversacks exposed for three days and nights without shelter or fire, and two out of the three to the driving snow or piercing cold, and all the v time under fire ; yet they stood eagerly wait- ing the order to launch themselves on the foe. Smith, down the river, was, at the same time, training his guns on the devoted garrison, and all was ready for the final struggle. At that moment Col. Lauman heard the clear note of a bugle, ris- ing from out the enemy's works, and turning his eye thither, he saw a white flag waving above them. A long, loud cheer went up at the sight, which, taken up by regiment after regiment, as the exciting news travelled along the line, at last reached the troops of Wallace, on the extreme right, just ready to move to the assault, In a 76 LIFE OF GRANT. moment their caps were in the air, and amid long and repeated cheers, the band struck up trium- phant airs, making the wintry Sabbath morning a scene never to be forgotten. During the night the rebel generals had held a consultation over their desperate condition, in which, after much sharp discussion, it was finally decided that Floyd should hand over the com- mand to Pillow, and he to Buckner, who should surrender the place, while the two former would at- tempt to make their escape. When this decision was reported to the brigade and regimental offi- cers, some were astonished, while others stormed, and cursed the renegade commanders. A rebel officer thus describes the scene : " One said, ' It is mean ! ' * It is cowardly ! ' 'Floyd always was a rascal.' " 4 We are betrayed ! ' 4 There is treachery ! ' said they. " ' It is a mean trick for an officer to desert his men. If my troops are to be surrendered, I shall stick by them," said Major Brown. " ' I denounce Pillow as a coward ; and if I ever meet him, I'll shoot him as quick as I would a dog,' said Major McLain, red with rage. " There were two or three small steamboats at the Dover landing. Floyd and Pillow went on board of one of them, taking part of the Virginia bri- gade with them. This being seen by some of the THE SURBENDER. 77 other troops they became furious and rushed on board, crowding every part of the boat. " ' Cut loose ! ' shouted Floyd to the captain/ The ropes were cut, the boats swung into the stream, and the fugitives steered for Nashville. Soon after the flag of truce was raised, an offi- cer appeared bearing the following communica- tion from General Buckner : HEADQUARTERS, FOBT DOXELSON, February 16, 1863. SIR : In consideration of all the circumstances gov- erning tbe present situation of affairs at this station, I propose to the commanding officer of the Federal forces the appointment of commissioners to agree upon terms of capitulation of the forces and fort under my com- mand, and, in that view, suggest an armistice till twelve o clock to-day. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, S. B. BUCKNER, Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. To Brigadier-General GBANT, commanding United States forces near Fort Donelbon. Grant did not want time to consider what an- swer to make. His blood was up, and he would wait for no mere formalities or spend time in dis- cussing terms, and sent the following short per- emptory reply : HEADQUARTERS, ARMY IN THE FIELD, ) GAMP NEAB DONELSON, February 16, 1862. J To GENERAL S. B. BUCKNER, Confederate Army : Yours of this date, proposing an armistice, and ap- pointment of commissioners to settle terms of capitiila- 78 LIVE OF GEANT. tion, is just received. No terms other than uncon ditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. 1 propose to move immediately upon your works. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Brig. -Gen. U. 8. A, Commanding. Buckner, chagrined, but helpless, saw there was no alternative but submit or see the Union sol- diers rolling like the sea over his works, and so he sent the following note : HEADQUARTERS, DOVER, TENNESSEE, Feb. 16, 1862. To BRIGADIER-GENERAL GRANT : SIR : The distribution of forces under my command, incident to an unexpected change of commanders, and the overwhelming force under your command, compel me, notwithstanding the brilliant success of the Con- federate army yesterday, to accept the ungenerous, and unchivalrous terms which you propose. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, S. B. BUCKNER, Brigadier-General, 0. S. A. Grant, smiling significantly at this reflection on his generosity and chivalry, mounted his horse and rode at once to Buckner's headquarters. The meeting was courteous and frank, for they had been cadets together at West Point ; and Grant, mindful of old times, told the latter that he did not desire to dictate any terms, for the mere pur- pose of humiliating him, and that the officers might retain their side-arms, and both they and BREAKFASTS WITH BTJCKNER. 79 the soldiers keep their personal baggage, but every thing else must be surrendered. Buckner then invited him to breakfast, and, over their coffee, victor and vanquished discussed, good- naturedly, the operations of the past few days. In alluding to the inferior force of Grant, when he first advanced across the country towards the fort, the rebel general said if he had been in chief command, the former never would have reached it as easily as he did. Grant replied that, if he had been, the army would have waited for re- inforcements ; " but," he added, " I knew that Pillow would not come out of his works and fight me, and I told my staff so." He knew the stuff that his former comrade was made of, and had also some experience in Mexico of the military ability of Pillow. When, soon after, the prisoners were being put on board steamers, to be carried north, Buckner asked Grant to take a look at his bri- gade, which had been drilled under his own eye. The latter went on board the steamer, and was soon the centre of all eyes. Buckner then made his men a short speech, in which he praised Grant's kind treatment of them, and bade them remember it, if, hereafter, the fortune of war should throw any of his soldiers into their power. Sixty -five guns, over seventeen thousand small arms, and fifteen thousand troops fell into Grant's 80 LIFE OP GRANT. hands, as the result of this victory. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded could only be conjectured, while his own was a little over two thousand. Probably, it was nearly the same in both armies. Grant's army, though comparatively so weak when he started across the country from Fort Henry, had been heavily reinforced, so that, on the day of battle, he had in the field twenty-seven thousand men. He captured more guns than he had in the siege, for he brought along but eight light batteries, which were not at all suitable for siege operations. The victory was the most important one that had yet been obtained by our troops, and it elec- trified the nation. As the exciting news travelled over the land, bells were set ringing, and salvos of artillery fired, and men thought the end of the rebellion to be near at hand. Grant at once be- came a favorite of the people, and his emphatic reply to Buckner, "I propose to move immediately upon your works" was in every one's mouth. It was uttered by some not only to show the charac- ter of Grant, and to swell his praise, but as a sar- casm upon military scienca Even the Secretary of War, in an absurd letter, used it for this pur- pose, and for a while it seemed that no commander could retain his position, if he did not throw to the wind all rules of war, and, no matter what CONGRATULATORY ORDER. 81 the condition of things might be, "move at once upon the enemy's works," wherever found. With Grant, it was no rash determination, based on mere brute daring, but the dictate of true military sagacity. Many afterwards imitated his boldness, but, wanting his wisdom, made sad fail- ures, and sacrificed thousands of lives in vain. The day after the battle, he issued the following congratulatory order to his soldiers : HEADQUARTERS, DISTRICT OF WEST TENITEBSEE, > FORT DONELSON, February 17, 1862. f The General commanding takes great pleasure in congratulating the troops of this command for the tri- umph over rebellion gained by their valor, on the 13th, 14th, and 15tli instant. For four successive nights, without shelter, during the most inclement weather known in this latitude, they faced an enemy in large force, in a position chosen by himself. Though strongly fortified by nature, all the additional safeguards suggested by science were added. Without a murmur tin's was borne, prepared fct all times to receive an attack, and with continuous skirmishing by day, resulting ultimately in forcing the enemy to surrender without condition. The victory achieved is not only great in the effect it will have in breaking down rebellion, but has secured the greatest number of prisoners of war ever taken in any battle on this continent. Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in capitals on the map of our united country, and the men who fought the battle will live in the memory of a grateful people. By order, U. S. GKANT, Brig.-Gon. Commanding. 4* 82 LIFE OP GRAOT. The fall of Fort Donelson opened Nashvill< to our forces. When the disastrous news reached the city, the quiet Sabbath morning was turned into a scene of the wildest excitement. The last news from the fort was a despatch from Pillow, the day before, saying "The day is ours," and hence all fears were quieted. Its surrender, there- fore, fell on the people, who were quietly assem- bling for church, like a thunderbolt at noon-day from a cloudless sky. Paces turned pale with affright, men dashed wildly on horseback through the streets, which soon were thronged with ex- cited men and women. Every available vehicle was at once seized ; and the terrified inhabitants, flinging in the few articles they could conveniently carry, hurried off southward, for in imagination they already heard the tread of Grant's advancing legions. The public stores were thrown open, into which the rabble rushed for pillage ; and for twenty-four hours a scene of terror and lawless- ness was witnessed that baffles description. With the fall of Donelson, not only fell Nash- ville and Bowling Green, but Columbus itself became untenable, and was soon after evacuated. Thus, without the aid of the fleet, Grant, by one grand and terrible blow, had broken down the whole line of the enemy's defence, from the Mississippi to the Alleghany mountains, and shoved it beyond the State of Kentucky. CHAPTER V. DISGRACE OF GRANT. Halleck's Neglect His uitfust and abusive Despatch to Wash- ington Failure of his Attempt to injure him with the Gov- ernment Grant ordered to Fort Henry Halleck accuses him of Acting Unbecoming an Officer Puts Smith in his Place at the head of the Army of the Tennessee Continues his Per- secutions Noble Conduct of Grant Denies the Charges made against him Asks to be relieved from Command till his Con- duct can be investigated Sudden Change in Halleck's Treat- ment Attempts to vindicate his ConductHis Duplicity Unsuspected by Grant General Morgan treated in a similar manner Magnanimity of Grant and Smith Kumors of Grant's Arrest. Bur, from some cause or other, Halleck refused to acknowledge the merits of Grant in this bril- liant movement. His congratulatory order to the troops was cold and restrained, giving Grant no especial praise, while, at the same time, he spoke of the necessity of discipline and good order, in a way that implied censure. Whether he was vexed that Grant had refused to stay and fortify himself at Fort Henry, and, acting on his own responsibility, had attacked and taken Fort Donelson, and thus practically demonstrated his superiority in the art of war ; or whether angry 84 LIFE OP GKANT. at being so suddenly eclipsed by a subordinate, B is impossible to say. At all events, he sent the following remarkable telegram to Washington, which admits of no pal- liation : " Smith, by his coolness and bravery at Fort Donelson, when the battle was against us, turned the tide and carried the enemy's outworks. Make him a major-general : you can't get a better one. Honor him for this victory, and the country will applaud." Here a commander- in-chief urges the promotion of a subordinate, who had only gallantly carried out the orders of his superior, to major-general, while the commander himself was but a brigadier. It was a most wicked and shameful thrust, but it failed of success, for the Secretary of War recommended instead Grant to that rank, and he was made a major-general, his promotion to date from the day of the surrender of the fort, and u the whole country" did "ap- plaud " the act On the 27th of the month, Grant went to Nashville to consult with General Buell, who had arrived there with his army from Bowling Green, on future operations. The very next morning he returned, and immediately advised Halleck of it On the subsequent day he wrote again to Hal- leek's chief of staff, stating he had forwarded tc the former all information of his movements, the condition of the enemy, and his own wants. On UNJUST CENSUKB. 85 the same day, Halleck sent a despatch directing him to move his army back to Fort Henry, pre- paratory to an advance up the Tennessee. Two days after Grant received it, his columns were in motion. But the day previous, without waiting to hear from him, Halleck sent the following tele- gram to Washington, which, coming from any other man than he, would be considered a curiosity in its way. He says, " I have had no communica- tion with General Grant for more than a week. He left his command without my authority, and went to Nashville. His army seems to be as much demoralized by the victory of Fort Donel- son, as was that of the Potomac by the defeat of Bull Run. It is hard to censure a successful general immediately after a victory, but he richly deserves it. I can get 110 returns, no reports, no information of any kind from him. Satisfied with his victory, he sits down and enjoys it with- out any regard to the future. I am worn out and tired by this neglect and inefficiency. C. F. Smith is almost the only officer equal to the emer- gency." Viewed in its various bearings, in what a piti- ful light does this present Halleck. In the first place, it is such a serious offence for Grant, after opening Nashville, to run up and see what the movements of the enemy are, and what next is to be done, that the former must telegraph the fact 86 LIFE OF GRANT. to Washington in a tone of complaint. In the second place, he declares that the victorious army is as much demoralized as the army of the Poto- mac at Bull Run, when he has never seen it, and, as he affirms, can get no report, no information of any kind with regard to it In the third place, after charging Grant with being too active because he went to Nashville to see if he could be of any service, going even beyond the limits of his com- mand, he, in the next breath, accuses him of sit- ting down and " enjoying his victory," regardless of the future. To cap the climax of this absurd, petulant, false accusation, he, in his warm and comfortable house in St. Louis, complains of being "tired and warn out," while the man who has been winning victories amid hail and snow, is "sitting down" and enjoying himself But having thus poisoned the minds of those at Washington, he obtained the requisite liberty to strike, and the very next day after this secret stab, he sent a despatch to Grant, ordering him to turn over the command of the expedition planned for the upper waters of the Tennessee to Smith, and remain himself at Fort Henry. Complaining that Grant was sitting still, he now determined to see that he should sit still, and see his brave troops ; whom he had led to victory, defile away from him under another commander. But instead of utter- ing any complaint, Grant contented himself with HALLECK'S PERSECUTIONS. 87 denying that he had ever disobeyed orders, and adds, " In conclusion, I will say, that you may rely on my carrying out your instructions in every particular to the best of my ability." Calm and serene under his disgrace, he is just as ready to help his commander as though the latter were not plotting his ruin. Without envy or mere per- sonal ambition, he congratulates Smith on his promotion, and says that " he deserves it," and he will give him all the aid in his power. Unselfish and noble, he thinks only of his country's welfare. Halleck, however, seems to be under some baleful influence, and continues his persecutions with a pertinacity that is inexplicable. Not content with disgracing him and leaving him to do simply garrison duty, he, two days after he had removed him from command, sent another rebuke, reitera- ting his old charges. Besting only a short time, he returns again to his fault-finding, as if he thought the repetition of his accusations would establish their truth. To all of these, Grant replied, in the same calm, courteous spirit. In answer to the charge that he failed to report the number of troops under his command, he, in his quiet, straightforward, truthful way, says, " You had a better chance of knowing my strength whilst my command was surrounding Fort Donelson, than I had. Troops were reporting daily by your orders, and were 00 LIFE OP GRANT. immediately assigned to brigades" This was a home thrust, though probably not intended for one, but only as a vindication of himself. It showed that the looseness was at headquarters, in not keeping account of the troops sent forward. Grant, at the first, when he found himself falsely accused, asked to be relieved from duty, and he now repeated the request, and after say- ing, " There is such a disposition to find fault with me that I again ask to be relieved from duty until I can be placed right in the estimation of those high in authority." The simple, unpretending, unsuspicious man- ner in which he behaves during all this trying period, when he was so unjustly assailed, and finally placed in disgrace, brings out in bright re- lief some of the most attractive points in his char- acter. Unaccustomed to the tricks and cabals of politicians totally ignorant in himself of those petty, low ambitions of which rivals are made apparently wholly unable to comprehend a char- acter which can cover up its duplicity with hypoc- risy, he has a simple, almost child-like faith in truth that is marvellous. At first sight, it seems that such an honest, unsuspecting object of perse- cution can stand no chance against unscrupulous men who work in the dark. He was not, however, to be laid aside Providence had more and greater work for him to do. A SUDDEN CHANGE. 89 Halleck having, after the 3d of March, for nearly a week kept up a continuous fire on Grunt, either directly or through Washington, suddenly turned round, and told him that he could not be relieved from command. He says, with an effrontery that would have taken away the breath from a less calm, immobile man than Grant, w TJiere is no good reason for it" No " reason " for relieving a man from command until he can vindicate himself, when he has persistently dis- obeyed orders violated the laws of the service in leaving his command without liberty been guilty of " marauding " allowed his victorious army to be more demoralized than a routed one, and amid such chaos and amid all the great preparations go- ing on around him, sits quietly down and refuses to do any thing ! No reason for relieving him ! One would think, on the contrary, if all these charges were true, there was quite reason enough for suspending, if not for cashiering him. After he had shown himself so petulant, and eager to prefer any and every charge against Grant, without stopping to investigate the truth of them, one naturally inquires what could have caused this sudden revolution in his con- duct. There had been no trial, no investiga- tion, no new developments. Such a sudden exhibition of criminal leniency right on the top of such eager haste to condemn and disgrace, 90 LIFE OF GRANT. deserves some explanation. Did the department commander discover that Grant was too deeply implanted in the favor of the Secretary of Wai and the President, to be thus summarily disposed of or did he begin to fear that he had acted in a way that would not stand the scrutiny of a court of inquiry, and the blow he had aimed at an innocent head might have a disagreeable re- bound ? Any other General would have refused to be satisfied with this retraction, and insisted on a court of inquiry, where his vindication might be complete. But Grant, truthful himself, be- lieved in the sincerity of the statements of others, and with that self abnegation which has made him so conspicuous in this generation of self-seekers, replied that he had thought, after the severe cen- sures heaped upon him, that he could not " serve longer without a court of inquiry ; but your tele- gram of yesterday places such a different phase upon my position, that I will again assume com- mand, and give every effort to the success of our cause. Under the worst circumstances, I would do the same." No matter how deep the disgrace they might unjustly inflict on him, he would " give every effort to the success of the cause/ Evidently for the purpose of making Grant be- lieve that he had acted under advices from Wash- ington, and not from his own suggestions and from inclination, he sent him the following corre- CURIOUS COINCIDENCE. 91 pondence, which on the face of it places Halleck not only in a fair, curious coincidence, but mag- nanimous light The first is a letter from the AIjutant-General, sent apparently without any suggestion received from Halleck. HEADQUABTEES OP THE ARMY, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE. WASHINGTON, March 10, 1867. May. -Gen. H. W. Halleclc y U. S. A., Commanding Dept. of the Mi*- St. Louis : It has been reported that, soon after the battle of Fort Donelson, Brigadier-General Grant left his command without leave. By direction of the President, the Sec- retary of War directs you to ascertain, and report, whether Gen. Grant left his command at any time with- out proper authority, and, if so, for how long ; whether he has made to you, proper reports and returns of his forces ; whether he has committed any acts which were unauthorized, or not in accordance with military subor- dination or propriety, and if so, what. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General. Notice here, that the "reports" to which he alludes are, one and all, precisely the charges made in Halleck's extraordinary letter, which we gave a few pages back The latter now sees, evidently, that he has gone too far, and returns the follow- ing answer, which he sends to Grant, to show that he had no hand in these serious charges that what he did was from orders, which he had re- ceived from Washington, and that, instead of un- justly accusing him and persecuting him, he had nobly stepped between him and the authorities at 92 LIFE OF GRANT. Washington, and, unsolicited, had vindicated hia conduct and saved him from a court of inquiry HEADQUARTERS PEPT. ov ITTE ST. Louis, Mo., March 15, 18G2. Brig.-Gen. Thomas, Adjutant- General of the Armij, Washington: In accordance with your instructions of the 10th inst., I report that Gen. Grant and several officers of high rank in his command, immediately after the battle of Fort Donelson, went to Nashville without my authority or knowledge. I am satisfied, however, from investiga- tion, that Gen. Grant did this from good intentions, and from a desire to subserve the public interests. Not be- ing advised of Gen. Buell's movements, and learniug that Gen. Buell had ordered Smith's division of bis (Grant's) command to Nashville, he deemed it his duty to go there in person. During the absence of Gen. Grant, and a part of his general officers, numerous irregularities are said to have occurred at Fort Donel- son. These were in violation of the orders issued by Gen. Grant before leaving, and probably, under the cir- cumstances, were unavoidable. Gen. Grant has made the proper explanations, and has been directed to re- sume his command in the field ; as he acted from a praiseworthy although mistaken ^eal for the public ser- vice in going to Nashville, and leaving his command, I respectfully recommend that no further notice be taken of it. There never has been any want of military sub- ordination on the part of Gen. (irant, and his failure to make returns of his forces has been explained as result- ing partly from the failure of Colonels of regiments to report to him on their arrival, and partly from an inter- ruption of telegraphic communication. All these irregu- larities have now been remedied. H. W. TT ALLEGE, Major-General Grant, evidently, was completely deceived by this correspondence, which Halleck transmitted to him. Unsuspicious of double-dealing, and touched A NOBLE MAN DECEIVED. 93 by the apparent magnanimous conduct of his su- perior, he replied : "I most fully appreciate your justness, General, in the part you have taken, and you may rely upon me to the utmost of my capacity for carrying out all your orders." He felt, as he said in the same letter, that " he had not neglected a single duty," but he was willing to let the past go. We can only conjecture what would have been his feelings had Halleck sent with this cor- respondence, his own letter, dated March 3d (just a week before) to the General-in-chief at Wash- ington. It is a shallow cunning that prompts to such & course as this, and yet leaves the proof of it on record where it is certain, sooner or later, to come to the light. This treatment, however, is in perfect harmony with that which General Morgan, who held Fort Cumberland, received. Compelled to evacuate the place because Halleck could not or would not either reinforce him or furnish him supplies, he carried his little army for two hundred miles through a desert country, making one of the most memorable marches of the war. Although with ten thousand men, the place had been held in the face of starvation, and the assembling of a hundred thousand troops around it, yet, as its evacuation made the campaign for the occu- pation of Knoxville and East Tennessee a fail- ure, Halleck wished the blame to rest on other 94 LIFE OF GEAOT. shoulders than his own, and so ordered an inves- tigation of the matter, hoping to be able to place it on Morgan's. But General Wright, whom he had appointed to conduct it, made a report com- pletely exculpating Morgan. Yet with this report before him, Halleck, in his annual report to Con- gress, intimates that the evacuation was unne- cessary, and adds that he has " ordered an inves- tigation." This coming to the notice of General Morgan, he was indignant, and immediately wrote to Halleck, demanding a Court of Inquiry, or Court MartiaL The latter, in reply, said that he had directed General Wright to make an investi- gation, and if "that was satisfactory, 11 no further steps would be necessary, and he would be "re- lieved from all blame. 1 ' Morgan wrote at once to Wright, on the subject, when he learned to his astonishment that the latter had made the inves- tigation, finished his report, and sent it in the October previous to the report of Halleck to Con- gress, in which he says he has " ordered an inves- tigation, 11 and months previous to his letter to Morgan, in which he reasserts the action he had taken, as if the matter was still in abeyance, and had not, on the contrary, been completed the fall before. In what striking contrast to this does the con- duct of both Smith and Grant appear. When the former was placed over Grant, the latter, instead RUMOR OF HIS ABBEST. 35 of indulging in unkind feelings, wrote to Smith a congratulatory letter, expressing his pleasure at his advancement, and saying, " Any thing you may require, send back transports for, and if within my power you shall have it." On the other hand, when Smith heard that Grant had been restored to his old position, he writes a congratulatory let- ter hi turn, expressing his pleasure that he once more had his old command, from which, he says, "he was so unceremoniously and unjustly strick- n down. 11 This whole matter has been wrapped in obscu- rity, and all kinds of reports concerning it obtained circulation, and the truth has never been fully known until brought to light by Col. Badeau. One of these reports, which was generally credited, was that Grant, soon after the capture of Fort Don- elson, was placed under arrest by orders from Washington. Various reasons were given for this summary action, and one was, that Grant was intoxicated on board the flag-ship while the battle was raging. We now, however, can trace the origin of this generally believed strange report. Halleck, in a letter to him, in which he endeavors to show that he was innocent of the disgrace inflicted on him, says, that he had received an order from McClellan, to arrest him. The question naturally arises, why was not that order, if issued, obeyed? 96 LIFE OF GRANT. But Col. Badeau says, that no such order is on record or can be found in the ^ar Department, and farther, that the Secretary of War never heard that such an order was issued. As it never was executed has never seen the light, and can- not be found in the place where it ought to be, and no remembrance of such an important trans- action remains in the War Department, we must be allowed to express a doubt if McClellan ever gave such an order at all. Ignorant of all this plotting and persecution, the people were sounding Grant's praises the length and breadth of the land, and the swelling tide of public feeling was being felt in Washing- ton, and threatened to sweep away all this nicely balanced machinery and curious network, that had been woven in the dark. It was hazardous to attempt to stem this popular current, and Halleck doubtless felt so, when he concluded to abandon his persecution of Grant, and outwardly, by restoring him to his command, placed affairs on a friendly footing. CHAPTER Vi. sniLon. Position of the Army on the Tennessee Located at Pittsburgh Landing and Savannah Reasons for it Grant restored to Lis command, and takes up his Headquarters at Savannah Buell ordered to join him with forty thousand men Grant forbidden to give battle Concentration of the Enemy at Corinth Threat- ening Demonstrations of the Enemy Accident to Grant Fierce and unexpected onset of the Enemy The Battle Sur- render of Prentiss Gallantry of Sherman Arrival of Grant on the Battle Field His orders to Nelson and Wallace to push forward to his aid They fail to arrive The Army driven back to the River Arrival of Buell The Gunboats Night A Storm BuelPs army got into position Grant sleeps on the field The Second Day's Battle Grant heads a charge The Victory Correspondence with Beauregard Causes of First Day's Defeat Defence of Grant Outcry against him. WHILE Grant was in disgrace, Smith, whom Halleck had put in his place, proceeded up the Tennessee with the army to cut the great railroad near it at Corinth ; but accomplishing nothing of importance, returned to Pittsburgh Landing, on the western bank of the river, and there disem- barked a part of his troops. The original and proper plan was to land at Savannah, a few miles lower down, on the opposite side of the river, where the remaining portion of the army did en- 98 LIFE OF GRANT. camp. The reason given for this change was, that a rapid movement inland, in the desired direction, could be more easily made from that bank than from the other ; as the transportation of troops across would necessarily consume a considerable time. This advantage, however, would not weigh against the peril of having the army divided by the river. Probably the fact that the bluff on which the landing was made was admirably fitted for a defensive position, was another reason. Two streams, one north and the other south of it, flowed almost at right angles into the Tennessee, thus rendering it an easy matter for Smith to pro- tect his flanks in fact, from the flooded state of the banks at this time, making an attack, except in front, almost impossible. Even in this latter direction nature had helped to defend this excel- lent position ; for Owl Creek ran along a portion of it parallel to the Tennessee river, and emptied nearly at right angles into Snake Creek, which bounded the bluff on the north. But Corinth lay right west, within striking distance, and common prudence required that to make the position se- cure, strong defences should be thrown up. This, however, was not done a neglect the more singu- lar, since Corinth, the objective point of the campaign, and the key to the whole railroad sygh tern connecting Tennessee and Mississippi, wai known to be occupied by the enemy in force. CONCENTRATES HIS TROOPS. 99 Halleck, as we have stated, restored Grant on the 13th of March to bis command, and four days after the latter took up his headquarters at Sa- vannah, about nine miles below Pittsburg Land- ing. Nearly half of the army was at the former place, and Grant saw at once the peril of having the two portions nine miles apart, and separated besides by a broad and swollen river. Hence within an hour after his arrival he ordered Smith and McClernand, who commanded the force at Savannah, to proceed at once to Pittsburg Land- ing. In the mean time, Halleck, hearing of the concentration of rebel troops at Corinth, had di- rected Buell, in Central Tennessee, to effect a junction with Grant at Pittsburg Landing. His army numbered nearly forty thousand, and the distance from Columbia, his starting-point, to the Tennessee river, was some ninety miles. But it was early spring, and the streams being flooded made it impossible to calculate with any accuracy how much time it would take to make the march. In the mean time, Halleck telegraphed Grant to avoid battle unless it was forced upon him in short, to act solely on the defensive, until the arri- val of BuelL This was contrary to the judgment of Grant, who thought a blow should be struck at once, before the concentration of the enemy could be effected. For nearly three weeks the army lay idle here, 100 IJFE OF GRANT. while the hostile forces were rapidly accumula- ting. By the second of April, Johnston, their commander, saw that he must strike before the arrival of Buell, of whose approach he was made aware by his scouts, if he wished to succeed, and he began to feel our line with his skirmishers. On the 4th, a heavy force appeared in our front, and for a time a serious engagement seemed immi- nent. Several rebel prisoners were taken, who said that the " Yankees would catch hell soon." Still, this was thought to be an idle threat, and no notice was taken of it. The next day, Grant rode out to the front and investigated the matter. Both he and Sherman came to the conclusion that there was no appearance or probability of an immediate battle. Grant did not return to the landing until after dark. It was raining at the time, and his horse slipping on a log, fell upon him, which lamed him for several days, and caused him a good deal of suffering. The demonstration of the enemy this day was not confined to our forces at Pittsburg Landing. Lewis Wallace, with Smith's division, iive miles farther down stream, reported a heavy force in his direction. The truth was, the enemy was making a reconnoissance with view to an attack. The next day, a heavy column of cavalry pushed boldly up to Sherman's front, yet still he did not think any thing serious was intended, while Grant THE ONSET. 101 felt stronger by the arrival of Nelson's division of Buell's army at Savannah. He had been very anxious -for the arrival of these troops, and now directed Nelson to take position at a point about five iniies from Savannah, and hold himself ready to march at a moment's notice. He himself de- signed the next day to remove his own head- quarters to Pittsburg Landing putting it off till then at the request of Buell, who had informed him that he would arrive at Savannah that day. The next morning, however, came the battle. Johnston had learned by his reconnoissance that our forces had thrown up no entrenchments, but that the flanks were so well protected by streams and ravines, that an attack could not be made there. Hence he determined to move right down in front, in one overwhelming charge. Sherman's division was in advance, near the Shiloh church. On his left, but farther back, McClernand was posted. Then came Prentiss, more up to Sher- man's line, while on the extreme left was Stuart, commanding a separate brigade of Sherman's di- vision, and covering the crossing of Lick Creek. Hurlbut was in reserve. The constant skirmishing for the last few days had put the officers on the alert, and though it was only just daybreak, the horses of many were saddled while they sat down to breakfast. Every thing seemed quiet, when suddenly, as a clap of 102 LIFE OF GRANT. thunder, the onset came. Pr6ntiss first caught the fury of the bursting storm, which soon swept along the entire front. Not cautiously, as if feel- ing their way, did the heavy columns come on, but in dark masses, like fast following waves, broke over the camps. A scene of indescribable confusion followed. From the very outset, the battle on our part was without plan or cohesion, while the rebel general held his army completely in hand, and hurled it with skill, boldness, and irresistible power, on any point he wished to strike. Prentiss, in the centre, after striving in vain to bear up against the flood, was surrounded and compelled to surrender, with some three thousand or more of his troops. Sherman and McClernand fought with their accustomed brav- ery, but they could hold only a portion of their troops to the deadly work. Stuart was cut off from the main army, and compelled to fight his own battle. Cavalry charged hither and thither over the tumultuous field, riding down our disor- dered troops ; while our batteries were swept by the hostile flood, and the broken, disjointed army was borne steadily back toward the Tennessee. Sherman, awake to the peril of the army, clung to each position with the tenacity of death, and rode amid the hail-storm of bullets as though he had forgotten he had a life to lose. Horse after horse sunk under him j he himself was struck agaic THE BATTLJL 103 and again ; and yet he not only kept the field, but blazed like a meteor over it. At noon of that Sabbath day, he was dismounted his hand in a sling, and bleeding, giving directions to his chief of artillery, while it was one incessant crash and roar all around him. Suddenly he saw, to the right, his men giving way before a cloud of rebels. "I was looking for that," he exclaimed. The next moment the battery he had been placing in position opened, sending death and destruction into the close-packed ranks. The rebel com- mander, glancing at the battery, ordered the cav- alry to charge it. Seeing them coming down, Sherman quickly ordered up two companies of infantry, which, pouring hi a deadly volley, sent them to the right about with empty saddles. The onset was arrested, and our troops rallied with renewed courage. Hurlbut moved up with his reserves, and gave Sherman breathing space. In the mean time, in the very heat of battle, Grant came on a driving gallop to the front, and at once complimented Sherman on the gallant stand he had made. Sherman, in reply, asked for cartridges. " They are on the way," replied Grant. Knowing from the rapid and incessant firing, that he had heard ever since daybreak, that ammuni- tion must be giving out, he had ordered it forward as he hurried to the front. He and his staff at Savannah, were taking an 104 LEPK OF GEANT. early breakfast, preparatory to riding out to meet Buell, who was near at hand, when the first roar of artillery arrested his attention. At first he thought it was only a repetition of the skirmishing that had been going on for several days. But as the thunder swelled louder and louder, and peal after peal shook the shores, he knew that a battle was raging, and crying, u to horse," galloped down to the landing. Before starting, however, he de- spatched a hasty note to Buell, telling him that heavy firing up the river showed that the army was attacked. To Nelson, he sent orders to move his division up opposite Pittsburg Landing with- out delay. Pushing up the river himself in a steamer, he stopped at Crump's landing just long enough to tell Wallace, in person, to be ready to march at a moment's notice. .As the boat touched the shore at Pittsburg Landing, the din of battle was terrific, and already fugitives were flying from the field. When he reached the front and saw how terrific was the onset, and that his army was wavering, he at once sent an aid as fast as he could ride, to Crump's landing, five miles distant, with orders to Wallace to hurry his division forward to the field. To Nel- son he wrote, " Hurry up your command as fast. as possible. Push forward boats will be in readiness to transport you across." Having done this he addressed himself to the task of keeping ANXIOUS MOMENTS. 105 the heavy masses that surged so fiercely up against his shaking line at bay, till those reinforcements could arrive. The field was wooded, with patches of cultivation between, so that it was impossible for him to get any commanding view of it, and manoeuvre the army as a whole. In fact, there was no time for it. The rebel attack was so steady and persistent, that each division simply attempted to hold its ground. Grant, smoking his cigar with imperturbable coolness, moved from point to point, along the front, giving such directions as the emer- gency seemed to require. As the decimated army, maintaining a deter- mined though shattered front, still kept falling back towards the river, Grant cast his eye anxiously in the direction where the heads of Nelson's and Wallace's columns should appear, but nothing met his gaze but crowds of stragglers fleeing to the rear. Wallace, at least, should have been there long since, but strange to say, his division was wandering about lost, though only five miles from the field of battle, whose uproar loaded the Sab- bath air. Though nearly half of his army had melted away either prisoners, killed, or straggling the other half still faced the foe, and met his fierce, determined onsets as the ro^k meets the wave. But this could not last long he must have rein- forcements, or the brave heroes that refused to fly, 6* 106 LOTS OF GBAKT. but, with every backward step, dealt a staggering blow, would soon be overpowered; and hearing that another of BuelTs divisions had reached Savannah, he sent a staff officer, with desperate speed, to him, with the order : " You will move your command with the utmost despatch, to the river at this point, where steamboats will be in readiness to transport you to Pittsburgh But the peril deepening every moment, he could not wait his return, but sent off another officer with the following still more urgent order : " Commanding officer, advance forces, BuelFs army, near Pitts- burg: The attack on my forces has been very spirited from early this morning. The appearance of fresh troops in the field now, would have a powerful effect, both by inspiring our men and disheartening the enemy. If you will get upon the field, leaving all your baggage on the east bank of the river, it will be more to our advantage, and possibly save the day to us. The rebel forces are estimated at over one hundred thousand men. My headquarters will be in the log building on the top of the hill, where you will be furnished with a staff officer to guide you to your place in the field." Matters were getting desperate, and he counted the moments when the forces, so pressingly needed, would arrive. Still none came ; but about the middle of the afternoon, Buell, accompanied only by his staff, rode up the bluff. Beaching A LAST EFFORT. 107 Savannah, and finding Grant gone, while inces- sant explosions of artillery shook the shore, he knew a terrific battle was raging, and leaving the division he was accompanying to follow on, hur- ried forward alone. The sight that met his gaze as he landed, astonished him. The banks were black with fugitives, who crowded down to the water's edge for safety. His first impression was that Grant's army was gone beyond recovery unless it could be placed across the river, and wait till his own could come up, and he asked, "What provisions have you made for a retreat ? " Grant replied, " I don't despair of whipping them yet." Buell now sent off officer after officer, to hurry up the tired columns. In the mean time, the battle raged with increased ferocity; while still back toward the river, yet still facing the foe, slowly re- tired the diminished columns. Although Johnson had fallen, he was succeeded by Beauregard, who saw that but one more success was necessary to drive our army into the Tennessee carry the ravine that covered Sherman's left, and thus in fact the landing itself. This done, and the battle would be over. Grant, too, saw this, and put forth a last desperate effort to prevent it. The gunboats Tyler and Lexington could now join in the fight, and their ponderous shells went screaming up this ravine, bursting with the sound of thunder amid the astonished enemy, and his frantic attempts to 108 LIFE OF GRANT. clear the ravine were without avail In the mean time, Nelson's division had crossed and formed in line of battle, and poured in a volley. The enemy, exhausted by the protracted struggle, and now met by new foes, sullenly retired, while the shad- ows of evening stole over the landscape. Soon, darkness wrapped the two armies, that sank to rest on the torn and trampled field. Grant now felt the heavy burden, that had in- creased with every revolving hour, lift from his heart. It was evident that nothing more could be done till morning ; and by that time he would have forty thousand fresh troops in the field, while his adversary could bring none. That morning, he determined, should witness a terrible retribu- tion for the disaster of the day just ended. Troops that had marched all day were now, without rest, crossed over, and every preparation made to recommence the struggle at daylight. Stretching far back in the gloom lay the battle field, covered with the dead and dying, uncared- for alone with the night. To make it still more appalling, a heavy storm arose, while ever and anon the inky clouds were ribbed with blazing shells that the gunboats sent at short intervals within the enemy's lines. These, at length, set the woods on fire, that, flashing up here and there, cast a baleful light on the murky landscape. The rain fell in torrents, the only messenger of mercy A GLOOMY NIGHT. 109 to the wounded, burning with thirst, that covered the ensanguined field. Grant, with his^^/bng nature fully aroused 1 could not thi^ gr t rest, but amid the driving storm passed from division to division, visiting each commander in turn, and leaving specific orders for the attack, which he had determined should com- mence with the Corning light His directions were, at daybreak to commence with a heavy skirmish line, and then, leaving no reserve, ad- vance with the entire force and sweep the field. At length all his arrangements were completed, and near midnight he rode slowly back to the landing, and dismounting, stretched himself on the ground, and with his head resting on a stump, composed himself to sleep. The pitiless rain beat on him, drenching him to the skin, but he only thought of the coming victory. He sought no shelter, but slept as his brave troops slept, un- covered to the storm. The battle recommenced at daylight, and al- though wearied out with the struggle of the day before, and outnumbered more than two to one, the enemy fought bravely, and stubbornly con- tested every inch of ground. Reluctant to give up the victory that had been almost within their reach, they slowly, sullenly retired over the field they had won. But the success on our side was as steady as it had been on that of the other the 110 LIFE OF GRANT. day before. Our camps were soon once more in our possession, and the disciplined battalions of Buell pushed the enemy back until he was at last forced to retreat to Cormfn^^yiiig Brecken ridge, with his division, as a rear giS&d. Colonel Badeau relates the following incident, which is new. He says: " Near the close of the day, Grant met the First Ohio regiment marching towards the northern part of the field, and immediately in front of a position which it was important to take at that particular juncture ; another regiment to the left was fighting hard, but about to yield had, in fact, given way. Grant saw the emergency, and instantly halted the passing force on the brow of a hill, the enemy lying in a wood at its base ; he changed the direction of the First Ohio, and himself or- dered it to charge, in support of the yielding bat> talion. The men recognized their leader, and obeyed with enthusiasm, and Grant rode along with them in the line of battle, as much exposed as any private in the ranks. The retreating troops on the left took courage at this sight ; they stopped their backward movement, closed up their wavering ranks with cheers, and the two regiments swept the enemy at once from the cov- eted spot, thus capturing one of the last important positions in the battle of Shiloh." Grant, who never seems to know fatigue, wished RESULT OF THE BATTLE. Ill to press the retreating rebels still further, but his own troops were too much exhausted, while McCook and Crittenden, whom he appealed to, re- plied that their soldiers had marched all the day before, and been on the move a great part of the night, and now having fought all day were in no condition to pursue, especially as the rain was fall- ing in torrents, making the fields very heavy; and so he had reluctantly to abandon his purpose, and turn his entire attention to the care of the wounded, of which there were over eight thousand of his own, besides those which the enemy had left behind in their retreat. His total loss was twelve thousand two hundred and seventeen. That of the enemy nearly 11,000. The next day Beauregard, under a flag of truce, sent the following communication to Grant : HE ADQUAKTEliS, AfiMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, ) M PITTSBUBG, April 9, 1862. J General G. T. BEATJREGARD, commanding Confederate Army of the Mississippi, Monterey, Tenn. : GENERAL : Your despatch of yesterday just received- Owing to the warmth of the weather, I deemed it ad- visable to have all the dead of both parties buried im- mediately. Heavy details were made for this purpose, and it is now accomplished. There cannot therefore be any necessity of admitting within our lines the parties you desire to send on the grounds asked. I shall al- ways be glad to extend any courtesy consistent with duty, especially so when dictated by humanity. I am, General, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, U. S. GKAJTT, Major-GeneraL Much has been written about this battle, and of a very contradictory character. It will be read- ily seen by the above account, that Grant can hi no way be held responsible for the location of the army on the east side of the river, for which he BAD MANAGEMENT. 113 was so severely blamed. It is true, he became responsible for its remaining in that dangerous position, but it must be remembered that its re- moval would be an implied censure, both on his friend Smith, whom he had superseded, (an old soldier, and his commandant at West Point,) and also on his superior, Halleck, who had made no objection to this disposition of the army. Under these circumstances, we do not see how he could well have done differently; besides, neither he nor Sherman expected an attack before the arrival of BuelL There was a grave error com- mitted by the commanders in front, in not throw- ing up works, and constructing abatis from the trees, of which there was abundance on the spot. Had this been done, the disasters of that day would, hi all human probability, have been averted. It is useless to attempt to explain away or excuse this neglect. The attempt to prove that the battle might have been renewed the next day, with any prospect of success, but for the arrival of Buell, is simply absurd; for, with a fresh army of forty thousand men, we only re- gained the field, nothing more. All the great military names, and all the military science in the country, can never make such an assertion an historic fact. Desaix did not save Napoleon at Marengo, more than Buell did Grant at Shilok 114 LIFE OF GRANT. The outcry raised against Grant, for being, as it was asserted, surprised and so severely beaten the first day, was great. West, it was terrific. Congressmen and Governors demanded his remo- val ; and it seemed, for a time, as if he would be swept away by the flood of denunciations. All sorts of charges were preferred against him. The more absurd they were, the more they were believed. Grant, however, had one friend in Mr. Wash- burn, the Member of Congress from Illinois, who defended him in a noble speech. Afterwards, when Grant had reached the pin- nacle of fame, his Mends went just as far in the other extreme, and asserted, and tried to prove that, in the first place, it was a capital plan to have the Tennessee river divide the forces ; equal- ly good tactics not to throw up breastworks. In the third place, there was no surprise, although officers were at breakfast when the onset came ; and in the last place, that, although BuelFs ar- rival was very opportune, it was not of vital con- sequence. The effort to make a man just as perfect and infallible in judgment, at the outset of his career, as he was after years of actual experience, may show kindly feelings, but not common sense. Grant was not like so many of the ignorant, con- edited coxcombs who had charge of our troops, &nl COMMON SENSE. 115 believed they possessed all needed military knowL edge, before they ever set a division in the field. Like all great men, he could rise to the circum- stances in which he was placed, but would not pretend he never made a mistake. CHAPTER VIL CORINTH, IUKA, AND VICKSBIJBa flalleck takes Chief Ooramand Again disgraces Grant Uncom- plaining Conduct of the latter Abused by Correspondents of the Press His calm Reply to one His quiet, dignified Behavior Offers Halleck Good Advice Insulted for it Hia Sharp Retort Evacuation of Corinth An Excellent Illus- tration of Halleck's Strategy Halleck called to Washing- ton Last Attempt to disgrace Grant The latter makes Corinth his Headquarters Order respecting Fugitive Slave* Severe Order to the People of Memphis Receives a threat- ening Letter Battle of luka Of Corinth Sends Sherman to Attempt the Capture of Vicksburg Causes of his Failure Plans his great Expedition against the Stronghold. HALLECK shared in the hostile feeling against Grant, and though he did not remove him from the head of his troops, he himself repaired to the field and took chief command, and, in reorgani- zing the army, gave the latter a position which was regarded by all the officers as one of disgrace. He was nominally second in command ; but the army was divided into three corps, commanded by Thomas, Pope, and Buell, with the reserve under McClernand, while Grant's Army of the Tennessee was distributed between the right wing and the reserve, thus actually placing him under Thomas and McClernand. Though these com- manders were Grant's subordinates, yet Halleck NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENTS. 117 ignored him in issuing his orders, and even moved his troops without his knowledge. Nothing could be more painful than this position, yet he bore it without a murmur, quietly doing his duty, and leaving it for time, that "sets all things even," to vindicate him. The camp was crowded with newspaper cor- respondents, who, having nothing else to do, criti- cised or praised the various commanders according to their own inclinations. Grant came in for the most unsparing abuse, yet he uttered no com- plaint, made no defence. Once, and once only, he broke the uninterrupted silence which he seemed determined to maintain. One of the cor- respondents had denounced him with most unjust severity. The article came under Grant's eye, and while smarting under its false, unscrupulous aspersions of his character, he met the writer. Instead, however, of denouncing him as he de- served, he simply said, "Your paper is very unjust to me, but time will make it all right I want to be judged only by my acts. 11 Says another correspondent, " When the army began to creep forward, I messed at Grant's head- quarters with his chief of staff, and around the evening camp-fires I saw much of the general. He rarely uttered a word upon the political bear- ings of the war; indeed, he said little upon any subject. With his eternal cigar, and his head 118 LIFE OF GRANT. thrown to one side, for hours he would silently sit before the fire, or walk back and forth with eyes upon the ground, or look at our whist-table, now and then making a suggestion about the play, &c., &c. At almost every general headquarters one heard denunciations of rival commanders. Grant was above this 4 mischievous, foul sin of chiding. 1 I never heard him speak unkindly of a brother officer." When Halleck had completed his preparations, he began to advance toward Corinth. If Grant had not used the spade and shovel enough, the former now made up for it, and seemed deter- mined to dig his way into Corinth. If he had staid away and left Grant in chief command, the latter would have been in the place before he got half way there. Grant never would have been six weeks advancing fifteen miles, as Halleck was. He, however, made no suggestion, offered no ad- vice, for he was not consulted. Once, and once only, he broke his uniform silence, and that was when the army finally got before the place. Being at headquarters when the probability of the enemy evacuating it was under consideration, his anxiety overcame his long reticence, and he advised that an assault should be made by our extreme right) in front of which he said he believed the enemy's defences to be weak ; and when they were carried, to swing up the left and sweep the field, Hal- HALLECK'S VICTORY. 119 leek, in his pompous way, ridiculed the sugges- tion, and politely intimated that it would be time for him to give his opinion when it was asked. This was more than Grant could patiently endure, and he replied so sharply and sarcastically, that he expected to be called to account for it, but the result so demonstrated the justice of his opinions, that Halleck was quite willing to let it pass unno- ticed. At last, on the 30th of May, Halleck declared that the enemy was about to attack, and drew up his army of seventy thousand men, and planted his batteries, to await the coming shock. But it never came, and when the army finally advanced, nothing but an empty town and wooden guns were found to capture. Beauregard had not only got off with his army, but with all his war material in fact, every thing he wanted to carry away. Blank faces looked on each other as the tidings travelled down the line, while a faint smile lighted up the countenance of Grant, at this illustration of Hal- leek's grand strategy. He saw as clearly as any one the importance of seizing great strategic points, but he knew that the mere occupation of points in such a vast and diversified country as ours, would never end the war. Armies must be taken, as well as places. He was too slow once (at Fort Henry), but ever after he captured men as well as strategic points. With Fort Donelson, 120 LIFE OF GRANT. Vicksburg, and Richmond, he took whole ar- mies. When the mighty host of Halleck entered the deserted works of Corinth, Grant rode over to the defences opposite our right to see if they were as weak as he had imagined. Actual observation proved the correctness of his judgment, a.nd he saw, with mortification, what a splendid victory had in all probability been lost to the Union cause. After a pursuit of the enemy, which proved barren of results, Halleck broke up his army to secure some more strategic points, and finally, in July, was called to Washington, to take the place of McClellan, where he only repeated over again the blunders he had committed West. His last act, before leaving, was to offer the command of the Army of the Tennessee to Col. Al- len, a quartermaster, who had the good sense to decline it. It was a fitting culmination to his career West, that his last act should be an attempt to further disgrace the only commander who had shed lustre on his administration, and won victories, the honor of which he was not averse to share. Grant, however, retained his command, and was directed to make Corinth his headquarters. But he was unable to initiate any movements against the enemy, for two divisions of his army were taken from him and given to Buell, who was , A SEVERE ORDER. 121 endeavoring to advance to Chattanooga. Ilia chief occupation was to hold the railroad running north from that place and Bolivar, to Columbus a kind of campaigning not at all suited to one of his aggressive nature. He was more fitted to open communications, than to protect those which others had opened. He remained here, however, two months, watching Van Dorn and Price, who constantly hovered around him. While here, he issued an order, directing that fugitive slaves, coming within his lines, should be employed in the quartermaster's, subsistence, and engineer's departments also, when by such em- ployment a soldier might be saved to the ranks of the army as teamsters, cooks, hospital attendants, and nurses. Memphis having fallen before our gunboats, came also within his jurisdiction, and caused him no little trouble. The inhabitants, though con- quered, continued their treasonable practices, and kept up a constant communication and traffic with the enemy South. Ascertaining this, and finding that his leniency only provoked more daring acts of hostility, he at length issued the following severe order : DISTBIOT OF WEST TENNESSEE, OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL GEN'L, ) MEMPHIS, TENN., July 10, 1862. \ The constant communication between the so-called Confederate army and their friends and sympathizers in the city of Memphis, despite the orders heretofore issued, 122 LIFE OF GRAHT. and the efforts to enforce them, induced the issuing of the following order : The families now residing in the city of Memphis of the following persons, are required to move south be- yond the lines within five days of the date hereof : First. All persons holding commissions in the so -called Confederate army, or who have voluntarily enlisted in said army, or who accompany and are connected with the same. Second. All persons holding office under or in the employ of the so-called Confederate Government. Thvrd. All persons holding State, county, or munici- pal offices, who claim allegiance to said so-called Con- federate Government, and who have abandoned their families and gone South. Safe conduct will be given to the parties hereby required to leave, upon application to the Provost- Marshal of Memphis. By command of Major-General GBAJ*T. DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE, OFFICE OF THE PROVOST- ( 14AE8HAL GENERAL, MEMPHIS, TENN., July 11, 1862. { ****** In order that innocent, peaceable, and well-disposed persons may not suffer for the bad conduct of the guilty parties coming within the purview of Special Order !No. 14, dated July 10, 1862, they can be relieved from the operation of said order No. 14, by signing the following parole, and producing to the Provost-Marshal General, or the Provost-Marshal of Memphis, satisfactory guaran- tees that they will keep the pledge therein made : PABOLB. u Fi/rst. I have not, since the occupation of the city of Memphis by the Federal army, given any aid to the so-called Confederate army, nor given or sent any information of the movements, strength, or position of the Federal army to any one connected with said Con federate army. . A THEEATENING LETTER. 123 " Second. I will not, during the occupancy of Mem- phis by the Federal army, and my residing therein, op- pose or conspire against the civil or military authority of the United States ; and I will not give aid, comfort, or encouragement to the so-called Confederate army, nor to any person cooperating therewith. " All of which I state and pledge upon my sacred honor." By command of Major-General GRANT. WILLIAM S. HILLYER, Provost-Marshal General. He also suspended the Avalanche paper for pub- lishing treasonable articles, and finally permitted it to appear again, only on the condition of the withdrawal of the editor who had written them. His stern treatment of hostile citizens awakened the bitterest feeling against him, and he received threats of vengeance, of which the following let- ter is a fair example: SOTATOBIA, July 16, 1862. U. S. GKAIJT: SIR : We have seen your infamous and fiendish proc- lamation. It is characteristic of your infernal policy. * * We had hoped that this war would be conducted upon the principles recognized by civilized nations. But you have .seen fit to ignore all the rules of civilized warfare, and resort to means which ought to and would make half-civilized nations blush. If you attempt to carry out your threat against the property of citizens, we will make you rue the day you issued your dastardly proclamation. If we can't act on the principle of lex talionis, in regard to private property, we will visit summary vengeance upon your men. You call us gueril- las, which you know is false. We are recognized by our Government ; and it was us who attacked your wagons at Moaning Sun. We have twenty-three men 124 LIFE OF GRAFT. of yours, and, as soon as you carry out your threat against the citizens of the vicinity of Morning Sun, your Hessians will pay for it. You shall conduct this war upon proper principles. "We intend to force you to do it. If you intend to make this .a war of extermination, you will please inform us of it at the earliest conve- nience. We are ready, and more than willing, to raise the " black flag." There are two thousand partisans who have swOrn to retaliate. If you do not retract your proclamation, you may expect to have scenes of the most bloody character. We all remember the man- ner in which your vandal soldiers put to death Mr. Owens, of Missouri. Henceforth our motto shall be, Blood for blood, and blood for property. We intend, by the help of God, to hang on the outskirts of your rabble, like lightning around the edge of a cloud. We don't intend this as a threat, but simply as a warning of what we intend to do in case you pursue your disgraceful and nefarious policy towards our citi- zens, as marked out in your letter of recent date. Hespectfully, GEO. E. MEEEITT. Grant fortified Corinth, and erected works near- er the town, so that it could be held by a smaller anny than the one which occupied it under Beau- regard. The enemy in the meantime kept him con- stantly on the alert, and finally, in September, Price suddenly pounced upon luka, only twenty miles from his headquarters. Murphy, the com- mander, gave it up without striking a blow in its defence. Added to this threatening movement, Van Dorn was only four days 1 march from him in the southwest. He at once determined to . BATTLE OP CORINTH. 125 crush Price before Van Dorn could form a junc- tion with him. Generals Ord and Hosecrans, with eight or nine thousand troops each, were therefore ordered to move by different routes on the place. Rosecrans had a sharp fight with the enemy, but owing to delays and misunderstandings the two forces did not act in conjunction, as Grant had planned and directed, and Price got off with his army. Grant now put Rosecrans in command of Cor- inth, making Jackson his own headquarters, as a point more convenient to communicate with his distributed command. This was on the 23d of September. A few days after, he learned that the rebel forces had effected a junction, and under Van Dorn and Price, were moving on Corinth. On the 3d of October they appeared before the place, and though at first Hosecrans was driven back to his works on the north side of Corinth, he at last, with his army of nineteen thousand, over- whelmed and shattered into fragments the rebel forces, nearly forty thousand strong thanks to v the strong fortifications that Grant, with great forecast, had previously thrown up there. His department being thus relieved from immediate danger, and reinforcements arriving in the latter part of the month, he was anxious to take the of- fensive, and proposed to Halleck to attempt the capture of Vicksburg. The gunboats above, had 126 LIFE OP GRANT. opened the Mississippi river down to this place, while Farragut's fleet had cleared it below. Be- tween Halleck, however, who seemed to have no fixed opinion, and political management at Wash- ington, affairs did not move on smoothly, and for a while seemed in an inextricable tangle. But at length they assumed shape, and Sherman with four picked divisions was ordered to embark on board steamers, and planting himself suddenly before Vicksburg carry it by assault, while Grant moved inland, in the rear of it, to prevent reinforce- ments being thrown into the place. Sherman set out on the 20th of December, landed his troops, and moved to the assault. But in the meantime the shameful surrender of Holly Springs, eight miles in Grant's rear, with its garrison and stores, by which his only line of communication with the north was cut off, brought him to halt, and thus enabled the enemy to reinforce Vicksburg to any extent. Sherman, ignorant of this, hurled his brave troops against the works ; but found instead of a weak garrison a powerful army to oppose him. Repulsed with heavy slaughter, he was compelled to reembark his army. McClernand supersed- ed him, when the army and fleet moved against Arkansas Post, on the Arkansas river, and took it with its garrison, stores and arms. The grand expedition against Vicksburg was PREPARATIONS. 127 now planned, and Grant's department being en- larged so as to cover the Mississippi river to this place, he concentrated his army, and gather- ed together his munitions of war, preparatory to the herculean task which he knew was before him. He arrived at Young's Point on the 29th of January, and assumed command in person. CHAPTER VIIL ABOVE VICKSBURG. Situation of Vicksburg Difficulty of reaching it Attempt to gel below it by a Canal Sickliness of the Oamp Visit of one of the Sanitary Commission Aided by Grant His Solicitude for the Comfort of the Soldiers A Flood Failure of the Canal The Red River Route Abandoned Attempt on the east Side of the River, by Moon Lake Narrative of the Expedition sent through it Its Abandonment A Fourth Attempt by Steele's Bayou- Its Difficulties Porter's Account of it Its Abandon- ment. GRANT now had a well-appointed army of some fifty thousand men under him, but the grand difficulty was, to get them within striking distance of Vicksburg. The Mississippi is a very crooked stream, winding in and out, often turning almost directly back and flowing northerly in its course. Just above Vicksburg it wheels short about to the left, and runs nortli-esist, for some five miles, when it abruptly turns back and flows sout/i-e&st. This of course makes a long tongue of land, pro- jecting from the west side, corresponding in shape with the bend of the stream. This projection is low, compared with the high bluffs of Vicksburg, so that batteries mounted on it would be perfectly commanded by those occupying the high ground THE CANAL. 129 opposite. Hence, the place was safe from any attack that could be made from the west side of the river. It must be approached on the west side, or not at all Its height rendered it impregnable to the gunboats, that could effectively reach only the water batteries. It therefore was evident that it could be assailed only by moving an army down from the north, or up from the south, and thus get in its rear. But north of Vicksburg, the high bluffs run northeast for twelve miles, to the Yazoo River, where they terminate in the commanding eminence called Haines' Bluff. This whole elevated range was strongly fortified. Haines' Bluff, if once taken, would give a foothold from which an army could work its way along the ridge to Vicksburg. Hence, its seizure was the first thing thought of and attempted, but Sherman's failure demonstra- ted that this must be given up. The only remain- ing course left, therefore, was to try to get south of the city, and move up behind it from that direction ; but as guns of the heaviest calibre commanded the channel for miles, the army could not be carried in transports past it. Hence, the first thing that suggested itself in this dilemma, was to cut a canal across this low tongue of land, wide and deep enough to float steamers through. The country here was flat and swampy, which made it seem feasible. This had been commenced some time previously, but it was neither wide nor a* 130 LIFE OF GRANT. deep enough to admit the water from the Mis- sissippi, and had been abandoned. To the open- ing and enlargement of it Grant's attention was first directed, in accordance with orders from Hal- leek, who said that " the President attached much importance" to it. Four thousand soldiers, be- sides negroes, were at once set to work. In the mean time, the lowj marshy ground on which the troops were compelled to encamp, produced dis- ease, which swept off, or rendered unfit for duty, a great number. They could not even bury their dead in the neighborhood of their encampment. The levee, a high embankment of the Mississippi, that separated them from the stream, furnished the only dry ground, and this was ridged, as far as the eye could reach, with soldiers 1 graves a sad and gloomy spectacle to their comrades below, who thus saw themselves hedged in by the dead. Every thing, however, was done for the health and comfort of the men that foresight and care could accomplish. A lady,* sent by the Sanitary Com- mission, visited the camp and hospitals at Young's Point, to see if any thing more could be done. She obtained an interview with Grant, who spoke freely of the sanitary condition of the army, and said he had perfect confidence in its administra- tion, but added that he wanted every thing done for the comfort of the men, that could be, and * Mrs. A. H. Hoge, author of " The Boys in Blue." CARE FOR THE SOLDIERS. 131 offered her every facility in his power to enable her to carry out her benevolent designs. Look- ing at every thing in a practical, common-sense light, he did not care whether the good was done through the regular military organiza- tions or not, so that the troops were made more comfortable. She told him she would like some cotton, to make "comfortables" for the soldiers, to keep them warm in the damp, chilly atmosphere to which they were exposed. He immediately sat down and wrote an order for five bales. A tug was placed at her disposal, and she was carried wherever she wished to go. After finishing her investigations, she returned to Grant to make her report to him. Among other things, she said she had discovered that incipient scurvy had com- menced in the hospitals at Young's Point, and threatened, according to the reports of the sur- geons submitted to her, to become wide and sweeping in its ravages, and that it could be arrested only by a free supply of vegetables and acids. Grant immediately gave an order for the transportation of any needed amount of vegetables from the North ; saying, quietly, that, under the circumstances, "onions and potatoes were indispensable to the taking of Vicksburg." When about to leave, she said: "Well, Gen- eral, what of Vicksburg ? What shall I say when I return?" He paused a moment, in thought, 132 LIFE OF GRANT. and then replied: "Madame, Vicksburg is curs and its garrison our prisoners. It is only a ques- tion of time. I want to take it with as little loss of life as possible." This confident opinion was not based on any strong faith in the success of the canal, for he always doubted it. It was originally constructed by Gen. Williams, in 1862, but when the levee was cut, the water did not pour through it. Grant had, therefore, a cut made farther up the river, tapping the original canal, but starting at a point where the current struck the bank more strongly and directly. For two months the sol- diers toiled on to complete it, while the country waited and grumbled. But just as success seemed probable, and this branch cut had almost reached the main canal, a sudden freshet carried away the dam at the upper end, and the swollen waters rush- ing in with great violence, tore over and through the banks, crushing down all barriers in its mad flow, and turning the whole peninsula into a marshy lake. Horses were swept away, and drowned soldiers scattered, pell mell, in every direction, to save their lives leaving all their tools and machines to be borne away or submerged in the flood, and thus the labor of weeks was totally destroyed. In the mean time, the enemy, having learned what was going on, planted batteries to en- filade the canal, so that this project, on the comple- tion of which so much had been anticipated, had to A NEW PLAN. 133 be abandoned. Grant had put so little faith in the success of this canal that, the very next day after he assumed command in person, he gave orders to have another one cut from the Mississippi to Lake Providence, which lay only a mile from the shore, and connecting by a series of bayous and streams with the Red River, which last stream enters the Mississippi between Natchez and Port Hudson. This was to enable him, in case the first canal failed, to cooperate with Banks an object that the government had very much at heart. McPherson was set to work on this, but after seve- ral weeks' labor, it also was abandoned. For a time, it was supposed by some men of ardent imagina- tions, that it was going to change the whole course of the mighty Mississippi, clear to the Gulf of Mexico, and thus leave New Orleans an inland town. But its turbid current swept on in its old channel, and Grant was at last compelled to abandon all hope of getting below Vicksburg on the west side of the river. It shows how thoroughly he had studied the subject, and estimated the difficulties of the task, by his having several different routes surveyed at the same time, so that if one failed there should be no delay in trying another. Besides the two plans which had now been tried and abandoned, a third one, before they were tested, had been matured. If he failed on the west side, he determined to try the east side, and 134 LIFE OF GRANT. for this purpose, had what was called the Yazoo Pass surveyed by Lieut. -Col. Wilson. A few miles below Helena, and about a mile from the river, lies Moon Lake, once the bed of the Mississippi. A narrow and crooked bayou for- merly led into this, through which light craft sometimes reached the Yazoo for Moon Lake connects with the Cold water river, which flows into the Tallahatchie, which, in turn, effects a junction with the Yallabusha the two forming the Yazoo. The distance by this route was some two hun- dred and fifty miles. The short cut, however, from the Mississippi into Moon Lake, had been closed up by the State, as, in times of freshets, the water poured through it in such volume that it overflowed the surrounding country. The levee that shut it up was cut on the 2d of February, and the water rushed through into the lake,* cutting a channel in two days, wide and deep enough to admit the largest steamers. The rebels, however, who were on the watch for this very movement, now began to barricade the tortuous channel beyond, with trees and rafts, at every avail- able point. In one place, this tangled net- work * The plan and main direction of this route may be understood by referring to the map giving that of Steele's bayou. Both routes would take the army into the Yazoo above Haines' Bluff. The only difference was this one begun up the Mississippi struck down farther east, and reached the Yazoo higher up than the last one undertaken. YICKSUD&G. * J yOW- OFM/LES. A DIFFICULT ENTERPRISE. 135 of logs and trees extended over a mile in solid mass. Many of the trees were of gigantic size weigh- ing twenty tons or more, which, according to Co). Badeau's account, " had to be hauled out entire upon the shore by strong cables, while a few of the most buoyant were cut in pieces and fastened along the banks." To add to the difficulties, the rapid rise of the water, from the crevasse at the en- trance, submerged the entire country, except along a very narrow strip of land near the shore. The men, in parties of about five hundred, were thus obliged to work in the water, as well as during almost incessant rains. The barriers, however, being removed, and a heavy growth of overhang- ing timber cut away, the distance from Moon Lake to the Coldwater was finally cleared. But, while Grant's forces were thus diligently engaged in opening one end of the pass, the enemy had gam- ed time to securely fortify below. On the 15th of February, however, a way was open to the Tallahatchie, and Brigadier-General Ross, with forty-five hundred men, was ordered into the pass. He embarked on twenty-two light transports, preceded by two iron-clad gunboats, and a mosquito fleet, as the light- armored craft suitable for this navigation was called. Lieuten- ant-Commander Watson Smith commanded the naval force. The difficulty of procuring light transports delayed Ross over a week, but the com- 136 LIFE OF GRANT. bined fleet entered the pass on the 24th of FeT> raary, and reached the Cold water, twenty-five niiles from the Mississippi, on the 2d of March. The Coldwater is over a hundred feet wide, and runs through a dense wilderness, for nearly all its course. The Tallahatchie is a stream of similar nature, and, from its width and depth, no longer susceptible of obstruction by the enemy. Thirty miles below the mouth of the Coldwater, the Tal- lahatchie affords free navigation for boats two hundred and fifty feet long. When once the ex- pedition reached these rivers, a great part of its difficulties would, it was hoped, be past. The naval commander moved cautiously, running but little faster than the current by daylight, and ty- ing his boats to the shore after nightfall, so that the expedition did not reach the lower Tallahatchie till the 10th of March. This long passage of two hundred and fifty miles, through an almost un- broken forest, was made without the loss of a man. The country being overflowed, the river- banks could not be approached in any force by guerillas or sharpshooters. Wilson now reported the practicability of the route as a line of important military operations, and Grant determined to prosecute his entire campaign, if possible, in this direction. The idea was to reach the Yazoo river, above Haines' bluff, with the whole army; the distance from Milli- UNLOOKED-FOR OBSTRUCTIONS. 137 ken's Bend would have been nearly nine hundred miles. At first, only a single division of troops, under Brigadier-General Quimby, was sent to the support of Ross ; but, shortly afterwards, McPher- son, with his whole corps, and an additional divis- ion from Hurlbufs command (at Memphis), was ordered into the pass, whenever suitable trans- portation could be procured. Great difficulty, however, was found in obtaining light-draught steamers fit for the navigation of these narrow and devious streams ; and the reinforcements were, in consequence, delayed at Helena. Near where the waters of the Tallahatchie meet those of the Yallabusha, the small town of Green- wood is built ; a little way above this point, the former stream sweeps to the east for eight or ten miles, and then doubles at the confluence ; while the Yazoo, which is formed by the junction, flows back again to within five hundred yards of the Tallahatchie. At the narrowest part of the neck of land thus created, the rebels had hastily con- structed, of earth and cotton bales, a line of para- pet running irregularly across from the Talla- hatchie to the north bank of the Yazoo. This work they called fort " Pemberton." This fort commanded all the approaches to the Yazoo and the Yazoo itself, while it was built on ground so low that in front of it the land was covered with water for a great distance, thus making a land at- LE OF GRANT. tack impossible. Resort was therefore had to the iron-clads, that had worked their difficult way to this point. An attack was made by them, at long range, on the llth of March, without any effect, and it was repeated two days after, with the same result, while one vessel was crippled by the guns of the fort, and some thirty men killed and wound- ed. It was plain that some new mode of attack must be devised. The fort was on such low ground that a rise of two or three feet in the river, it was thought, would drown out the garrison, and it was resolved to try to effect it. For this purpose, the levee of the Mississippi was cut eighteen miles above Helena three hundred miles away in the hope that the water pouring through the country would eventually seek the Coldwater as an avenue of escape, and produce the needed rise of water. The only result, however, was the wide-spread inundation of the country, making it a vast lake and marsh. This route was plainly impracticable, while to make matters worse, the enemy began to hurry troops across the country by a shorter route, to hem in the boats and troops from behind. In this dilemma, for the double purpose of making a diversion in favor of Hoss, the commander, and of reaching the same point aimed at (the Yazoo above Haines 1 Bluff), an- other expedition up Steele's Bayou was started, This left the Yazoo below Haines 1 Bluff, and pass- A LAST ATTEMPT. 139 ing through Steele's Bayou into Black Bayou, thence to Deer Creek through Rolling Fork, across to the Sunflower, and adown this to the Yazoo again. This strange and tortuous route is clearly shown in the accompanying map. The expedition was under the command of Admiral Porter, to be supported by Sherman, who by a short cut across the country was to reach a point on the Rolling Fork about the same time that he did. Such inland navigation was never before at- tempted by war vessels. The expedition consisted of four gunboats, four mortar-boats, and four tugs. For thirty miles the little fleet passed up Steele's Bayou, then a mere ditch, to Black Bayou, in which, for four miles, the trees had to be torn out or pushed over by the iron-clads, or the branches cut away, when Porter at last reached Deer Creek. It took twenty-four hours to make these four miles. Some idea of the difficulties of the route may be obtained, when it is remembered that, with the utmost exertion of the crews, the vessels for twenty-four consecutive hours averaged a speed of only about fifty rods an hour. Up this stream to Rolling Fork it was thirty-two miles. To the same point by land, it was twelve miles, over which Sherman marched, in order to cooperate with him. The channel was narrow and filled with small willows, which so retarded the progress 140 LIFE OF GKAOT. of the boats that, with his utmost exertions, Por ter could average only about a half a mile an hour, At length he got within seven miles of the Boll- ing Fork, from whence there would be water enough to the Yazoo. The inhabitants were filled with amazement to see a war fleet sailing through the heart of a country where a vessel of any kind had never be- fore been seen, while the negroes flocked in crowds to the shore to gaze on the unwonted spectacle. But as soon as the Confederate official in that section was informed of the expedition, he ga,ve the alarm, and ordered the torch to be applied to all the cotton along the shore, and Porter was lighted on his strange course by a continuous con- flagration. Negroes were also set to work cutting down trees to arrest his progress, until troops and guns could be brought up. Porter, made aware of the movement, pushed on the tug Thistle, with a how- itzer on board, which reached the first tree before it was cut down. The tug then kept on, to keep the way open, but the enemy at length succeeded in getting one large tree across the creek, and thus for a time stopped all further progress. Being now safe from our guns, the negroes, under the orders of their masters, continued to chop down trees, until it was thought that Porter could make no farther advance. He, however, by working HARD NAVIGATION. 141 night and day, chopping and sawing them in two, :>r hauling them one side, at length cleared the channel, and pushed on until he got within three miles of the Rolling Fork. Here he saw smoke rising over the tree-tops in the direction of the Yazoo, and learned that the enemy was landing troops to dispute his passage. He immediately sent Lieutenant Murphy, with two boat howitzers and three hundred men, to hold Rolling Fork until he could reach it with his boats. "After working all night," says Porter, "and clearing out the obstructions, which were terrible, we succeeded in getting within eight hundred yards of the end of this troublesome creek ; had only two or three large trees to remove, and one appar- ently short and easy lane of willows to work through. The men being much worn out, we rested at sunset " In the morning we commenced with renewed vigor to work ahead through the willows, but our passage was very slow ; the lithe trees defied our utmost efforts to get by them, and we had to go to work and pull them up separately, or cut them off under water, which was a most tedious job. " In the mean time, the enemy had collected and landed about eight hundred men, and seven pieces of artillery (from 20 to 30- pounders), which were firing on our field-pieces from time to time, the latter not having range enough to reach them. 142 LIFE OF GRANT. " I was also informed that the enemy were cut- ting down trees in our rear, to prevent communi- cation by water, and also prevent our escape ; this looked unpleasant. I knew that five thousand had embarked at Haines' Bluff for this place, immediately they heard we were attempting to go through that way, and, as our troops had not come up, I considered it unwise to risk the least thing ; at all events, never to let my communi- cation be closed behind me. I was somewhat strengthened in my determination to advance no further until reinforced by land forces, when the enemy, at sunset, opened on us a cross-fire with six or seven rifled guns, planted somewhere off in the woods, where we could see nothing tut the smoke. It did not take us long to dislodge them, though, a large part of the crew being on shore at the time, we could not fire over them, or until they got on board. I saw at once the difficulties we had to encounter, with a constant fire on our working parties, and no prospect at present of the troops getting along. I had received a letter from General Sherman, informing me of the difficulties in getting forward his men ; he doing his utmost, I knew, to expedite matters. " The news of the felling trees in our rear was brought in frequently by negroes, who were press- ed into the service for cutting them, and I hesi- tated no longer about what to do. We dropped POUTER'S ACCOUNT. 143 down again, unshipped our rudders, and let the vessels rebound from tree to tree. As we left, the enemy took possession of the Indian mound, and in the morning opened fire on the Carondelet, Lieu- tenant Murphy, and Cincinnati, Lieutenant Baehe. These two ships soon silenced the batteries, and we were no longer annoyed. " The sharpshooters hung about us, firing from behind trees and rifle-pits, but with due precau- tion we had very few hurt only five wounded by rifle-balls and they were hit by being imprudent "On the 21st, we fell in with Colonel Smith, commanding Eighth Missouri, and other parts of regiments. We were quite pleased to see him, as I never knew before how much the comfort and safety of iron-clads, situated as we were, depended on soldiers. I had already sent out behind a force of three hundred men, to stop the felling of trees in our rear, which Colonel Smith now took charge of. " The enemy had already felled over forty heavy trees, which Lieutenant- Commander Owen, in the Louisville, working night and day, cleared away almost fast enough to permit us to meet with no delay. " Colonel Smith's force was not large enough to justify my making another effort to get through ; he had no artillery, and would frequently have to leave the vessels in following the roads. 144 LIFE OF GRANT. " On the 22d, we came to a bend in the river where the enemy supposed they had blockaded us completely, having cut a number of trees altogeth- er, and so intertwined that it seemed impossible to move them. The Louisville was at work at them, pulling them up, when we discovered about three thousand rebels attempting to pass the edge of the woods to our rear, while the negroes reported artil- lery coming up on our quarters. " We were all ready for them, and, when the artil lery opened on us, we opened such a fire on them, that they scarcely waited to hitch up their horses. At the same time, the rebel soldiers fell in with Colonel Smith's troops, and after a sharp skirmish fled before the fire of our soldiers. After this we were troubled no more.' 1 Although Porter now met Sherman's advancing forces, he saw it would be folly to attempt to re- trace his steps, and so the expedition, after having sailed over a hundred and forty miles, right through plantations and forests, at length found itself once more at the starting-point, and the last attempt to get around Vicksburgh from the north was abandoned, and Grant at once ordered the concen- tration of all his forces at Milliken's Bend CHAPTER IX. RUNNING THE BATTEEIES. Grant resolves to run the Batteries with his Fleet Opposed by hia Officers Boldness of the Resolution Desperate Character of his Plan Attempt to remove him Cooperation with Banks The Army marches below Vicksburgh Running the Batteries A thrilling Spectacle Success Grand Gulf attacked Re- pulse Its Batteries run Landing at Bruinsburgh Energy and Activity of Grant Superintends every thing Strikes In- land Battle of Port Gibson Grant assumes Command The Victory Grand Gulf Evacuated Entered by Grant. INSTEAD of being discouraged at these repeated failures, occupying such a long time, until the pub- lic patience was well-nigh exhausted, Grant seemed to feel relieved that these unsatisfactory experiments were at last over, for he would now be justified in taking the short bold course, so much more congenial to his tastes, and in harmony with his character. The winter and spring freshets had somewhat sub- sided, so that the peninsula opposite Vicksburg might be made passable to troops, and he resolved to march his army across it to a point below, while Porter run the batteries with his iron-clads and steamers. Farragut had passed the batteries at Port Hudson, with some of his vessels, so that 146 LIFE OF GRANT. Grant was able to communicate with him respect* ing Banks, from whom he found he could expect no support. He was aware that the Government wished him to effect a junction with that officer before Port Hudson, if the latter did not join him, and it is believed by many that he resolved to do so. Except the feeble attempt to open the Red Biver route, we, however, see no evidence that he ever wished to put himself under the control of that political General. Besides, he knew that Port Hudson was only an appendage to Vicks- burg, and to combine all their forces against a mere outwork was unwise. He knew that if Vicksburg was captured, Port Hudson would fall without fighting ; but the overthrow of the lat- ter place would have no effect on the former, except to swell the forces that could be brought against it. But by the time this was accomplished, the enemy also would have concentrated forces to op- pose them, so that the relative strength of the two would remain nearly the same. Grant, therefore, with his clear perception, saw that Vicksburg was the point where the blow should be struck, and determined, if events justified it, to plant it there. Still, the objections to his contemplated movement were grave, and the difficulties formida- ble, and the responsibility and risk frightful. He knew the country was filled with clamor against him. Some of his best friends had deserted him. A BOLD RESOLUTION. 147 Governors and members of Congress visited his camp, and went away with dismal stories of his inefficiency ; and everywhere it was said, that he had only obstinacy in the presence of difficulties, without the genius to overcome them. Confidence in him was being lost, and now he proposed to take a step full of peril, not only to himself, but to the army. He was not going to risk a battle to save his reputation, but to put it and the fate of fifty thousand men on a single throw for with the army once below Vicksburg, defeat was destruction. He would have no base to fall back upon, no line of retreat left open. Victories sud- den, rapid, constant, and overwhelming, he must have, or he was lost. Resting, as he was, under a cloud, it required a character of amazing strength, under these circumstances, to venture on such a bold and hazardous course. He might well hesi- tate, even though some of his ablest officers ap- proved it. But when, as they did, one and all, oppose it, not hesitatingly and doubtfully, but de- cidedly and emphatically, it seems marvellous that he did not waver. Sherman, his best and warmest friend, and ablest general, wrote a letter to him urging him not to venture on such a move. McPherson, equally sagacious and beloved, with others, condemned it Government did not expect it no one was near by to sustain him in a course fraught with such fear- 148 LIFE OF GRANT. ful consequences. Nothing excites our admiration more for this strong, silent man, than to see him thus stand all alone enemies without, and friends within, standing aloof while he gazes thought- fully, sternly, down the fearful abyss into which he has determined to cast himself and his fifty thou- sand men. To what a sublime height must he have reached, to be so completely above all surrounding influ- ences of every kind ! How clear and penetrating the glance that could see light beyond the dark- ness that bounded the vision of all others, even the most clear-sighted. Self-poised, self-sus- tained, equal in himself alone to the great crisis he had reached, he rises before us like some grand column, resting firm on its foundation by mere weight alone. " Call a council of officers be- fore deciding on so hazardous a step," said the sagacious, true-hearted Sherman but he wanted no council his determination was unalterably taken, and nothing but positive orders from Gov- ernment could change it, and no one knows how near those orders came to be issued. The Presi- dent was beset with men, high in position, warn- ing and beseeching him to remove Grant. One, who had been a firm friend of the latter, waited on Mr. Lincoln, and after reminding him of his past friendship for Grant, said that he must now aban- don him. He evidently was not equal to the po- TRIED A LITTLE LONGEB. 149 sition that lie occupied, and the good of the coun- try required that he should be sacrificed. The President heard him through, and then, pausing thoughtfully a moment, replied : "I rather like the man. I think I'll try him a little longer" What momentous results hung on that little sen- tence! If it had been, "111 try him no longer," who can calculate the delay, discouragements, and loss of life that would have followed. Grant, however, determined that if " a little longer " time was given him, he would be beyond the reach of orders from any source, until his fate was sealed. These might follow him as fast as snow-flakes seek the earth, yet they would not overtake the tramp of his victorious battalions, if he were successful and if not, they would never find him. He took no precautions against false accusations should he fail left behind no defence to save his reputation. Silent, calm, and resolute, he gave all his atten- tion to the mighty task before him. It is true, his most intimate biographer states, that Grant did not determine at first on the bold course that he afterwards took that his object in getting below Vicksburg was to cooperate with Banks, at Port Hudson, and help reduce it, when both armies could move against Vicksburg. But we see no evidence of this in his movements, and are inclined to think the statement is made simply be- cause such was the drift of Grant's orders, and 150 LIFE OF GRANT. such the wish of Halleck and the President. In the first place, Banks was the senior of Grant, and hence, in that case, would have assumed supreme command, leaving the latter only a subordinate, and, though he would never put his mere personal ambition against the public service, he knew enough of Banks 1 military education and career, not to place much confidence in his ability to carry out such an expedition. In this his best officers sympathized with him. Besides, more than a month previous, he had said that he had discover- ed a good wagon-road across the peninsula, from Milliken's Bend to New Carthage, when the water was low, and added, " My expectation is for some of the n^val fleet to run the batteries of Vicks burg, whilst the army moves through by this new route. Once there, I will move to Warrenton or Grand Gulf, probably the latter. From either of these points, there are good roads to Jackson and the Black River bridge, without crossing Black River. I will keep my army together, and see to it that I am not cut off from my supplies, or beat in any other way than a fair fight. 1 " 1 But what had he to do with Black River or Jackson, lying nearly fifty miles directly east of Vicksburg, and nearly three times that distance northeast from the point at which he proposed to land ? To march back inland, fighting as he did for a week or more, was certainly an extraordi- HIS GBEAT PULN UNCHANGED. 151 nary way to reach Banks, at Port Hudson, nearly two hundred miles below. More than this, there was no change of circumstances whatever, after he had passed Vicksburg, to induce him to change his plan, if that was to cooperate with Banks. On the contrary, the changes that did occur were all of a character to make him carry it out ; for he was compelled to go below the point where he had calculated he could cross the Mississippi He did not anticipate the necessity of going below Grand Gulf. The point where he eventually planted his army on the east shore, was so low down as to increase the hazard of the enterprise against Vicks- burg, and took him just so far towards Banks. In proportion as he increased the distance he would have to march to get in the rear of Vicks- burg, in that same proportion did he give the enemy time to concentrate his forces against him. Hence, it is difficult to see what u circumstances " induced Grant to change his plan, if that plan was to send a corps to Port Hudson. It is true that Grant had hoped to open an inland communica- tion, by bayous, through which transports could pass, and so his route for supplies be kept open. But, by the time he had got one vessel through, low water made further navigation impracticable and he had to resort to roads and bridges. But all this took place before he started, and not after lie was below. Vicksburg. More than this, all his 152 LIFE OF GRANT. efforts on the east shore had not been merely to get below the place, but behind it, and there he evi- dently determined to plant his army. When Grant had his entire army well in hand, and had gathered from up the river all the yawls and boats he needed, he began his great decisive movement. Porter's gunboats had shown that they could pass the batteries with comparative impunity, and the former resolved to try the ex- periment of getting transports past also, while he marched his army inland down the river to meet them. It was resolved to test this matter at night, and the plan adopted was, to have the iron-clads move down and engage the batteries, while the transports, under cover of the smoke and darkness, should slip quietly by, near the western shore. It was a desperate enterprise, to which men could not legitimately be ordered, and volunteers were therefore called for. So many offered, that the necessary number had finally to be drawn by lot Grant resolved to try the experiment first with three transports. A little before midnight, the gunboats moved from their moorings and dropped silently down the river, followed by the transports. Seven iron- clads engaged the batteries, while the river steam- ers, towing the barges, attempted to run the gaunt- let of their fire for fifteen miles. It was a night of intense anxiety to Grant; for if this plan RUNNING THE BATTERIES. 153 failed, even his fertile resources could see no way of getting in the rear of Vicksburg. An hour had not elapsed after the boats disappeared in the darkness, before the thunder of artillery shook the shore, followed soon after by the flame of a confla- gration, kindled by the rebels, to light up the bo- som of the Mississippi. Under its blaze the poor transports lay revealed as distinctly as though the noon-day sun was shining, while the men on board in turn could see the soldiers hurrying through the streets of Vicksburg, and working the guns. They at once became an exposed target to the heavy bat- teries, the shells of which cut the ropes and rods supporting the chimneys of the boats, burst in the pilot-houses, and among the machinery, and fill- ed the air on every side with their flying frag- ments. Yet the little fleet steamed rapidly on, hugging the opposite shore, hoping under its shadow and the covering smoke to escape destruc- tion. Grant stood on a transport located just above the bend, and watched the movement with the deepest anxiety. He was within range of the rebel batteries, and shot and shell fell all around him. Yet he never moved, but kept his eyes on the bosom of the stream, now light as day, where his barges moved, mere dark specks on the wa- ter. "Every transport was struck, and two were drawn into the eddy, and ran over a part of the 154 LIFE OF GHAUT. distance in front of Vicksburg no less than three times. The Forest Queen was disabled by a round shot, and drifted down opposite the lower picket stations, where the gunboat Tuscumbia took her in tow, and landed her just above the cre- vasse at New Carthage. The Henry Clay also be- came disabled, and was in a sinking condition soon after coming within range of the upper batteries ; she had in tow a barge with soldiers on board, which was cast loose, and floated down the stream. Not long afterwards the boat itself took fire, from the explosion of a shell, and burned to the wa- ter's edge, drifting along with the current, a flam- ing mass. General Sherman was in a small boat, watching the bombardment, and picked up the pilot as he floated from the wreck The crew pushed off in yawls to the Louisiana side, where they landed, and hid themselves behind an old levee, during the cannonade. After it had ceased, they made their way back through the submerged swamps, to camp." " The light streamed up from the blazing hull of the Henry Clay, and threw into strong relief against the shadows of night the other transports, and the gunboats at their fiery work The cur- rents were strong, and dangerous eddies delayed the vessels ; the lights glaring in every direction, and the smoke enveloping the squadron, confused the pilots ; the bulwarks, even of the iron-clads, PAST THE BATTERIES. 155 were crushed ; and the uproar of artillery, reecho- ing from the hills, was incessant One of the heaviest guns of the enemy was seen to burst ir. the streets of Vicksburg, and the whole popula- tion was awake and out of doors, watching the scene on which its destinies depended. For two hours and forty minutes the fleets were under fire. But at last the transports and the gunboats had all got out of range, the blazing beacons on the hills and streams burned low, the array of batteries belching flame and noise from the em- battled bluffs had ceased their utterances, and silence and darkness resumed their sway over the beleaguered city, and the swamps and rivers that encircle Vicksburg." * The next night Grant sent down six more steamers towing twelve coal barges, of which all but one steamer, and half the barges, got through, though most were more or less damaged. In the mean time, McClernand, by order of Grant, had taken his corps, which had the honor to form the advance, and marched across the peninsula, driving the enemy out of Richmond, that lay in his route, while the pioneer corps, under Captain Patterson, made a bridge two hundred feet long, of the logs taken from the adjacent houses. The columns marched over, but the difficulties of the route had but just com- *CoL Badeau. 156 LIFE OF GRANT. menced. "Old roads had to be repaired, new ones made, boats constructed for the transporta- tion of men and supplies, twenty miles of levee sleeplessly guarded day and night, and every pos- sible precaution taken to prevent the rising flood from breaking through the levee and engulfing us. 11 The rebel cavalry were also hovering around, but, being at last driven across Bayou Vidal, McCler- nand, on the 4th of April, embarked in a skiff, and, accompanied by Osterhaus and his staff, rowed down to within half a mile of Carthage, on the Mississippi river. Fired upon by the enemy, the skiff was brought to a halt, but not until it was ascertained that the levee had been cut, and the water, in three currents, was pouring through, flooding all the country. Capturing a flat-boat, McClernand mounted it with two howitzers, and embarking a party, sent it down to drive the enemy out of Carthage, which they succeeded in doing. In this march, McClernand constructed nearly two thousand feet of bridging out of material created, for the most part, on the occasion com- pleting, in three days and nights, the great mili- tary road across the Peninsula, from the Missis- sippi river to a point forty miles below Vicks- burg. Grant's orders to him were to occupy Grand Gulf, expecting that the troops would be em- barked at Carthage, and taken down in trans- ATTACK ON GRAND GULF 157 ports to that point. But this being found im- practicable, the only course left open was for the troops to keep on down the river, nearly fifty miles, to Hard Times, building bridges and con- structing roads as they marched. This place at length was reached, where the transports were awaiting them to carry them across to Grand Gulf, the spot selected by Grant for landing. But here, again, the rebels had anticipated him, and formidable batteries frowned from the place. The 17th Corps, under McPherson, had follow- ed close on the heels of McClernand, and Grant, after consulting with Admiral Porter, resolved to make an attempt to carry the works by assault The plan was, for Porter to move up and silence the batteries, when the troops, which were on transports, would land and finish the work. On the morning of the 29th of April, the Admiral steamed boldly up with his six iron-clads, and for five hours and a half poured in shot and shell at times running his vessels almost up to the muz- zles of the hostile guns. But the works were too elevated to be easily reached from the water, and although he could with his terrible fire drive the men from the guns, he was unable to dismount a single piece. Grant stood on a transport a little distance off, and watched the battle. Porter at length withdrew, having lost seventy-nine in killed and wounded. 158 LIFE OF GRANT. Grant then signalled to him to be taken on board the flagship. It was now afternoon, and aa time was every thing, he directed the Admiral, with his battered fleet, and carrying the wounded, to run the batteries with the transports that very night, while he disembarked the troops at Hard Times, and commenced his march below. He in the mean time directed the eastern shore to be ex- amined, with a view of ascertaining the locality and state of the roads leading from Grand Gulf back into the interior. The whole country seemed flooded, and he expected to float down the river until he could find high solid ground ; but being informed by a negro, that a good dry road led from the shore at Bruinsburg directly back to the bluffs, which were two miles distant, he landed there. In the mean time, he directed Sherman, who had not yet left Milliken's Bend, to make a demon- stration against Vicksburg, in order to keep Pem- berton, the commander there, from sending rein- forcements to Grand Gulf, while he attacked it This Sherman did ; but on the 1st of May, he re- ceived orders from Grant, to push on with all pos- sible speed to join him. The latter also directed a battery to be planted at Perkins 1 landing, and an improvised gunboat stationed there to protect his supplies gathered at that point He at the same time ordered two more tugs, with two barges car- rying provisions, to run the batteries at Vicksburg. THOROUGHLY AROUSED. 159 u Do this," he said, " with all expedition, in forty- eight hours from receipt of orders, if possible. This is of immense importance. Should the crews de- cline running through, call on the commanding officer for volunteers, and discharge the crews." At the same time that he was setting every thing in motion above him, he was marshalling his columns for an immediate advance up the river. He directed the chief commissary of the Thirteenth Corps, still in advance, to issue three days 1 rations, which were to last five, and not detain the officers drawing them to give vouchers for them, as was customary. Every hour was priceless, and not a moment's delay could be allowed. His strong nature, seemingly so sluggish, now exhibited its inherent strength ; and his mind, usually slow in its operations, worked with the rapidity of light- ning. He seemed omnipresent, and to embrace the minutest details in his swift, searching survey of his position. Nothing was left to subordinates but to execute his orders, which flew from one to another incessantly. No mistake must be made, and to avoid one he superintended every thing himself, and kept in the advance where he could do it. He had not transports enough, and gunboats were used as such, to hurry the arriving troops over the river. Tents and wagons he ordered to be left behind till every man was across. His 160 LIFE OF GRANT. own horse shared the common fate. Subordinates caught the spirit of their chief, and every thing moved as if the fate of the army rested on the next hour. Hence, the shore at Bruinsburg, was a scene of intense activity all day, for it was six miles from the point where the troops were em- barked, so that many trips had to be made with his scant transportation, to get them over ; but in twenty-four hours all of McClernand's corps and one division of McPherson's were landed, and by sunset, the bluffs, two miles distant, were reached. Grant knew the moment he struck inland, the enemy would penetrate his design, and so that very afternoon McClernand^s corps was started off towards Port Gibson, lying to the southeast of Grand Gulf, the occupation of which would uncover the latter place. He did not even wait for the army-wagons to be brought across the river, but with three day's rations moved off at once. Grand Gulf, which he designed to make his base of supplies, must be taken before the enemy at Vicksburg, informed of his intentions, could reinforce the place. He saw that it must be swift marching, quick fighting, sudden and con- stant victories, or the storm would gather so heavily about him that his advance would be stopped. Hence he ordered as little baggage to be taken as possible, and set the example of re- trenchment himself. Washburne, member of SCANT BAGGAGE. 161 Congress from Illinois, his ever fast friend, accom- panied the expedition, and says that Grant took with him " neither a horse, nor an orderly, nor a camp-chest, nor an overcoat, nor a blanket, nor even a clean shirt. His entire baggage for six days was a tooth-brush. He fared like the com- monest soldier in his command, partaking of his rations and sleeping upon the ground, with no covering but the canopy of heaven." This shows not only how terribly in earnest Grant at this point was, but also how thoroughly he compre- hended the peril of his situation. McClernand's corps started at three o'clock in the afternoon, and kept up its march till two o'clock in the morning, when it was suddenly brought to a halt by a battery hi its path. At daybreak this was reconnoitred. The rebel commander at Grand Gulf, informed of Grant's movements, had marched promptly out with eleven thousand men, and taken a strong position along some deep ravines, flanked by heavy woods and canebrakes. McClernand, however, deployed his men the best way he could, and ad- vanced to the attack. The first thunder of artil- lery roused Grant, who was still at the landing, eight miles off, to the peril of a repulse, and ordering McPherson to push on as fast as possi- ble, borrowed a horse (for his own was not yet across), and with only his staff accompanying him, 162 LIFE OF GRANT. galloped to the battle-field. The moment he arrived, he assumed command, and pressed the rebel position with relentless severity. In a few hours McPherson's columns appeared on the field, when Grant ordered him at once to move a bri- gade to the help of Osterhaus, on the left, who could make no headway against the enemy. Grant accompanied this brigade in person, and directed it to charge across a ravine on the rebel flank, while Osterhaus should assault in front. It was done with a cheer, and Grant, with a smile, saw the hostile ranks give way, and after a short strug- gle to bear up against the shock, turn in swift retreat. Position after position was now carried, until the whole rebel army was driven back. The victorious troops followed until darkness shut out every thing from view, when a halt was ordered, at a point only two miles from Port Gibson. Di- recting that no camp-fires should be lighted, except hi the rear, or in deep gullies, and that the artil- lery be placed so as to command the surrounding country, Grant ordered McClernand to attack the enemy at daybreak. He then sat down and wrote his despatch to Washington by moonlight. His loss in killed and wounded in this battle was a little over eight hundred ; that of the ene- my somewhat less, as he was protected by his position. Grant, however, took six hundred and fifty prisoners, and six guns. Bo wen, the rebel OCCUPIES GRAND GULF. 163 general, did not wait for daybreak, but decamped in the night across the Bayou Pierre, destroying the bridge behind him. McClernaiid was at once set to work to rebuild it, which took all day. The next, the third, Grant pushed on the forces under McPherson, who crowded the enemy back, driving them through Willow Springs, a distance of fifteen miles from Port Gibson, and over the Big Black River in such haste, that they had not time to de- stroy the bridge. These successes compelled the evacuation of Grand Gulf, and on the same day Grant, taking one of Logan's brigades, and an escort of cavalry, left Willow Springs for that place. He found Porter in possession of it. He had now for three days been almost constantly in the saddle, not having had his clothes off during that time, but snatching his repose when and where he could. Going aboard one of the gunboats, he borrowed a change of linen, and then sat down and wrote despatches till midnight. CHAPTEE X. THE GREAT MAECH A. Perilous Resolve Outs loose from his Base Untiring Activity Urgent Orders Sherman's Arrival His Astonishment Grant Marches for Jackson Address to his Troops His little Son accompanies him Despatch to Halleck McPherson de- feats Johnston Jackson evacuated Grant's Son the first to enter it Sherman left to destroy Public Property The Army marches back toward Vicksburg Johnston outmarched Bat- tle of Champion's Hill Grant with his Boy under Fire " The Hill of Death "Battle of Black River Before Vicks- burg Sherman's Opinion of the Campaign Results of it Its Resemblance to Napoleon's Italian Campaign. IT is stated that, up to this time, Grant had not abandoned the design of establishing himself at Grand Gulf, and sending a corps to the aid of Banks. Be that as it may, all his movements looked in a different direction. A letter which he here received from Banks, stating that he would not be at Port Hudson for a week to come, left no room for further hesitation, if it ever existed But instead of pushing directly for Vicksburg, Grant having learned that a large army was gath- ering in the interior to reinforce it, which would make the garrison outnumber his army, he deter- mined to throw himself between the two, and prevent the j unction. At the same time, he wished A DARING RESOLUTION 165 to seize Jackson, fifty miles in rear of Vicksburg, and situated at the junction of the railroads by which the garrison was supplied. It was a bold, perilous movement. He might not prevent the junction of the two armies, when he would be too feeble to offer battle, while to keep open his com- munication with Grand Gulf, his depot of supplies fifty miles distant would require half of his army In this dilemma, he took the daring resolution of cutting loose from his base altogether, and with only three days' rations in the haversacks of the soldiers, swing his army at once into the interior, trusting to the resources of the country to furnish the balance of the supplies. He knew that this step was looked upon with alarm by his best offi- cers. Not that they feared for themselves, for more loyal, fearless, and gallant subordinates never gathered around a great leader ; but they feared failure and ruin to the army, and damage to the common cause. They therefore respectfully urged him not to attempt it ; but he stood firm, though he stood alone. He knew, moreover, that if his purpose was known to the Government, he would be promptly ordered to face about. Still, he did not waver a moment. This quiet faith in himself invests him with a grandeur greater even than his victories. Without parade, quietly, yet with a resolution fixed as the granite hills, he, at midnight on the 166 LIFE OF GRANT. 3d of May, mounted his horse, " turned his back on the Mississippi River," and started for the ad- vance. The die was cast ; it was now victory or annihilation, glory or disgrace, life or death, with him and his noble army. He knew all this, as he rode on through the deep night, but he felt no misgivings, no regrets. Thoughtful and solemn, as befitting so momentous a decision, he was never- theless borne up by a serene confidence in the cor- rectness of his judgment. Paralyzed by no fore- bodings, his mental faculties, instead of being depressed by the weight of responsibility he had taken on himself, were roused into tenfold activity No orders could reach him now, until it was too late to obey them. Unfettered and free, he was in just the position for which nature designed him, and he went to work with an energy and power that astonish us. The army must be got in hand as quickly as untiring efforts, and work by night and day, could do it ; and then he meant his motto should be that of Danton's, " Audace, audace, toujours audace" His staff was now allowed scarcely a moment's rest, and his orders flew from point to point with bewildering rapid- ity. Sherman was hurried forward with urgent appeals. Hurlbut, at Memphis, was directed to send on a division at once ; another was ordered from Milliken's Bend, with directions to march by brigades. At the same time, the road across UEGENT ORDEBS. 167 the peninsula was ordered to be shortened, so that the trains could be pushed forward more rapidly. He .also sent a despatch to the commissary at Grand Gulf to issue three days' rations, which must be made to last five, " if not seven, days," without waiting to go through the prescribed forms. A staff-officer was hurried thither with a carte blanche to use Grant's name in any way ne- cessary to rush on the supplies, while the hard- worked commissary was overwhelmed with the questions, " How many teams have been loaded with rations and sent forward ? How many wag- ons have you ferried over the river ? How many are still to bring over? "What teams have gone back for rations?" and so on. He heard the sound of the mustering hosts, whose junction must be prevented at all hazards, and every hour was pregnant with destiny to him. At the same time, he directed McClernand to sweep the sur- rounding country for forage, and McPherson to push his reconnoissance up to the outposts of Vicks- burg, in order to make the commander there be- lieve that he designed to move directly on the place. As soon as Sherman's columns got within sup- porting distance, McPherson and McClernand were pushed forward. Sherman, when he reach- ed Hankinson's Ferry, was amazed at the evidence of hurry on every side. The trains and escorting troops were in confusion, each team hurrying for- 168 LIFE OF GRANT. ward without stopping to consider the order of its going. Ignorant of Grant's determination to swing loose from his base, he wrote to him, describing the chaos he had found on the road, and begging him to stop till he could get things arranged more sys- tematically ; for, said he, " this road will be jam- med, as sure as life, if you attempt to supply fifty thousand men by one single road." To this COIL - munication he received the following reply, which must have startled him beyond expression : " I do not calculate upon the possibility of supplying the army with full rations from Grand Gulf. I know it will be impossible without constructing addi- tional roads. What I do expect, however, is to get up what rations of hard-bread, coffee, and salt we can, and make the country furnish the balance. We started from Bruinsburg with an average of about two days' rations, and I received no more from our own supplies for some days ; abundance was found in the mean time. Some corn-meal, bacon, and vegetables were found, and an abun- dance of beef and mutton. A delay would give the enemy time to reinforce and fortify. If Blair was up now, I believe we could be in Vicksburg in seven days. The command here has an aver- age of about three days' rations, which could be made to last that time. You are in a country where the troops have already lived off the people for some days, and may find provisions more A NOBLE ADDBESS. 169 scarce ; but, as we get upon new soil, they are more abundant, particularly in corn and cattle. Bring Blair's two brigades up as soon as pos- sible " The movements of the several corps and divis- ions cannot be described with any satisfaction to the general reader. Grant had not proceeded far from Hankinson's Ferry, before he learned that Pem- berton was concentrating his troops at Edwards 1 Station, some twenty-five miles out of Vicksburg, towards which the latter supposed our columns were moving. This caused a change in the order and direction of the march, for Grant was deter- mined to get into Jackson, destroy the stores there, and defeat Johnston, who was hastening towards it, before the latter could effect a junction with Pemberton. Aware of the short rations, heavy marching, and constant fighting awaiting his army, Grant, before leaving Hankinson's Ferry, issued the following stirring address to his troops, which has the ring of some of Napoleon's famous proclamations : HEADQUARTERS AEMT OF THE TENNESSEE, IN THE FIELD, ) HANEJNSON'B FERBY, May 7. ) Soldiers of tfo Army of Tennessee : Once more I thank you for adding another victory to the long list of those previously \ron by your valor and endurance. The triumph gained over the enemy near Port Gibson, on the first, was one of the most impor- tant of the war. The capture of five cannon, and more 8 170 LIFE OP GRANT. then one thousand prisoners, the possession of Grand Gulf, and a firm foothold on the highlands between the Big Black and Bayou Pierre, from whence we threaten the whole line of the enemy, are among the fruits of this brilliant achievement. The march from Milliken's Bend to the point opposite Grand Gulf, was made in stormy weather, over the worst of roads. Bridges and ferries had to be constructed. Moving by night as well as by day, with labor incessant, and extraordinary pri- vations, endured by men and officers, such as have been rarely paralleled in any campaign, not a murmur or complaint has been uttered. A few days continuance of the same zeal and constancy, will secure to this army crowning victories over the rebellion. More difficulties and privations are before us ; let us endure them manfully. Other battles are to be fought ; let us fight them bravely. A grateful country will re- joice at our success, and history will record it with im- mortal honor. U. S. GRANT, Brig.-Gen. Commanding. He set an example of the privations and endur- ance which he required of his troops. Satisfied with his hard bread and coffee, sleeping on the porch of some house along the road, or wherever he found time to take a little repose, he showed himself impervious to fatigue, and indifferent to ordinary comforts. A little son, only thirteen years of age, accompanied him in this trying, strange campaign, and, though hardly big enough to sit a horse, was seen galloping alongside of his father. Taking the hard fare of the day without murmuring, he slept in his strong arms by night. The stern leader, carrying the fate of the army A SIGNIFICANT DESPATCH. 171 on his heart, could yet find time to enjoy the prat- tle of his boy. and the two moved on amid the crowding columns, and into the confused noise of battle, a strange contrast, yet a touching picture, which often brought the tears to the soldiers 1 eyes. To McPherson was assigned the duty of push- ing forward and seizing Jackson, while the main army was held back to watch Pemberton. The former pushed on in the direction marked out by Grant, who, day by day, changed the details of his main plan according as the movements of the enemy made it necessary. Arriving at Cayuga, he, on the llth of May, wrote to Halleck, stating his position and purpose, and closed with the fol- lowing significant sentence : " As I shall communi- cate with Grand Gulf no more, unless it becomes ne- cessary to send a train with a heavy escort, YOU MAY NOT HEAR FROM ME AGAIN FOR SEVERAL DAYS." He certainly did not wish to hear from him, for he knew the General-in-Chief well, and feared an order to abandon at once his daring movement, which he had no intention of doing. It was well for the country that communication was cut off; foi that very day a despatch was flashing along the wires ordering him to return and cooperate with Banks. "When it finally reached Grant he was re- turning, though not to Grand Gulf, but to Vicks- burg, over the shattered battalions of Pemberton. McPherson moved forward, and on the 12th 172 LIFE OF GRANT. came upon the enemy, numbering five thousanvi, posted in a strong position, within two miles of Raymond. Sweeping these from his path, in a short, sharp battle, he kept on towards Jackson marching on the 14th twelve miles through a blinding, pitiless storm. At ten o'clock he drew up his drenched army before the formidable breast- works of the enemy, who were not only strongly protected, but also out-numbered him heavily. The storm now broke, and the spring sun shone forth in all its splendor, making the rain-drops on the trees and meadows shine like jewels. Awak- ened by the freshness and beauty, the birds came out and filled the air with their gay carols, a rain- bow spanned the heavens, and all combined to make it a scene of transcendent loveliness. Amid this peaceful splendor, McPherson drew up his fifteen thousand bayonets, and riding along the glittering line on his splendid black charger, aroused the enthusiasm of his men by a stirring appeal. As soon as the artillery had got into posi- tion and thoroughly searched the hostile works, he ordered a charge. At first, slowly and with measured steps, as though on a dress parade, Croker's whole line moved over the field, closing up, calmly, the ugly rents made by the rebel artil- lery, and kept sternly on without returning a shot till within thirty yards of the works, when a sud den flash leaped from the ranks, followed by a ENTERS JACKSON. 173 cheer that shook the field; and then, with one bound, they scaled the ramparts and poured like a resistless flood through the hostile camp, scatter- ing every thing from their path, and chasing the flying foe into Jackson, Grant had by this movement completely deceiv- ed Pemberton, who all this time lay at Edwards 1 Station awaiting an attack from him. Not knowing what force Johnston might have been able to concentrate at Jackson, and its pos- session being of vital importance to him, Grant had directed Sherman to follow McPherson, to aid him if necessary ; and his presence at the criti- cal moment on the flank of the enemy hastened his flight. McPherson, now moving forward, came, at length, in sight of the rebel intrenchments and rifle-pits in front of Jackson. These extended as far as the eye could reach, and presented a formi- dable appearance. Grant, in the mean time, had joined Sherman, and seeing how strong and ex- tensive the works were, directed him to send a force to the extreme right, to see if a flank move- ment could not be made in that direction. After waiting some time to hear the result of this move- ment, and becoming impatient at the delay, he, ac- companied only by his staff and little boy, rode over to see about it. He found that the enemy had evacuated the place, and the road leading intc 174 LIFE OF GRANT. it was clear. He immediately pushed forward, when his son clapped spurs to his horse, and dashing ahead, galloped alone into the capital of the State, the first into it. Grant smiled at his enthusiam, and followed him leisurely. He was now at the goal of his march westward, in which he had shattered Johnston's army though he had not captured it, as he hoped to do. On the contrary it had escaped to the north, evidently with the intention of coming down on the railroad west of him, and joining Pemberton. This he must prevent at all hazards, and calling his corps com- manders around him in the State Hall that after- noon, he gave them their instructions. Sherman's duty was to occupy the town and works, and de- stroy the railroad track, stores, and property that could aid the enemy. The night before, Johnston had sent a despatch, by three different messengers, to Pemberton, re- questing him to hasten up, and attack Grant's rear so that he might be kept at bay until the troops that were being hurried forward could have time to come up. One of these despatches was sent by a man who was in Jackson as a Union spy, whither he had travelled from Memphis. He took it straight to McPherson, who sent it and the bearer to Grant. The latter, therefore, became fully aware of the enemy's plans, and could act with certainty and promptness. Mo OUTWITS THE ENEMY. 175 Pherson, in consequence, was sent that afternoon back towards Bolton, distant some twenty miles the nearest place that Johnston could strike the rail- road in his march to join Pemberton. To Mc- Clernand, who was far in the rear, he also sent a despatch directing him to march in the same direc- tion. His orders were urgent. General Blair, at Auburn, was also ordered to move towards the same point, and the tired columns were soon sweeping over the broken country towards a common cen- tre. The rains had made the roads heavy, and the troops were weary, but they marched cheer- fully off. Pemberton was still at Edwards 1 Station, where he had called a council of war to decide whether he should obey Johnston's order to move on Grant's rear. At this very time, the latter was being driven from Jackson. Completely deceived by the celerity of his adversary's movements, Pem- berton finally determined to act on his own judg- ment, and by a brilliant movement cut Grant's communication with Grand Gulf. He did not know that Grant had done this for himself Long ago, and would be, on that very afternoon and night, bearing down upon him with his victorious col- umns. He, however, soon discovered his mistake, and reversing his march moved back to Edwards Station, towards which Grant's army was advanc- ing along three different roads. McClernand was 176 LITE OF GRANT. ordered to push Blair's and A, P. Smith's divis- ions along by the southern road Carr's and Os- terhaus' by the middle road, while Hovey kept along the northern one, which runs direct from Bolton to it Smith's advance first came upon the enemy's skirmishers, when firing commenced. Pemberton kept retiring, until by the fierce manner in which he was pressed he found, to his astonishment, that Grant's army was in his front He then formed his line of battle, with his left resting on Cham- pion Hill, the highest ground in sight The slopes of this hill were heavily wooded, arid seamed with ravines, which made it difficult for troops to ad- vance up them in any order. The top was cleared of all trees and underbrush, thus furnishing a fine position for the enemy's artillery, which, planted there, swept the entire country around. Peinberton's line of battle extended for four miles, running southward from this crest his centre being on the middle road from Raymond. Hovey's division came up on the Bolton road in front of the hilL Logan, with two brigades, was to the right of the road, and farther advanced. Grant labored under great disadvantage in be- ing ignorant of the country, while the enemy was thoroughly acquainted with every foot of it. Nor was this all ; the former could not spare time to make thorough reconnoissances nor gradual ap SPIES. 177 preaches. Swung out as his army was into the open country, it must keep moving till its base was secured. Besides, delay would give time for the rebel reinforcements to arrive, and combine against him. He must, therefore, not only fight the enemy on unknown ground, but fight him as soon as found. Hence he resolved to wait here only long enough to get a part of his army up, and the rest in supporting distance, before he moved on the enemy's position. That night two men employed on the railroad came into his lines, and reported Pemberton's for- ces to be twenty thousand strong. Grant was waked up at daybreak to receive these messengers. He immediately sent back to Sherman, who was finishing the work of destruction at Jackson, to hurry forward to his support, as the entire force of the enemy was immediately in front, and a battle might be brought on at any moment. The despatch was urgent, and in one hour after Sher- man received it, the columns of his advance division were in motion. At half past six, a de- spatch was received from McPherson, asking Grant to come to the front immediately. The latter gal- loped off at once, and on his way found the road blocked with teams, so that the troops could not pass. These he ordered to be drawn up one side immediately, so as to to give room for the marching columns. Reaching Hovey, he found him drawn up 8* 178 LIFE OF GRANT. in order of battle, but he would not let him com* mence the attack until he could hear from MeCler- nand, moving up on the southern road. Officer after officer was sent with headlong speed to the latter, with orders to press on with all haste. "Close up your forces expeditiously as possible," he said. The firing which had been kept up between Hovey's and the enemy's skirmishers all the morning, increased in fierceness, until by eleven o'clock the battle was fairly opened. The bald top of the hill crowned with the hostile batteries, was evidently the key to the whole position of the enemy, and hence the great struggle centred here. McPherson posted two batteries in an advanta- geous position, and opened a terrible fire upon it. Under cover of it Hovey pushed boldly for- ward in the face of a murderous fire of musketry, and began to mount the tangled slope. Inch by inch, the irregular line pressed upward, until at last the height was won, and several guns and prisoners fell into his hands. But the enemy ral- lied behind a deep cut in the road, which had been sunk in the ridge, while Pemberton, informed of the repulse at this vital point, hurried forward reinforcements that now came pouring along the crest with loud yells. These charging with the re-formed troops on Hovey, bore him back, after a gallant attempt on his part to hold his ground. Grant all this time stood on an eminence that was FIRE WITH HIS SON. 179 in range of the enemy's guns, with his little son by his side, watching the varying fortunes of the fight with the intensest interest, and wondering at the unaccountable detention of McClernand. The balls whistled around them, but he thought only of the struggle, on the issue of which his fate depended. If McClernand's four divisions would only come up, victory would be certain ; and he therefore again despatched an officer urging him forward. But this commander was kept back by a small force, the size of which he could not ascertain hi the thickly-wooded country through which he had to move. But the heavy roar of artillery, and crash of musketry in front, would have told him on a moment's reflection, that the decisive battle was being fought there, and that the force that hovered around his advance, could only be a thin curtain of troops, whose sole object was to keep him away from the spot where the great struggle was going on. Grant's anxiety was becoming painful, when he saw a brigade of Crocker's, inarch- ing rapidly on the field. He immediately sent it in to the aid of Hovey, who could hardly hold his own. Thus strengthened, this gallant officer was able to maintain his ground. The enemy, how- ever, pressed heavily upon him, and the fifteen thousand men under McClernand were sorely needed. Again forced to retire, Hovey sent back for help. But Grant expected every moment to 180 LIFE OF GRANT. hear the roar of McClernancTs guns to the south, and delayed, for he had no troops to spare. At this critical moment, it seemed that the enemy would win and hold the height. Seeing the dan- ger, Grant at last ordered two more of Crocker's brigades into the gap between Logan and Hovey, which had been made by the movement of the former farther to the right; while McPherson, with such troops as he could gather, was directed to sweep round to the rebel rear. McPherson moved off at the double quick, while Crocker's brigades charged with a cheer, rolling back the hostile line. But fresh reinforcements kept pour- ing in from that portion of the rebel line on which McClernand should have been pressing, and the danger of defeat was imminent, when a brigade of Logan's, marching at the double quick, charged across a ravine in flank and up the hill, carrying an important position and capturing seven guns. In the mean time McPherson had worked so far around to the enemy's rear, that, fearing their re- treat would be cut off, they broke and flei, and the battle of Champion Hill was won. Pursuit was kept up till after dark, when the tired troopa were halted. Grant conducted this battle in person, and fought it with only fifteen thousand men. It is easy to see, therefore, what the result would have been, had the other fifteen thousand under Mc- Clernand came up in time, as he expected. HILL OF DEATH. 181 Grant's loss in this desperate battle was nearly one sixth of all the force engaged that of the enemy was about three thousand killed and wounded, and three thousand prisoners. But what was of still more consequence, one whole division, composing Pemberton's right, was cut off from the main army by Grant's pursuit, and never joined it again thus materially lessening the garrison at Vicksburg. The hill, for the possession of which this san- guinary struggle had taken place, presented a frightful appearance. Nearly five thousand men had fallen on the narrow spot, and pools of blood stood in the trampled and muddy road, while mangled corpses strewed the summit and sides. Dead and dying horses, and broken artillery car- riages, and abandoned arms, helped to swell the horrors of the scene. Friend and foe were heaped together in one "red burial blent" It was a ghastly spectacle, even to the soldiers, and they named it the " Hill of Death: 9 Grant, with his staff, pushed on with the pursu- ing column, and actually got ahead of it in the dark- ness, and had to retrace his steps till he reached it A house stood near the camp, which Pember- ton had used for a field hospital during the day, and was now literally crowded with the dead and dying. No tents or wagons had yet come up, and Grant, with his boy by his side, stretched himself 182 LIFE OF GRANT. on the porch, and endeavored to snatch a little re- pose amid the groans of the sufferers, who lay bleeding and dying within. That night he re- ceived HallecFs despatch of the llth of May, ordering him to return and cooperate with Banks ; but the campaign that seemed so daring had been won. " The subordinate was indeed retracing his steps, but with victorious banners ; no danger now of rebuke; no more countermands, no more recalls." Grant had moved so rapidly that John- ston was now hopelessly cut off from Pemberton. On the very day of the battle, the rebel com- mander was resting his troops, after performing the prodigious march, the day before, of ten miles. While he was thus halting, Sherman was pressing forward at the urgent order of Grant, and after mid-day made twenty miles. Starting a column in pursuit the next morn- ing, before it was fairly light, Grant came up in about six miles with the enemy, strongly posted on both sides of the Big Black river. On the side nearest him they were encircled by a bayou, with its extremities touching the river above and below their position, while on the opposite side arose a bluff black with batteries. McClernand had scarcely opened with his artillery, when the gal- lant Osterhaus was wounded. In the mean time, Gen. Lawler had crept around to the right, and then charged over the open ground to the bayou. A STRUGGLE FOB LITE. 183 Finding a spot wide enough for four men to pass abreast, where the brushwood had not been piled up, the men, flinging their blankets and haver- sacks on the ground, plunged into the water, and struggling across amid the raining bullets, suddenly appeared hi the enemy's rear. Panic-stricken at this unexpected apparition, the rebels, abandon- ing their guns, fled for the bridge. The troops on the farther side of the river, seeing the fugitives rushing for the crossing, seized with the same panic, set fire to the bridge and fled in wild terror inland. Not half of their comrades had succeeded in crossing, when the bridge was wrapt in flames, effectually barring all passage. A part had at the outset refused to fly, and surrendered where they stood. The remaining part, now finding themselves cut off, while the pursuers were close behind, plunged into the stream, with the bullets raining around them. Officers and men were mingled in the wild struggle for life, many of whom sank to rise no more. Eighteen cannon and over seventeen hundred prisoners fell into Grant's hands in this short conflict. Pemberton now retreated behind his works at Vicksburg. Only one pontoon train had as yet reached Grant, and this he had previously given to Sher- man, to enable him to cross the Black Kiver farther up, so as to flank, if necessary, the enemy 184 LIFE OF GRANT. in his position on the river. He desired earnestly to follow up the demoralized enemy, and enter hia works in full pursuit ; but, the bridges being de- stroyed, and this, his only pontoon train, being with Sherman on the right, he was compelled to halt till means of crossing could be provided. Sherman was directed, after crossing, to follow the enemy into the city, if he found it practicable to do so if not to halt, and place his troops so as to open communication with him the moment he was over the river, when the army, in three col- umns, would advance at once on the stronghold of the enemy. The engineers immediately went to work to ex- temporize floating bridges of such materials as they could lay their hands on. Timber left from the burnt bridge, cotton-gins, and farm-houses in the region, were used for the purpose one being constructed entirely of cotton bales, fastened to- gether and planked over. Across these shaking structures the troops hurried, and the onward march commenced. Sherman started at daybreak on the 18th, and by half-past nine was between Vicksburg and Haines' Bluff, on the Yazoo, thus cutting it, and all the forts on that river, from the former place, and causing their hasty evacuation by the gar- risons, that were compelled to leave their heavy guns behind them. A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN. 185 Grant was with Sherman when his column struck the Walnut hills. As they rode together up the farthest height, where it looks down on the Yazoo river, and stood upon the very bluff from which Sherman had been repulsed six months before, the two soldiers gazed for a mo- ment on the long-wished-for goal of the campaign, the high, dry ground on the north of Vicks- burg, and the base for their supplies. Sherman at last turned abruptly round, and exclaimed to Grant : " 4 Until this moment, I never thought your expedition a success. I never could see the end clearly, until now. But this is a campaign ; this is a success, if we never take the town.' The other, as usual, smoked his cigar, and made no reply. The enthusiastic subordinate had seen the dangers of this venturesome campaign so vividly, that his vision was dimmed for beholding success, until it lay revealed on the banks of the Yazoo ; but then, with the magnanimity of a noble nature, he rejoiced in the victories whose laurels he could not claim." * McPherson commanding the centre, and Mc- Clernand the left, had moved simultaneously, and by the 19th of May, the three army corps were in position, extending from the Mississippi below, to the Yazoo above Vicksburg, thus com- pletely investing the place. * Col. Badeau. 186 LIFE OP GRAM 1 . After long months of toiling and waiting- after repeated failures, till the enemy laughed in derision at Grant's futile obstinacy, he had at last, by one of the most brilliant military movements on record, succeeded in flinging his strong arms around the Gibraltar of the Mississippi. From the perseverance he had shown from the outset, from the tireless energy with which he had worked undeviatingly towards that single point ; from the tremendous blows he had dealt the foe, as he bore swiftly down upon it, he had astonished his own army, and paralyzed that of his adversary. With his base of supplies now firmly established at Chickasaw landing, at the foot of those fatal bluffs, Grant at once began the siege of Yicksburg. It was just twenty days since the campaign be- gan. In that time, Grant had marched more than two hundred miles, beaten two armies in five several battles, captured twenty-seven heavy can- non and sixty-one pieces of field artillery, taken six thousand five hundred prisoners, and killed and wounded at least six thousand rebels more. He had forced the evacuation of Grand Gulf, seized the capital of the State, destroyed the rail- roads at Jackson for a distance of more than thirty miles, and invested the principal rebel stronghold on the Mississippi river. Separating forces twice as numerous as his own, he had beat- en first, at Port Gibson, a portion of Pemberton's REVIEW OF CAMPAIGN. 187 army ; then, at Raymond and Jackson, the troops under Johnston's immediate command ; and again, at Champion Hill and the Big Black river, the whole force that Pemberton dared take outside the works at Vicksburg. Starting with- out teams, and with an average of two days' ra- tions in haversacks, he had picked up wagons in the country, and subsisted principally on forage and rations that he found on the road. Only five days 1 rations had been issued in twenty days, yet neither suffering nor complaint was witnessed in the command. His losses were six hundred and ninety-eight killed, three thousand four hundred and seven wounded, and two hundred and thirty missing in all, four thousand three hundred and thirty-five. This is the brief, graphic summing up of this extraordinary campaign, by his military biographer. As we remarked in a former work, this cam- paign, in its general features, resembled the famous Italian one of the young Napoleon. There was the same grand design to cut up the enemy in detail, before he could concentrate his overwhelming forces the same rapidity of move- ment and cheerful endurance of privations by the troops, the same terrible blows falling fast and rapid as successive thunderbolts from heaven, rending and paralyzing the foe. And as from the high ridge he looked down on the frowning works. 188 LIFE OF GRANT. with his gallant army resting at their base, he could address his soldiers in almost the language of that incomparable leader. " Soldiers, in a fort- night you have gained six victories, taken twenty- one pairs of colors, fifty-five pieces of cannon, several fortresses, and conquered the richest part of Piedmont ; you have made fifteen thousand prisoners, and killed or wounded more than ten thousand men. Destitute of every thing, you have supplied all your wants, * * * * the per- verse men who laughed at your distress, and re- joiced in thought at the triumph of your enemies, are confounded and trembling." CHAPTER XL ASSAULT OF VICKSBURG. Description of the Enemy's Works First Assault Bombardment of the Oity by Porter Second Assault Terrific Scene Hero- ism of the Troops Gallant Deed of Joseph Griffith The Chi- cago Battery Mistake of McOlernand Grant deceived by it, and orders the Assault renewed Its Failure Our Loss Grant's Reasons for making the Assault Grant resolves on a regular siege Pemberton asks for a Suspension'of Hostilities Burial of the dead. VICKSBURG stands on a bluff that rises between two and three hundred feet above the Mississippi, the sides inland sloping and seamed into deep ravines and gullies. On the south side, the country was not so broken, and here the artificial defences were stronger. Sheltered behind such formidable in trenchments, on which were mounted two hun- dred cannon, and behind which were massed thirty thousand men, Pemberton felt himself se- cure, unless he was starved out. But, notwithstanding the formidable aspect of these works, Grant, the very day after he had completed the investment of the place, attempted to carry them by general assault along the rebel line. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon of the 19th, 190 LIFE OF GRANT. three vollies of artillery from all the guns which he had been able to get into position, was the sig- nal to advance. The army surged up against the strong defences, only to be forced back at all points. Grant now determined to give his overtasked army rest for a few days, while he perfected his communications with his supplies, and got his guns into position. In the mean time, he request- ed Porter to open a bombardment of the city with his mortar fleet, so as to distract the enemy's at- tention from him. He did so, and the huge shells fell with such destructive force in the streets, that the inhabitants fled to the cellars to hide them- selves. Every thing being finally completed, Grant de- termined, on the 22d, to make another and more determined attempt to carry the works by storm. Having given explicit instructions to the corps commanders, he sent word to Admiral Porter, on the 21st, that he should assault the city at ten o'clock the next day, and requested him to throw shells from his mortars into it during the night, and the next morning open with all his gunboats upon it, and keep up the firing till half-past ten Porter opened the drama with his mortars, and all night long the murky heavens were crossed arid recrossed with the tracks of the blazing shells, that kept dropping with a continuous thunder- sound into the devoted city. At three o'clock ID THE ASSAULT. 191 the morning, Grant opened with all his batteries, and Porter with all his guns, and from river and shore thunder answered thunder in prolonged and deafening peals, till the earth shook with the re- verberations, and the heavens were blotted out by the sulphurous clouds that rolled upward above the terror-stricken town. As the day dawned, the sharpshooters picked off nearly every rebel gunner that dared to show his head, so that but feeble response was made to the cannonading, that made every thing tremble. Hoping, by throwing his army in a simultaneous charge on the long line of the rebel works, he could make a lodg- ment at some point, Grant had all the corps com- manders set their watches by his own timepiece, so that the onset might be like the breaking of one mighty wave. He himself took a command- ing position near the centre, where he could watch the progress of the columns. At the precise mo- ment fixed upon, the bugles sounded, and the storming parties started forward on a run. It is impossible to convey any definite idea of this terrific assault, covering as it did so large a space. For miles the storming columns dashed on the hostile works, through a desolating fire of grape and canister, and pressing up the slope, attempted to carry them. But a double rank of soldiers lay behind each ridge of earth, and mowed them down with incessant vollies of musketry. 192 LIFE OF GRANT. This, together with the tangled brushwood, and deep and tortuous ravines, rapidly broke up the formations, so that even brigades moved forward only in detachments, and hence the onset lost all its weight. If an outer-work was carried, it was found to be commanded by an interior one, that rendered its occupation impossible. Deeds of unparalled bravery were performed, flags here and there were planted on the counterscarps, and men that could not make headway against the fiery sleet, lay down in the ditches, where hand- grenades were rolled down upon them. In one instance, a part of the Twenty-second Iowa suc- ceeded in crossing the ditch and parapet of a rebel outwork ; but, not receiving the support of the rest of the column, could not push farther, nor drive the enemy from the main work immediately in rear. A hand-to-hand fight here ensued, last- ing several minutes; hand-grenades also were thrown by the rebels in rear, while the national troops still commanded the outer parapet. Every man in the party but one, was shot down. Ser- geant Joseph Griffith, of the Twenty-second Iowa, fell at the same time with his comrades, stunned, but not seriously hurt. On his recovery, he found a rebel lieutenant and sixteen men lying in the outwork, still unwounded, though exposed to the fire of both friend and foe. He rose, and bade them follow him out of the place, too hot for any PERSONAL GALLANTRY. 193 man to stay in arid live. The rebels obeyed, and calling to the troops outside to cease their firing, Griffith brought his prisoners over the parapet, under a storm of rebel shot that killed four of those so willing to surrender. He was not yet twenty years old, and Grant promoted him to a first-lieutenancy the next day, for his gallantry. Afterward, he was sent to West Point, "where he was known as 'Grant's cadet.'" In another part of the field, General A. J. Smith was ordered by McClernand to get two guns up to the very ditch of one of the rebel works, and he called on five or six batteries suc- cessively, but the captains all protested that it was impossible to drag guns by hand down one slope, and up another, under fire. Smith, how- ever, exclaimed, " I know a battery that will go to h 1, if you order it there ! " So he sent for Capt. White, of the Chicago Mercantile Battery, and told him what he wanted. White replied, " Yes, sir, I will take my guns there." And his men actually dragged the pieces over the rough ground, by hand, carrying the ammunition in their haversacks. One gun was stuck on the way, but the other was hauled up so near the rebel works, that it was difficult to elevate it sufficiently to be of use ; finally, however, White succeeded in firing into the embrasure, dismounting a gun. 194 UFE OF GRANT. The gun was then dragged off down the ravine, and, after nightfall, hauled away; but the am- munition being heavy, was left on the field. But the gallantry of individuals, the desperate determination of storming parties, and the heavy onset of devoted columns, were all of no avail, and hour after hour wore on in the fruitless strug- gle. The dead and wounded spotted the crimson slopes, or crowded the ditches into which they had pushed, only to fall. The sun was hot, and the wounded that lay bleeding under its burning rays, panted and cried for water. By noon it was evident that the attempt was a failure, and Grant was about to order the withdrawal of all the troops, when he received a despatch from Mc- Clernand, stating that he had gained the enemy's works, and, if he could receive reinforcements, and a vigorous push be made along the whole line at the same time, the place could be carried. Grant doubted it, and rode over to Sherman with the despatch. Soon another came to the same purport, and they kept coming, till by three o'clock Grant had received four, and he therefore reluctantly gave orders for the assault to be re- newed. It was made, but the only result was to swell the number of the dead and wounded. Me- Clernand was mistaken, as Grant thought he was, for he was confident, from his commanding posi- REASONS OF FAILURE. 195 tion, that he could have discovered any such sue cess as the former assured him was achieved. Three thousand men were killed or wounded in this desperate but fruitless assault. The pro- priety of it has been much doubted. The place was not like a walled town, in the defences of which breaches had been made ; or where, on the open ground, men could be massed in solid col- umns, and by mere weight and reckless sacrifice of life, make their way but miles of irregular earthworks stretched across the country, that could in no place be approached by a large body of troops well massed together. So that, although thirty thousand men advanced at the same mo- ment, there was no real, heavy onset any where. It was desultory fighting along the whole extend- ed line; besides, the works were intact. The tremendous but short cannonading of the morn- ing, had made no impression on them, while an army of thirty thousand men, instead of a small garrison, defended them. Gen. Grant gave several reasons for making this assault, the chief of which were, that Johnston was being daily reinforced, and in a few days would be able to fall on his rear ; that the posses- sion of Vicksburg would have enabled him to turn upon him and drive him from the State ; that its immediate capture would have prevented the necessity of calling for large reinforcements, 196 LIFE OF GRANT. that were needed elsewhere ; and, finally, that the troops were impatient to possess Vicksburg, and would not have worked in the trenches with the same zeal, not believing it necessary, as they did after their failure to carry the works by storm. There was great force in all, or nearly all, these reasons, provided there was a fair chance of suc- cess mdeed,j}robable success was reason enough of itself, without any other. But the fact that after the most determined gallantry and devotion on the part of officers and men, not the least im- pression was made on the formidable works, and that amid all the chances to which every battle is liable, there came not one gleam of encourage- ment from first to last, shows that a victory was scarcely possible. There is, however, one reason which Grant does not give, which, we think, had great Aveight with him that the government and people would not have been satisfied without his making the attempt. The spade had fallen into contempt ever since the siege of Yorktown, and after the successful assault of Fort Donelson, was doomed, apparently, to perpetual disgrace, and nothing would satisfy the country but " to move immediately on the enemy's works." Besides, he knew what clamors were raised against him for his slow progress above Vicksburg, and how nearly he came being removed from command for it. His fate had turned on the President's saying, " I A SIEGE INEVITABLE. 197 think ITl try him a little longer." Pour months had already passed, and how could he expect the public patience to hold out, perhaps two months more, unless it was demonstrated practically that it must. In a country like ours, where popular feeling has to be so much consulted by the gov- ernment, and where politics meddles so disas- trously in all war movements, it is often necessary to make even useless sacrifices, to prevent mis- chief. Grant was aware of this, and the fact doubtless had much to do with his attempt to carry Vicksburg by storm. The failure settled the question, and the people, though restive, were compelled to submit again to the old story, week after week, " nothing new from Vicksburg." Having settled down to the unpleasant conclu- sion that the stronghold could be taken only by the slow process of a regular seige, Grant set about it at once, with all the vigor and determi- nation of one who meant to push it to the speed- iest conclusion. Sherman on the right, McPher- son in the centre, and McClernand on the south, vied with each other in pushing forward saps, and covered- ways, etc., towards the rebel works. But first, however, the dead had to be removed, that in the broiling sun lay festering where they had fallen. These, with the decaying carcasses of ani- mals that had been driven out of Vicksburg for want of forage, and shot by our soldiers, filled the 198 LIFE 0* GEANT. air with an insufferable stench, which threatened to breed a pestilence in the crowded city. Pem- berton therefore asked for a suspension of hostili- ties till these could be removed. This was grant- ed, and for several hours, officers and men of the hostile armies met, on the most friendly terms, outside of the trenches. CHAPTER XH. THE SIEGE. Perilous Position of the Army "Want of competent Engineers- Labor of Grant Silence of the Enemy Wooden Mortars Progress of the Siege Famine in the City Distress of the In- habitants They hide in Caves Explosion of a Mine Despe- rate Fighting The "Death Hole" Day fixed for the final Assault Pemberton sees his Condition to be hopeless. GKANT now perfected his means of support, and sent North for reinforcements. He still was be- tween two armies, and knew the moment that Johnston could assemble a force sufficiently large, he would attempt to raise the siege. Hence he was compelled to erect works in his rear, similar to those which the enemy had constructed in front. Detachments, in the mean time, were sent out to destroy railroads and bridges back of him, as far east as they could well penetrate, while Porter was requested to land marines and sailors to hold Haines 1 Bluff until troops could be got on ; for Grant had no doubt that the first attempt of the enemy would be to take this commanding posi- tion. It was also additionally fortified, so that at length a comparatively small garrison could hold it against a large force. Grant, in the position he now occupied between 200 LITE OF GRANT. two armies, had to be argils-eyed, and show * sleepless vigilance. In the meantime, the be- siegers labored under manv embarrassments. The army was not supplied with siege guns, nor any of the appliances for conducting siege operations. Besides, there were but a few skilful engineer offi- cers in the army. Being mostly volunteers, toey were totally ignorant of the mode of procedure in approaching elaborate fortifications. Many of the materials used, also, had to be extemporized Dn the spot. All this increased sevenfold the labors of Grant, for it made it necessary for him to super- intend every thing. Details which ordinarily are left solely to subordinate officers, he was compell- ed to attend to in person. But still the work went on, and approaches and covered ways, parallels, saps, and mines, and trenches, were pushed forward on every side. In the meantime, guns were planted, and parapets lined with sharpshooters, to keep down the rebel fire, which otherwise would impede the workmen. Slowly but steadily the army dug its way up the slope the total length of all the trenches reaching, in the end, the enormous distance of twelve miles. The enemy made but feeble at- tempts to obstruct the progress of the work, part- ly for want of ammunition, and partly because the moment a gunner showed his head above the parapets it became a target for a dozen rifles. STEADY PROGRESS. 201 This comparative quiet on the part of the besieged greatly facilitated operations. There being no mortars for throwing shells over the hostile para- pets, wooden ones were constructed out of hollow logs, firmly bound with iron hoops, which did good service. By the last of June, Grant had two hundred and twenty guns in position, but amid them all there was but one battery of heavy pieces, that on the right which had been landed from the gunboats, and was officered by the navy. The rebels countermined at some points, though with- out energy or skill ; but for the most part they lay silent behind their works. This apathy was, doubtless, partly owing to the belief that before Grant's operations could be completed, Johnston would be thundering in his rear, compelling him to abandon them. An occasional sally was made, but none of those desperate rushes which so often in a single night destroy the labor of days ; and Grant kept creeping steadily nearer, preparatory to his final spring. The most important advances were made along the graveyard and Jackson roads by trenches, and through the ravines by covered ways. Protected by these, Grant was able to plant two entire divisions within two hundred yards of the rebel works. (He had begun his ap- proaches at the distance of about six hundred yards.) 9* 202 LIFE OF GRANT. In the meantime, food getting scarce in Vicks burg, the garrison was put on short rations, and Pemberton sent word to Johnston of his con- dition, saying that he could not hold out much longer. The anaconda, in the popular phraseology of the day, was tightening his folds day by day, around the doomed city. Flour at last got to be a thousand dollars a barrel, Confederate money ; meal a hundred and fifty dollars a bushel, rum a hundred dollars a gallon ; while mule-meat was sold at a dollar a pound. The half-starved inhabitants, in order to escape the shells and missiles of destruction that were constantly hurled from Grant's batteries into the town, took refuge in caves and holes which they had dug in the earth. Gaunt famine stalked along the deserted streets, and haggard faces glared out of holes in the ground, while gaping walls and tottering chim- neys leaning over the wide-spread rum, added increased mournfulness to the scene. The name- less dread, the sleepless terror that brooded over the spot, were enhanced by the almost unbroken silence that rested on the ramparts. Scarcely a gun responded to the ceaseless thunder of Grant's batteries, and to the beholder, this strange silence seemed like the stillness of despair. It was plain that this state of things could not endure much longer, and mutinous murmurings among the troops were kept from breaking forth EXPLOSION OF A MINE. 205 into open rebellion, only by the declaration to-day, that Johnston's army was marching to their relief, and to-morrow by the promise that rafts and boats should be made out of the timber of the houses, on which they would be floated over to the west- ern bank, and thus escape the pains of surrender. A few days before the long-deferred crisis came, a mine was exploded under one of the enemy's works. The heads of the saps had reached the hostile lines at several points, and at one on the Jackson road, the mine was carried in for thirty-five feet, when three branch mines were run out, so as to make the explosion more extensive in its effects. Five hundred pounds of powder were placed in each of the branch mines, and seven hundred in the centre one, making in all a ton of powder. The 25th of June was the day fixed for explod- ing it, and although the enemy had countermined, he had effected nothing, and at the appointed time it was fired. " The fuse train being ignited, it went fizzing and popping through the zigzag line of trenches, until for a moment it vanished. Its dis- appearance was quickly succeeded by the explo- sion, and the mine was sprung. So terrible aspec- tacle is seldom witnessed. Dust, dirt, smoke, gabions, stockades, timber, gun-carriages, logs in fact, every thing connected with the fc rt rose hun- dreds of feet into the air, as if vomited forth from a 204 LITE OF GRANT. volcano ;" while the surrounding country shook as if in the grasp of an earthquake. A few rebel soldiers were seen to rise bodily into the air, two of whom came down alive within our lines. But most of the troops had been withdrawn, apparent- ly in expectation of the explosion. At the moment it took place, to add greater terror to the scene, the artillery opened all along the lines. The crater made was large enough to hold two regiments, and a column of troops which had stood in readiness to take advantage of the explo- sion, leaped at once into it, and a fierce, desperate hand to hand struggle took place in the opening. The enemy, however, soon retired to an interior line, higher up the slope, and which looked down on our daring troops below. They at once began to hurl down hand-grenades, and roll down lighted boxes of ammunition, which burst with ter- rible effect among the crowded ranks. McPher- son's men threw hand-grenades back, but being compelled to cast them up hill, they labored at fatal disadvantage. They, however, fought and fell where they stood, all the afternoon. When darkness wrapped the wild ruin, detachments from Leggett's brigade relieved each other in holding the crater, and the gloom was incessantly streaked with the fuses of the grenades or volleys of musketry. So deadly was the effect of the mis* THE DEATH-HOLE. 205 siles of the rebels, pitched from their elevated position, that the soldiers called the crater "the death-hole." But although death held high carnival in that smoking chasm, all that horrible ni^ht our troops grimly held it, and at morning began a covered way, from which other mines could be run. Grant, the moment he found the troops in pos- session of the crater, determined to hold it at all hazards, and gave his orders to that effect along the lines. To Orel he wrote : " McPherson occupies the crater made by the explosion. He will have guns in battery there by morning. He has been hard at work running rifle-pits right, and thinks he will hold all gained Keep Smith's division sleeping under arms to- night, ready for an emergency. Their services may be required, particularly about daylight There should be the greatest vigilance along the whole line." Another mine was sprung on the 1st day of July, opening another huge abyss under a rebel work. From this time our mines were run in every direction, to open up a path over the demolished works, for the assaulting columns. They at length brought our troops so near the hostile lines, that the workmen on opposite sides could con- verse. Grant was now so well up, that he knew 206 LIFE OF GRANT, but a little more demolition of the obstacles before him was needed to make a determined assault successful. He was the more eager to hasten the decisive moment, for he had intercepted des- patches from Johnston, informing Pemberton that he was on the way to relieve him while there were indications that General Taylor, in Louisi- ana, designed to move up on the west shore of the river. He determined, therefore, to make the final assault on the 6th of July. Pemberton saw with alarm the coming storm. The despatches of Johnston could not reach him, while he beheld the relentless line of Grant con- tracting closer and closer around him with each revolving day. The gunboats were thundering against him from the river, new batteries were springing up in his very face, mines were being loaded beneath his feet, the garrison was starving and dying from miasma and exhaustion, the hos- pitals were crowded with the suffering, men and women in utter despair and want clamoring for relief, and a terrible assault close at hand, how then could he hold out longer? No troops ever fought more gallantly or suffered more patiently than those had done which he commanded. Why then should he, from mere pride, expose them, weakened and worn out as they were, to all the terrors of an assault Even if it should be re- pelled, it would bring no relief to him. The only THE FINAL HOUR. 207 result would be more mines, increased starva- tion and death, and then another assault. Grant's sap-rollers were already crowning the heights he had deemed impregnable, and the final hour could not be long delayed. CHAPTER XIH. THE SURRENDER. Propositions of Pemberton Interview between him and Grant Impressive Scene Haughty Bearing of the former Terms Agreed upon The Rebel Soldiers Stack their Arms Interview between Grant and Pemberton Rudeness of the Latter and bis Officers Grant enters tbe City in Triumph Interview between bim and Porter Tbe Soldiers Celebrate tbe Fourth of July Pemberton's Reasons for Surrendering on tbe Fourtb Grant's Despatch to tbe Government Parole and Departure of the Prisoners Rebuke of Ilalleck Correspondence with Banks The President's Letter Sherman sent back to Fight Johnston Summing up of the Campaign. IN this desperate condition, Pemberton was compelled, bitter as it was, to confess that the place must be surrendered. As if he wished to shut out the full extent of the disaster, from which there was no escape, he, on the 1st of July, sub- mitted the following paper to his four division generals, Stevenson, Forney, Smith, and Bowen : " Unless the siege of Vicksburg is raised, or sup- plies are thrown in, it will become necessary, very shortly, to evacuate the place. I see no prospect of the former, and there are many great, if not in- superable, obstacles in the way of the latter You are, therefore, requested to inform me, with as lit- SURRENDER PROPOSED. 209 tie delay as possible, as to the condition of your troops, and their ability to make the marches and undergo the fatigue necessary to accomplish a successful evacuation." All agreed that an attempt at evacuation was useless, while two unhesitatingly advised a sur- render. Pemberton, therefore, on the 3d of July, addressed the following note to Grant : " I have the honor to propose to you an armis- tice of hours, with a view to arranging terms for the capitulation of Vicksburg. To this end, if agreeable to you, I will appoint three commis- sioners, to meet a like number to be named by yourself, at such place and hour as you may find convenient I make this proposition to save the further effusion of blood, which must otherwise be shed to a frightful extent, feeling myself fully able to maintain my position for a yet indefinite period. This communication will be handed you, under a flag of truce, by Major-General John S. Bowen." About ten o'clock he hoisted a flag of truce, and sent Bowen, with one of his staff, to Grant with the proposition. The bearer expressed a desire for an interview with Gen. Grant, but the latter wished to see no subordinate officer, and refused to meet him. Bowen then said, that he thought it would be well for the two commanding generals to have an interview. To this Grant consented, 210 LIFE OF GRANT. saying that, if Pemberton so desired, he would meet him at three o'clock in the afternoon, mid- way between the lines in front of McPherson's po- sition. At the same time he sent the following answer to his note : " Your note of this date is just received, proposing an armistice of several hours for the purpose of arranging terms of capit- ulation, through commissioners to be appointed, etc. The effusion of blood you propose stopping by this course, can be ended at any time you may choose, by an unconditional surrender of the city and garrison. Men who have shown so much endurance and courage as those now in Vicksburg, will always challenge the respect of an adversary, and, I can assure you, will be treated with all the respect due them as prisoners of war. I do no favor the proposition of appointing commissioners to arrange terms of capitulation, because I have no other terms than those indicated above." At three o'clock one gun was fired, and imme diately answered by one from the enemy, the sig- nal agreed upon, if Pemberton desired the inter- view. In a few minutes the latter rode out of his works, accompanied by Gen. Bowen and CoL Montgomery, while Grant, in the other direction, rode through his trenches, toward a grassy slope that had not been trod by either army. The un- wonted spectacle created the most intense excite- ment in both armies, and the frowning works on THE INTERVIEW. 211 either side became black with troops, gazing intent- ly off on the space where the two commanders were slowly approaching each other. The clouds set- tled low and dark above the landscape, as if sym- bolical of the fate that hung over Vicksburg. Just before meeting they dismounted, and ad- vancing on foot, shook hands, addressing each other courteously. Pemberton then inquired of Grant what terms of capitulation would be allow- ed him. The latter replied, those that he had stated in his letter of the morning. At this, Pein- berton drew himself up haughtily, and replied: " If this were all, the conference might terminate, and hostilities be resumed immediately." u Very well," coolly replied Grant, and turned away. The interview seemed ended; when General Bowen, with less pride and more judgment than his commander, proposed that two officers from each party should withdraw and talk over the mat- ter. Grant said that he had no objection ; and the two generals, leaving them to consult, walked up and down in open view, conversing, Grant, as usual, serenely smoking his cigar. The day was sultry, and the interview took place under a large solitary oak-tree, that stood in the open space. In a short time Grant and Pember- ton returned to this tree, to hear the result of the deliberations. The proposition of General Boweri was, that the garrison should march out of Vicks- 212 LIFE OF GRANT. burg with their muskets and field-guns, leaving the heavy artillery behind them. This, Grant at once rejected. The two now entered into a lengthy discussion, in which Pemberton pressed hard for terms that would break, somewhat, the humilia- tion of his downfall. Grant, personally, felt no disinclination to this, for, devoid of all mere pride of conquest, and averse, from kindness of heart, to the infliction of needless pain, he would naturally prefer to spare the feelings of a humbled foe, But his duty forbade it. ISTo agreement could be had on such a proposition, and, after an hour's dura- tion, the interview closed, and each returned to his lines with the understanding that Grant, after further consideration, should, by ten o'clock, send his ultimatum. The latter had no doubt what this should be. Still, willing to yield any thing that he could with propriety, he called a council of his officers and submitted the question to them. They almost unanimously agreed on terms, but Grant would not accept them, and he concluded to act, as he had done in all his campaigns and battles thus far, on his own judgment. He therefore sent the fol- lowing letter: HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE, J NEAR YICKSBURG, July 3, 1863. $ Lieuten ant-General J. C. PEMBERTON, commanding Con- federate forces, Yicksbnrg, Miss. : GENERAL : In conformity with the agreement of this THE SURRENDER. 213 afternoon, I will submit the following proposition for the surrender of the city of Vicksburg, public stores, On your accepting the terms proposed, I will march in one division, as a guard, and take possession at eight o'clock to-morrow morning. As soon as paroles can be made out and signed by the officers and men, you will be allowed to march out of our lines, the officers taking with them their regimental clothing, and staff, field, and cavalry officers one horse each. The rank and file will be allowed all their clothing, but no other property. If these conditions are accepted, any amount of ra- tions you may deem necessary can be taken from the stores you now have, and also the necessary cooking utensils for preparing them ; thirty wagons, also, count- ing two two-horse or mule teams as one. You will be allowed to transport such articles as cannot be carried along. The same conditions will be allowed to all sick and wounded officers and privates, as fast as they be- come able to travel. The paroles for these latter must be signed, however, whilst officers are present, authorized to sign the roll of prisoners. I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient ser- vant, U. S. GBAirr, Major-General. On the reception of this, Pemberton called a council of war, and submitted it to them. All but one advised him to accept the conditions offered. He concluded to do so, and late at night sent the following answer : " I have the honor to ac- knowledge the receipt of your communication of this date, proposing terms of capitulation for this garrison and post. In the main, your terms are accepted ; but in justice both to the honor and spirit of my troops, manifested in the defence of Vicksburg, I have to submit the following amend- 214 LIFE OF GRANT. ments, which, if acceded to by you, will perfect the agreement between us. At ten o'clock A. M., to- morrow, I propose to evacuate the works in and around Vicksburg, and to surrender the city and garrison under my command, by marching out with my colors and arms, stacking them in front of my present lines, after which you will take pos- session. Officers to retain their side-arms and personal property, and the rights and property of citizens to be respected. 1 " This reached Grant at midnight, and he imme- diately replied : " I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 3d July. The amendment proposed by you cannot be acceded to in full. It will be neces- sary to furnish every officer and man with a parole signed by himself, which, with the completion of the roll of prisoners, will necessarily take some time. Again, I can make no stipulations .with regard to the treatment of citizens and their private property. While I do not propose to cause them any undue annoyance or loss, I cannot consent to leave myself under any restraint by stipulations. The property which officers will be allowed to take with them will be as stated in my proposition of last evening : that is, officers will be allowed their private baggage and side-arms, and mounted officers one horse each. If you mean by your proposition for each brigade to march to the front of the lines now occupied by it, and stack arms at ten o'clock A. M., and then re- turn to the inside and remain as prisoners until properly paroled, I will make no objections to it. Should no modification be made of your acceptance of my terms by nine o'clock A. M., I shall regard them as having been rejected, and act accordingly. Should these terms CLOSING SCENES. 215 be accepted, white flags shall be displayed along your lines, to prevent such of my troops as may not have been notified, from firing on your men. I am, General, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Major-General U.S.A. By a singular coincidence, the next morning was the Fourth of July, our great anniversary day, and at ten o'clock the garrison marched out by regiments, and stacked their arms on the grassy slope in front of the works they had defended so long and gallantly, hanging their colors upon the centre. With that downcast look always so sad in a brave soldier's face, they laid off their knap- sacks, belts, cartridge-boxes and cap-pouches, and thus shorn of their arms and accoutrements, and leaving their colors behind them, slowly wheeled back into their works. Not a word had been spoken, save the few words of command ne- cessary from the officers in charge, and these were uttered in a low, subdued tone, as one speaks at a funeral. The spectacle would have been mournful if the humbled foe had been an invader ; but it was doubly so when it was remembered that they were citizens of a common country, brethren of the same family, and the very soil on which they stacked their arms was their own birthright. The painful ceremony lasted over an hour, and when it was over, the rebel and Federal officers mounted in haste and swept away towards the city. 216 LIFE OP GRANT. Thirty-one thousand six hundred men, on thia eventful morning, surrendered themselves prisoners of war, of whom fifteen were generals. Pemberton, at this time, was at Forney's head- quarters, a stone house, built on the outskirts of the city, with wide verandahs, and almost hid among the tropical trees. Seated hi a damask cushioned rocking-chair, he sat with his head bent as if lost in sad reflections, while pride and mor- tification seemed struggling for the mastery in his swarthy face. Tall, with black eyes and hair, and a full flowing beard, he was a conspicuous object on the verandah, which was filled with officers. It was a hot day, and the doors and windows were all open to let in a little air, through which also stole the triumphant strains of the distant regimental bands. Grant with his staff trotted leisurely towards this house, and dismounting, stepped on to the piazza, and advanced towards the rebel general All looked up as he entered, and could scarce restrain their surprise, when in- stead of a tall and commanding form, clad in the rich uniform befitting so grand an occasion, they saw before them a man of small stature, thick- set, and round shouldered, dressed in a plain suit of blue flannel, and with nothing to distinguish his rank but two stars on his shoulders. Pember- ton received his salutations coldly, and had not the civility to rise and offer him a chair. His RTJDE TREATMENT. 217 officers were all seated on the piazza, but accept- ing their commander's conduct as the rule of politeness, not one of them offered Grant a seat. Not even the swords at their side, which he in his generosity allowed them to retain, could prompt them to common civility. Among those officers it is hard to believe that there was not many who were ashamed of this want of courtesy, and persisted in it only because the sullen de- meanor and discourteous tone of their chief made them feel that any other course would be displeas- ing to him. Thus for five minutes the conqueror stood con- versing with his prisoner seated in his richly- cushioned rocking-chair. This shameful spectacle was at length more than the gentlemanly feelings of one of the officers present could endure, and he rose and offered Grant a seat. The latter, however, occupied it but a few minutes, when feeling very thirsty from his hot and dusty ride, he asked for a drink of water. Not one offered to get it or ordered a servant to do so ; instead, he was cav- alierly told that he would find some inside of the house. Passing within, he groped around, and at last came across a negro, who brought him a glass. Grant then returned to the piazza, and Ending his seat had been taken in his absence, again stood and conversed for nearly a half an hour with his rude captive. Notwithstanding his 10 218 LIFE OF GRANT. incivility, Pemberton did not hesitate to request Grant to supply his troops with rations, to which the latter assented, and inquired how many were needed. " Thirty-two thousand," was the reply, w^hich was a surprise to Grant, who had all the while labored under the impression that the garri- son did not reach much over half that number. In the meantime, Logan's division, to which ~ o / had been assigned the honor of first entering the city, because it had pushed its approaches nearest to the rebel works, came marching along, the bands playing exulting strains. Grant bidding his surly host good morning, mounted his horse, and put- ting himself at the head of the division, marched into the city, while the pallid inhabitants stole out of their caves to gaze on the strange spectacle. The tattered banners that had been borne over many a fierce battle-field, stooped and rose proud- ly along the streets, and at last were carried in triumph to the top of the Court House, where their appearance was greeted with cheers. Grant then passed on down to the wharf to visit Ad- miral Porter, and exchange congratulations with him on their joint victory. The gallant Admiral in his flag-ship, followed by the whole fleet, covered with flags, and the guns firing a feu de joie that made the welkin ring, passed down until he came in front of the town, when he rounded to and swept up to the levee. As Grant and his INTERVIEW WITH PORTER. 219 officers stepped on board, from ship and shore went up thundering hurrahs flags dipped in graceful salutations to the hero, while the heavy guns roared out their wild acclaim. The meeting between him and the Admiral was of the most cordial kind, and never did Porter's deck witness a gayer or more gladsome sight than it presented at that moment, crowded with the gallant officers of the army and navy, ming ling their warm congratulations. After months of unexampled toil against adverse fate, and from many a fierce fight, in which they had been together, it was glorious at last to see the national colors flying from those lofty bluffs. The interview was long and pleasant, but just before dark Grant again returned to the shore, and mounting his horse, rode back to his old camp in the field, while the soldiers made the nightly heavens above Vicksburg red with fire-works, in commemoration of the Fourth of July. It had been a glorious Fourth to the national troops, and it was thought strange that Pemberton should have allowed the capitulation to take place on a day that would make the victors feel their triumph so much more keenly. In his report he gives the following reason for it : "If it should be asked why the 4th of July was selected as the day for surrender ? the answer is obvious. I believed that upon that day I 220 LIFE OF GRANT. should obtain better terms. Well aware of the vanity of our foes, I knew they would attach vast importance to the entrance, on the 4th of July, into the stronghold of the great river, and that, to gratify their national vanity, they would yield then what could not be extorted from them at any other time." This evinced a considerable shrewdness on his part, and no doubt most of the officers would have granted easier terms on this day than any other. That night Grant sat down in his quiet quar- ters, and while the distant heavens were bright with rockets, wrote the following despatch to the Government : "The enemy surrendered this morning. The only terms allowed is their parole as prisoners of war. This I regard as a great advantage to us, at this moment. It saves, probably, several days in the capture, and leaves troops and transports ready for immediate service." That is all he has to say respecting one of the greatest victories of modern times, not only in the number of prisoners taken, the amount of war material captured, but in the importance of the position obtained, with reference to the final issue of the contest. Noth- ing could be more unpretending and commonplace. Caesar, after a great victory, could say, in drama tic conciseness, "Veni, vidi, vici" Commodore Peny, in similar circumstances, in laconic but SIMPLICITY AND SHREWDNESS COMBINED. 221 triumphant language, " We have met the enemy, and they are ours," while Grant announces a vic- tory greater than either with apparently as little feeling or excitement as he would the fact that he had made for the government a tolerably fair pur- chase of a drove of army -mules. This simplicity never deserts him. Like his imperturbable seren- ity, it remains the same under all circumstances. The rank and file of the rebel army exhibited no such feelings as disgraced their commander, but mingled, in the most familiar manner, with the Union soldiers, and could be seen walking arm in arm along the streets, chatting familiarly as old acquaintances. Seven hundred of the prisoners refused to be paroled, preferring to remain as prisoners. Even if the relentless conscription respected their parole, they had no desire to serve again, after exchange, in the rebel army. Pemberton requested Grant to compel them to accept their parole ; but the latter declined to interfere in the matter. He then re- quested that a portion of his troops be allowed to take arms with them in order to prevent the rest fivm deserting on the road. This Grant also de- clined to do, as not coining within the line of his duty. He did riot care to give the chief reason that actuated him in refusing this request, viz that lie \\ished the very thing that Pemberto-i de- sired to prevent. 222 LIFE OF GttANT. It took a few days to complete the paroles, but every thing being at length arranged, on Saturday forenoon, the llth, the weaponless army, bereft of all its standards, took up its mournful march. Long lines of national infantry extended along each side of the road for some distance beyond the intrenchments, as guards ; and between these, with bowed heads, the silent columns slowly denied. Many had fought from a sense of duty under the standards they now left behind ; from the eyes of these the tears fell hot and fast ; others turned to take a last look at the works behind which they had battled so long and well, and suffered so ter- ribly, while others, sullen and desponding, march- ed doggedly on. Their brave conquerors, forget- ting their triumph in the feeling of pity for their gallant but misguided countrymen, exhibited none of the victors 1 pride, and uttered no word of taunt or boast. In dead silence they let them pass, till the last column disappeared around the winding road, and then wheeled, and marched back to their quarters. The first response that Grant received from "Washington, after this great victory, was a rebuke from Halleck for having paroled the prisoners, and ordering him peremptorily not to carry out his agreement, if it had not been already done fearing, he said, that the enemy would not regard the parole as binding. It is true, he afterwardi A STRONG LETTER. 223 complimented him highly for his brilliant strategy, but that did not lessen the painful effect of this first rebuke. The people, however, had nothing but plaudits for him. Hoisting of flags, firing of cannon, and deafening shouts, followed the tidings of his great victory the length and breadth of the land, and his name dwelt on every tongue. The victory of Gettysburg, at the same time, swelled the national enthusiasm to the highest pitch ; and the shout that rose from the valley of the Missis- sippi met that which swelled up the Atlantic slope, till the Alleghanies shook with the glad acclaim. Four days after, Port Hudson fell, thus opening the Mississippi its entire length. This result Grant had anticipated, when he refused again and again Banks' urgent request to send him troops. Once, in reply to a request for ten thousand men, he wrote with an earnestness not usual with him, unless deeply roused. He said : " Our situation is, for the first time during the entire Western campaign, what it should be. We have, after great labor and extraordinary risk, secured a po- sition which should not be jeopardized by any de- tachments whatever. * * I have ample means to defend my present position, and effect the re- duction of Vicksburg within twenty days, if the relation of affairs which now obtains remains un- changed. But, detach ten thousand men from 224 LIFE OF GEANT. my command, and I cannot answer for the result. * * * I need not describe the severity of the labor to which my command must necessarily be subjected, hi an operation of such magnitude as that in which I am now engaged. Weakened by the detachment of ten thousand men, or even half that number, with the circumstances entirely changed, I should be crippled beyond redemp- tion." He had not spent months to get just where he wanted to be, to risk success by weakening his forces. He knew well that Port Hudson would fall of itself the moment that Vicksburg surren- dered. Banks 1 sacrifice of life before the former place was as useless as the manner of doing it was unwise. Grant was aware that Banks' request was in accordance with the President's wishes, and this fact made him feel the more deeply, but he resolved that nothing but a peremptory order from headquarters should make him relax for a moment the iron grasp he had got on Vicksburg. After its surrender, he received the following letter from the President, acknowledging his mis- take: EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINOTON, July 13, 1863. To Major-General GRANT : MY DEAR GENERAL : I do not remember that you and I ever met personally. I write this now as a grateful acknowledgment for the almost inestimable service you have done the country. I wish to say a word further A CAM)ID LETTER. 225 When you first reached the vicinity of Yicksburg, I thought you should do what you finally did march the troops across the neck, run the batteries with the trans- ports, and thus go below; and I never had any faith, except a general hope that you knew better than I, that the Yazoo Pass expedition, and the like, could succeed. When you got below and took Port Gibson, Grand Gulf, and the vicinity, I thought you should go down the river and join General Banks ; and when you turned northward east of the Big Black, I feared it was a mis- take. I now wish to make a personal acknowledgment that you were right and I was wrong. Yours, very truly, A. LINCOLN. Nothing shows the tireless activity of Grant, and the terrible relentlessness with which he clung to and pushed his foe, more than his action on the night preceding the surrender of Vicksburg. Foresee- ing clearly that its capitulation was inevitable, he directed Sherman to march back to Jackson and give Johnston battle, and drive him from the Mis- sissippi Central Railroad. He was not a man to sit down for a moment and enjoy victories already won, when others were to be achieved. It was hard for troops that had struggled and waited so long for the overthrow of tbe stronghold, not to be allowed to witness its downfall, and share in tbe triumph. But the order was peremptory, and the tired troops started off, followed, soon as the capitulation was signed, by Ord and Steele ; and marched back under a hot July sun for fifty miles, over a parched and pestilential country with no 10* 226 LIFE OP GRANT. water but such as could be gathered from swamps, to quench their thirst. Rebuilding the bridges they had previously de- stroyed, the army pushed on to Jackson, where Johnston lay strongly entrenched. Holding him here, in the expectation that he would be assault- ed, Sherman sent out expeditions in every direc- tion, destroying railroads and rolling-stock and fixtures, while at the same time he gradually extended his lines around the place, till both ex- tremities touched Pearl River. Johnston, now thoroughly alarmed for his safety, decamped in the night, and fled into the interior, destroying the railroad running east behind him, as he re- treated. Sherman then slowly marched back, having lost about a thousand men in the expedi- tion. This finished the campaign of Vicksburg, the total result of which footed up in losses to Grant of killed and wounded and missing, eight thou- sand eight hundred and seventy-three ; to the enemy, of fifty-six thousand, besides the vast de- struction of material of war and public property, and the capture of cannon. CHAPTER XIV. Employment of Negro Troops Grant's Views respecting it Threatens to retaliate if they are abused when captured Opposed to opening Trade with the South Proposes an Ex- pedition against Mobile His Application rejected Protects his Soldiers against the Extortion of Steamboat Captains Wife visits him Her enthusiastic Reception in St. Louis Public Dinner at Memphis Thrown from his Horse at New Orleans and laid up Long Confinement Ordered to reinforce Rose- crans Leaves Vicksburg Placed over all the Troops in the Mississippi Valley Interview with the Secretary of War. GRANT'S known anti-abolition principles, as dis- tinguished from that party which, in former years, , waged perpetual war on the South, and his democratic tendencies, so far as he had any politics previous to the rebellion, caused many to imagine that he would be entirely opposed to the employ- ment of negroes as soldiers a measure recently determined on by the Government. But they were mistaken. Not merely as a subordinate was he willing to obey the behests of his Govern- ment, but as a wise commander, he saw that they could be employed with great benefit to the country especially in garrisoning places on the Mississippi, and thus releasing white troops to be used in the field. Hence, only a week after the 228 LIFE OF GRANT. surrender of Vicksburgh, lie told the Adjutant- General of the army, that he was " anxious to get as many of those negro regiments as possible," which had been ordered by the Government. He said, " I am particularly anxious to organize a regiment of heavy artillerists from the negroes, to garrison this place, and shall do so as soon as possi- ble." The President had written to him person- ally on the subject, for he had sanguine expecta- tions respecting the great results of such a measure thinking, in fact, that it alone would destroy the Confederacy. He said, "It is a re- source, which, if vigorously applied now, will soon close this contest." Grant did not share these ex- travagant expectations. He never was carried away by any mere theory. He viewed every thing by the light of common sense ; and although at the outset of the war, like thousand of others who had never studied carefully the history of civil revolutions, he thought that a few battles would end it, he had long since abandoned that idea. He well knew that many fierce conflicts and a long struggle, were before the country. Neither did he believe, like the dreamers at Washington, that emancipation or the employment of negroes would do it. He looked upon these all only as so many measures to help forward an end which could be reached only by hard fighting and deci- sive victories in the field. The raising of a hun NEGRO TROOPS. 229 dred negro regiments, was to him simply a hun- dred thousand soldiers added to the army, nothing more nor less. The Southern commanders were inclined at first not to recognize negroes as soldiers, especially those who were runaway slaves, as under their laws they were required to turn them over to their former masters. Grant did not trouble himself about the logic of the question a man wearing the uniform of a United States soldier, and fighting under its flag, was entitled to receive the treatment due an Ameri- can soldier. Hearing that this had not been granted to some prisoners captured at Milliken's Bend, but on the contrary, that they had been bru- tally hung, he wrote to General Taylor (son of Gene- ral Taylor, the former President), within whose com- mand the crime was committed, and after reciting ' O the circumstances, said : "I feel no inclination to retaliate for the offence of irresponsible persons, but if it is the policy of any general intrusted with the command of troops, to show no quarter, or to punish with death prisoners taken in battle, I will accept the issue. It may be, you purpose a different line of policy towards black troops, and officers commanding them, to that practised to- wards white troops. If so, I can assure you that these colored troops are regularly mustered into the service of the United States. The Govern- ment, and all the officers under the Government, 230 LIFE OP GRANT. are bound to give the same protection to those troops, that they do to any other troops." No pompous declamation here no windy threats, which so many delighted to indulge in, for the sake of the pleasant sound they would make when re- ported in the newspapers ; but a quiet, calm utter- ance of his duty, and a settled determination to perform it. He would hang a rebel general with the same serenity that he smoked his cigar, in the discharge of that. General Taylor replied, that he would punish all acts of inhumanity, or that were unbecoming a soldier ; but that his Govern- ment required its officers to turn over all captured negroes to the civil authority, to be dealt with according to law. The closing of the Mississippi had been a severe blow to the Western States, whose commerce had formerly been extensive with the South ; hence, soon as it was opened, they anxiously desired to open trade with that portion which had sur- rendered to our arms. This was natural else, they said, why expend so much time and treasure, and men, if it is to remain practically as much closed to us as ever. Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury, being himself a "Western man, felt the pressure of Western opinion, and urged that trade, under certain restrictions, should be allowed within districts occupied by our military forces. This, Grant respectfully but steadily opposed. Though NO TBADE WITH THE SOUTH. 231 he said he held himself in readiness to obey any order he should receive, he remonstrated against the course, as certain to inflict serious injury on the Union cause. He declared it would be impos- sible, if trade were once allowed, to prevent the rebels from being supplied with every thing they wanted. He had seen how the thing worked in Kentucky, and he told the Government plainly, that it could not adopt any general rule in regard to trade under which " all sorts of dishonest men would not engage in it, taking any oath or obliga- tion necessary to secure the privilege." Smuggling, he said, would be carried on in spite of the greatest vigilance, which would give the South, practically, the advantage of open commerce. His wise, sagacious counsels, however, were not followed, and his predictions proved true, while the per- petual annoyances to which it subjected him, were almost past endurance. Jews, and unscrupulous speculators of every kind, blockaded his headquar- ters, often ruffling that serene temper which noth- ing else seemed able to disturb. Anecdotes are told of the summary manner in which he some- times dealt with these pestilent fellows, suggestive of any thing but military formality. Although, immediately after the fall of Vicks- burg, Grant sent off troops to Banks, and other- wise weakened his army, still he did not propose to remain idle. A large force could be assembled 232 LITE OP GRANT. in a short time, ?md he thought if a sudden, vigor- ous blow were struck at Mobile, it could be taken. This would open the whole southern tier of States to our arms, and Grant proposed an expedition against it to Halleck. Meeting with a rebuff he returned to it again in a few days, declaring that if permission were given him, he felt certain of success. Admiral Porter was of the same opinion ; but no solicitations could move Halleck. He wanted " to clear out western Louisiana," &c., and the result of his grand scheme was, that instead of the capture of Mobile, we had the Red River expedition under Banks, after cotton, which ended so disgracefully, and which come so near destroy- ing our fleet on the Mississippi. Halleck was always inclined to squander our forces in expedi- tions which, even if successful, were barren of re- sults that bore directly on the issue of the struggle. Grant always believed in striking vital points first, knowing that if the heart was once reached, the extremities would die of themselves ; while Hal- leck wished to reach the citadel of life by slow approaches. Lincoln coincided with the General- in-Chief, re- specting the Mobile expedition, and wrote to Grant so, and he was therefore compelled reluctantly to give it up, and remain idle at Vicksburg. Many officers and soldiers, some of them on account of sickness and wounds, and others, whose HIS CARE OF THE SOLDIERS. 233 absence from duty was necessary, obtained short furloughs, and repaired North. Grant, ever mind- ful of the welfare of his men, issued an order forbidding the steamboats that cleared from Vicks- burg for Cairo, from charging the soldiers more than five dollars, and the officers more than seven, for their passage. Regardless of this order, the steamer Hope had taken on board a large number of both the captain charging them from ten to twenty-five dollars apiece. Grant, hearing of it, immediately despatched an officer, accompanied by a guard, with the order to the captain to refund at once all the money received by him as fare, over five dollars to enlisted men, and seven dollars to officers, or submit to imprisonment for disobe- dience, and have his boat confiscated. The aston- ished captain looked first at the order and then at the guard which had been sent down to enforce it, and sullenly paid back the money which he had received in excess of the fare as fixed by Grant. This care of them by their commander, spread like wild-fire among the soldiers, and they made the shore ring with their hurrahs. On being informed of the various impositions practised on furloughed soldiers and officers, by steamboat men, he became very indignant, and said, u I will teach them, if they need the lesson, that the men who have perilled their lives to open the Mississippi 234 LIFE OF GRANT. liver for their benefit, cannot be imposed upon with impunity." Grant has none of that electric fire, that mag- netic sympathy, such as distinguished Napoleon, and made the meanest soldier proud to die for him. There is nothing dramatic about him. He holds the affections of his troops by a different bond by an attachment that springs from profound re- spect for his ability, forecast, and readiness to share all their toils, privations and danger, and a parental care for their welfare. In the short rest to which he was now doomed by the mistaken policy at Washington, his wife had time to visit him. For weary months, not only he, but his little son, not yet old enough to do without his mother's good-night kiss, had been either sleeping in pestilential marshes, or riding amid the storm of battle, and her heart yearned to see them, and the moment that victory gave her free access to them, she hastened to their em- brace. Reaching St. Louis on her way down, her person was recognized, and immediately the hotel at which she stopped was thronged by the excited populace. Bands of music struck up triumphant airs, the multitude shouted the name of Grant, and so great was their enthusiasm, that they re- fused to leave until she presented herself on the balcony. Leaning on the arm of Brigadier- Gen- eral Strong, she stood a moment before the sea of A PUBLIC DINNER. 235 upturned faces, and was received with the wildest demonstrations of delight. General Strong re- turned thanks in her behalf, in a brief speech. In the mean time, Halleck had ordered Grant to send the Thirteenth Corps, under Ord, to Gen- eral Banks, at New Orleans, and otherwise assist him in his plan of operations against Texas. In the latter part of this month, he visited Mem- phis to look after affairs in that portion of his de- partment, when the citizens asked him to accept the honors of a public dinner. In complying with their request, after thanking them for the honor done him personally, he said : I thank you, too, in the name of the noble army I have the honor to command. It is composed of men whose loyalty is proved by their deeds of heroism and their willing sacrifices of life and health. They will rejoice with me that the miserable adherents of the re- bellion, whom their bayonets have driven from this fair land, are being replaced by men who acknowledge hu- man liberty as the only true foundation of human gov- ernment. May your efforts to restore your city to the cause of the Union be as successful as have been theirs to reclaim it from the despotic rule of the leaders of the rebellion. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant, U. S. GEAJTT. When the grand event of the evening, the toast to himself, was given, the company were taken quite aback by his declining to make any response delegating to one of his staff the duty of re- turning his thanks. He then made the excuse, 236 LIFE OF GRANT. which has since become a standing one, that he was not accustomed to public speaking. In this, he differs from any other distinguished military man of the country that we know of. The next day, he started for New Orleans, to see General Banks, who was on the eve of his depart- ure for Texas, in order to learn his plans, and ascertain if he could be of any assistance to him. While there, a grand military review took place in his honor, at Carrollton. "What a magnificent spectacle ! What cheers rent the air, when the his- toric colors of the old Thirteenth Corps dipped to the hero of Vicksburg as he passed along the lines, followed by a brilliant cortege of captains and staff officers, who had great difficulty in keeping up with the general, as he dashed along at a full gallop on a magnificent charger borrowed from Banks." Taking his place under an oak, he re- viewed the troops, and it was noticed that, as they passed, he lifted his hat with a deeper reverence to the veteran Thirteenth Corps, bearing the flags that had waved in the storm of every battle from Donelson to Vicksburg. But, before the splen- did pageant was over, an accident occurred, that marred the enjoyment of the day, and came near inflicting an irreparable loss on the country. Though no man possesses a firmer seat in the saddle than Grant, and there is not, probably, a more accomplished horseman in the whole country, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. 237 yet by a sudden, unaccountable movement in the animal he bestrode, he was unhorsed in a twink- ling, and dashed with great violence to the ground. So heavy was the fall, and severe the injuries he received, that he never rose from the bed to which he was carried, for twenty days, and during all that time was unable to change his position. He could only lie on his back, and in this state was eventually carried on board of a boat and trans- ported to Vicksburg. He remained here confined to his bed until the 25th of September, when he was able to hobble about on crutches. Fortu- nately, this long incapacity for the field occurred in the most favorable time for the country, as he had nothing to do except hold his own in his de- partment, and give orders of minor importance. Banks was carrying out his Texas expedition, Rosecrans, with wavering fortune, was closing up his military career around Chattanooga, while Burnside of the Ohio department, was holding his own at Knoxville. But about the middle of Sep- tember, Halleck, who had heard that Bragg, from whose hands Rosecrans had just wrested Chattanooga, was being heavily reinforced, tele- graphed to Grant to send all his available force to that place. The despatch, however, was delayed on the road, so that it did not reach Grant until the 23d of the month. He was still in bed at Vicksburg, but immediately sent orders to 238 LIFE OF GRANT. man to start one of his divisions for Chattanooga as speedily as possible. He also stopped a divis- ion of McPherson, which was sailing south to reinforce Steele, and directed it to return at once to Memphis, where Hurlbut was in command, while the latter was ordered to send it, with two divisions of his own and what other troops he could spare, to the same point. Grant bent his whole energies to carry out the wishes of Govern- ment, and placed all of his army, except what was necessary for garrison duty, at the disposal of Hosecrans. The effort, however, came too late the battle of Chickamauga had been fought a few days before, and Rosecrans, defeated with heavy loss, was shut up in Chattanooga, and in great peril of total destruction. Events were hurrying Grant forward to the high command he was destined to reach, faster than the Government proposed. On the last of the month, Halleck, now fully alive to the peril- ous state of things in the Cumberland department, telegraphed to Grant, that as soon as he was able, he wished him to go to Nashville, and take charge of the movement of troops, that Eosecrans was in such pressing need o The day before, however, Grant had telegraphed : "I ain now ready for the field, or any duty I may be called to perform." He was ready for the field, "or any duty 51 that his country might require of him, though he was A MONUMENT TO HIM. 239 just out of bed, and with difficulty could get about on his crutches. To men of less iron will or energy, this bodily condition would have seem- ed any thing but readiness for the battle-field. Two or three days after, he received a despatch requesting him if possible to come to Cairo, the nearest point with which telegraphic communica- tion could be kept up. He immediately started off, and bade, as it turned out, good-bye forever to Vicksburg and the army of the Tennessee the child of his own raising, the sharer of his adverse fortunes and his glory, and which had become en- deared to him by common toils, and dangers, and sufferings, and triumphs. But no defeats or victo- ries to come could ever obliterate the memories that clustered around that place, the capture of which was the culmination of one of the most brilliant campaigns recorded in military annals. And on the spot where stood the oak under which his in- terview with Pemberton took place, and which soon disappeared, root and branch, as relics of the great event, a monument was reared, on which is inscribed, " To the Memory of the Surrender of Vicksburg by Lieutenant-General J. G. Pember- ton to Major-General U. S. Grant, U. S. A., on the 3d of July, 1863." As soon as Grant reached Cairo, he advised Halleck of his arrival, who in reply telegraphed him to proceed at once to Louisville with his staff, 240 LIFE OF GRAJST, where he would meet an officer from the War Department, "with orders and instructions." The same day he started by railroad, and at Indian- apolis met the Secretary of War himself, with an order which consolidated the three departments of Ohio, Cumberland, and his own into one, to be called the Military Division of the Mississippi, and placed him at the head of it, with full power to plan his campaigns without interference from any one. The Government was at last waking up to the fact that had been demonstrated so often that nothing but madness ignored it, that a cabi- net or any representation of the civil government could not conduct campaigns in the field. Mis- take after mistake had been made, disaster after disaster reached, the blame of which fell on the commanders, but which impartial history will put on men in civil authority hi Washington, who undertook to manage that about which they did not understand the first principles. CHAPTER CHATTANOOGA. Grant's Despatch to Thomas Puts him in the place of Rosecrans Starts for Chattanooga Has to he carried over rough places Gloomy Entrance into Chattanooga Positions of the two Armies Opening up the Channel for Supplies Hazen'a Expedition Seizure of Lookout Valley hy Hooker Burnside threatened at Knoxville Sherman hurried forward Grant resolves to attack the Enemy Postponement His Anxiety for Burnside Despatches to him His great Anxiety. THE Government in placing Grant in supreme command of all the forces west of the Alleghanies, gave him the choice of keeping Rosecrans in command of the Army of the Cumberland, or of putting Thomas in his place. He unhesitat- ingly chose the latter. Orders were at once sent on to Chattanooga, announcing his assumption of the command of the new military division, and placing Thomas over the Army of the Cumber- land. Alarmed at the rumors that Rosecrans was about to evacuate Chattanooga, he sent with the same orders the following one to Thomas : " Hold Ctiattanooga at all hazards ; I will be there as soon as possible." The quick response from this incomparable soldier, was, " I will hold the town 11 242 LIFE OF GRANT. till we starve" That was enough. Grant knew that now no power on earth could remove " the rock of Chickarnauga," till he should arrive there. The man who, with his division alone, single- handed, could hour after hour hold at bay the whole rebel host, and save the Army of the Cum- berland from annihilation, could be trusted to keep what human power could retain. The next day after sending those orders, Grant took the railroad for Chattanooga. Reaching Nashville, he telegraphed orders to Burnside, at Knoxville, to fortify important points at once ; to Admiral Porter at Cairo, to get a gunboat to Sherman on the Tennessee, who was pushing his way across the country ; and to Chattanooga to Thomas respecting work to be done without de- lay. From Nashville, he with his staff took horses and struck across the country. Grant was still confined to his crutches, but he could ride on horseback, and the party moved off rapidly as the roads would permit. These, however, were in a horrible condition. Poor in the best season, now at the close of the fall they had been made almost impassable, in some parts, by the heavy rains and army wagons. Across swollen torrents that came roaring down the mountain sides struggling over deep gullies and skirting over- hanging precipices the party made its difficult way along the wreck -bestrewed road. To one in A GLOOMY PIIOSPECT. 243 Grant's helpless condition the difficulties and ob- stacles that met them at almost every step, were peculiarly annoying, for at some points it was impossible to ride with any degree of safety, and the entire party were compelled to dismount and lead their animals carefully over them. Grant, of course, could not use his crutches hi these places, and his escort had to carry him across in their arms. On the last day before reaching Chattanooga, a cold rain set in, drenching him and his escort to the skin. Just as the dark November night closed over the dreary desolate landscape, made still more gloomy and dispiriting by the chilling rain that fell without intermission, Grant, wet, cold, tired, hungry, and bespattered with mud, rode into the beleaguered place. Passing through the gloomy streets to Thomas' headquarters, he was helped from the saddle, and limped wearily under the welcome shelter of a roof. Never before did a general assume command under more depressing circumstances. No welcoming shouts of the soldiers, no cheer- ful congratulations of the officers, met him, but instead, gloomy silence and despondent utterances on every side. Starvation had dried up the cur- rents of life in the troops, while from every height the confident enemy looked down upon them, waiting for famine to do the work of the sword* 244 LIFE OF GRANT. That was not a pleasant night to Grant ; but after conversing with Thomas till a late hour, he sought the rest he so much needed. Roused by the morning gun, the prospect as he looked out upon the dreary landscape did not tend to remove the sad impressions of the night before, for rebel fortifications overlooking the place, met his eye whichever way it turned. After breakfast he mounted and rode out with Thomas and the chief engineer, W. F. Smith, to take a view of the situation. The first object was to open up communication with his supplies, so that the army could be fed. Bragg held the river between Chattanooga and Bridgeport, the terminus of the railroad from Nashville, so that Rosecrans was compelled to bring supplies by land, over the Cumberland Mountains, a distance of sixty miles. The roads had became almost impassable, by the fall rains, and the horses had given out, so that the few teams that arrived often came in half empty, for it was impossible to haul them fully loaded over the frightful mountain roads ; until at last the troops were put on quarter rations, and at the time of Grant's arrival had only provisions enough to carry them through one battle. The opening of a channel, therefore, for supplies to reach him, became the first necessity. This was easily done, if the river to Bridgeport, several OPENING COMMUNICATIONS. 245 miles below, could be cleared of the enemy. The arrival of the Eleventh and Twelfth corps from the Army of the Potomac, just before Grant's ap- pointment to the chief command, had enabled Rosecrans to mature a plan for accomplishing this, which the former approved of, and imme- diately proceeded to carry out. The Tennessee Eiver, which, as it approaches Chattanooga, is running southwest, when just below, turns abruptly to the south for a long dis- tance, and then turns back and flows directly to the north, when it once more resumes its old course. This great bend incloses a peninsula, called Moc- casin Point, from its resemblance to a moccasin, and was held by our troops ; but the opposite bank by the rebels, as far down as Kelly's Ferry. Brown's Ferry was between this and Chattanooga ; and the great object was to dislodge the enemy so that the road to both these ferries would be under Grant's control. The communication would then be open to Bridgeport, from which a railroad ran to Nashville. The operations at Kelly's Ferry were entrusted to Hooker, who had halted his corps at Bridgeport ; and those at Brown's to Chief Engineer Smith. The latter selected Hazen's brigade for the hazardous enterprise as- signed to him. The south shore of the river was so thoroughly defended, that any attempt to throw a force 246 LIFE OP GRANT. across by pontoon bridges was impracticable. It was therefore determined to float fifty pontoon boats, with twenty-five men and one officer in each, making in all twelve hundred and fifty men, down the stream by night, and effect a landing on the bank, and hold it till a force of some four thousand men, concealed on the opposite shore, could be ferried over. The force would then be sufficiently strong to maintain itself till a pontoon bridge could be laid, over which reinforcements to any required amount could be sent. On the morning of the 26th, Hazen went down the north shore to a point opposite where the landing was to be effected, and critically examined the locality. To the left of the ferry-house were two hills, which it was necessary he should occupy, on which there was a rebel picket post, and also one in the hollow between them. Having finished his examination, he arranged his plan of opera- tions, attending to every thing personally, as the enterprise was to be a hazardous one. Each boat- load of twenty-five men was to carry two axes, making in all a hundred; and, as soon as the crest of those hills at the ferry was reached, skir- mishers were to be thrown out, and the hundred axes at once set to work felling trees to make an abattis. He also selected points on the north bank of the river, where, at the proper time, sig- nal fires were to be kindled, to guide him in effect- HAZARDOUS ENTEKPKISE, 247 ing a landing. The fifty boats, made of " rough boards roughly nailed together," were divided into four distinct commands, over which tried and dis- tinguished officers were placed, who, after being fully instructed in the duties they were expected to perform, were taken down opposite the ferry ; and the points of landing, and the position of the enemy, etc., all pointed out to them. These in turn, just before night, called together the leaders of the separate squads, and instructed them in the parts they were expected to take, and how each was to act in the confusion that must, to a greater or less extent, exist in the gloom and dark- ness of night, when an attack was to be momen- tarily expected. Every thing at last being arranged, the troops were sent to their tents to get an early sleep. At midnight they were awakened and marched to the landing, and stowed away in the boats. All at length being loaded, at three o'clock the silent little fleet pushed off into the stream, and catch- ing the current, drifted downward in the gloom. It was necessary that the utmost silence should be preserved ; for, if the enemy got wind of the movement in time, it would be frustrated. Ha- zen, therefore, with great gratification, saw that the force of the current alone, without the use of oars, would take him to the desired point of land- ing in time, and consequently passed the order 248 LIFE OF GRANT. that oars should be dispensed with and the boats without a sound floated rapidly down the river. After going three miles, they came under the guns of the rebel pickets ; but, by keeping in the deep shadow of the opposite shore, and maintaining a profound silence, they were not discovered, and the hostile sentinels slumbered on unconscious of danger, whilst this first step in the overthrow of the rebel army was being taken. There was no moon, and the waters rippling by gave no token of what was going on out on the dark bosom of the stream. The boats passed undiscovered, not only down to opposite the place of landing, but the advance ones had actually taken to their oars and crossed over, and were within ten feet of the shore before any alarm was given. Seeing several black masses rapidly approaching the shore, the picket on duty hailed, and receiving no answer, fired a volley and sent back the alarm. Hazen, now that secrecy was at an end, shouted out his orders, and the boats were impelled by the strong oarsmen swiftly to the shore. So rapid was the debarkation, and so perfectly did each party perform its separate duties, even in the pitchy darkness, that the signal fires were scarcely lighted on the opposite bank, before the entire command was drawn up in line of battle. The advance was made with equal ra- pidity and exactness, so that Hazen was in posi- tion, his skirmish line out, and the axes ringing FIRST SUCCESS. 249 in the woods, before the reinforcement of the ene- my only a little way over the hill could arrive to drive him back. A stubborn fight commenced ; but the boats had no sooner disgorged their loads, than they were rowed swiftly across the river to take on board the rest of the brigade that stood waiting, and which quickly crossing, drove the enemy back. A thousand rebel infantry, with three pieces of artillery and a force of cavalry, were stationed here, which was sufficiently strong to have prevented any landing, had the enemy been prepared for it. By noon a pontoon bridge spanned the Tennessee at this point, over which artillery and troops were soon thundering. Hooker crossed his force at Bridgeport, and marched up the opposite shore. Passing swiftly through a gorge in the Raccoon Mountain, he de- scended into Lookout Valley, and on the morning of the 28th, Howard leading the advance, went into camp within a mile of Brown's Ferry. Geary, commanding the other portion of the troops, went into camp about three miles farther down the riv- er. Bragg, as soon as he was informed of these movements, penetrated their object, and saw, if they were not arrested, the siege of Chattanooga would be practically raised. He therefore hur- ried forward Longstreet, who suddenly, at one o'clock at night, fell on Geary, and the battle of Wauhatchie began. Howard, aroused by the 11* 250 LIFE OP GRANT. heavy firing, immediately started back to his help> but was stopped on his way by a rebel force post- ed on a range of hills, which announced its pres- ence by a sheet of fire from its crest. Though the slope was heavily wooded, and the ground entirely unknown to officers and men, he boldly charged up them in the darkness, sweeping them like a storm. Geary, after three hours of desperate fighting, repelled the attack of Longstreet. The mule- teams, frightened at the nightly cannonade, broke from the teamsters, and dashing towards the ene- my with their harness and chain-traces rattling in the night, completed the discomfiture ; for the astonished rebels mistook them for a charge of cavalry, and fled precipitately. Lookout Val- ley was now Hooker's, and the river open to Bridgeport, so that only nine miles of land trans- portation over good roads remained the rest of the way the supplies being brought in boats ex- temporized by the soldiers. The road was now clear to Nashville, and Grant could calmly survey his position, and mature his plans. Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain abut on the Tennessee River, the former above and the latter below Chattanooga, and run inland south, converging towards each other, hi the form of the letter V. At the apex rises the Chattanooga CHATTANOOGA. 251 Creek, and flows, a noisy stream, into the Tennes- see. The space between is the Chattanooga Val- ley. Here, on the river, and on and among a cluster of knobs or hills, is Chattanooga town. It lies nearer Lookout than it does to Missionary Hidge, and from the top of the former, shells could be thrown into the place. The problem before Grant was simple enough in statement, but whether, under the obstacles that interposed, it could be satisfactorily solved, was another matter. The enemy must be driven from those threatening heights, that, frowning with cannon, looked down on his camp. This was clear ; and it was equally plain that it could be done in only one of two ways by a flank movement, like that of Hose- crans when he drove Bragg out of Chattanooga, or by moving straight " on the enemy's works," and overcome all opposition by sheer hard fight- ing. The former course, under the circumstances, was impracticable, and Grant saw plainly that nothing was left but the latter. But before this could be attempted, Sherman, who the month pre- vious had started with his force from Memphis, four hundred miles distant, must arrive. Halleck had ordered him to repair the railroad as he ad- vanced, in order that he might bring up his sup- plies. Grant now directed him to drop every thing, and push on as rapidly as possible. This was what Sherman wanted to do. The 252 LIFE OP GRANT. moment lie had heard of Grant's new appoint ment, he wrote him a letter expressing his delight, and now, with increased ardor and confidence, urged on his weary columns. Grant knew that the enemy would not give up Chattanooga with- out a desperate struggle, for they fully appreci- ated the importance of its possession to them. They said: "Food and raiment are our needs. We must have them. Kentucky and Middle Tennessee can only supply them. Better give up the seacoast, better give up the Southwest, ay, better to give up Richmond without a struggle, than lose the golden field, whose grain and wool are our sole hope."" Bragg, the moment he saw that he had lost his hold on the Nashville road, determined to compen- sate for it by driving Burnside out of Knoxville, nearly a hundred miles away. Grant, made aware of this movement, became exceedingly anxious for the arrival of Sherman, through whom alone he could checkmate it, and he sent another messen- ger to him to take his four divisions and hurry on to Bridgeport. In the meantime he informed Burnside of the danger that threatened him, and gave him specific instructions how to act. But it becoming evident that Longstreet would be upon him before Sherman could arrive, he ordered Thomas to attack the enemy on Missionary Ridge, hoping by this course to bring Longstreet back URGENT HASTE. 253 He issued his order on the 7th, saying: "The movement should not be delayed later than till to-morrow morning." Knowing the deficiency of horses in the camp, he directed him, if necessary, to take mules from the wagons, and even dismount the officers and press their horses into the service of the artillery. He also telegraphed Burnside of the intended movement to save him. No doubt the case was urgent, and the danger immi- nent, but subsequent events proved that had the attack then been made, it would have been repelled, and might have been the beginning of greater dis- asters. Thomas, who had been on the ground longer, and whose anxiety was tempered with more caution, saw this, and declared that it was impossible for him to move until the arrival of Sherman. Destined to be the strongest prop to every commander he served under, he now saved Grant from committing a hasty act. The latter had entire confidence in the commander of the Army of the Cumberland, and recalled the order, leaving Burnside to oppose, as he best could, the force inarching against him. He was o o disappointed, and thought if Thomas had mo\ed as directed, it would have had the effect to re- call Longstreet Perhaps so; but other results of more importance mignt have followed. His orders were for Thomas to make the attack at the very point where Sherman shortly after made his. 254 LITE OF GRANT. That Missionary Ridge could not have been car ried without Sherman's troops, is evident from the desperate nature of the struggle by which it was finally won. Longstreet's fifteen thousand men recalled and occupying the point where Sher- men afterwards made a lodgment unopposed, would, to say the least, have had a serious effect on the final result. It is doubtful if Grant would have given this order but for the anxiety of the Government for Burnside, and the pressing na- ture of the despatches from both Halleck and the President, to see to it that he was not destroy- ed. He may have felt, under this pressure, that it was his duty to make an attempt, even if it failed. But to say, in the light of after events, that the designed movement would have been wise, and, in the end, successful, is asserting what facts do not sustain. Grant's command covered a large territory. Two armies besides the one under his immediate control, demanded his most watchful care, while the opening and guarding of railroads, and bring- ing up of supplies, were matters of instant arid pressing necessity. The anxiety for Burnside, stimulated as it was by constant telegrams from "Washington, was the crowning source of all his other anxieties. The critical state of this com- mander, at Knoxville, whose defeat would lose us East Tennessee, again made him wish to give wings ANXIETY FOE BUBNSIDE. 255 to Sherman's army. His active mind ran over the whole line of his long route, and suggested every possible expedient that might prevent delays, and expedite his march. To Burnside, despatch after despatch was sent, sometimes giving specific direc- tions concerning the steps to take in case certain movements were made by Longstreet. One strain, however, ran through them all. " Don't retreat" " Hold on at all hazards," was the burden of his telegrams, u and I will soon make a movement here that will relieve you." One day his language would be : " Hold on to Knoxville," another, " If Long- street moves his whole force across the Little Tennessee, cut his pontoons on the stream, even if it sacrifices half of the cavalry of the Ohio army" CHAPTER XVX BATTLE OF MISSIONARY RIDGE. Bridges carried away Anxiety and Restlessness of Grant Recon- noisances and advance of Thomas Sherman makes a lodg- ment on Missionary Ridge Hooker carries Lookout Mountain Battle above the clouds A thrilling spectacle Night before the Battle Sherman's attack Hooker's delay Grant's anxie- ty Assault of the Mountain Heroism of the Troops Grant and Thomas The victory The pursuit Hooker attacks by moonlight Grant's despatch to Halleck Sherman sent to re- lieve Bnrnside Review of the Campaign and Battle Letter from the President ON the 15th of November, Sherman, leaving his army toiling forward, reached Chattanooga. The next day, he and Grant, and Thomas, rode out to examine the ground to be occupied by his army in the great move now close at hand. Urged by Grant to hurry up his columns, Sherman re- turned at once to Bridgeport, rowing the boat himself a part of the way. The moment a portion of his troops arrived, though worn out with their long march, and many of them barefoot, Grant determined not to wait for the remainder, but to attack at once, and issued his orders to that effect to Thomas, at the same time sketching the general plan of operations. But it was impossible for Sherman to get his HIS RESTLESSNESS. 257 troops in position in time for the battle, which Grant had ordered to commence at daylight, Sat- urday morning. Pushed to the limits of human endurance, they were toiling over the miry roads, or a frail bridge of boats at Brown's Ferry, and could move no faster. Sherman told Grant so, and the latter reluctantly, the second time, coun- termanded his order. His usually quiet nature was roused into painful excitement by these re- peated delays, and the imminent peril they caused to Burnside, until he could no longer preserve his habitual repose, but broke forth. " I have never felt such restlessness as I have at the fixed and immovable condition of the Army of the Cumber- land" It was no common anxiety that could wring such an expression from him. When he found that it was impossible for Sher- man to be up by the time he had appointed, he fixed the next Sunday morning for the attack. But a heavy rain-storm set in, deluging the roads ; while the bridge at Brown's Ferry broke down, so that, though Sherman worked night and day, he could not be ready even by Sunday morning. Chafing under these protracted disappointments, Grant then fixed Monday morning for the attack, and so advised Thomas. But as if to try his pa- tience to the utmost, the rains so swelled the river, that the frail bridges over the Tennessee were swept entirely away, and every thing brought to 258 LOT OP GBANT, a complete stand still. Once more he was com- pelled to inform Thomas, that farther delay was inevitable. On the night of the 22d, a deserter from Bragg'a army came in and reported that the rebel general was about to evacuate his works. A day or two before, Grant had received a note from Bragg ad- vising him to remove non-combatants from Chat- tanooga, as he was about to open upon it with his cannon. He, however, paid no attention to it, and now concluded it was intended to mis- lead him, while a safe retreat was effected. He therefore directed Thomas the next day to make a reconnoisance in force, and feel the enemy's lines, to see if it were so. The battalions were deploy- ed in the bright sunlight, in full view of the enemy, who thought it was a parade. They were, however, soon undeceived for the imposing columns moved rapidly forward, and though can- non and musketry opened upon them, never paused until the advanced line of the enemy was carried and held. By this unexpected movement, Grant planted himself a mile nearer Missionary Ridge, and occupied Orchard Knob, a valuable position, with the loss of only a little over a hun- dred men. At last Sherman's army, with the exception of one division, was up, and Grant determined to strike without a moment's delay. His genera] A FOOTHOLD SECURED. 259 plan was to have Sherman with the army of the Tennessee throw itself across the river opposite Missionary Kidge, make a lodgment there, and then assail Bragg's right wing, posted on that extremity of the mountain. Hooker, while Sher- man was getting into position, was to carry Look- out Mountain, the other extremity, and be ready to press forward the next day and cut off the rebel retreat, or operate on his left and rear, while Thomas, with his twenty thousand men, at a given signal was to charge straight up the rocky heights and carry them by storm. It was of the first importance that Bragg should be kept ignorant of Sherman's movement until he had effected a crossing, and Grant, therefore, manoeuvred his troops in a manner to make him think an attack was meditated against his left, and so drew his attention in that direction. ID the meantime, Sherman's columns, concealed by hills near the shore, passed up the river till they reached Chickamauga Creek, above Chattanooga, In anticipation of this movement, one hundred and sixteen pontoons had been concealed in a stream near by, which, after dark, were floated down into the Tennessee, full of soldiers ; and by dawn the next day eight thousand men were on the other shore, and had thrown up a rifle trench as a tete du pont. A. bridge thirteen hundred feet long was immediately begun, and by one o'clock 260 LITE OF GRANT. was shaking to the tread of the hurrying columns. A drizzling rain was falling at the time, which, with the low clouds wrapping the heights, conceal- ed the movement. By three o'clock, Bragg, to his astonishment, found an army hanging along the sides of Mis- sionary Ridge, on his extreme right. A feeble at- tempt was made to repel the advance, but the artillery, dragged up the steep ascent, scattered the enemy, and night found Sherman securely planted. While Sherman was thus securing a lodgment on the rebel right, Hooker was carrying Lookout Mountain on his left. " The ascent of the moun- tain is steep and thickly wooded ; beetling crags peer out all over its sides from the masses of heavy foilage, and, at the summit, a lofty palisaded crest rises perpendicularly, as many as sixty or eighty feet. On the northern slope, about midway be- tween the summit and the Tennessee, a plateau of open and arable land belts the mountain. There, a continuous line of earthworks had been thrown up ; while redoubts, redans, and rifle-pits .were scattered lower down the acclivity, to repel as- saults from the direction of the river. On each flank were epaulements, walls of stone, and abatis ; and, in the valley itself, at the foot of the moun- tain, long lines of earthworks, of still greater ex- tent. The entire force, for the defence of the BATTLE ABOVE THE CLOUDS. 261 mountain, consisted of six brigades, or about seven thousand men.' 1 In the same drizzling rain and fog that had partially concealed Sherman's movement, Hooker began his march. As he looked up the rugged slopes, he saw that no common task had been as- signed him, but it was in just such emergencies that his great qualities exhibited themselves, That cloud-capped summit must be won, and the first step taken toward victory. The bugles sounded u forward," and the columns took up their line of march for the base, and heedless of the iron-storm that beat from above upon them, reached it and began to climb like mountain goats the steep ascent. Sometimes stopped for a mo- ment, but never driven back, they kept unwaver- ingly on till they entered the low hanging clouds, which suddenly wrapped them from sight. Grant and Thomas, and others down in Chattanooga, gazed anxiously toward the hidden summit, and listened with beating hearts to the crashing vollies and deep roar of artillery that came out of the mysterious bosom of the clouds. Lookout, for the time, seemed famed Olympus on which Ju- piter was thundering, or the gods contending in celestial fury. Nought could be seen, and though the heavy explosions of artillery remained station- ary, the vollies of musketry seemed to creep nearer and nearer to t'lie summit. At this mo- 262 LIFE OF GRANT. ment of intense excitement, the fog suddenly lifted, letting down the light of heaven upon the mountain top, and revealing as by magic to the gazing thousands below, a scene of sublime and thrilling interest. There, amid the rocky ledges, in front of the rebel works, stood our gallant troops, their banners mere specks against the sky. The battle was raging furiously, for this was the last foothold of the enemy driven from the sum- mit, the mountain was Hooker's. The whole army in Chattanooga were witnesses of this strange fight among the clouds, and when at length they saw the enemy driven out of his works, and our banners wave above them, they broke forth into a shout that rent the heavens, and long, loud ac- clamations surged backward and forward through the valley. But the fighting did not cease till after dark, and the rebel signal-light could be seen waving from the lofty summit to Bragg on Mis- sionary Ridge, while jets of flame pierced the gloom, and the muffled vollies fell faintly on the ear below. But the height was won ; and Hooker at once opened communication with Chattanooga. Every thing had worked to Grant's satisfaction, and he only waited for the morning light to hurl his sixty thousand men on the rugged heights hi his front. During the night it cleared off, and a sharp autumnal frost rendered the air of that high MORKING OF THE BATTLE. 263 region still clearer, and gave a darker blue to the deep vault of heaven. The soldiers crowned the hills with camp-fires, revealing to the enemy their position, as well as showing to their friends in Chattanooga the important points that had been gained. At midnight a staff officer of Grant reached Sherman with directions to attack at day- break, saying that Thomas would also attack "early in the day." Sherman turned in for a short nap, but before daylight he was in the sad- dle, and riding the whole length of his lines, ex- amined well his position and that of the enemy. I3y the dim light he saw, to his surprise, that a valley or gorge lay between him and the next hill, which was very steep, and that the farther point was held by the enemy with a breastwork of logs and earth in front. A still higher hill command- ed this with a plunging fire, which was also crowded with the foe. He could not see the bot- tom of the gorge below, and was not able to com- plete his preparations so as to attack by daylight, as he had been ordered. General Corse was to lead the advance, and before he had fully mar- shalled his forces, the sun arose in dazzling bright- ness over the eastern heights, and flooded the scene with beauty. His beams were sent back from tens of thousands of bayonet points, and flashing athwart long rows of cannon, while the increasing light brought out in a grand panoramic picture, 264 LITE OF GRANT. Chattanooga resting quietly below in its amphi theatre of hills. Banners waved along the heights, and rose over Grants encampment in the distance, and all was bright and beautiful. Here and there a bugle-call and drum-beat gave increased interest to the scene. But its beauty was soon to change those summits, now baptized in golden light, were to be wrapped in smoke and heave to volca- nic fires, and strong columns stagger bleeding along their sides. Sherman at length being ready, Corse's bugles sounded the "forward," and the assaulting regi- ments moved steadily down the hill, across the intervening valley, and up the opposing slope. Morgan L. Smith on the left of the ridge, and Colonel Loomis abreast of the Tunnel, drew a portion of the enemy's fire away from the assault- ing column, which having closed in a death-grap- ple with the foe, now advanced its banners, and now receded, but never yielding the position it had at first gained. Grant could see the struggle from his position at Chattanooga, and at one time observing two brigades give way in disorder, thought Sherman was repulsed ; but it was not so. Corse, Loomis, and Smith, stuck to the ene- my with a tenacity that gave him not a moment's rest. Sherman's position not only threatened the rebel right flank, but his rear and stores at Chick amauga station ; hence the persistency of his at- SHERMAN IMPATIENT. 265 tack alarmed Bragg, and he steadily accumulated forces against him that rendered an advance on Sherman's part impossible. Hour after hour the contest raged with terrible ferocity, and the flam- ing cloud- wrapped heights appeared to the lookers- on at Chattanooga like a volcano in full, fierce action. Grant had told Sherman that Thomas would attack early in the day, but the former watched in vain for the movement. The gallant Corse had been borne wounded from the field, and Grant, fearing that Sherman was being too heavily pressed, sent over to his help Baird's division ; but Sherman sent it back, saying he had all the troops that he wanted. Thus, he fought the battle alone all the forenoon, and still the banners droop- ed lazily along their staffs in front of Chattanooga. He began to grow impatient. In the bright clear air he could look down from his position on the "amphitheatre of Chattanooga," but could dis- cern no signs of the promised movement. Now and then a solitary cannon-shot alone told that the army there was alive; but beyond, toward Lookout, where Hooker was trying to advance, the heavy reverberations of artillery, and dull sound of musketry, showed that he was pushing the enemy. Thus matters stood at three o'clock, when, said Sherman, "I saw column after column of the enemy streaming toward me, gun after gun pouring its concentric shot on us from every hill 12 266 LIFE OF GRANT. and spur that gave a view of any part of the ground held by us." The attack of Thomas, which was to be " early in the day," was unac- countably delayed, and what could it all mean, was the anxious enquiry he put to himself. One thing was plain his exhausted columns could riot long stand this accumulation of numbers and con- centration of artillery. Grant, too, was anxious. The appearance of Hooker's column, moving north along the ridge on the other flank of the enemy, was to be the signal of assault on the centre ; but hour after hour passed by and no advancing ban- ners were seen. The latter had been detained in building a bridge across Chattanooga Creek. At length, he could wait no longer, and hearing that Hooker was well advanced, and seeing the centre weakened, to overthrow Sherman, he or- dered the assault to be made. Sherman, whose glass was scarcely for a moment turned from the centre, now saw with relief a "white line of musketry fire in front of Orchard Knob, extend- ing further right and left and on. 1 ' " We could hear," he says, " only a faint echo of sound ; but enough was seen to satisfy me that General Thom- as was moving on the centre." He ivas moving, but it was now nearly four o'clock in the short autumnal afternoon, and Grant had waited and waited with painful sus- pense, for Hooker's advance. What was to be THE GRAND ASSAULT. 26? done must be done quickly; and, as now, from his elevated knoll, he saw the hostile columns moving swiftly along the ridge toward Sherman, showing that Br,gg was weakening his centre to strengthen his right, he knew that the decisive hour had come. The rebel general was repeating the mistake committed by the allies at Austerlitz making a flank movement in presence of the enemy, and, like Napoleon, Grant at once took advantage of it, and gave the order to advance. The signal was six cannon shots, fired at inter- vals of two seconds each. With regular beat, one, two, three sounded, till, as the last deep reverbera- tion rolled away over the heights, there was a sud- den resurrection, as from the bowels of the earth, of that apparently dead line. Four divisions of the Army of the Cumberland composed it. A mile and a half of country lay before them to the rifle- pits at the base of Missionary Bidge. First, a belt of open timber, and then a smooth plain, then the rifle-pits at the base of the Ridge finally, the rocky hill, four hundred feet high to mount, every inch of it swept by artillery and musketry. Pass- ing through the woods, they burst on a double- quick into the open plain. The tempest that now broke upon their heads was terrible. " The enemy's fire burst out of the rifle-pits from base to summit of Mission Ridge ; five rebel batteries of Parrots and Napoleons opened along the crest. Grapg 268 LIFE OP and canister, and shot and shell, sowed the ground with rugged iron, and garnished it with the wound- ed and the dead. But steady and strong our columns moved on. 11 Over their heads, from every commanding fort and hill, our batteries rained a horrible tempest of iron on the rebel works. Under this awful canopy, the glittering lines breasted on a run the fiery sleet that smote them in front, each eye fixed unwaveringly on the rifle-pits at the foot of the Ridge. The sun was now hanging just above the western horizon, pouring its flood of light upon their backs, and shining full in the enemy's faces. As the unclouded rays fell on those twice ten thousand bayonet-points, sweeping in one glitter- ing wave across the plain, the dazzling sheen of light was so terrible, that the rebels in the rifle- pits fled before it in affright, or fell prostrate in the trenches, and let it roll in flashing splendor over them, without firing a shot. The orders were, that when the rifle-pits were carried, the line should be halted and re-formed for an advance up the heights. But, as the men bounded into them with a shout, they forgot all orders. Their blood was now up, and sending their loud hurrah above the deafening thunder- peals that shook mountain and plain, they began to scale the rocky slope. The fire that opened on them was appalling. It was no longer round shot A TBBBIFIC SCENE. 269 and shell, but canister, grape, and musketry, Missionary Ridge was a volcano, "a thousand torrents of fire poured over its brink, and rushed together to its base. But the line moves on and up. They cannot dash up that rugged acclivity. They dash out a little way, and then slacken ; they creep up, hand over hand, loading and firing, and wavering and halting, from the first line of works to the second; they burst into a charge with a cheer, and go over it. Sheets of flame baptize them ; plunging shot tear away comrades on left and right; it is no longer shoulder tc shoulder; it is God for us all! Under tree- trunks, among rocks, stumbling over the dead, struggling with the living, facing the steady fire of eight thousand infantry poured down upon their heads as if it were the old historic curse from heaven, they wrestle with the Ridge. Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes go by, like a reluctant century. The batteries roll like a drum. Between the second and last lines of rebel works is the torrid zone of the battle. The hill sways up like a wall before them, at an angle of forty-five degrees, but our brave mountaineers are clambering steadily on up upward still ! " It was thrilling, maddening to see those waver- ing banners fluttering alternately high up the steep acclivity, amid flame and smoke. Now one and now another would sink to the ground along 270 LITE OF GEANT. the steep, as the bearers were shot down, but the next moment they would gleam aloft again, as gal- lant comrades seized them, and carried them far- ther up the slope. The ranks melted rapidly away, but the survivors kept on. Grant gazed, appa- rently unmoved, at the sight, yet with his whole soul hi the struggle. Even the impassable Thomas, as he saw the slow and difficult progress, exclaimed to Grant : " I fear, General, they will never reach the top." The latter merely replied : " Give 'ein time, General, give 'em time. 1 ' At last the crimson, glittering tide reached the crest, and just as the sun was sinking below the western horizon, flooding the heights with his departing rays, it rolled over them, and Grant knew they were won. Then there went up a shout, like the far-off murmur of the sea, and as the muffled sound reached the ear of Grant, his compressed lips wreathed with a smile, and the burden lifted from his heart. "But the scene on the narrow plateau can never be painted. As the blue-coats surged over its edge, cheer on cheer rang like bells through the valley of the Chickamauga. Men flung them- selves exhausted upon the ground. They laughed and wept, shook hands, and embraced ; turned round, and did all four over again. It was as wild as a carnival Granger was received with a shout 'Soldiers,' he said, 'you ought to be court-martialled, every man of you ! I ordered A MOONLIGHT SCENE. 271 you to take the rifle-pits, and you scaled the mountain ! ' But it was not Mars' horrid front exactly, with which he said it, for his cheeks were wet with tears as honest as the blood that redden- ed all the route. Wood uttered words that rang like ' Napoleon's ;' and Sheridan, the rowels at his horse's flanks, was ready for a dash down the Ridge with a i view halloo,' for a fox-hunt." Bragg and his staff-officers attempted to rally the troops, and form a second line of battle, in vain, and the disordered host fled in affright. Sheridan, from the Bidge, saw the disorganized columns and confused wagon trains surging through the valley below, and pushed fiercely on. A mile in the rear, the road wound along a high hill on which Bragg had planted batteries, defend- ed by a strong force of infantry, to check the pur- suit. These now poured a rapid fire into Sheri- dan's division, but it kept steadily on, and reaching the base, a part began to climb the mountain in front, while Sheridan sent two regiments to flank it on both sides at once. It was now dark, and just as one of these regiments came over the crest of the hill, the moon rose behind it, and the col- umn, with bayonets and banners, was drawn in black, bold relief against the glittering orb. Hooker, too, was in full pursuit ; while Grant, the moment the Bidge was carried, put spurs to his horse and rode to the top, to direct the move- 272 LIFE OF GRANT, merts, cheered by the excited soldiers wherever he moved. He kept on for a mile or two, but night checked further pursuit, except by Sheridan, that nothing seemed able to stop and though con- fused by the darkness and ignorant of the roads, he kept on for seven miles, carrying consternation into the fugitive ranks. But the bugle sounding recall along and be- neath that blood-stained Hidge, arrested the army, and under the bright moon it went into bivouac with cheers, that, taken up by division after di- vision, made that autumnal evening jubilant with glad echoes. Six thousand prisoners and forty cannon, were the trophies of the victory. At seven o'clock that night, Grant sat down and wrote the following modest despatch to Hal- leek : CHATTANOOGA, November 25, 1863 7. 15, p. M. Major-General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief : Although the battle lasted from early dawn till dark this evening, I believe I am not premature in an- nouncing a complete victory over Bragg. Lookout Mountain top, all the line-pits in Chatta- nooga Valley, and Missionary Ridge entire, have been carried, and are now held by us. I have no idea of finding Bragg here to-morrow. U. S. GEAITT, Major-General. From this despatch one would never dream that he had carried every strong position of the THE PURSUIT. 273 enemy, who was now in full flight, miles away ; killed, wounded, or captured nearly a fifth of Bragg's entire force, and taken forty pieces of artillery. Next morning, the pursuit was recommenced, Grant riding with the advanced columns. Sherman, from his position, also moved forward, and, as he reached the depot of the enemy, found it a scene of desolation. " Corn-meal and corn, in huge burning piles, broken wagons, abandoned caissons and guns, burned carriages, pieces of pontoons, and all manner of things, burning and broken," attested the ravages of war. Along the road, strewed with the wrecks of the fight, he pressed on till night, when, just as he emerged from a miry swamp, he came upon the enemy's rear-guard. A sharp contest followed, but the night closed in so dark that he could not move forward. Here, in the gloom, Grant joined him. The next morning he continued the pursuit ; but finding the roads filled with all the troops " they could accommodate," he halted and turned to the east, to break up the communications between Bragg and Longstreet, now before Knoxville. Hooker also kept on all day, after the fleeing enemy; and Grant would have pressed the pur- suit as long as he could have fed his men, but for his anxiety to relieve Burnside. He therefore ordered it to cease, and at once directed Granger, 12* 274 LITE OF GRANT, and soon after Sherman, to march for Knoxville and raise the siege. To the latter, this was as- signing a terrible task It was hard to ask his troops, after a march of four hundred miles, and a fierce battle, and days of pursuit, now to make a forced march of eighty-four miles, in winter, over a broken country. u Seven days before," says he, " we had left our camp on the other side of the Tennessee, with two days 1 rations, without a change of clothing, stripped for the fight, with but a single blanket or coat per man from my- self to the private. Of course, we then had no provisions, save what we gathered by the road, and were ill supplied for such a march. But we learned that twelve thousand of our fellow-soldiers were beleaguered in the mountains of Knoxville, eighty-four miles distant ; that they needed relief, and must have it in three days. This was enough, and it had to be done," and he at once put his army in motion. Longstreet heard of his approach, and hastily raising the siege, retreated eastward. The campaign was now ended, and Grant could take a quiet survey of his position. With sixty thousand men, he had driven forty-five thousand from positions that the enemy supposed half of that number could hold forever ; relieved all East Tennessee ; and firmly established a base for fur- ther operations into the interior. DRAMATIC SCENERY. 275 Although the campaign had closed with a thun- der-clap, on a narrow strip of mountain, it had em- braced a wide field in its progress. It took in the Army of the Ohio, nearly ninety miles distant, in Knoxville ; the Army of the Tennessee, hun- dreds of miles away, toiling through a hostile country ; as well as Chattanooga itself. Every thing centered around the single person of Grant, who, at the latter place, was the moving power of the whole. Having at length gathered the scattered, isolat- ed elements into his single hand, he hurled them in one mighty blow on the enemy, crushing him into fragments. His plan of battle was simple, and carried out like an order for a parade. Right in the presence of the enemy, who could look down on all his movements from his high perch ; he laid all his plans, and executed them with the precision of one who is master of fate. And never before was a battle fought in which there were more dramatic scenery and action combined. Mountain heights crowned with the enemy, look- ing down on quiet camps below ; troops fighting above the clouds ; Grant, the central figure of the great panorama, standing on a low hill, with three armies thundering and shouting above and around him ; the descending sun, flooding all in its departing splendor, are only so many shifting scenes in the mighty drama. 276 LIFE OP GRANT. This brilliant campaign, so glorious in its re suits, lifted Grant to the highest summit of mili- tary renown, and stamped him one of the greatest generals of his time. The President, overjoyed at the result, sent the following telegram to him : WASHINGTON, December 8. Major-General GRANT : Understanding that your lodgment at Chattanooga and Knoxville is now secure, I wish to tender you, and all under your command, my more than thanks my profoundest gratitude, for the skill, courage, and perse- verance with which you and they, over so great diffi- culties, have effected that important object. God bless you all ! A. LINCOLN. CHAPTER XVII. Grant again proposes to capture Mobile His Views Opposed His Congratulatory Order to his Troops Congress Orders a Medal struck for him He wishes to carry on a Winter Cam- paign, but is unable Sends Sherman on a raid into Mississippi A Public Dinner given him in Louisville His Political views Made Lieutenant-General, and ordered to Washington Inter- esting Correspondence between him and Sherman His Re- ception at Washington His Commission presented him by the President Grandeur of his Position Hurries up Banks Maturing of Plans. GRANT now again proposed to the Government a movement against Mobile, promising to capture or secure its investment by the last of January ; but his request was refused. Soon after, he issued the following congratula- tory order to the Army : HEADQTJABTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, J IN THE FIELD, CHATTANOOGA, TENN., December 10, 1863. ) (The General Commanding takes this opportunity of returning his sincere thanks and congratulations to the "brave armies of the Cumberland, the Ohio, the Ten- nessee, and their comrades from the Potomac, for the recent splendid and decisive successes achieved over the enemy. In a short time, you have recovered from him the control of the Tennessee River, from Bridgeport to Knoxville. You dislodged him from his ^reat strong- hold upon Lookout Mountain, drove him from Chatta- 278 LIFE OF GBANT. nooga Valley, wrested from his determined grasp the possession of Missionary Ilidge, repelled with heavy loss to him his repeated assaults upon Knoxville, forcing him to raise the siege there, driving him at all points, utterly routed and discomfited, beyond the limits of the State. By your noble heroism and determined courage, you have most effectually defeated the plans of the enemy for regaining possession of the States of Ken- tucky and Tennessee. You have secured positions from which no rebellious power can drive or dislodge you. For all this, the General Commanding thanks you collec- tively and individually. The loyal people of the United States thank and bless you. Their hopes and prayers for your success against this unholy rebellion are with you daily. Their faith in you will not be in vain. Their hopes will not be blasted. Their prayers to Al- mighty God will be answered. You will yet go to other fields of strife ; and with the invincible bravery and unflinching loyalty to justice and right which have characterized you in the past, you will prove that no enemy can withstand you, and that no defences, how- ever formidable, can check your onward march. By order, Major-General U. S. GRANT. About Christmas lie visited Knoxville, to look after matters there in person. In the mean time, he had planned the great raid into Mississippi, known as the Meridian raid. About the middle of January, he returned to Nashville, where he had established his headquarters. Congress, in the mean time, passed a vote of thanks, and ordered a medal to be struck in com- memoration of the great services he had rendered the country. Notwithstanding Grant desired greatly to car- MERIDIAN RAID. 279 ry on a winter campaign, circumstances rendered it impossible. Thomas, at Chattanooga, could not push on through the mountains towards Atlanta, while the impossibility of supplying the army at Knoxville, in the field, if properly reinforced, com- pelled him to give up his first purpose to move against Longstreet, who still lingered in East Tennessee. Besides, the term for which a large part of the volunteers had enlisted expired this winter, and, in order to induce them to re-enlist, a furlough of sixty days was given them. Hence, no general movement could be set on foot, and Grant contented himself with sending Sherman on his raid into Mississippi, to be supported by a large body of cavalry, starting about the same time from Corinth. The object he had in view may be seen from his orders to Sherman, as in- dicated in the following letter to Halleck : " I shall direct Sherman, therefore, to move out to Meridian, with his spare force, the cavalry going from Corinth ; and destroy the roads east and south of there so effectually, that the enemy will not attempt to rebuild them during the re- bellion. He will then return, unless opportunity of going into Mobile with the force he has, ap- pears perfectly plain. Owing to the large number of veterans furloughed, I will not be able to do more at Chattanooga than to threaten an ad- vance, and try to detain the force now in Thomas' 280 LIFE OF GRANT. front. Sherman will be instructed, whilst left with these large discretionary powers, to take no extra hazard of losing his army, or of getting it crippled too much for efficient service in the spring." Sherman started on the 3d of February, and pushed as far as Meridian, sending consternation through the South, that was filled with all kinds of conjecture as to the object and end of his march. The cavalry force destined to accompany him, how- ever, was driven back by the enemy, which embar- rassed his movements and shortened his march, so that, after destroying the railroad depots on each side of Meridian for a long distance, he returned. In the latter part of January, hearing that his eldest son was lying dangerously ill at St. Louis, Grant obtained permission to visit him. His ar- rival caused great excitement, and a public dinner was tendered him, in a long, flattering letter. Finding that his son had passed the crisis of his disease, and was pronounced out of danger, he ac- cepted the invitation. As the toast to him, the honored guest, was given, the band struck up " Hail to the Chief," and at the close of the strain, the building rocked to the loud hurrahs of the guests. To all this demonstration, Grant simply returned his thanks. Afterwards, when the crowd blocked the streets and asked for him in deafen- ing clamor, he reluctantly appeared oil the POLITICAL VIEWS. 281 balcony of the hoteL His appearance was greet- ed with the wildest uproar, and deafening calls for a speech. But he only said, "Gentlemen, I thank you for this honor. I cannot make a speech. It is something I have never done, and never intend to do, and I beg you will excuse me." But the surging multitude was determined not to be put off so. It did not believe that a man who could so coolly face that mighty throng, blandly smoking his cigar the while, could not make a speech if he was inclined to, and the shout, " A speech, a speech, a speech! " rose like thunder from the streets below. A gentleman beside him said, General, tell them you can fight for them, but cannot talk to them. " Some one else must say that for me," was the quiet reply. But the clamor swelling, he was forced to open his mouth, and said in sharp, decided tones, "Gentlemen, making speeches is not my business, I never did it in my life never will ; I thank you, however, for your attendance here," and retired, much to the disappointment of the crowd, for, to an American, a crowd without a speech is a failure. To one who, at this time, asked him of his political views, he said : " These are not the times for parties. In- deed, in this crisis there can be but two parties those for the country, those for its foes. I belong to the party of the Union. Those who are the most earnest in carrying on the war and putting 282 LIFE OP GRANT. down the Rebellion, have my support. As a soldier, I obey the laws and execute the orders of all my superiors. I expect every man under me to do the same." A bill which had been introduced into Con- gress by Mr. Washburne, to revive the grade of Lieutenant-General, with a view of conferring it on Grant, passed in the latter part of February. The nomination of the officer to hold this high position, never before occupied but by two men, Washington and Scott, belonging to the Presi- dent, he, in accordance with his own inclinations, as well as the clearly expressed wish of the people, sent to the Senate the name of Grant. He was promptly confirmed. The President at once sent for him to come on to Washington, and he started on the 4th of March, for the capital. The very day he received the intelligence of the high command to which he had been nominated, he wrote the following letter to Sherman, which, with the answer, exhibits both these great com- manders in a most attractive light He says : DEAR SHERMAN, The bill reviving the grade of Lieu- tenant-general in the Army has become a law, and my name has been sent to the Senate for the place. I now receive orders to report to Washington immediately, in person, which indicates a confirmation, or a likeli- hood of confirmation. I^start in the morning to comply with the order. Whilst I have been eminently successful in this war, i** at least gaining the confidence of the public, no one A NOBLE LETTER. 283 feels more than I, how much of this success is due ta the energy, skill, and the harmonious putting forth of that energy and skill, of those whom it has been my good fortune to have occupying subordinate positions under me. There are many officers to whom these remarks are applicable to a greater or less degree, proportionate to their ability as soldiers ; but what I want, is to express my thanks to you and McPherson, as the men to whom, above all others, I feel indebted for whatever I have had of success. How far your advice and assistance have been of help to me you know. How far your execution of whatever has been given you to do, entitles you to the reward I am receiving, you cannot know as well as I. I feel all the gratitude this letter would express, giving it the most flattering construction. The word you, I use in the plural, intending it for McPherson also. I should write to him, and will some day, but, starting in the morning, I do not know that I will find time just now. Your friend, U. S. GRANT, Major-GeneraL The simple, manly sincerity of this letter the utter absence of all vanity and egotism the abne- gation of all claims to distinction from his own merits, the generous acknowledgment of the claims and services of others, and the warm, noble friend- ship it expresses, reveal, as no eulogy could do, the truthfulness, modesty and real grandeur of his character. Sherman replied as follows : DEAR GENERAL : I have your more than kind and characteristic letter of the 4th instant. I will send a copy to General McPherson at once. You do yourself injustice, and us too much honor in assigning to us too 284 LIFE OF GRANT. large a share of the merits which have led to your high advancement. I know you approve the friendship 1 have ever professed to you, and will permit me to con- tinue, as heretofore, to manifest it on all proper occasions. You are now Washington's legitimate successor, and occupy a position of almost dangerous elevation ; but, if you can continue, as heretofore, to be yourself, sim- ple, honest, and unpretending, you will enjoy through life the respect and love of friends, and the homage of millions of human beings, that will award you a large share in securing to them and their descendants a government of law and stability/ I repeat, you do General McPherson and myself too much honor. At Belmont, you manifested your traits neither of us being near. At Donelson, also, you illustrated your whole character. I was not near, and General McPherson in too subordinate a capacity to influence you. Until you had won Donelson, I confess I was al- most cowed by the terrible array of anarchical elements that presented themselves at every point ; but that ad- mitted a ray of light I have followed since. I believe you are as brave, patriotic, and just, as the great pro- totype Washington as unselfish, kind-hearted, and honest as a man should be but the chief characteristic is the simple faith in success you have always manifest- ed, which I can liken to nothing else than the faith a Christian has in the Saviour. This faith gave you victory at Shiloh and Vicks- burg. Also, when you have completed your best prep- arations, you go into battle without hesitation, as at Chattanooga no doubts no reserves ; and I tell you, it was this that made us act with confidence. I knew, wherever I was, that you thought of me, and if I got in a tight place you would help me out, if alive. My only point of doubt was, in your knowledge of grand strategy, and of books of science and history , but, I confess, your common-sense seems to have sup- plied all these* ANNOYING ATTENTION. 285 Now, as to the future. Don't stay in "Washington, Come West: take to yourself the whole Mississippi Valley. Let us make it dead sure and I tell you, the Atlantic slopes and Pacific shores will follow its destiny, as sure as the limbs of a tree live or die with the main trunk. We have done much, but still much remains. Time, and time's influences, are with us. We could almost afford to sit still, and let these influences work. Here lies the seat of the coming empire ; and from the West, when our task is done, we will make short work of Charleston and Richmond, and the impover- ished coast of the Atlantic. Your sincere friend, W. T. SHEKMAN. There is a Spartan simplicity, combined with the chivalry of knightly days, in this correspon- dence. Amid the stern realities of war, the ac- clamations of the people, and the applause of the great, what a pleasant side-picture this private interchange of feelings between these two great commanders makes. Neither the hardening sights of the battle-field, nor rank, nor emoluments, can change the inborn nobleness of these two hearts ; no pride on the one hand, no envy on the other. The love of these two heroes is grander than their heroism. Grant's arrival at Washington was the signal for the wildest demonstrations of enthusiasm, and at the President's levee, he was lilted on a sofa so that all might sec him. These exhibitions an- noyed him, and lie snil, " I hope to get away 286 LIFE OF GRANT. from Washington, for I am tired of this show business." The next day, March 9th, he was summoned to a meeting of the Cabinet. Taking his little son with him, who had ridden boldly by his side all through the Vicksburg campaign, he entered the room, and was introduced by the President to the various members, who then said : " GENERAL GRANT : The nation's approbation of what you have already done, and its reliance on you for what remains to do in the existing great struggle, is now presented with this com- mission, constituting you Lieutenant- General of the Army of the United States. u With this high honor devolves on you a cor- responding responsibility. As the country herein trusts you, so, under God, it will sustain you. " I scarcely need add, that, with what I here speak for the country, goes my own hearty per- sonal concurrence." Grant read from a paper the following reply : " MR. PRESIDENT : I accept this commission with gratitude for the high honor conferred. With the aid of the noble armies who have fought on so many battle-fields for our common country, it will be my earnest endeavor not to disappoint your expectations. I feel the full weight of the responsibility now devolving on me. I know that, if it is properly met, it will be due to these LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. 287 armies ; and, above all, to the favor of that Prov- idence which leads both nations and men." Never seeking advancement, he made no effort to have his command increased ; yet, with a quiet confidence that results from consciousness of strength, he takes the increased responsibility which is forced upon him, without the least hesi- tation. He neither presents claims, nor offers excuses; neither seeks power, nor shrinks from accepting it. A greater contrast can hardly be imagined, than the condition he now presented to that of a few years ago. Then an unknown ex- captain, he hesitatingly sought an interview with McClellan, hoping that he might be taken on his staff ; to- day, supreme commander of nearly a million cf men. From complete obscurity, he, in a few short years, had vaulted to one of the most exalted re- sponsible positions ever occupied by man. Under no other but a republican government could such a marvellous transition have occurred. Still, he had not sprung at once by a mere stroke of for- tune into that position. Although so short a period had elapsed since he began his career, he had fought his way up to it. Commanding the limited department of Tennessee, his victories had caused an enlargement of the territory under his control. The wonderful campaign of Vicksburg gave him the whole Mississippi Valley as his thea- 288 LIFE OP GRANT. tre of action, and placed three armies under his control The victory of Chattanooga lifted him still higher, and now half a dozen mighty ar- mies were subject to his sway. As he, from this exalted position, cast his eyes around him, what a spectacle met his gaze. Never before had one commander surveyed so vast a field of operations, and looked over such a mighty array, subject to his single control From the Potomac to the Rio Grande, for five thousand miles, arose the smoke of camp-fires, and stood embattled hosts awaiting his bidding. To aid him in the gigantic task be- fore him, six hundred vessels of war lined the rivers and darkened the coast for twenty-five hun- dred miles, while four thousand cannon lay ready to open at his command. The height of power to which he had so sud- denly attained, would have made a less strong head dizzy. It, however, produced no change in him. Volunteering no promises, indulging in no vain glory, he quietly surveys the vast field before him speaking confidently, but only in subordination to the Being who lifts up and pulls down as He pleases. The work to be done was plain enough, These various and widely-scattered armies must be wield- ed like a single engine, and brought to bear with their united force on the central, vital portion of the Confederacy, and crush it to atoms. PREPARATIONS. 289 The people breathed freer as they saw their favorite commander clothed with this more than regal power. The blunders of the Cabinet, the petty, partisan interference of Congress, which, more than the incapacity of the generals, had caused every thing to go amiss, and heaped defeat on the top of defeat, were now done with. A military man, with the power to grasp, and the energy to carry out a great plan, and embrace the field of operations, was at last at the head of the national forces, and it was plain that the day of " quid nuncs" at Washington was over. The mighty power of the North, which had been hurled hither and thither, with such blind energy, was to be held calmly in hand, and made to move like the steady, resistless tide of the ocean, on the audacious Confederacy, which had for so many years lifted itself on the fragments of the Union. Under him was a group of lieutenants worthy of their great leader. Sherman, Thomas, Hooker, Howard, Hancock, Sedgwick, Slocum, and others, had no peers in ability and military science. As it was fit, Sherman was placed over the Mississippi division, which Grant's elevation had vacated. While the latter was maturing his plans, he quietly began to gather the materials necessary to carry them out Railways groaned under the weight of soldiers returning to their regiments, 13 290 LIFE OF GRANT. the rivers were black with transports bearing ordnance and supplies, and the entire North trembled under the mighty preparations going forward. One of Grant's first acts after his appointment as Lieutenant-General, was to hurry to some con- clusion the ill-starred expedition of Banks, already started for the Red River. This was none of his work, but the result of the combined brilliant strategy of Halleck and Stanton. Hence, he, only a few days after he had come into power, sent a despatch to Banks to advance at once to the point he was aiming to reach Shreveport but " if he found that the taking of it would occupy from ten to fifteen days more time than General Sherman had given to his troops to be absent from their command, he would send them back at the time specified by General Sherman, even if it led to tlie abandonment of the main object of the Red River expedition, for this force was necessary to movements east of the Mississippi ; that, should his expedition prove successful, he would hold Shreveport and the Red River, with such force as he might deem necessary, and return the bal- ance of his troops to the neighborhood of New Orleans, commencing no move for the further acquisition of territory, unless it was to make that then held by him more easily held ; that it might be a part of the Spring campaign to move INSTRUCTIONS TO BANKS. 291 against Mobile; that it certainly would be, if troops enough could be obtained to make it with- out embarrassing other movements that New Orleans, would be the point of departure for such an expedition." Finally, he directed him to move as quickly as possible. He wanted the blunder consummated speedily, that it might not entangle and embarrass him in the great movements he con- templated. Halleck's system of operations, which was to kill the monster by cutting off his tail and claws, and so work up to the vital part, was over forever ; and the coming contest was to be a death- grapple a last interlocking between the colossal power of the North and the desperate South, from which only one should arise. CHAPTER XVIII. The way to a stable Peace Grant on the Erroneous Manner in which the War had been carried on The right Plan of Action View of the Condition Forces in the Field Sketch of Grant's Plan of Campaign Instructions to Sherman Instructions to Butler To Meade Army of the Potomac Its Route decided upon Movement delayed by muddy Roads Strange Confi- dence of the South Not shared by Lee, who orders a day of Humiliation and Prayer His Preparations Numerical Strength of the two Armies. As stated in a former chapter, Grant had no faith in the various theories propounded for bringing the rebellion to a close. Troubled with no visionary schemes, he with his strong common- sense, took a practical view of the war, and said that he "was firm in the conviction that no peace could be had that would be stable and conducive to the happiness of the people both North and South until the military power of the rebellion was entirely broken, 11 i. e., the only road to peace lay over prostrate armies. This fact being established in his mind, the next step was to decide in what way the war should be carried on. First, he said that active and continuous operations of all the troops that could be brought into the field, regard- PRACTICAL VIEWS. 293 less of season and weather, were indispensable ; for though our numerical strength was far supe- rior to that of the enemy, yet we had such a vast territory to garrison as we advanced, and such long lines of communication the greater our success the longer to protect, that it cut down sadly the actual number of troops that could be brought into the field. But this was not all, he said ; "the armies in the East and West acted in- dependently and without concert, like a balky team, no two ever pulling together, enabling the enemy to use to great advantage his interior lines of communication for transporting troops from east to west, reinforcing the army most vigorously pressed ; and to furlough large numbers during seasons of inactivity on our part, to go to their homes and do the work of providing for the sup- port of their armies." This shifting men from east to west, and vice versa, as pressed in turn by our armies, and then, during our intervals of rest, while raising new levies, sending home the soldiers to cultivate the neglected fields, although requiring great activity, effected the same purpose as in- crease of numbers, so that Grant said " it was a question whether our numerical strength and re- sources were not more than balanced by these disadvantages and the enemy's superior posi- tion. 11 Such being his views as he surveyed the vast 294 LIFE 09 GRANT. field of operations, it was a matter of course that lie should at the outset endeavor " to bring the great- est number of troops practicable against the armed force of the enemy, and prevent him from using the same force at different seasons against first one and then another of our armies, and the possibil- ity of repose for refitting and producing necessary supplies for carrying on resistance." In other words, his plan was to confront all the armies of the enemy with superior ones at the same time, compelling each to stand and fight alone. More- over, never to leave his presence winter or sum- mer, so that his conscriptions that exhausted the country should keep it exhausted. In the second place, with our greater power, " to hammer contin- uously against the armed force of the enemy and his resources, until by mere attrition of the lesser with the larger body, the former should be worn out." It is plain to see that with such a mind govern- ing the campaign there would be fighting fierce, incessant, deadly, till one or the other army was destroyed. With these clear, simple, and comprehensive views and plans, there remained only one more thing to settle the time and manner of bringing the armies into the field. Although almost all of Arkansas, Louisana, and Texas was in the possession of the enemy HIS PLAN. 295 with probably eighty thousand rebel troops scat- tered through them, yet the Mississippi and Ar- kansas rivers were so strongly garrisoned that but little trouble was to be feared from them, unless expeditions were sent into the interior. East of the Mississippi we held down to the State of Georgia, and enough of that near Chattanooga to protect East Tennessee. Detached forces also were scattered along the Atlantic coast. We had, be- sides, three large armies in the field that of Banks up the Red River ; of Sherman at Chattanooga ; and Meade in Virginia. The proper plan, there- fore,' in accordance with Grant's general views, would have been to move these three armies on three vital points simultaneously, and which were clearly indicated by the position of affairs to be Richmond, Atlanta, and Mobile. Charleston had been abandoned, as a probable base of operations, but Mobile, with its river piercing inland north, might be taken, and furnish a better one. Es- pecially if Atlanta was reached the converging point of the railroads traversing the Southern tier of States the occupation of these two places would ensure the overthrow of this entire portion of the Southern confederacy. But it soon became evident that the army of Banks could not be used against Mobile for some time yet, and it was therefore left out of the main plan, and Atlanta and Rich- mond became the two great objective points of 296 tOT3 OF GRANT. the campaign, and the two armies of Lee and Johnston one on the Rapidan, and the other at Dalton, were to be assailed with all the strength and determination in his power. It is true there were guerilla bands to be guarded against, and a large cavalry force in Mississippi, and troops in the Shenandoah Valley to be looked after. But these were of minor consequence, and Grant re- solved that the main rebel armies should be pressed so vigorously that their leaders would find it necessary to call in these detached roving bodies instead of augmenting their force. His confidence in Sherman made it unnecessary to give him any but general directions. He was to push on to Atlanta, break up Johnston's army, and advance as far into the interior as he could. They had talked over the campaign together, and its main features were perfectly understood by the latter. One thing was of vital importance, that neither rebel army should be allowed to join the other, and thus give to one a sudden preponder- ance which might prove fatal to the Union army on which this concentrated force might fall. Grant, therefore, in his last written instructions to Sher- man impressed this upon him, telling him that if Johnston showed any signs of joining Lee, to fol- low him up at all hazards, and hang like a sleuth- hound on his track, while he promised that nothing short of impossibility should prevent him HIS FINAL DIBECTIOira. 297 from holding Lee so firmly that he could not suc- cor Johnston. To Meade, the immediate com- mander of the army of the Potomac, his directions were, " wherever Lee goes, go after him." In operating against Lee and Richmond, Grant found it impossible to concentrate all the forces he designed to use. He could not join Butler at Fortress Monroe, because he would thus un- cover Washington ; neither could he allow Butler to join him, for that would uncover the depart- ment of the latter ; and he therefore determined on a double movement toward a common centre. Butler, with his force swelled to some thirty thou- sand men, was to move against Richmond from the south, while the army of the Potomac fell upon Lee along the Rapidan. Grant's directions to him were, the moment he received notice to start, to take City Point at once, and intrench himself there. Richmond, he was told to remember, was his objective point, and that he must hold close to the south bank of James River as he advanced. When the rebel army should be driven into the intrenchments of the capital, then their two armies could unite and become a unit. If Butler could swing around Richmond to the south far enough to have his left wing touch the James River to the west, Grant said he would form a junction there. This would completely cut Lee oif from his sup- plies, and coop him up in his capital. If he could la* 298 LIFE OF GRANT. capture Richmond, from which he knew Lee had been compelled to draw a great part of the garri- son, to do so at all events plant himself as far up the south bank of the James as he could. The minor details he left to himself. It will be seen by these instructions that Grant laid great stress on the success of Butler's movements ; and whether from want of confidence in the latter's ability or from anxiety to impress on him his duty, he says, " I visited him at Fort Monroe, and in conversa- tion, pointed out the apparent importance of getting possession of Petersburg, and destroying railroad communications as far south as possible. Believ- ing, however, in the practicability of capturing Richmond, unless it was reinforced, I made that the objective point of his operations. If the Army of the Potomac was to move simultaneously with him, Lee could not detach from his army with safety, and the enemy did not have troops else- where to bring to the defence of the city in time to meet a rapid movement from the north of James River. 1 ' With regard to the movements of the Army of the Potomac, he said, two plans presented them- selves: one to cross the Rapidan below Lee, moving by his right flank ; the other moving by his left. Each presented advantages over the other with corresponding objections. By crossing above, Lee would be cut off from all chance of THE ARMY WEATHER-BOUND. ignoring Richmond or going north on a raid. But, he said, " if we took this route, all we did would have to be done while the rations we started with held out; beside , it separated us from Butler, so that he could not be directed how to cooperate. If we took the other route, Brandy Station could be used as a base of supplies until another was secured on the York or James rivers." Of these, however, it was decided to take the lower route. This being the case, it was necessary to guard the Shenan- doah Valley, which by this movement would be left uncovered, and the borders of Maryland and Pennsylvania exposed to invasion. To prevent this. General Sigel was placed here with a strong force under his command. This was the outline of the great overland campaign, on the success or failure of which was to depend the establishment or overthrow of the Southern Confederacy. Grant had determined to move with the open- ing of spring, but it passed away, and the army remained quiet. The public wondered, and the spell which had so often held motionless the Army of the Potomac seemed unbroken. The old ex- cuse, that it was stuck in the mud, did not satisfy the people. Such was, nevertheless, the fact The impassable roads of Virginia, in the rainy season, are no myth. This excuse had been often ridi- culed, yet it was still a valid one, and, though Grant knew the public was impatient, he knew also that 300 LIFE OF GEANT. he might as well attempt to move that mighty army, with all its artillery trains, and material of war, through a mortar-bed, as along those clay roads, until they were dried up. The people won- dered, but there was at last nothing left them but patience. As, however, the weather brightened, and the ground became hardened, Grant gave the signal, which was waited for from the Tennessee to the James rivers, and three armies arose as one man and moved forward. More than a quarter of a million of men com- posed this force, to oppose which the rebel gov- ernment could not bring into the field half that number. Yet, singular as it may seem, the same belief was as prevalent South, that the coming campaign would end in their triumph, as hi the North, that its close would witness their over- throw. It was natural, from the vastness of the preparations on our side, that we should feel con- fident of success ; but no such increase of force furnished ground for hope in the South. In fact, Lee's army, their chief reliance, was not much more than half as large as it was when he invaded Pennsylvania, while (Grant's was nearly double to that of Meade's, which opposed it Lee, however, did not share in these fond an- ticipations. He knew how mighty was the force he was about to meet, which uncounted thousands stood ready to back, while he could look nowhere STRENGTH OF THE AHMIES. 301 for reinforcements to his diminished army. As a last resort, he looked to heaven for aid, and issued a general order directing that "a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer" be observed throughout the army Public services were held by the chaplains in the various regiments, and great solemnity and deep feeling were exhibited. In the meantime he strengthened his position by intrenching his lines, and digging rifle-pits at the fords of the Rapidan, and left nothing undone which could aid him to meet the terrible shock he so well knew awaited him. Apparently the odds were fearfully against him, for the Army of the Potomac, with the ninth corps under Burnside to support it, made a movable column of about 140,000 men, while Lee had, all told, but little over 54,000. With such numerical superiority, Grant was confident of success if he could get Lee from behind his works, and force him into a field fight But, if he was always to be the attacking party and fight the enemy in his intrenchments, he needed 60,000 more men to be on an equality with his adversary. CHAPTER XIX. THE OVERLAND MARCH. The March begun The Kapidan crossed Lee's Flank turned- He determines to attack Grant in the Wilderness A sagacioui Move First Day's Battle of the Wilderness Arrival of Long- street and Burnside Swift Marching Second Day's Battle Third Day Headquarters Grant attempts to move around Lee's Left to Spottsylvania The Night-March The Enemy arrive first, Grand Assault of the Enemy's Works Gallant Charge of Hancock A Lull A third Attempt to get between Lee and Richmond It Fails Last Effort to reach Richmond from the North Battle of Cold Harbor Change of Base to the James River Attempt to capture Petersburg. LEE'S army stretched for many miles along the Rapidan river, and held all the crossings in such force that, as before stated, Grant, encamped at Culpepper, determined to swing his army off to the left, and cross it on the enemy's right flank, and thus compel Lee to come out of his works, or be cut off from Richmond. On the morning of the 4th of May the mighty host was set in motion, and along every road, and across open fields, spreading over a vast extent of country, the succes- sive divisions swept forward. Sheridan, with the cavalry, and an enormous train, composed of four thousand wagons, moved in advance, and reach- ing one of the fords, hurried across, meeting with THE RAPID AN CROSSED. 303 i but little opposition. Column following column in seeming endless succession, pressed after him and gained the opposite bank. The army crossed at two fords, Ely's and Germania, some five or six miles apart. It was divided into three corps the Second, commanded by Hancock, the Fifth, by Warren, and the Sixth, by Sedgwick. Han- cock, in front, crossed at Ely's ford, followed by Warren, while Sedgwick crossed at Germania, forming the right. By night it was all over, having marched twelve miles. Thus the first great step was successfully taken. Crossing a river at different points, with such an immense train, in the presence of a skillful enemy, was a hazardous movement ; and the fact that it had been accomplished without loss, relieved Grant from great anxiety ; for though he had been com- pelled to force a passage where an immense wil- derness stretched away from the shore, yet a bat- tle had not been forced on him while in marching order, or struggling across the river. Still, he had not outwitted his wary adversary. He had no idea of having a battle thrown upon him in this frightful wilderness, and therefore issued his orders for the march next morning which he expected would take him beyond it, towards Gordonsville, where he would be between the rebel army and Richmond. A few hours would have sufficed to do this. But Lee, who did 304 LIFE O GRANT. not know whether Grant would cross above or below him, kept a corps of observation in both directions, while he held his army like a hound in the leash. The moment he found that Grant had left his front and effected a passage of the stream below him, he put his army in motion for the purpose of attacking him while entangled in the wilderness. This was a bold, sagacious movement, and came very near being successful. Instead of falling back when he saw his flank turned, he resolved to break into a sudden and furious offensive. As Bonaparte, when he found himself outnumbered, two to one, by the Austrians, suddenly planted his little army on two causeways in the marshes of Arcola, where numbers gave but little advantage, and every thing depended on the comparative strength of the heads of columns, so Lee resolved to bring on the battle in this wilderness, crossed only by few roads, in which the heaviest shocks must necessa- rily occur, and shut Grant's vast army up in the dense woods, where massive columns had little weight the cavalry be totally useless, and his preponderance of artillery of no avail. From Orange Court House, the centre of Lee's position, two parallel roads, a little distance apart, cross this dreary waste, which cut Grant's line of march at right angles. Down these Lee deter- mined to hurl his columns, and strike the army in LEE PLANS AN ATTACK ON GRANT. 805 flank while struggling through the thick chappa- ral. He knew this desolate tract well, and how to avail himself of the advantages it gave him, while to Grant it was an unknown wilderness. Lee, in carrying out his plan, hurried off Hill and Ewell, one by the turnpike and the other by the plank road, and at the same time sent a dis- patch to Longstreet, twenty-five miles distant at Gordons ville, to move up and strike the heads of our columns with his corps, while the former generals fell on them in flank. He was made aware of Grant's movements and designs so early that the two corps he sent off down these roads encamped in the wilderness the same night that Grant did, and were ready to fall upon him at daylight in the morning. Johnson's division, forming the advance of E well's corps, was stationed where the road down which it had come, intersected that along which the Fifth Corps, under Warren, was advancing early next day with its lines extending on either side into the forest. Two pieces of artillery went thundering along the road in advance, and coming within range of Johnson, unlimbered, and poured in a rapid fire. The infantry pressed on, receiving, as they ad- vanced, a terrible volley without the least sign of wavering, till they got within close range, when with a clang a whole forest of weapons 306 LIFE OF GKANT. came to a level, and a sheet of fire swept through the green forest. Before it the hostile line gave way for a brief space ; but reinforce- ments coming up, the troops rallied and charged with such fury that they carried every thing before them, and captured the two guns. Press- ing up their advantage, they drove our advance back for a mile. In the meantime Sedgwick, with the Sixth Corps, came sweeping through the forest on the left, and a sanguinary struggle took place in his front, and for miles the woods echoed with the roar of musketry. Artillery was almost entirely useless, except along the narrow roads, and the strange spectacle of mighty armies contending in a tangled forest, where no regular formations could be maintained, or strategic move- ment made, was witnessed. Grant hnrried up his divisions fast as he could amid the trees and stunted pine bushes ; and with Meade rode on to the Old Wilderness tavern. Up to this time he did not believe that he had Lee's army in front, but thought it a small force sent out to deceive him while the main army effected its retreat. It did not occur to him that the Confederate commander, when he found his defensive line turned, would, instead of falling back to a secure position, boldly cut loose and swing his entire army down upon him arid offer battle. But as he stood by the solitary building, he soon discovered, by the steadi- WEST DAY'S BATTLE. 307 ly increasing uproar, that the enemy was upon him, and there in that gloomy Wilderness he must grapple with him as he best could. He therefore at once recalled the order of march, and prepared for battle. Hancock at this crisis was ten miles distant, down the river, and swift riders were im- mediately despatched to him to close up quickly as possible. In the meantime the battle deepened, and at length, when Hancock arrived, it swelled into its grandest proportions. He and Warren however were, in fact, separate armies, fighting separate armies, and all day long had but little connection with each other. Grant at the Old Wilderness tavern listened to the uproar, receiv- ing ever and anon reports from his army, which was so shut up in the forest that no portion of it could be seen. No wind was stirring, and the smoke settled amid the foliage, while from out the bosom of the dense woods arose cries and yells and shouts and rolling volleys, in wild and horrid discord. " Back in a ceaseless flow from the line that marks this fierce struggle the wounded and maimed are borne on blankets and litters, telling by their numbers the deadly work going on in advance." All day long this mad strife went on, and when night closed over the forest and ended it, Grant found himself near the very spot from which in the morning he had started. His advance divis- 808 LIFE OF GRANT. ions had been driven back, his loss had beer, heavy, and nothing gained. "The woods of the Wilderness have not the ordinary features of a forest. The region rests on a belt of mineral rocks, and for above a hundred years extensive mining has been carried on. To feed the mines, the timber of the country for many miles around had been cut down, and in the place there had arisen a dense undergrowth of low-limbel and scraggy pines, stiff and bristling chinkapins, scrub oaks, and hazeL It is a region of gloom and the shadow of death. Maneuvering here was out of the question, and only Indian tactics told. The troops could only receive direction by a point of the compass ; for not only were the lines of battle entirely hidden from the sight of the commander, but no officer could see ten files on each side of him. Artillery was wholly ruled out of use, the massive concentration of three hun- dred guns stood silent. . . Cavalry was still more useless. But in that horrid thicket there lurked two hundred thousand men, and through it lurid fires played ; and though no array of battle could be seen, there came out of it the crackle and roll of musketry, like the noisy boiling of some hell- caldron, that told the dread story of death. Such was the battle of the Wilderness." * Still Grant had no thought of retreating ; on the contrary, * Swintou'a Army of the Potomac. ABBIVAL OF LONGSTEEET, 309 he issued orders to have the attack renewed at sunrise next morning. In the meantime Longstreet was pressing on through the darkness, and" his advance reached the battle-field just as Grant moved again to the attack. It was not yet fully deployed into line when the onset came. With such fury was it made, and so desperately did Grant push the at- tack at this point, that Longstreet was born swift- ly back, till his disordered ranks almost reached the spot where Lee stood. Longstreet knew what fearful results depended on his checking our victorious troops, and put forth superhuman efforts to stem the flood, but was soon borne bleeding from the field. Lee, now thoroughly alarmed as he saw our line sweeping resistlessly down upon his imperilled right, rode himself at the head of a brigade of Texans, and ordered them to follow, intending to lead the charge in person. But instead of shouts at his gallant devotion, there arose one loud remon- strance against the act, and he had to retire, while the whole division, animated by his example, drove so furiously on our advancing columns that they were forced back, losing the ground they had so nobly won. To meet just such a possible exigency as this, Grant, the very afternoon on which he crossed the liapidan, sent back to Burnside who, with 310 LIFE OF GRANT. the Ninth Corps, was still at the crossing of lie Rappahannock Biver and Alexandria Railroad, guarding the railroad back to Bull Run to hurry forward. The latter immediately put his army in motion, and, though in his march two rivers had to be crossed and more than thirty miles of bro- ken country traversed, he at this opportune mo- ment led his tired columns on to the field. He had wasted no time, and, as Grant said, "Con- sidering that a large proportion, probably two thirds, of his command was composed of raw troops, unaccustomed to marches and carrying the accoutrements of a soldier, this was a remark- able march." It was remarkable, and must have been even wonderful to draw such a compliment from Grant, who had thoroughly tested the march- ing powers and endurance of troops. Thus reinforced, both armies continued the work of slaughter, and all day the battle roared for seven miles through that forest. " There, in the depths of those ravines, under the shadows of those trees, entangled in that brushwood, is no pomp of war, no fluttering of banners in an un- hindered breeze, no solid tramp of marching bat- talions, no splendid strategy of the field Napoleon loved to fight on. There a Saturnalia, gloomy, hideous, desperate, rages confined. The metallic, hollow crack of musketry is like the clanking of great chains about the damned that sullen yell of SECOND DAY'S BATTLE. 311 the enemy, a fiendish protest of defiance. How the hours lag! How each minute is freighted with a burden that the days would have groaned to bear in other times. Still the sad, shuddering proces- sion, emerging out of the smoke, and tumult, and passion, and passing on ; still the appealing eyes, clenched hands, and quivering limbs of human crea- tures, worse than helpless, whose fighting is over.' 1 Thus wore on this terrible day the opposing lines swaying backward and forward amid the forest, as now one and now the other advanced or was forced back. Since the first great success in the morning, there had been no crisis in the battle it was simply a long, tiresome slaughter, and when night came, the two armies occupied nearly the same ground they had in the morning. Lee's flank was not yet turned, and to all appearances Grant was checkmated here at the outset. It was evident that this kind of fighting could not last much longer, for there is a limit to human endurance. For two days, now, the troops had been constantly under arms, and most of the time fighting, many having hardly tasted food the whole tima Thus far Lee had not remained behind his works, but acted steadily on the offensive whenever he could ; but now, crippled and exhausted, he took refuge in them. Grant, on reconnoitering early the next more ing, ascertained this, and feel- 312 LIFE OF GRANT. ing that it would be asking too much of his jaded troops to require them to carry these intrench- inents by storm, resolved, by a sudden march to the left, to get around Lee at Spottsylvania. But little fighting occurred during the day, for the troops on both sides were completely worn out. In fact, Grant found the soldiers too exhausted to make the contemplated march, and gave them till night to rest ; and for miles and miles the forest was black with prostrate sleeping forms. Even Grant, with all his endurance, was glad of a little repose, and throwing himself down on the ground, was soon wrapped in slumber. An eye-witness thus draws a picture of headquarters this after- noon: "The lieutenant-general here, at the foot of a tree, one leg of his trowsers slipped above his boots, his hands limp, his coat in confusion, his sword equipments sprawling on the ground ; not even the weight of sleep erasing that persistent expression of the lip which held a constant prom- ise of something to be done. And there, at the foot of another tree, is General Meade a military hat, with the rim turned down about his ears, tap- ping a scabbard with his fingers, and gazing ab- stractedly into the depths of the earth through eye-glasses that should become historic. General Humphreys, chief of staff a spectacled, iron-gray, middle-aged officer, of a pleasant smile and man ner, who wears his trowsers below, after the HEADQUARTERS. 313 manner of leggins, and is in all things indepen- dent and serene, paces yonder to and fro. That rather thick-set officer, with closely-trimmed whis- kers, and the kindest of eyes, who never betrays a harsh impatience to any comer, is Adjutant-Gen- eral Williams. General Hunt, chief of artillery, a hearty-faced, frank-handed man, whose black hair and whiskers have the least touch of time, lounges at the foot of another tree, holding lazy converse with one or two members of his staff. General Ingalls, chief quartermaster of the army, than whom no more imperturbable, efficient, or courteous presence is here, plays idly and smil- ingly with a riding- whip, tossing a telling word or two hither and thither. Staff officers and order- lies and horses thickly strew the grove." But that night, after the moon was down, Grant began his march, Warren leading the advance. " The fires burned brightly, and at a distance, up- on the wooded hillsides, looked like the lights of a city. Standing upon an eminence, at the junc- tion of Germania, Chancellors ville, and Orange Court House roads, along which the tramp of soldiers and the rumble of wagon trains made a smothered din, one could almost imagine himself peering down through the darkness on the streets of a metropolis in peace. Back in the forest, from the hospitals, from the trees, from the road- side, the wounded were being gathered in ambu- 14 314 LIFE OF GRANT. lances for the long night-journey. That part of the army not on the move was slumbering by fires, waiting for the signal. 11 Lee, who watched his adversary with sleepless vigilance, knew of this movement within an hour after it commenced, and at once hurried off troops by a shorter route, which, by rapid marching at one time going on the double-quick for two miles reached Spott- sylvania first. Although Warren pushed the enemy before him, and succeeded in carrying the first line of breastworks, yet he was finally compel- led to retire with the loss of fifteen hundred men. The next day Sheridan started on his raid to break up Lee's communications with Richmond. This, and the two following days, Grant spent in " manoeuvring and fighting, without any decisive results." O-si the 12th, he made a grand assault on the enemy's lines, and a most terrific conflict followed. Our wearied men fought as though fresh from their encampments. Bayonet charges occurred in various parts of the line, and the roar of artillery, and crash of musketry, and shouts of infuriated men, conspired to make a scene of ter- ror inconceivable, indescribable. The carnage was awful ; not less than eight or ten thousand men falling on our side alone. Hancock's assault on Lee's right centre was a brilliant one, and, though crowned with great success, gave no per- manent advantage. His attacking columns were AN ASSAULT. 315 formed before it was full daylight, and just in the gray of the dawn moved swiftly, and without firing a shot, straight on the ramparts, at whose base stretched a deep, wide ditch. The enemy, never dreaming of such a bold movement, saw, before they were aware of it, the soldiers pouring like an inundation over the works. Rolled back by the sudden and terrific onset, they retreated, fighting, for a mile. Made aware of the frightful disaster that had overtaken them, the rebel gene- rals hurried up supports, and reforming the lines, advanced with the determination to retake the im- portant position. Five times did Lee hurl his army upon it, and as often was driven back. The battle raged here all day with terrific fury, and the ground was literally heaped with the dead. So determined were the onsets, and so close the death-grapple, that the rebel colors and our own would at times be planted on the opposite sides of the same works, "the men fighting across the parapet 1 ' Hancock captured, in this brilliant assault, an entire division, four thousand strong, and thirty guns. But Grant saw clearly that the strong position of Lee could not be carried by assault, and he found himself again foiled. He had left a dead and wounded army behind him, and had neither got a decisive battle out of Lee, nor compelled 816 LIFE OF GttANT. him to retreat. Instead, however, of being dis heartened, his purpose was more fixed than ever, and he telegraphed back to Washington, "I shall fight it out on this line if it takes all summer, 11 and asked for reinforcements. They were sent, as of old, with trembling expostulations not to leave Washington exposed ; but its safety rested not on its garrisons, but on Grant's strong right arm. While these were coming up, Grant changed his base of supplies to Fredericksburg. Two weeks were consumed in this way, and then he resolved to make another effort to get around Lee. Moving off in a simicircle, he aimed for the North Anna river, which, if he could reach first, would place him between Lee and Richmond. In order to conceal this movement, the corps on his ex- treme right moved back, and marched down behind the main army. When well under way, the one next to it broke off in the same way so that the right wing became the left, and vice versa. But again Lee, who was keenly on the lookout, de- tected the movement soon enough, and by swift marching, and having a shorter distance to travel, reached that point first ; and Grant, finding his position still stronger than the one at Spottsylva- nia, made no determined effort to take it Han- cock gained some success; and Warrer had a short, fierce battle with the enemy, in which Grant said, "I never heard more rapid or mass- SKIRMISHING. 317 ive firing, either of artillery or musketry. 11 The rebel attack was repulsed, but no important ad- vantage was secured ; and Grant determined to make one more attempt to swing around Lee and compel him to fight outside of his works, and on the night of the 26th moved by way of Hanover- town. But when, on the 28th, the army reached the place which was only fifteen miles from Richmond he found Lee's army drawn up in line of battle and intrenched, ready to receive him. Marching and skirmishing and partial bat- tles now occupied several days ; when Grant, hav- ing completed his arrangements, fixed the 3d of June for a heavy assault along the whole line. The Eighteenth Corps had in the meantime joined him from Butler's army, which was so "corked up" at Bermuda Hundred as to be of no practical use. The Union line, at this time, extended from Bethesda Church to Cold Harbor, a distance of eight miles. At a given signal it advanced in splendid order, and Grant hoped by one mighty effort to drive Lee across the Chickahoininy, and force him into the intrenchments of Rich- mond. But the rebel host lay behind strong works that could not be carried, although the troops struggled for five dreadful hours at their very base. Completely exposed, they were mowed down with terrible slaughter ; while the enemy, sheltered behind his breastworks, suffered but 318 LIFE OF GRANT. little. The next morning Grant rode along the front to ascertain from the various commanders the actual state of things in their vicinity. He returned, absorbed in thought, for he knew it would be useless to repeat the attack. All that matchless valor and skill could do had been done, and thirteen thousand men had fallen in the long and hopeless struggle ; wjiile the enemy, sheltered behind his works, had lost hardly more than as many hundred. Never had a commander or subordinates made more superhuman endeavors, never had the world witnessed such determina- tion and endurance in troops, yet nothing had been gained except in the destruction of life. Grant saw that his last effort had been made for victory hi the field, and he must settle down to a long siege, or change his base. He now proposed to Lee, that while there was no actual fighting, each party might, on notifica- tion to the other, succor its wounded and bury its dead. Lee replied that he preferred it should be done through a flag of truce, to which Grant gave his assent. Finding that Richmond could not be reached over the enemy in this direction, he determined, by a sudden movement, to fling his army over the James lliver, and seize Petersburg, which Butler had failed to take, laying the blame of defeat on Gilrnore. CROSSES THE JAMES. 319 This, however, was a delicate operation, for the opposing lines were so close that it was hardly to be expected that he could move off, unobserved, such an immense army, without exposing himself to a sudden attack. But concentrating his lines, and throwing up strong works to protect his flanks, he, on Sunday night, the 12th of June, quietly and swiftly changed front, and marched away from the Chickahominy. Smith's corps moved off to the White House and embarked on transports, while the rest of the army struck across the country to the James River, fifty miles away. Passing below the White Oak Swamp, stirring recollections were brought to the army of the Potomac, which two years before fought their way on almost the same line to the point toward which they were now pressing. Grant broke up his camp and sent off all his immense trains on the 12th, Two days after, on the 14th, Hancock was crossing the James, by ferry, at Wilcox Landing, and the Sixth Corps, by ferry and a pontoon bridge, a little lower down. This march of fifty-five miles was made without molestation; and the manner in which it was planned and carried out shows the marvellous skill of Grant in handling a large army. He ex- pected to take Petersburg by this sudden move- ment, and thus advance his lines nearer to Rich- 320 LIFE OF GRANT. mond on the south side. The attack was at first successful, and the outer works captured, and the report flew over the land that it had fallen. It ought to have fallen days before, and would if Grant had been on the spot to have controlled Butler, Gilmore, and Smith, in person. But the failure of these officers had caused the enemy to strengthen the fortifications and reinforce the gar- rison. CHAPTER XX. REVIEW OF THE CAMPAIGN. The Overland and Peninsula Routes considered Reasons against the Former " Continuous Hammering " Grant charged with having Contempt for all Manoeuvres The Charge disproved Distinguished for his Skilful Manoeuvres Compared to Napo- leon Not to blame for the Slaughter in the "Wilderness, or the Error at Cold Harbor Gloomy Retrospect Failure of Siegel and Butler to do their Part Reason of the great Disparity in the Losses of the two Armies. A CORRECT idea of the motives that influenced Grant to the course he adopted and the causes that led to the failure of his plan in its most im- portant features and the results he actually ac- complished, can be obtained only by a careful review of the campaign from its inception to its close. It had lasted forty-three days, and he now found himself on the spot that McClellan occu- pied when the Army of the Potomac was recalled to Washington. The friends of the latter pointed to this fact, and inquired, why, if the army was to occupy the Peninsula at last, it was not transported there at the outset as it could have been without the loss of a man instead of reaching it, after a 322 LIFE OF GRANT. long struggle, and the sacrifice of sixty thousand men? It seems never to have occurred to these critics to inquire, what Lee would have been doing while this great transfer of the army was being effected. It is assumed that he would have hastened back to the defence of his capital. But this is merely conjecture : for nothing is more evident than that he could have defended Richmond better by marching again into Maryland, or on Washington ; for before the heads of his columns were well over the Potomac, Grant's army would have been recalled. But suppose Lee had not made this bold move, and taken instead his army to Rich- mond, where he did eventually plant it, he could have spared enough troops to threaten Washing- ton, and break up Grant's army ; for even after his terrible losses in the battles of the Wilderness, and at Spottsylvania and other places, he was still able to despatch an army twelve thousand strong into the Valley of the Shenandoah, which gathered its harvests, and then crossing into Mary- land and Pennsylvania, burned Chambersburg, cut the railroad north of Baltimore, and advanced to the very gates of the National capital. It spread consternation on every side ; and although the Nineteenth Corps opportunely arrived from New Orleans, it was not considered strong enough, with all the forces that could be raised in the THE EOUTES CONSIDERED. 323 vicinity, to cope with the rebels, and the veteran Sixth Corps had to be detached from the army of the Potomac, and sent to protect Washington and the neighboring loyal country. Now suppose that Lee had the twenty thou- sand men that lay in hospitals, or strewing the battle-fields on the line of his retreat, to add to the twelve thousand he actually sent to the valley of the Shenandoah, swelling the force to thirty or forty thousand men : who does not see that the siege of Richmond must have been raised, and the whole campaign gone over again ? It requires but the simplest arithmetical calculation to de- termine, if twelve thousand men demanded the presence of two additional corps in front of Wash- ington, how many corps would thirty or forty thousand men have required. Those dead and wounded of Lee's army that cost us so heavily, were, in the crisis of affairs, absolutely indispen- sable to the defence of Richmond. Lee could not replace them. But it has been suggested that Grant should have divided his army, and left part to cover Washington, and transported the other half to the Peninsula. We do not see how this relieves the difficulty ; for in case Grant thus divided his forces, Lee would have divided his also, and left twenty-five, thousand men in front of Washing- ton, which, if the two corps sent to defeat Early 324 LIFE OF GRANT. with twelve thousand furnishes the correct ratU of force required, four corps would have been necessary to oppose them. On this supposition, had there been no overland campaign, and hence Lee lost no troops, he would have had within five thousand as many men to defend Richmond as he did have, while Grant would have been weaker by half his entire army. In the light of subse- quent events, it is not difficult to see what added embarrassments, protracted delays, if not defeat, would have resulted from this diminution of his force in front of Richmond. As it was, he had quite few enough troops for the task required of him. Hence it is clear, whatever course Lee might have taken, the result to Grant would have been the same had he planted a part, or the whole of his army, on the Peninsula, without first weak- ening his adversary. It would have been mad- ness to have assailed him in his strong works along the Rapidan. A flank movement, there- fore, was the only course left him ; and the Battle of the Wilderness, fearful as it was, became in- evitable, and he now had to fight his way to Richmond, or retreat No one would approve of the latter course how then could he have done otherwise than he did ? Will any one assert that the army could have been handled witL more consummate skill, or fought with more splendid heroism ? He was not to blame for the strong MAN(BUVMNG. 325 works that hedged his path on every side. The terrific battles and failures of the last three years had caused them to be constructed by the enemy ; and when Grant took command, he had got to fight Lee with all these disadvantages against him, or not fight at all. It was this state of things that made him say he meant to win success by u contin- uous hammering." The phrase has been repeated to prove that Grant possessed no strategy, and re- lied solely on brute force. To give still greater emphasis to the accusation, he is adduced as evi- dence against himself. It is said that soon after he took command of the Army of the Potomac, General Meade was one day speaking to him of certain manoeuvres that might be executed, when the former interrupted him with " I never manoeuvre" Now we do not wish to question the authority for this statement, but simply say that it was in- tended either as a rebuke to mere " martinetism" if we may coin the word or in other words, an expression of impatience at the laying down of some abstract rules as found in the books, and which had no pertinency in the present condition of things ; or he did not believe what he said and stated what his acts disproved. Hence, the infer- ence deduced from the utterance of the expression is totally falsa There are two distinct kinds of manoeuvres one 326 LIFE OF GRANT. on the battle-field itself, the whole of which the commanding general from a height or tower of ob- servation embraces in a glance, and over which he moves his troops as one moves pieces on a chess- board. Now if Grant's remark applied to this kind of manoeuvres, he not only told the truth, but showed his good judgment that strong common sense which enabled him to make on the spot, if he had never seen them, all the good rules appli- cable to that particular case, and reject those growing out of a warfare waged on entirely differ- ent conditions than the one he was conducting. He had this distinctive quality of greatness, that he could use rules without letting rules use him. Napoleon, in those great battles fought on the ex- tended, open, and often unfenced plains of Europe, was accustomed from some elevated position to sweep the entire field with his glass, and handle his army like a single machine. But not a battle of any proportions had been fought in our country on such an open plain, and probably never will be, unless it takes place on one of our west- ern prairies. Our armies met in woods and ra- vines and thickets, where the commander could see only a small portion of the army at any one time, and much had to be left to the discretion of the corps and division commanders. To speak of grand manoeuvres, such as are described in the military works of Europe, as possible on the fields MANOEUVRING. 327 of our conflict, is absurd ; and if Grant said he " never manoeuvred" in reference to such martial displays, we repeat it, he showed his good sense, arid deserves praise instead of censure for it. There was no such manoeuvring at Antietam, Freder- icksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Shiloh, Stone Hiver, or Missionary Hidge. It was all square, stand-up, hard fighting massive onsets and shocks and Grant doubtless meant to say it had got to be so to the bitter end. The other class of manoeuvres applies to those movements made to get into right position pre- vious to battle ; skillful marches by which the enemy is deceived and attacked in an unexpected quarter, or different portions of his army cut up in detail before they can concentrate. These man- oeuvres, if successful, indicate the highest order of military genius, and Grant plainly had no refer- ence to these in the remark quoted above, for he had won his greatest fame and success by them. It was a battle of manoeuvres from the day he passed the batteries of Vicksburg, for a whole month, till he invested the place. With three armies opposed to him, he so manoeu- vred that they were never able to form a junction and overwhelm him, but, beating them in detail, separated them totally. In fact, so brilliant were these manoeuvres, and so rapidly executed, that but for the failure of McClernand to perform the 328 LIFE OF GRANT. part assigned him at Champion's Hill, Vicksbnrg would have been reached and invested without a single serious battle. The first campaign of Na- poleon in Italy, and that which shut up Mack at Ulm and compelled his capitulation, are con- sidered models for the military student ; yet that of Grant in rear of Vicksburg is equal to either of them in boldness of conception and skill and success in execution, and must, when the nature of the country is taken into consideration, be re- garded as superior to them. It is, therefore, as we said, absurd to attempt to prove that Grant did not approve of manoeuvring. He thoroughly understood his situation, and in our opinion, and which we think the facts and reasons as presented above sustain, executed the only manoeuvre that promised success. His critics confess that there were but three movements open to him the one he made, a similar one around Lee's left, and last the transportation of his army or a part of it to the Peninsula: That by the left would have required just as much fighting as the one he took, while subsequent events have shown that the transportation of the army to the Penin- sula would have been an error. The most terrible slaughter that occurred in his entire march was at the battle of the Wilderness, where it was a con- test of mere brute force, but that was not brought on by hiTTij but Lee, and on purpose to prevent, EEKOR AT COLD HARBOR. 329 manoeuvring. Grant here acted on the de- fensive ; and when one points to the piles of dead which strewed that gloomy forest, and speaks of butchery, let him remember that the gladiato- rial conflict which wrought that destruction was the work of the rebel commander. Grant's desperate assault on the strong works at Spottsylvania was necessary, unless he aban- doned his plan altogether of getting between Lee and Richmond, and is sustained by the soundest military maxims. The only other fearful slaughter which made his enemies at home and abroad stig- matize him as a butcher, was at Cold Harbor and if he made any mistake in this campaign it was here. The battle was decided in the first ten minutes, and the long struggle that succeeded was un- doubtedly a useless waste of life. Grant may have carried his proverbial obstinacy of character too far here, but it was his last hope. He must do this or give up the plan of reaching Richmond from the north, and it was natural that his last effort should be pushed even beyond the limits of good judgment. The attack proved a total failure, and the frightful disparity in the loss of life shows that it should never have been made. It is true this campaign of fifty-three days summed up sadly. As Grant looked back on the frightful road he had travelled, he could not 330 LIFE OF GKANf, behold any one success of great importance, On the contrary, his plans had all miscarried he had not accomplished what he proposed to do. More than this, the two generals who were to cooperate with him had worse than failed in the task assigned them. Siegel, in the Valley of Shenandoah, not only effected nothing, but was terribly defeated and put to rout, while Butler on the James River had succeeded only in " corking himself up " at Bermuda Hundreds. Different results would doubtless have been reach- ed had more competent generals been in their places. But political considerations in Washing- ton, outside of Grant, put them in the responsible positions they held. Especially, if an energetic, able commander had been in Butler's place, Grant would have been saved the sad retrospect, and the discouraging future he now contemplated. Had Sheridan been at the head of the army on the James, he would long before either have been in Richmond, or pressing it so terribly that Lee would have been compelled to retreat precipitate- ly to save it, with Grant thundering in his rear, and sure of a speedy victory. But some in- sane political necessity kept Butler in command against Grant's wishes, and he failed utterly to do his part in carrying out his commander's plans, and hence at the very outset rendered their execu- tion impossible. GLOOMY RETROSPECT. 331 The disparity of loss in this campaign is men- tioned as a proof of Lee's superior generalship, but the inference is false. Grant was acting on the offensive, and had to attack the enemy where lie found him. Lee kept behind his works except in the battle of the Wilderness, and the ratio of loss between assailants and defenders, where the latter are protected by strong works, has always been considered as about four to one. It is true that the record of our loss in this campaign is a frightful one. In the battle of the Wilderness and up to Spottsylvania, the aggregate in dead, wounded, and missing, was, . . .29,410 Spottsylvania 10,381 North Anna 1,607 Cold Harbor 13,153 Total 54,551 But this leaves out the losses of the Ninth Corps, except in the last battle. It was not for- mally incorporated into the Army of the Potomac until after the battle of Spottsylvania, and hence not included in the report of General Meade. If its losses were half as heavy as that of the other corps, the number would swell to the fearful amount of sixty thousand, of whom three thou- sand were officers, many of them the flower of the Army of the Potomac. The Confederate loss, aa 332 LIFE OF GRANT. stated by southern officers and writers, was only 18,000. It may have been a little more, but probably did not reach 20,000. The nature of the conflict made this disproportion inevitable the enemy fighting behind works, except in the Wilderness. Here the disparity was owing to a different cause. Several reasons have been given for it, but in our estimation, the chief one has been overlooked. Separate reports on this battle have never been rendered, but we can approximate very near the truth. Our loss may be put at about 20,000, while that of Lee, according to the reports of the rebel surgeons, was only seven thousand. Yet here they did not fight behind breastworks, but out in the woods, like our own men. The inquiry then naturally arises, How came the loss to be so unequal ? Some have said that it was owing to the superiority of the Southern troops in the In- dian style of fighting that characterized that bat- tie, and to the dull gray color of their uniforms, which made them less conspicuous objects amid the foliage than our troops, with their light blue uniforms. There is doubtless some force in these reasons, especially the latter one, but we believe the chief one, although at first it seems paradoxi- cal, is to be found in our superiority of numbers. It must be remembered that the advantage which numbers give in battle is two-fold first, the DISPARITY IN LOSSES. 333 weight they impart to a charge or onset. The concentration of masses on a given point puts an inferior army at a great disadvantage. Second, numbers allow the extension of lines till they overlap, and hence outflank the enemy. But in the Wilderness Grant totally lost both these ad- vantages. The wood prevented both the concen- tration of masses on any portion of the rebel lines and any movement to overreach and lap it Hence Grant's numbers on this battle-field, which was not of his choosing, only furnished a larger mark to fire at Artillery being out of the ques- tion, and the foliage so thick as to render objects at a little distance invisible, the troops, in order to fight at all, had to be in close proximity, actually face to face. But under these circum- stances, only about the same number on both sides could fire with any effect among the trees. Hence the firing was, in fact, nearly equal, while the enemy had twice as many men to fire at as we. The tens of thousands that thronged the forest on our side, and could only act as supports, furnished a mark so large that almost every rebel bullet being fired at so close a range that escaped a tree, would strike a soldier. Lee knew this would be so, and chose this strange battle- field for the sole purpose of putting the armies on an equality. There could be no order of battle in this Wil- 334 LITE OP GRANT. derness, and it was simply like shooting birds in the field, with the advantage on the rebel side of shooting into a large flock instead of a small one, and of course with the same cartridges doing double execution. CHAPTER XXT. THE SIEGE. ^heartening aspect of affairs Importance of Petersburg Hun- ter succeeds Siegel Wilson's raid Movement north of the James River Explosion of a Mine Defeat of Hunter Inva- sion of Early Despondency Grant's letter to Washburn Appoints Sheridan Commander of all the Forces around Wash- ington and in the Middle Department Checks Sheridan Finally, bids him " Go in 1 "Effect of Sheridan's Victories- Grant attempts to get around Lee's left Hancock attacked Winter operations Almost a frightful disaster Atlanta reach- ed Grant's grief at the death of McPherson His Letter to the Grandmother Permits Sherman to cut loose from Atlanta His views upon it Is anxious to have Thomas attack Hood Correspondence Fort Fisher Butler's disobedience Capture of the place Directs Sherman to come to him by sea Coun- termands the order Schofield ordered East Stoneman's raid Expedition against Mobile Directions to Thomas Concen- tric movements Sheridan's raid Correspondence with Lin- coln Interview with him and Sherman Resolves to move. As Grant, from before Petersburg, surveyed his position, the prospect was gloomy enough. On every side rose strong works not a single line of them, but successive ones. He was sorely disappointed in not taking Petersburg, and cen- sured those to whom he had given charge of the undertaking. We have not gone into the details 336 LIFE OF GRANT. of the various efforts to capture it, nor of the one made by Grant after his arrival before it. There has been much recrimination among the officers com- manding the expeditions, and contradiction and confusion in the reports respecting the failure even of the last assault. The place was over twenty miles from Rich- mond, and its chief importance lay in the fact that its possession would give Grant nearly ail the lines by which Lee's army was supplied. Pe- tersburg, therefore, was, to all intents, Richmond itself. Of course it was of the first importance, now that a regular siege was determined upon, to cut off these sources of supply, which could be done only either by extending his lines around the place to the south, or sending off separate forces to do it. Grant had previously put Hunter in Siegel's place, with directions to break up a branch rail- road, running through Staunton, by which quan- tities of supplies were forwarded in that direction, while Wilson, with a heavy force of cavalry, was sent to cut the railroads south. The latter suc- ceeded in breaking up a portion of them, so that it took the enemy some time to put them in work- ing order again. Grant, in the meantime, by the various plans he set on foot, kept Lee constantly on the alert, for his blows fell now on one side and now on the HUNTER RETREATS. S37 other, and often in a most unexpected time and place. He moved a heavy force north of the James River, to cut the railroad " from near Rich- mond to the Anna River," and some severe fight- ing took place ; for Lee, made aware of the move- ment, sent a large force to check it. Anticipat- ing this, Grant ordered a mine, that had been dug in front of the Ninth Corps, to be sprung, and the ex- plosion to be followed by a vigorous assault of the enemy's lines at that point. It came near being a success, and Grant thought that, with a little more promptness in advancing, Petersburg might have been captured. But now a new cause of anxiety arose. Hunter, who had marched triumphantly up the Shenandoah Valley till he lay siege to Lynch- burg, was finally, from want of ammunition, com- pelled to retreat If he had moved as Grant an- ticipated, this would not have happened. Forced to return by the circuitous way of Kanawha, he ne- cessarily left the Shenandoah Valley unprotected, and Early, sweeping down through it, crossed the Potomac into Maryland, and threatened Baltimore and Washington. Despatch after despatch, show- ing the wildest alarm, was now sent to Grant from the Capital, and the President was besought to recall the army from Richmond. But he stub- bornly refused to do so, saying that he had im- plicit confidence in General Grant, and should leave him to take his own course to avert the 15 838 LIFE OF QUANT. threatened danger. The latter immediately de- spatched the Sixth Corps to Washington, which with the Nineteenth Corps, just arrived from New Orleans, proved sufficient to drive the enemy back. As soon as Grant found that Early was retreating, he ordered the troops back to Petersburg for the purpose of making an attack on Lee while weaken- ed by the absence of this force. But before the Sixth Corps left Washington, he was informed that Early was returning down the Valley, and he countermanded the order, and directed it to return to Harper's Ferry. This unpropitious state of affairs, of course, caused a great deal of anxiety throughout the country, and Grant was overwhelmed with visits from Members of Congress, and other distinguish- ed men, and with letters, all wishing to know his feelings, and what the prospects were of success. The following letter to his friend, Mr. Washburne, clearly sets forth his views at this time of general despondency, and reveals that calm courage and confidence which never forsook him : " HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE TL 8., [ CITY POINT, VA., Aug. 16, 1864. J " DEAR SIR : I state to all citizens who visit me, that all we want now, to ensure an early restoration of the Union, is a determined unity of sentiment North. " The rebels have now in their ranks their last man. The little boys and old men are guarding prisoners, guarding railroad bridges, and forming a good part of LETTER TO WASHBUBNE. 339 their garrisons or intrenched positions. A man lost by them cannot be replaced. They have robbed the cradle and the grave equally to get their present force. Be- sides what they lose in frequent skirmishes and battles, they are now losing from desertions and other causes, at least one regiment per day. With this drain upon them, the end is not far distant, if we will only be true to our- selves. Their only hope now is in a divided North. This might give them reinforcements from Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri, while it would weaken us. With the draft quietly enforced, the enemy would become despondent, and would make but little resistance. " 1 have no doubt but the enemy are exceedingly anx- ious to hold out until after the Presidential election. They have many hopes from its effects. They hope a counter-revolution. They hope the election of the Peace candidate. In fact, like Micawber, they hope for something to ( turn up.' Our peace friends, if they expect peace from separation, are much mistaken. It would be but the beginning of war, with thousands of Northern men joining the South, because of our disgrace in allowing separation. To l have peace on any terms,' the South would demand the restoration of their slaves already freed ; they would demand indemnity for losses sustained, and they would demand a treaty which would make the North slave-hunters for the South; they would demand pay for, or the restoration of, every slave escaped to the North." In the meantime, the telegraph wires between him and Washington being often down, frequently causing a whole day to elapse before his despatches could be received by the Secretary of War, he de- termined to have all the forces in West Virginia, Washington, Susquelianna, and the Middle De- partment placed under one officer, capable of man- 340 LIFE OF GRANT. aging affairs without particular and constant di- rections from him, and on his recommendation, it was done. He then ordered Sheridan to report to Halleck, for the purpose of being on hand when he should be appointed to this important command. He himself left City Point and visit- ed Hunter, then encamped on the Monocacy, and after seeing for himself the condition of things, directed him to concentrate all his forces near Harper's Ferry. He no sooner saw the troops in motion, than he telegraphed to Sheridan to come on by the morning train, and put himself at the head of the army. On the 6th of August, after a conversation with him in regard to the situation and future military operations, he returned to City Point, feeling that the day of blunders in the Shenandoah Valley was over. Knowing, however, how fatal to his operations around Hichmond a defeat here would be, he would not permit Sheridan to bring on, as he wished, a decisive battle with Early. But Sheridan was impatient, and confident also of success, and Grant, feeling that it was impor- tant to relieve Maryland and Pennsylvania from the constant danger of invasion, and at the same time obtain full control of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and Chesapeake Canal, at last deter- mined to accede to his wishes. But, knowing that Lee's object in manoeuvring in the Shenaix- SHERIDAN DEFEATS EARLY. 341 doah Valley was to draw his army away from Richmond, and hence that it was of vital import- ance that no risk of defeat should be taken, he con- cluded not to telegraph the permission to Sheri- dan to bring on a battle, but go on himself and l;ake a minute survey of the position of the two armies. He left City Point in the middle of Sep- t' mber, and met Sheridan at Charlestown. The latter was very positive and decided in his views, and Grant said, u he pointed out so distinctly how each army lay : what he would do the moment he was authorized to move, and expressed such confi- dence of success, that I saw that but two words of instructions were necessary : ' Go in ! ' I asked him if he could get out his teams and supplies in time to make an attack on the ensuing Tuesday morn- ing. His reply was, that he could, before day- light Monday morning. He was off promptly to time, and I may add, that the result was such that I have never since deemed it necessary to visit General Sheridan before giving him orders." The latter soon sent Early " whirling through Winchester. 1 ' His decisive victory put an entirely different face on matters about Biehmond, for in- stead of Grant being called upon for reinforcements for the Shenandoah Valley, Lee was ; and troops that he had designed to operate in the region of Culpepper and Alexandria, had to be forwarded to Early. Thus strengthened, the latter again 342 LITE OF GRANT. moved down the Valley, and though beaten again, finally, on the 19th of October, fell on our army before daylight, while Sheridan was absent, and swept its camps like a whirlwind. The timely ar- rival of Sheridan, however, restored the battle, and the enemy, beaten and routed, was driven from the Valley forever. This overwhelming victory sealed the fate of Richmond. If Early had con- quered, more troops than Grant could spare would have had to be sent away from the siege, but now he gathered the reinforcements to himself. He now determined, if possible, to sweep around Lee's right flank, and get possession of the South Side Railroad, running into Richmond. So, on the 27th of October, he despatched the Second Corps under Warren, and two divisions of the Fifth Corps, with a force of cavalry in advance, to force Hatcher's Run, lying beyond the extrem- ity of his line, on the left. The movement was successful, and the advance got within six miles of the railroad, but Grant, finding that he had been anticipated by Lee, who had erected strong works in his front to bar his further progress, di- rected the troops to return. He waited until it was reported that the two Corps had formed a junction, when, feeling no further anxiety, he re- turned to his headquarters. But the report was not true the gap was not closed, and the watch- ful enemy dashed into it, and a bloody combat ALMOST A DISASTER. 343 followed. Hancock repulsed him, though with heavy loss. Butler, at the same time, was directed to move against the enemy on the north side of the James River, but no important results were secured. u From this time forward," says Grant, "the operations in front of Petersburg and Richmond, until the spring campaign of 1865, were confined to the defence and extension of our lines, and to offensive movements for crippling the lines of com- munication, and to prevent his detaching any considerable force to send South." By mid- winter his lines reached Hatcher's Run, while the Weldon Railroad was destroyed for many miles. But during this winter, so comparatively quiet, an event occurred which came very near ending in a disaster that would have been almost irrepa- rable. Grant makes no mention of it in his report, because it actually affected only the navy, while the naval report takes but little notice of it, because, so far as the navy was concerned, but little harm was done. Lee, finding that he must abandon all hope of drawing Grant away by operating near Washing- ton, conceived the daring plan of cutting off his communications, and thus starving the army into a retreat. The absence of our war- vessels operating in front of Fort Fisher, furnished an opportunity to do this which seemed to the enemy almost provi- S44 LIFE OP GRANT. dential. On the 24th of January, three iron- clads and three wooden vessels, with a flotilla of torpedo-boats, came down the James River, intend- ing to run the batteries, take City Point, and thus cut off the base of supplies for the whole army, and divide the forces north and south of the James. A large rebel force was massed north of the river, to make an overwhelming assault on the army there, as soon as City Point was reached. A high tower, erected at the latter place for ob- servation by Grant, was to be set on fire as a sig- nal of success, and at the same time, of attack. The vessels came boldly down in the darkness, and it was soon evident that we had nothing on shore or in the river that could stop their progress, and consternation seized our army along the banks. The Onondaga, on guard, retreated down the river without attempting a defence. By good fortune, or rather through an over-ruling Providence, the iron-clads ran aground, and were stopped midway in their triumphant career. The country did not know what a narrow escape Grant and his army had, but the Government did. A committee of investigation was appointed, and the universal tes- timony was, that if these vessels had not gone aground, the siege of Richmond would have been raised, to say nothing of the disasters that might have befallen the army. City Point once oc- cupied by the rebels, not a pound of food could DEATH OF MCPHEHSOK. 345 have reached our troops. Grant alone testified that he did not think the disaster would have been irreparable, and he, only on the single ground that he had provisions enough on hand to last, with great economy, two weeks, and by the end of that time he thought the Government would have been able to re-open his communications. On the prob- able success of outside efforts alone, he testified, he relied for salvation. What fearful issues hung on the simple question, whether those three iron- clads could clear the shoals. But Grant would not have been accountable for the misfortune, had it occurred. The navy alone would have been compelled to bear the blame. But though Grant's plans had partially failed in his direct operations against Richmond, they had been crowned with complete success in other portions of the extended field. Sherman had, during the summer, pushed his triumphant way to Atlanta. Grant's delight at his success was marred, however, by a sad event the death of his dearest friend, McPherson, who fell in one of the battles before the place. When the sad news reached him his strong nature gave way, and bursting into tears, he exclaimed, " The country has lost one of its best soldiers, and I have lost my best friend." McPherson's grandmother, aged eighty-seven 15* 346 LIFE OF GRANT. years, hearing that Grant, when told of his death, retired to his tent and wept, wrote him a letter. To this the latter sent the following tender, touch- ing response : HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE U. S.,) CITY POINT, VA., Aug. 10, 1864. ( Mrs. Lydia Slocum: MY DEAR MADAM : Your very welcome letter of the 3d instant has reached me. I am glad to know that the relatives of the lamented Major-General McPher- Bon are aware of the more than friendship existing be- tween him and myself. A nation grieves at the loss of one so dear to our nation's cause. It is a selfish grief, because the nation had more to expect from him than from almost any one living. I join in this selfish grief, and add the grief of personal love for the departed. He formed, for some time, one of my military family. I knew him well; to know him was to love. It may be some consolation to you, his aged grandmother, to know that every officer and every soldier who served under your grandson felt the highest reverence for his patriotism, his zeal, his great, almost unequalled ability, his amiability, and all the manly virtues that can adorn a commander. Your bereavement is great, but cannot exceed mine. Yours truly, U. S. GBAUT. Sherman, having captured Atlanta, wrote to Grant asking permission to let Hood alone, and march across the country to Savannah. Grant, in reply, asked him if it did not look as if " Hood was going to attempt the invasion of Mid- dle Tennessee, using the Mobile and Ohio, Mem- phis and Charleston roads, to supply his base on the Tennessee river, about Florence or Decatur. ORDERS TO SHERMAN. 347 If he does this, he ought to be met and prevented from getting north of the Tennessee river. If you were to cut loose I do not believe you would meet Hood's army, but would be bushwhacked by all the old men, little boys, and such railroad guards as are still left at home. Hood would probably strike for Nashville, thinking that by going north he could inflict greater damage upon us than we could upon the rebels by going south. If there is any way of getting at Hood's army I would prefer that, but I must trust to your own judgment." With that prescience which distin- guishes the great commander, he here traces out the exact course that Hood afterwards took. But Sherman still urged that he might be per- mitted to strike across the country, saying, " Hood may turn into Kentucky and Tennessee, but I be- lieve he will be forced to follow me." Grant's forecast was the truest, and his plan unquestionably the safest and best if any other commander than Thomas had been left to take care of Hooi He, however, finally gave his consent in the following despatch: " Your despatch of to-day received. Tf you are satisfied the trip to the sea-coast can be made holding the line of the Tennessee river firmly, you may make it, destroying all the rail- roads south of Dalton or Chattanooga as you think best." It was his original design to have Sherman 348 LIFE OF GRANT. push through to the sea-coast, and thus cut the Confederacy in two ; but his plan was to have him hold Atlanta, and get through by garrisons stationed all along the railroad Atlanta being the base but not destroy it and cut loose entirely, as he did. When Hood finally started north, Grant said he was going to his certain doom ; and that if he were directing his movements, he would not alter them. When the rebel army finally appeared before Nashville, in the latter part of December, Grant became very anxious to have Thomas attack him at once. But though the latter was to all appearance ready to take the field, he was sadly deficient in cavalry. He wished not only to defeat Hood, but to have the means of pursuing him when beaten. Grant finally telegraphed him that he wished him to move at once upon the enemy, and he replied that he was not ready. Grant sent back word that he had more confidence in him than any other man, and to take his own time ; still, he would like to know the reasons of his de- lay. But Thomas, determined that in no way should these reasons leak out on the road, did not give them. Grant, fearing that Hood would leave Nash- ville and cross the Cumberland into Kentucky, CAPTURE OF FORT FISHER. 349 felt so impatient at Thomas' delay, that he left City Point and started west, to superintend mat- ters in person. He never could stay away from any point, whether in battle or out of it, when the danger was pressing. But when he reached Washington, he met the despatch of Thomas an- nouncing his victory. "I was delighted," he says ; "all fears and apprehensions were dispelled." He, however, still thinks that it would have been better, had Thomas attacked Hood before he had time to fortify; but says in his frank, generous way, " his final defeat of Hood was so complete, that it will be accepted as a vindication of that dis- tinguished officer's judgment." This victory, and Sherman's triumphant entrance into Savannah, lighted up the winter to Grant at City Point, and made him see clearly the approaching end of the struggle. The capture of Fort Fisher was another bright gleam above the horizon. In the first expedition against this stronghold, Grant, in furnishing the land forces, designated Weitzel to command them ; but they being taken from Butler's army, he, of course, sent his instructions through the latter officer. These did " riot order an assault, but said, the first object is to close to the enemy the port of Wilmington, which as yet had not been done." But Butler never gave these instructions to Weitzel at all ; and the latter told Grant he was 350 LIFE OF GRANT. not aware of their existence until he saw them in Butler's official report of the failure of the expe- dition. Butler quietly pocketed them, and coolly took command himself. Grant says, " I had no idea of General Butler's accompanying the expedition until the evening before it got off from Bermuda Hundred ; and then did not dream but that General Weitzel had received all the instructions, and would be in command." He thought, he said, "that he was going to witness the effect of the explosion of the powder boat." Grant's in- dignation was aroused at this bold contempt of his orders and breach of military discipline that deserved a court martial, and soon after put Ord in his place. Porter, who would not retire from before the fort, after Butler withdrew the army, wrote to Grant that it could be taken ; and so the latter sent another force, under General Terry as com- mander. This expedition succeeded, and Wil- mington soon after fell Sherman having reached Savannah, Grant sent a despatch to him, in which he gave direc- tions " that after establishing a base on the sea- coast, with necessary garrisons to include all his artillery and cavalry, to come by water to City Point with the balance of his command." But finding it difficult to get ocean transportation, and HOOD DEFEATED. 351 seeing that it would take two months to bring the array on, he changed his mind and thought Sher- man might, perhaps, better operate from where he was. But in the meantime he received a letter from him sketching his daring plan of marching up by land, and forming a junction with him be- fore Richmond. His confidence that he could do so pleased Grant, and he immediately sent back a despatch directing him to carry out his owr plan. The total rout of Hood in Tennessee removed all danger from the enemy in that quarter, and released the troops under Thomas so that they could be used elsewhere, and Grant now ordered Schofield, with the Twenty-third Corps, number- ing twenty-one thousand men, east, for the pur- pose of making an advance inland either from Wilmington or Newbern, toward Goldsboro 1 , to cooperate with Sherman's movements. Helping to reduce the former place, Schofield was direc- ted to make it his base of operations, while an- other column pushed inland from Newbern. In addition to this, Grant directed Thomas to send Gen. Stoneman with a large cavalry force across the mountains into South Carolina, to destroy railroads arid material of war, and at the same time release our prisoners at Salisbury, N. C. But Sherman's rapid march north caused a change in this plan, and Stoneman was directed to oper- 352 LIFE OF GRANT. ate against the railroad toward Lynchburg. This concentric movement of various forces shows the comprehensiveness of Grant's mind, and the re- morseless energy and determination with which he pushed his adversary. The heavens were gathering blacker than midnight above Lee, and it thundered all around the horizon. While thus concentrating his own forces, Grant, in order to prevent the enemy from doing the same by bringing up reinforcements from the extreme South, ordered Canby, who had relieved Banks, to organize an expedition against Mobile. "This," Grant wrote to Thomas, " will attract all the at- tention of the enemy, and leave an advance from your stand-point easy. I think it advisable, there- fore," he said, " that you prepare as much of a cav- alry force as you can spare, and hold it in readi- ness to go South." He designed to have this force push deep into Alabama, destroying the rebel communications, and dispersing and cap- turing detached bodies of the enemy. The armies East and West under his hand had not proved a balky team, but had pulled steadily together, and were now, at a rapid pace, nearing the goal. From this brief sketch of the various plans of Grant and the movements he set on foot during this winter, how like a single machine our vast and scattered forces appear in his grasp I THE END APPROACHING. 353 iated by thousands of miles lofty mountains and broad rivers intervening, yet all like so many wheels obeying a central force till one could al- most count the days when the iron walls would close forever around Confederacy. Success now did not depend on any great pitch- ed battle, though it might be hastened by one. It was secure, whether that was fought or not. There was a mathematical certainty about it that must ha ye been appalling to Lee. Grant's move- ments were like the finger on the dial-plate of a clock, moving round with a uniform, steady mo- tion, until the given hour is reached, when the re- lentless hammer will strike. In order to assist Sherman, who was compara- tively weak hi cavalry, Grant, while these various movements were being set on foot, directed Sheri- dan, who also was foot-loose in the Shenandoah Valley, to push on to Lynchburg, and after destroy- ing the railroad and canal, endeavor by heading the streams to reach Sherman toiling up from Savannah. Sheridan, with twenty thousand cavalry, started on the 27th of February, and pushed on to Lynch- burg ; but the enemy burning the bridges over the James River, he could not get across, and so, after destroying every thing within his reach, moved down the north bank of the stream toward Richmond causing the wildest consternation in 354 LIFE OP GRANT. the capital. Columns were at once hurried off to meet this new danger, but Sheridan sweeping swiftly across the country reached the White House in safety. After resting here awhile, he crossed the James River and joined Grant. Every thing now was moving but the Army of the Potomac Sherman was at Goldsboro', Canby thundering at the gates of Mobile, while two cav- alry expeditions were afoot, one pushing into Alabama, and the other towards Lynchburg. Grant saw that the time to strike, at last had come. In the meantime the President visited him at headquarters. Not expecting to do so, he sometime previous wrote him the following en- couraging letter : ** Lieutenant- General Grant: " Not expecting to see you before the spring cam- paign opens, 1 wish to express, in this way, my entire satisfaction with what you have done up to this time, BO far as 1 understand it. The particulars of your plans I neither know nor seek to know. You are vigilant and self-reliant; and, pleased with this, I wish not to ob- trude any restraints or constraints upon you. While I am very anxious that any great disaster or capture of our men in great numbers shall be avoided, 1 know that these points are less likely to escape your attention than they would be mine. If there be anything want- ing which is within my power to give, do not fail to let me know it. And now, with a brave army and a just cause, may God sustain you. " lours, very truly, A. LINCOLN." LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT. 355 Touched with this mark of confidence, Grant returned the following frank, characteristic reply : " The President : " Your very kind letter of yesterday is just received. The confidence you express for the future, and satisfac- tion for the past, in my military administration, is ac- knowledged with pride. It shall be my earnest endeavor that you and the country shall not be disappointed. From my first entrance into the volunteer service of the coun- try to the present day, I have never had cause of com- plaint, have never expressed or implied a complaint against the Administration, or the Secretary of War, for throwing any embarrassment in the way of my vig- orously prosecuting what appeared to be my duty. In- deed, since the promotion which placed me in command of all the armies, and in view of the great responsibili- ty aM importance of success, I have been astonished at the readiness with which every thing asked for has been yielded, without even an explanation being asked. " Should my success be less than I desire and ex- pect, the least I can say is, the fault is not with you. " Very truly, your obedient servant, " U. S. GRANT, Lieut.-GeneraL" Sherman also came up from Goldsboro 1 , to con- sult with him about his plans. The latter told him the army was about to move around Lee's right to turn Petersburg, and assist Sheridan, who would be sent with a strong force of cavalry to destroy the South Side and Danville railroads, and thus cut off Lee's supplies. He therefore di- rected him to march north towards Dinwiddie Court Ilouse, to cooperate with this movement The latter hurried back, while Grant issued his 356 LIFE OF GRANT. orders for his army to move.* He had, as he says, u spent days of anxiety lest each morning should bring the report that the enemy had retreated the night before." His various movements had been organized at such vast distances, thus giving pre- monitions of their character so long beforehand, that he felt that a skilful commander like Lee, would not remain to be cooped up in Richmond and starved to death, but retreat in time to effect a junction with Johnston operating against Sher- man. If he succeeded hi this, a new campaign would have to be organized, and hence new de- lays become inevitable. There has never been given a satisfactory expla- nation for Lee's strange conduct in madly clinging to Richmond until escape was impossible. Doubt- less one great reason was, consciousness of his inability to hold his army together the moment it was put on the march from the abandoned capital. CHAPTER XXIIL THE LAST GREAT MOVEMENT. Attack of Lee Sheridan's Orders The Movement Begun Sheri- dan's Orders revoked Grant changes his Plan and resolves " to Finish the Job" Battle of Five Forks Storming of the "Works The Victory Evacuation of Richmond ordered Davis receives the News in Church Incredulity of the People Scene in the Capital Terrific Scene in the Streets Blowing- up of the Rebel Iron-clads Burning of the Bridges and Ware- houses The City takes fire A maddened Populace Weitzel and Ewell Their Regimental Bands The Morning Entering the City The Conflagration continues The Capitol-square at Night. GRANT'S order to Meade for the great final movement was dated March 24th. By a singular coincidence, the very next day Lee assumed the offensive, and made a bold dash on Grant's lines South of the Appomattox River, and directly in front of the Ninth Corps, and actually broke through, carrying Fort Steadman, and turned its guns upon our troops. But the force on either flank held its ground, while the rebel soldiers could not be induced to leave the breastworks to charge again our broken lines. Reserves being brought up, they were driven out, and their own intrenched picket-line seized and held, though Lee made desperate efforts to retake it 358 LIFE OF GRANT. This bold attack of Lee was the last expiring blow of a dying man, and must have been made with the desperate feeling of a gambler when he stakes his last dollar; for the three or four thousand men he lost here he could illy spare. Four days after, Sheridan moved off to execute the task assign- ed him, while the Fifth and Sixth Corps followed after. That night he was at Dinwiddie Court House, with the infantry well up, and Grant saw himself in a favorable position u to end the mat- ter," as he said, and he wrote to Sheridan that "he felt like it" and therefore to abandon his raid on the railroads for the present, and, instead of cutting loose from the army, as he had directed him to do, to cooperate with it, and push on around the enemy to his rear. For two days it now rained incessantly, turning roads and fields into a quagmire, and making it well-nigh impos- sible to move any thing on wheels. The next day, however, Sheridan advanced to the neighbor- hood of Five Forks, where he found the enemy in force, while everywhere along the new line occu- pied by the infantry, the same state of things existed. Grant seeing this, and knowing that if he had been correctly informed of the strength of Lee's army, he could not man properly his extend- ed lines, reaching from Richmond to his present ex- treme right he determined therefore to push his own line no farther to the left, but detach THE ASSAULT. 359 one corps with Sheridan to turn the rebel flank, while he moved boldly to the assault in front, and " end the matter. " More or less fighting now occurred, to get in proper position ; but on the 1st of April Sheridan, with the aid of Warren, captured the position at Five Forks, with all the artillery and five or six thousand prisoners. The remainder of the force, instead of falling back on the main army, turned westward, and, panic-stricken and demoralized, fled in every direction. Thus, at one fell blow, Lee saw his right wing " violently wrenched from his centre." He was aroused as by a thunder- clap at the fatal news. Grant received Sheri- dan's despatch that evening, and knowing what a terrible blow it was to Lee, feared he would retreat in the night-time, and falling on Sheridan as he did so, overwhelm him. He therefore in- stantly started off Miles' division to reinforce him, while he ordered all the guns in position to open on the works in front, and keep up the bombard- ment till four o'clock in the morning, at which time the assault was ordered. At the appointed hour, the attacking col- umns moved gallantly forward, and Wright and Ord carried every thing before them on their side. Parke broke the main line in his front, but could not carry the inner one, while Gibbon got posses- sion of two strong works. But inner works were 3GO LIFE OF GKANT. still held, where the enemy rallied and amid shouts and yells, and roar of cannon, and vollies of musketry, a terrible conflict went on, especially around Fort Gregg, until Sheridan, swooping down from the left, and a force sent by Meade from the front of Petersburg, closed in in that direction, shut down like the door of fate on the diminished garrisons, when they broke and fled in confusion. EVACUATION OF RICHMOND. These successes around Petersburg settled the fate of Richmond, arid Lee sent a despatch to the War Department to have every thing in readiness to evacuate it. It is a curious fact that the in- habitants were totally ignorant of the terrible struggle which had been going on for the last three days between the two armies. The latest news from the front was that Lee, in a night attack, had defeated Grant with heavy loss hence they were wholly unprepared for the appalling tidings that awaited them. "John M. Daniel, editor of the Richmond Examiner, died that day, under the delusion that such a victory had been won, arid John Mitchell, who wrote his obituary in the papers, expressed the regret that the great Virginian had passed away just as a decisive vic- tory was likely to give the turning-point to the success of the Southern Confederacy." EVACUATION OF RICHMOND. 361 Davis was at church, when a messenger entered the aisle, and walking rapidly up to the pew in which he sat, handed him a slip of paper con- taining Lee's despatch. Outwardly it seemed a slight event, but it struck deep as a bullet and as deadly, into the heart of the rebel president. Though with a strong effort he mastered his emo- tions, his cheek blanched at the terrible tidings ; for he knew it to be the handwriting on the wall The services had hardly closed, when it was evident from the faces of the few people seen in the quiet streets, that ominous tidings were in the air. The church-bells pealed their Sabbath tones as usual the breath of spring stole softly in from the distant fields, and all was peaceful as the day of rest should be. Still, a strange sense of coming evil began to be felt; for rumors were afloat of some dire impending calam- ity. At length these began to assume shape, and white lips whispered in incredulous, astonished ears, that the city was to be given up to the enemy. Some smiled in unbelief, some laughed outright, at the absurd report ; while even to the believing it seemed hardly possible, as they heard the bells sweetly chiming, and saw women and children wending their way in tranquil security to church, that conquering battalions were about to shout along those streets. But ollicers gal- loping through them, and the din of preparation 10 862 LIFE OF GftAtft. going on in various quarters, soon dispelled all doubt; and then disorder and tumult swelled along every avenue. The change from the deep repose of Sabbath to the wild alarm and up- roar that followed, was appalling. Crowds, heav- ing in fierce agitation, poured along the streets army wagons, loaded with boxes and trunks, drove furiously towards the Danville Depot ; pale women and ragged children streamed after, going they knew not whither ; excited men filled the air with blasphemies, while the more desperate surged up around the commissary depots, awaiting the signal for pillage. There was no order no at- tempt on the part of any one to enforce it. Says one of their own writers : u The only convocation, the only scene of council that marked the fall of Richmond, took place in a dingy room in a corner of the upper story of the Capitol Building. In this obscure chamber assembled the city council of Richmond, to consult on the emergency, and to take measures to secure what of order was pos- sible in the scenes about to ensue. It appeared to represent all that was left of deliberation in the Confederate capital. It was a painful contrast to look upon this scene, to traverse the now almost silent Capitol House, so often vocal with oratory and crowded with the busy scenes of legislation ; to hear the echo of the footstep, and at last to climb to the dismal show of couuci linen in the EVACUATION OF RICHMOND. 363 remote room, where a half dozen sat at a rude table, and not so many vacant idlers listened to their proceedings. At the head of the board sat an illiterate groeor, of the name of Saunders, who was making his last exhibition of Southern spirit; and twenty-four hours thereafter was subscribing himself to some very petty Federal officer, ' most respectfully your most obedient servant.' Here and there, hurrying up with the latest news from the War Department, was Mayor Mayo excited, incoherent chewing tobacco defiantly ; but yet full of pluck, having the mettle of the true Vir- ginia gentleman, stern and watchful to the last, in fidelity to the city that his ancestors had assisted in founding, and exhibiting, no matter in what com- ical aspects, a courage that no man ever doubted." Such is the picture of the official proceedings that dignified the downfall of the haughty rebel cap- ital Humiliating as it is, it stands out in bright relief as contrasted with the scene that took place outside of the building. There the strong hand of military power was at last withdrawn the breathless fear of unsparing despotism gone the last restraint even of common humanity removed, arid wild terror held high carnival in the doomed capital, over whose dwellings arose a fearful and confused murmur the prelude of the corning storm. The excitement and tumult growing fiercer as evening drew on, the mayor attempted 364 LIFE OF GRAtfT to restore order by calling out two regiments of militia and establishing patrols, and destroying all the liquor in the stores and warehouses ; but militia and patrols, as soon as darkness closed over the city, became swallowed up in the mad- dened throng that surged unchecked through the streets. The gutters ran with liquor, and drunken, frenzied men reeled, with hideous blasphemies on their lips, along the side-walks that were loaded with broken glass and the contents of pillaged stores. Wild cries of distress mingled with the horrid oaths that made night hideous, and the city became a scene of horror and terror inde- scribable. But as if this were not enough, General Ewell, commanding Lee's rear-guard north of the James, blew up the iron-clad vessels in the river ; and before the earthquake shock had hardly passed away, the three bridges that spanned the stream were ablaze, ribbing the darkness with their long lines of flame. The next moment, four huge tobacco warehouses were wrapped in fire, shooting murky clouds of smoke and fiery sparks into the heavens. The neighboring houses caught fire; and the conflagration passing all control, raged unchecked along the streets, and roared like the ocean over the abandoned city. As the light fell on the terror-stricken or ferocious faces of the yelling crowd, it seemed as if the infernal depths had vomited up its inhabitants. ENTRANCE OF THE FEDERALS. 365 But while this frightful scene was going on in the city, outside, the air was filled with strains of music. Weitzel, who commanded our forces on the north side of the James, in front of whom was Ewell's rear-guard, had been directed by Grant to make as great a demonstration as possible. He, therefore, as night closed in, set all his regimental bands playing. Ewell ordered his own to re- spond ; and hour after hour the melodious strains echoed through the night, presenting a strange contrast to the savage yells and tumult within. But at midnight the music suddenly ceased, and Ewell quietly withdrew ; while Weitzel gazed hi astonishment and doubt on the lurid heavens above the Capital. When morning broke he found that the enemy in his front was gone, and he immediately sent forward a body of horse to reconnoitre. The sun was a little over an hour high when these troopers, forty in number, appeared in Main street. Suddenly the cry of " Yankees ! " " The Yankees are come ! " swept in wild clamor up the street, the upper end of which was choked with a crowd of men, women, and children some with carts, others rolling along barrels, or staggering under the weight of plunder. As the shout of " Yankees " smote their ears, these rushed away in terror, cursing and tramp- ling on each other in savage fury. The troop 366 LIFE OF GRANT. walked their horses till they reached the cornet of Eleventh Street, when they broke into a trot for the Public Square, and riding straight up to the Capitol planted their guidons on its top, where they fluttered proudly in the breeze. A few hours later, the heads of Weitzel's columns ap- peared in the streets. Says a lady who witnessed the entrance: "Stretching from the Exchange Hotel to the slope of Church Hill, down the hill, through the valley, up the ascent to the hotel, was the array, with its unbroken line of blue, fringed with bright bayonets. Strains of martial music, flushed countenances, waving swords, betokened the victorious army. As the line turned at the Exchange Hotel into the upper street, the move- ment was the signal for a wild burst of cheers from each regiment Shouts from a few negroes were the only response. Through throngs of sul- len spectators, along the line of fire, in the midst of the horrors of a conflagration increased by the explosion of shells left by the retreating army, through curtains of smoke, through the vast aerial auditorium convulsed with the commotion cf frightful sounds, moved the gay procession cf the grand army, with horse, music, and bright banners, and wild cheers. A regiment of negro cavalry swept by the hotel. As they turned the street-corner they drew their sabres with sav- age shouts, and the blood mounted even in CONFLAGRATION. 367 my woman's heart with quick throbs of de- fiance." Meanwhile the conflagration raged with un- checked fury. The entire business part of the city was on fire stores, warehouses, manufacto- ries, mills, depots, and bridges, covering acres of ground, were in flames, while the continuous thunder of exploding shells added ten-fold to the horrors of the scene. All during the forenoon, flame and smoke and showers of blazing sparks filled the air, spreading still further the destruc- tion until every bank, every auction store, every insurance office, nearly every commission house, and most of the fashionable stores, were a heap of smouldering ruins. The atmosphere was so choking that " men, women and children crowded into the square of the capital for a breath of pure air ; and one traversed the green slopes blinded by cinders and struggling for breath. Already piles of furniture had been collected there, dragged from the ruins of burning houses, and in uncouth arrangements made with broken tables and bureaus, were huddled women and children with no other resting-place in Heaven's great hollow- ness. 11 Deep apathetic silence visited the city at night after the fire had burned itself out, and clouds of black smoke like a funeral pall hung over the smouldering ruins. CHAPTER XXIIL THE RETREAT AND SURRENDER. Tho Pursuit Swift Marching Sheridan's Victory over EweF Lee cut off from Burkesville Endeavors to reach Lynchburg Grant's Letter to Sherman Lee leaves the Highway, and takes to the Thickets Headed off by Sheridan Grant addresses a Note to Lee asking him to surrender The Reply Correspon- dence Lee resolves to cut his way through Sheridan's Cav- alry The Attempt abandoned Lee seeks an Interview with Grant Description of the Meeting The Surrender of the Army agreed upon The Surrender Grant visits Washington The President tells him a DreamIs sent down to receive the Sur- render of Johnston The Army starts for Home Grand Review in the Capital. WHILE this terrific scene was being enacted in the rebel capital, the fugitive president was fleeing for his life, and the disorganized army of Lee was crowding along the highways and fields to escape the remorseless pursuit of Grant. Leaving to others the glory of entering the rebel capital, the latter was in the saddle guiding and urging on his victorious columns. Lee's great object now was to get to Danville, from whence he could easily effect a junction with Johnston, near Raleigh. On the other hand, Grant's great object was to cut him off from that THE BACE. 369 point, and Sheridan was pushed on toward Burkes- ville, the junction of the railroads, while the Second and Sixth Corps were sent on to his support The race between Lee's and Grant's armies was a desperate one ; the former marched swiftly along the north bank of the Appomattox, and the latter the south, both heading for Burke's Station, fifty- three miles from Petersburg, where the South- side and Danville Railroads intersect. If Grant reached it first, Lee's chances of escape were well nigh hopeless, and he knew it. But the former had the inside track. From the Rapidan to Rich- mond, a year before, Lee had it. Matters were reversed now, and Grant was not the general to let this advantage be lost; so the two armies strained forward, Sheridan all the while harassing the rebel flank. Lee's army marched for life, ours for victory. Our army, by putting forth hercu- lean efforts, and marching as wearied men never marched before, reached it first, and Lee was cut off from Danville by that route. On Thursday afternoon, with the assistance of the Fifth and Sixth Corps, Sheridan completely cut off and cap- tured Ewell's entire column of nine thousand men, seven general officers, fifteen field-pieces of artil- lery, twenty-nine battle-flags, and six miles of wagon-trains. After reaching Burkes ville, General Meade, with the greater portion of the Army of the Po- 16* 870 LIFE OF GftANT. tomac, took up the pursuit on the north side of the railroad ; while Sheridan's cavalry and Ord's Twenty-fourth Corps moved rapidly along the south side, Sheridan being constantly on Lee's flanks, frequently compelling him to halt and form line of battle, and as often engaging him, cutting off detachments, picking up stragglers, capturing cannon without number, arid demor- alizing the enemy at every stand. On Friday, at Farmville, sixteen miles west of Burkesville, a considerable engagement occurred, in which the Second Corps participated largely and suffered some loss. Lee, however, was compelled to con- tinue his retreat. At High Bridge, over the Ap- pornattox, he again crossed to the north side of the river, arid two of our regiments, the Fifty- fourth Pennsylvania and One Hundred and Twen- ty-third Ohio, which were sent there to hold the bridge, were captured by a strong rebel cavalry force. The railroad bridge at this point, a very high and long structure, was burned by the enemy. "Lee now headed directly for Lynch- burg, in the hope of reaching a point where he could move around the front of our left wing, and escape toward Danville by a road which runs di- rectly south from a point about twenty miles east of Lynchburg. But his rear and ilanks were so sorely pressed that he was compelled to skirmish nearly every step, and to destroy or abandon an ptrfcstjif. immense amount of property, while Sheridan was rapidly shooting ahead of him." Grant having received a despatch from the latter requesting his presence, mounted and hur- ried to the front. On the 5th, he had written to Sherman, saying: "Sheridan is up with Lee, and reports all that is left horse, foot, and dragoons at twenty thousand men, much demoralized. We hope to reduce this number one-half. I shall push on to Burkesville ; and if a stand is made at Danville, will, in a very few days, go there. If you can do so, push on from where you are, and let us see if we cannot finish the job with Lee's and Johnston's armies." lie had said at the outset, when he started from Culpepper Court House, near the Rapidan, that he meant to follow Lee wherever he went ; and he was now doing it, and would do it, if it took him to the Gulf of Mexico. All next day the pursuit was kept up, and the fighting continued ; while, like a hunted stag, with the cry of the eager pack drawing nearer and nearer every moment, Lee strained forward with the mere wreck of his army. But the foe was everywhere the country on every side swarmed with Grant's troops ; and on the 7th the sore- pressed, disheartened army turned off the main roads, and toiled through dense thickets of oak and pine, that were here and there crossed only by a 372 LIFE OF GRANT. wood road or path. It marched this day without much molestation, except now and then it was startled by Sheridan's bugles, as his bold troopers dashed on the meagre trains. The next day it struck a main road and marched rapidly till dark, when it quietly went into camp. No foe was in sight the air no longer echoed with Sheridan's bugles, and to all appearance the way was clear to Lynchburg. During the night the general offi- cers held a consultation on the condition of affairs, and the proper movements to be made in the morning. But before they had come to any con- clusion, the boom of Sheridan's cannon in front startled them like a sudden thunder-peal ; for it told them that the road to Lynchburg was blocked up by the enemy. Ord was to the south, so that they were cut off hi that direction ; while Meade was thundering in the rear. It was plain there was no way of escape, unless they could cut a road through Sheridan's cavalry. In the mean time Grant, who knew that Lee would soon be enclosed in his net, had two days before addressed him the following note : APRIL 7, 1865. General R t K Lee, Commanding C. S. A. GENERAL : The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the pai't of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. 1 feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further eifusion of blo lie robbers were unmasked. In the first three months of the next year/ 1870, the reorganization of the Southern States was completed, and in the opening month of the following year Grant saw with pleasure the Senators and Representatives from Virginia, the mother of Presidents, take their seats in Con- gress, and the " Old Dominion " once more back in the Union. The other seceding States fol- lowed in rapid succession, and, on March 30th, Texas, the last of all, once more took her place beside her sister States thirty-seven in all. Two of the most important events in Grant's ad- ministration occurred in the opening of the fol- lowing year. The question of the United States having some port of its own in the West India Islands had been long discussed by our wisest statesmen. This vast group of islands, separated only by a channel from our coast, is divided up among the European powers, even little Den- mark having possessions there, and England a naval station, while the most interested party of all, the United States, had not a port that she could call her own. San Domingo having sent in a petition to become annexed to the United States, the President thought it a good time to obtain a foothold in those important islands, and OF SOUTHERN STATES. 4lo sent a commission to the island to examine the condition of things and report to Congress. After three months' absence they returned, and reported in favor of annexation. A treaty to effect this, and also one by which the peninsula and bay of Samana were ceded to the United States for fifty years, at an annual rental of $150,000 in gold, was signed November 29, 1869, on behalf of President Grant and Presi- dent Baez. Early in 1870 these treaties were confirmed by a popular vote in San Domingo ; but it was asserted that a free election had not been held, and, moreover, that, in anticipation of annexation, the Dominican Government had granted to private individuals every valuable franchise or piece of property in its possession. In conformity with a resolution of Congress, President Grant appointed B. F. Wade, of Ohio ; A. D. White, of New York; and S. G. Howe, of Massachusetts, as commissioners to visit San Domingo, accompanied by several scientific men, and report upon the condition of the country, the government, and the people. Their report, submitted in April, 1871, was favorable to an nexation ; but the Senate withheld its approval of the treaties. The other important event that signalized the first term of his administration was the settle- ment of claims against England, for the damage 416 LIFE OF GRANT. done to our commerce by her cruisers during the Civil War. While the issue of the war seemed doubtful, her indifference to Mr. Se ward's strong remonstrances came near bringing on war be- tween it and our Government. But the success- ful close of that war, and the restoration of the Union, put a different aspect on the matter, and Great Britain felt that this delicate, irritating question could not be settled too quickly. As the Alabama had done the most mischief, and had been fitted out from an English port, these were called the Alabama claims. A joint com- mission to settle them, composed of five British and five American statesmen, was appointed, and met in Washington on February 27, 1871. The question was beset with great difficulties, and the discussion of it was protracted until, finding themselves unable to agree, it was re- solved to refer the whole matter to a Board of Arbitration to be appointed by the European na- tions. It assembled the next year in Switzerland, where, after a long and patient hearing of both sides, the Board decided in favor of the United States, and awarded damages to the amount of fifteen million five hundred thousand dollars. This was a brilliant closing of Grant's first ad- ministration. In this year, also, he saw the long- disputed boundary line between Vancouver's Island and the mainland settled. By the treaty THE ALABAMA CLAIMS. 417 of 1840 it was agreed that it should follow the channel between them. But there were several channels, and the question was to determine which one was meant. After vain attempts of the two nations to settle it, it was referred to the Emperor of Germany, who took our view of the construction of the treaty, and the last disputed boundary question between the two countries was disposed of. The only cloud that darkened the horizon at the close of the first four years of Grant's administration was the unsettled state of affairs in the South. It is true the States had been restored to their origi- nal status so far as acts of Congress could do it, but placing votes immediately in the hands of the millions of ignorant slaves naturally threw the whole social and political world of the South into confusion, and engendered a bit- terness of feeling equal to that produced by the Avar, and which Grant hoped would die out with the return of peace. Hence the preparations for the Presidential election of 1872 were of the most exciting character and awakened the intensest interest. The Republicans with great unanimity renominated General Grant for a second term. CHAPTER XXVin. The Democrats Nominate Horace Greeley, Editor of the Trib- une Excitement Caused by the Bitterness of the Cam- paign Grant Sympathizes with the Angry Feelings of Neither An Evenly Balanced Character Needed His Election Modoc War Serious Troubles in Louisiana Charges of Military Usurpation Against the President His Action Eight The Credit Mobilier Distracted State of the Currency The Great Centennial Exhibition The Sioux War The Contested Presidential Election Gen- eral Grant's Course Defended His Last Sound Advice to Congress The Future Generation Alone can do Him Jus- tice. THE South, in its deplorable, helpless condi- tion, was willing to take anyone, no matter how distasteful to them personally, that would in any way check the tyranny of the Republican Party over them. Having exhausted in their long struggle their own resources the emanci- pation of their slaves not only stripped them of every species of property, but took away the means of restoring themselves so they accepted Horace Greeley as the Democratic candidate, hoping that he could carry enough Northern States to defeat the Republican candidate. The acceptance of this nomination by the editor of the Tribune awakened the most intense excite- SECOND PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. 419 ment The political campaign was a very bit- ter one. All the exasperating reminiscences of the war were evoked; all the hatred of the South to the North magnified and highly col- ored; all the worst passions of man were ap- pealed to on the one side, while on the other the assumption of military power over free States, the hypocrisy of the pretended patriotic desire for the restoration of the Union, when there was simply a determination to hold the South in a state of subserviency, were dwelt upon and magnified ; in short, the appeals to passions, prejudices, fears everything, except to reason, justice, and true patriotism constituted the capital on which politicians on both sides carried on the campaign. Grant had no sym- pathy with either side in these extravagant views. As temperate, just, and magnanimous as he was in the conditions he required in the surrender of Lee, he now, as then, had but one purpose the complete restoration of the Union, not in name, but in fact. That under these pe- culiar circumstances and exposed to these con- flicting views, not of ignorant, passionate men merely, but of those holding highest rank as statesmen, he should often be misunderstood, nay, make mistakes, was inevitable; otherwise he must claim infallibility. In years to come, when the present generation shall have passed 420 LIFE OF GRANT. away with its passions, prejudices, and distorted views, the evenly balanced mind, imperturbable temperament, and strong common sense of Grant will be seen to have been quite as serviceable to us in our political turmoil as they were in the whirlwind of civil war. What he declined to do was quite as important as what he did do. The popular demand was for an ener- getic, one-sided, positive character ; the need of the times was for a patient, quiet, and calm one. The day of election came and went amid the wildest excitement, and when it closed the peo- ple were amazed at the overwhelming defeat of Greeley by a majority of one hundred and eighty-eight electoral votes. The excitement of the canvass and chagrin at the result had such an effect that the large brain gave way, and in less than a month Greeley was laid in the grave, where the commotions of life cease forever. Grant entered on his second term of office with the country quiet, though the South was still agitated and unsettled. An order had been issued to remove the Mo- doc Indians from their land on the southern shore of Lake Klamath, in Oregon, to a new reservation, which they resisted, and, taking up a position in a volcanic region known as the LOUISIANA DISTURBANCES. 421 Lava Beds, held the United States troops at de- fiance all winter. This, however, was a small disturbance compared to that which occurred in Louisiana in the early part of the next year, 1873. The terrible upheaval of Southern soci- ety by the emancipation of the slaves, in some States amounting in number to nearly half the entire population, threw everything into chaos, and furnished just the occasion that unprin- cipled adventurers desired. Some were thrown to the surface there, others rushed down from the North eager to make use of the ignorant, senseless vote of the negro to accomplish their personal ends, and " carpet-baggers " became a popular cry over the land. Louisiana seemed to be especially selected as the most prominent field of operations for this class of men. Under their reckless management two sets of Presiden- tial Electors had been chosen the previous au- tumn, but, as it was without any practical effect in the election of Grant, it attracted but little attention ; but what was unfortunately more serious, by these same rival boards two Gov- ernors, McEnery and Kellogg, and two hostile Legislatures were chosen, and, of course, two State governments organized. This threatened to throw the State into civil war. But the Government decided in favor of Kellogg, which restored comparative peace. The next year, 422 LIFE OF GRAOT. however, the disturbances broke out again when Dr. Hahn, who had been elected Lieutenant- Governor under McEnery, with his adherents rose in arms and entrenched themselves in the Court-house. This produced the greatest ex- citement. Kellogg issued his proclamation or- dering the insurgents to disperse. No attention being paid to this, and having no power to en- force it, he called on the general Government for aid, and a body of national troops was sent to him. A forced cessation of hostilities succeeded, only to appear again the next year still more violently, and so the troops remained quartered in New Orleans. Nothing since the close of the war had awakened more bitter, intense hostility against Grant in the Democratic Party and throughout the South than this act. He was* denounced as a military usurper, a second Caesar, who overawed the Legislature and Gov- ernor actually elected by the people. Like all military despots, he was determined, they said, to rule by the bayonet ; and declared that the liberties of the people were endangered. It was asserted that Kellogg and his Legislature were fraudulently elected, and that tyranny could no farther go when it upheld a fraudu- lent government by United States soldiers. That the Kellogg government was a fraud there can be no doubt. It was said the other was CONTINUED EXCITEMENT. 423 equally so. Eight here comes the great diffi- culty that those who denounced Grant for his action entirely overlooked. Here were two rival governments, and who was to decide which was the true one? Not the President. The Constitution that requires him peremptorily to despatch troops to the aid of the government of any State when that government asks him, because it is unable to restore order itself, gives him no liberty to decide whether the election returns have been tampered with, nor on which side were the most bribery and cor- ruption. Congress and the State courts have supreme control over this. Although it could be charged, and truthfully, that Congress was governed by partisan views and the State court's decision had been obtained by bribes, it could in nowise affect the action of the President. By whatever means the decision between the two rival governments may be reached, when ifc is reached the one which is declared to be the true government becomes the right one to him, however his private opinions may differ from the powers whose action is final. From that mo- ment his duty is plain, his course is clear. Then his responsibility begins. He is no longer a free agent. If the government is thus established by forms of law, no matter whether it is a fraud- uleht government in fact or not, he is bound by 424 LIFE OF GRANT. his oath to protect it from violence, if required to do so. It does not look well, it is true, to see in a republican government the army keep- ing the people's representatives out of the capi- tol by the bayonet, but in such contingency it has got to be done one party or the other has got to be sustained, or there will be no govern- ment unless a civil war in the State be left to desolate it till one or the other settles the ques- tion by mere force of arms. We have gone thus at length into this because no act of Grant during his administration called down on his head such bitter, unsparing denunciations, and we think that this mere statement of the case settles it. It shows that if Grant had taken upon himself to decide which was the true govern- ment, and sent troops to uphold it, the charges of tyrant and military despot would have been pre-eminently true. If he had done what those who condemned his course wanted him to do, he would have usurped a power he did not possess, and which should have caused his impeachment and summary dismissal from his high office. There is another event that occurred in the beginning of his second term which gives a dis- tinctive mark to it the Credit Mobilier affair the investigations into which showed such a demoralized condition of things in Congress THE CURRENCY PROBLEM. 425 that every true patriot looked upon it with amazement and shame. One of the most difficult undertakings dur- ing Grant's term of office was the regula- tion of the currency. The war had thrown it into seemingly inextricable confusion. Its fluctuation was the chief cause of the failure of the great banking house of Jay Cooke & Company, of Philadelphia. It seemed to com- plete the disaster, and business was every- where paralyzed, which increased the public clamor against the Government. This sad state of things was not caused and could not be helped by any act of Grant. Whatever the Government could do to relieve the country was done, but it was evident that time only could restore it to the prosperous condition it was in before the war. That most effectual of all remedies for all finan- cial catastrophes confidence was wanting. But the one great event that marked and will mark in future history Grant's administration was the celebration of the Centennial of the American Independence at Philadelphia. This was done by a great Exposition, not merely of the nation, but of the world. All the nations, Great Britain among them, were to unite in it. The first great trouble was to get the necessary money for such a magnificent enterprise, which was estimated would cost eight millions and a 426 LIFE OF half. It was said that the Government had no power to appropriate the public money for such a purpose, so none was appropriated. The State Legislature of Pennsylvania, however, had no such scruples, and led off with an appropriation of one million, or nearly one-eighth of the sum estimated to be necessary, while Philadelphia raised a million and a half more. It looked as if the National Government was going to be left out of the great undertaking altogether, for after it had twice voted not to give a cent, dis- tant Japan contributed six hundred thousand dollars toward it. This is not the place to go into the history of this great event which closed up the first hundred years of the Republic a hundred years crowded with more improvements and discoveries and advancement in human lib- erty than any hundred years since the world began. All difficulties were at length surmounted, and the morning of May 10th was fixed for the formal opening of the great Exhibition. The city was packed with visitors from limit to limit, and though the day broke gloomily and dark, everything was forgotten in the excite- ment of the hour. President Grant, who was to open the Exhibition formally, was escorted by four thousand soldiers to Fairmount Park^ where General Hawley, President of the Gen/ INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. 427 tennial Commission, presented the International Exhibition to him in a formal address. The latter made a brief and happy reply, in which, having referred to the wonderful advance made in our country in the last hundred years, he closed with asking his fellow -citizens to give their generous co-operation with the worthy commissioners " to secure a brilliant success to this International Exhibition and to make the stay of our foreign visitors, to whom ' we ex- tend a hearty welcome,' both profitable and pleasant to them," and then said, "J declare the INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION now opened" The next moment the national colors swung out from the great flag-staff of the main build- ing, the flags of the various nations followed in rapid succession, filling the air with banners, while deafening cheers from the countless thou- sands, stretching far as the eye could see, shook the very heavens, and a hundred cannon sent back the shout. At twenty minutes past one President Grant, standing on a raised platform with the Emperor of Brazil by his side, opened the valves of the great Corliss engine, the ponderous wheels slowly began to revolve, and soon every engine in the vast structure was in full motion. The buildings and grounds were crowded 428 LIFE OF GRANT. from this tirne till November 10th, when, after imposing ceremonies and speeches, the President arose in the presence of a hundred thousand people, and said, "I declare the INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION dosed" The valves were shut, and one of the greatest and most successful undertakings the world had ever seen was triumphantly closed. The last year of Grant's administration was noted for the war with the Sioux Indians, led by Sitting Bull, in which the gallant General Ouster lost his life. After a long struggle the savage chieftain was compelled to take refuge in Canada. But the Presidential election now absorbed the attention to the exclusion of almost every- thing else. Rutherford B. Hayes, of Ohio, re- ceived the nomination of the Republican Party and Samuel J. Tilden of the Democratic. The lat- ter received the majority of the electoral votes, but as some of these were declared fraudulent, the Senate, being Republican, refused to let the House, which was largely Democratic and would control the joint ballot, join in counting that vote or rather in deciding what was fraudulent. This monstrous and unprecedented declaration that it alone had not only the power to count the electoral votes, but decide which should be CONTESTED PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. 429 thrown out, threw the country into the wildest excitement, and it was openly declared that under such a decision the declared President should never take his seat. There was no ques- tion if the Republican Senate persisted in its right to throw out such electoral votes as it deemed proper, and undertook to install a Presi- dent of its own making, there might be open resistance, and another civil war inaugurated; not between the North and South, but between the two great political parties of the North. Undoubtedly, if there had not been a compromise made, more extraordinary in its nature even than the claim of the Senate, and far more unconstitu- tional, there would have been. In this heated, maddened state of feelings, there came a report that Grant was massing troops around Washing- ton, for the sole purpose of settling the disputed question by the bayonet. It was the old cry over again which always fires the blood of a free citi- zen, that the bayonet is to take the place of popu- lar suffrage. This was simply another illustra- tion of the unreasonableness of the people when under the influence of party feeling or strong excitement. If this conflict continued between the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the latter insisted on inaugurating a Presi- dent of its own in utter contempt of the former, it was very plain there was great danger that 430 LIFE OF GRANT. the resistance of the popular branch of Congress would be sustained, if necessary, by that portion of the people sympathizing with it, and there would be great danger of a gathering of the masses at the attempted inauguration, which would provoke a collision and a riot that the po- lice could not control, and the disastrous results of which no man could foretell. Now, in such a condition of things, what was the duty of the Chief Magistrate of the Union ? Very plainly, indubitably this to see that such an outbreak should be put down. A local riot was clearly not the way to settle a Presidential election. But the charge rung over the -land that Grant was the tool of the Republican Party, and designed to use the United States troops to carry out their wishes without regard to constitutional pro- visions or justice. If these charges were true, the denunciations that fell thick as hail upon his head were well deserved. But the trouble was there was not a particle of evidence to sus- tain such a damning accusation. He did noth- ing but take the precautions it was his bounden duty to take ; made not a single movement that if, under the circumstances, he had not made, he would have been derelict in his duty as Chief Magistrate of the Union. What he would have done is a matter of conjecture, and on that alone the abuse of him was poured. What he did do GRANT'S COURSE DEFENDED. 431 no man of common sense and justice, if lie for one moment can get outside of his strong party prejudices, can condemn. Still it gave a stormy close to his administration, and caused to be heaped on his head accusations which, however unjust, can never be avoided in such a terribly heated state of public feeling as that which characterized the inauguration of Mr. Hayes. When it was done the public career of Grant had ended, so far as the holding of any official position in his country was concerned. His administration of the Government for eight years had, from the circumstances attending it, been one of the most remarkable and difficult of any since the first four years of that of Washington. In the chaotic state, politically and financially, in which the country was placed, to satisfy all was impossible, while to steer clear of rocks and quicksand almost equally impos- sible. That any other man could have done as well as Grant we doubt. His own straightforward statement in regard to himself, in his last message to Congress, can be accepted as the simple truth. He says that, though he does not claim freedom from errors of judgment, he does claim that in every instance he has been actuated from a conscientious de- sire to do what was right and constitutional, and within the law, and for the very best interests 432 LIFE OF GRANT. of the people. A ruler who can conscientious- ly say that, as he lays down the power the peo- ple have intrusted to him, need never fear the verdict of history. After the mists of preju- dice and passion, and the distorted views that always exist in time of fierce party conflict have disappeared, his character will appear in the true light. In his last advice to Congress, he urges it to ignore the past in its legislation, and address itself to the future, and recommends a general amnesty to the South, so that all could hold of- fice. Nothing exhibits the magnanimity of the man more strikingly than the contrast he pre- sented at this time to the majority in Congress. For four long years he had perilled his life on the battle-field for his country, and yet now, while doing the same brave battle for it as Chief Magistrate, he was misrepresented, lied about, and hunted to the death. Still, none of these things aroused him, and he retains no resent- ments, and thinks only of the good of a common country. He advises, also, the States to provide common schools for all its youths and children, and that the attendance on them be compulsory, feeling that ignorance is one of the greatest dangers to the stability of the republic. He says, too, that no sectarianism should be taught in them, a counsel that our pothouse poli- LAST ADVICE TO CONGRESS. 433 ticians would do well to heed. He says, more- over, that those who, after 1890, cannot read and write should be denied the right of suf- frage. [The fact that while politicians can con- trol ignorant votes this last advice can never be followed, its wisdom and foresight are none the less true.] That miserable sophism, the ab- stract right of suffrage of every man, he repu- diated, knowing that intelligence alone could bestow that right, and that intelligence and virtue are the only safeguards of the republic. A proper appreciation of the circumstances which surrounded him, and the obstacles that met him at every step in the path he desired to pursue, will never be fairly appreciated until this generation has passed away, and one uninflu- enced by the passions and party prejudices of the present has taken its place. That he some- times erred in judgment, and made grave mis- takes, it would be foolish to deny, unless we say he was more than human. Great men al- most invariably have strong and positive char- acteristics, which designing, selfish, unscrupu- lous men often use to their own benefit. Jack- son's attachment to his friends, and hatred of his enemies, were well known, so that with his peculiarly obstinate will, if either the one or the other could be secured, the object sought for was certain to be obtained. Grant had all 434 LIFE OF GRANT. Jackson's attachment to his friends, and his ot> stinate will, without his hatred of his enemies, so that the weak point to assail in him was through that attachment. That once secured, his obstinacy of purpose would secure the rest. This certainly was a " fault that leaned to virt- ue's side." MAP OP GENERAL GRANT'S TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. CHAPTER XXIX. General Grant Seeks Recreation in Foreign Travel A National Vessel put at His Disposal His Departure Voyage A Delegation from Cork Meets Him at Queenstown Grand Eeception at Liverpool A Banquet at Manchester Re- ception at London A Week of Festivities Dines with the Lord Mayor The Prince of Wales Invited to Wind- sor Castle The Freedom of the City Conferred upon Him Visits the King of Belgium A Trip up the Rhine Visits Wiesbaden, Frankfort, Hamburg, Black Forest In- teiiachen At Geneva Lays the Corner-stone of a Church Vale of Chainouni A Trip to Northern Italy Goes to Ed- inburgh Made Burgess of the City Tay Bridge Visits Glasgow The Guest of the Duke of Sutherland Returns to England to Make a Tour through the Rural Districts Addresses Eighty Thousand Working Men at Newcastle Reception at Sheffield His Visit to Paris Interviewed A Brilliant Dinner Sails for Naples Vesuvius Ascent of Beggars Pompeii A Compliment Palermo A Christmas Dinner Reception at Alexandria Cairo Meets Old Fellow-officers The Pyramids Ascent of the Nile Reception at Siout Lunch in the Ruins of Abydos Thebes Karnack A Trip in the Country The Temple of Isis End of the Journey. THE tremendous strain of the war on both mind and body, with the anxieties and respon- sibilities of eight years of the most wearing so- licitude and perplexing duties and cares ever crowded into the same term of any President, would have long ago prostrated General Grant, 436 LIFE OF GRANT. but for Ms constitution of iron, and. the total absence of that nervous irritability from which so few are exempt. He could be aroused to put forth a great effort, but never became unbal- anced or nervously excited. Still, at the close of his second Presidential term, he felt the need of relaxation, and to secure this, and at the same time gratify a long-cher- ished desire, determined to visit the Old World. He had well earned a long holiday, and when the Government was made acquainted with his determination, in consideration of his high ser- vices and position, it placed the Indiana, a nation- al vessel, at his disposal. Other Presidents had visited Europe, but only as American citizens. Although General Grant was nothing more than one, yet being sent out in a national ves- sel it gave him a representative character, while his fame as a great military leader, who had brought to a successful close one of the most stupendous civil wars the world had ever seen, gave him a prominence that no other American possessed. Hence the announcement abroad of his intended visit caused no little excitement among the European powers. In England the question was agitated respecting the capacity in which he should be received, whether as a distinguished citizen or as the head of a nation. Lord Beaconsfield at length decided that he STARTS ON FOREIGN TRAVEL. 437 should be received with all the honors of a sovereign. This was an extraordinary compli- ment. This man, who but a few years before was a Western tanner, was to be treated like the proud head of a royal house. The preparations all being made, he, on May 17th, embarked on board the Magenta, and ac- companied by several friends, steamed down the Delaware Bay, thirty-four miles to the In- diana, which lay with her steam up ready to sail. Amid a salute of twenty-one guns, the blowing of steam- whistles, and dipping of flags, and deafening cheers, he waved his adieus, and the vessel turned her prow toward the ocean. The passage of eleven days was stormy, and a heavy sea was running when the ship ap- proached Queenstown. Yet this did not pre- vent a delegation from Cork boarding the ves- sel to extend to him a warm invitation to visit their city, which he promised to do at some future time. As the vessel entered the port of Liverpool, where his arrival had been heralded, he saw the whole harbor gay with flags of every nation- ality. The Mayor of the city was at the pier, ready to receive him, and, as he stepped ashore, the air was rent with the cheers of the mighty multitude assembled to welcome him. He re- 438 MFE OF GRANT. mained here but one day, just long enough to get a bird's-eye view of the city, and dine with the Mayor, the next day he took the train for Manchester. Here a similar reception was given him. He made a short address to the mayor's welcome. A banquet was given him in the evening, and the next day, after visiting the great manufacturing houses of the place, he proceeded to London, where still greater honors awaited him. A round of festivities was kept up here for a week. Almost every day he dined with princes and princesses, and the high- est nobility, about which all that can be said is, that he took the Duchess of Wellington in to dinner to-day, the Princess to-morrow ; the table always graced with the beauty and aristocracy of London. The Queen extended to him and his wife invitations to all court entertainments ; and, last, to dine with her at Windsor Castle. But perhaps the greatest honor conferred upon him, and attended with the most formal display and ceremony, was the conferring on him the freedom of the city of London. This was pre- sented in a gold casket, on the obverse panel of which was a view of the Capitol at Washington, and on the right and left General Grant's mono- gram and the arms of the Lord Mayor. On the reverse side was a view of Guild Hall, and an inscription, while at the end were two figures DINING WITH THE QUEEN. 439 in gold, representing London and the American republic. At the corners were double columns, laurel wreathed, with corn and cotton, and on the cover a cornucopia representing the fertility of our country. The ceremonies, which were very stately, took place in Guild Hall, which was adorned for the occasion. Eight hundred distinguished guests were present to witness the ceremony. The Mayor accompanied the gift with a lengthy speech, to which Grant replied very briefly, excusing himself on the ground of not being accustomed to public speaking, and thanking the Lord Mayor, said, " For myself I have been very much surprised at my reception at all places, since the day I landed at Liverpool up to my appearance in this, the greatest city in the world. It was entirely unexpected, and it is particularly gratifying to me." He closed by expressing his satisfaction at the friendly relations that existed between the two coun- tries, and hoped that all future difficulties, should they occur, might be settled peacefully by negotiations. A dinner was afterward given him in the Crystal Palace, and in the evening a grand display of fireworks took place, among which was a piece, a fac-simile of the Capitol at Washington. As the blazing out- line of the building arose in the heavens, he turned to Lady Ripon sitting beside him, and 440 LIFE OP GKANT. said with a smile, " They have burnt us in effigy, and now they are burning the Capitol." But the description of the state-balls, state- dinners and complimentary speeches would be as wearisome to the reader as they soon became to Grant, who determined to get rid of them all for awhile by running over to the Continent, and take a trip up the Rhine, and across Switzer- land, to breathe the fresh air of the Alps. So after dining with the King of Belgium, at Brussels, he was driven in the royal carriage to the station, and took the train for Cologne to see the great cathedral. After viewing this won- derful structure he took the steamer up the Rhine. At last out of the surging, shouting crowd, away from princely halls and tiresome stately ceremonies and wearying receptions, he once more breathed free,, and sat on the deck of the little steamer as she puffed up the " wide and winding Rhine," enjoying every moment of time. Vineyards, castles, and laughing slopes came and went in rapid and sweet succession, till he landed at Mayence, where he took the train for the famous Weisbaden springs, some twelve miles distant. Merely stopping here he went to Frankfort, Homburg, and through the Black Forest made famous in Napoleon's campaigns, and then through Lucerne and Berne to Inter- lachen, the sweetest and most romantic little A TEIP ON THE CONTINENT. 441 valley the sun ever shone upon. Lying at the very feet of the snow-clad Jungfrau, it presents by its contrast the most pleasing aspect that can be imagined. Here in this secluded spot, surrounded with the sublimest scenery, he en- joyed the welcome rest that he so much needed. But his stay was short, as the line of travel that he had laid out was so extensive and embraced such a large portion of the civil- ized world that he could tarry in no one place long. On July 26th, he started for Geneva. In ad dition to the public honors which here as else- where awaited him, he was asked to lay the corner-stone of a new Episcopal church to be built on a site given by an American citizen. It was a quiet gathering of a few clergymen and Americans at the house from which the procession started for the place where the cere- monies were to be performed. At the lunch afterward Grant expressed himself as feeling more happy, and at home, than in any of the great ceremonial gatherings and assemblies that he had hitherto attended. It was but a short journey from here to the vale of Chamouni, lying at the foot of Mont Blanc. Sleeping for one night only under its solemn, majestic shadow, he started to visit northern Italy by the way of the Simplon pass. 442 LIFE OF GRANT. It was the month of August, when travellers avoid Southern Italy, and so after a short trip around its northern lakes, receiving the same enthusiastic welcome everywhere, he returned to Switzerland. Resting some days at the lit- tle village of Ragatz, to enjoy its invigorating baths, he then descended the Rhine again and crossed the Channel to Scotland. In Edinburgh, in the presence of two thou- sand men, he was presented with the freedom of the city, and in reply to an address by the Lord Mayor, made a short speech in which he said : " I am so filled with emotion that I scarcely know how to thank you for the honor conferred on me by making me a burgess of this ancient city of Edinburgh." This was re- sponded to by three cheers for the " youngest burgess." A few days passed swiftly here, marked by a series of entertainments winding up with a dinner by the Lord Mayor. After visiting the various places of historic interest in the citv, he went to see the great Tay Bridge, extending two miles over water, and a quarter of a mile over land. On September 13th, he reached Glasgow. Received with the same public demonstrations here, he was made also a burgess of this city. After making a rapid tour of the neighboring country, visiting Ayr, the home of Burns, and HONORED IN SCOTLAND. 443 Loch Lomond, he, at the cordial invitation of the Duke of Argyle, whom he well remembered to have been a stanch friend of his country during the civil war, made him a short visit. This fact made the intercourse between the two peculiarly frank and interesting. Grant having in his first visit to England confined himself to its chief cities, now deter- mined to return to it and make a tour through its rural districts so renowned for their beauty, and at the same time study more carefully its manufacturing interests. The people of North- umberland and Durham, hearing of his intended visit, assembled on the town moor of Newcastle to the number of eighty or a hundred thousand workingmen to receive him, and made the wel- kin ring with their hearty British cheers as he appeared. At a banquet given him by the Mayor in the evening, he said in reply to an address of the former, that his reception in Newcastle exceeded anything he had expected, and had been the warmest he had had or could have had. It was not merely a testimonial of their admiration of his achievements, but of the man who had risen from their own ranks to his present proud position. He was pre-eminently one of them, and. his plain dress, plain rough features and unassuming appearance, made them feel that he belonged to them, and so, though 444 LIFE OF but a mere fraction of the eighty or hundred thousand men that crowded the moor could hear him, at every pause in his speech their shouts went up like the roar of the sea. On the 24th he went to Sunderland on an invitation to lay the corner-stone of a new museum, and then proceeded to the famous manufacturing place of cutlery, Sheffield, where he was received by the aldermen and councillors dressed in scarlet and purple in great state. In reply to the Mayor's address, Grant, in speaking of the great reputa- tion of Sheffield cutlery, said, " I think the first penknife I ever owned away out in the western part of Ohio, was marked Sheffield. I do not know whether it was counterfeit or not, but it gave the knives a good market." On the 27th, on the invitation of Rogers & Sons, he visited their renowned iron and steel works, and wit- nessed the workings of their gigantic machinery. The heat was at times overpowering, yet Grant, shielding his face with his hand, watched with intense interest the making of an iron plate des- tined for a man-of-war, the weight of the iron alone, when put into the furnace, being twenty- six tons. A banquet in the hall of the Cutlers' Company followed, when he retired to his Pull- man car for the night. , He now commenced a very pleasant tour if he could only have been let alone. But the IN ENGLAND AGAIN. 445 cities and large towns having set the example of a public reception, with speeches and ban- quets, the smaller ones had to follow their ex- ample. Stratford on the Avon, Shakespeare's home, to which he directed his course, must be quietly visited to be enjoyed, as well as Leamington and Kenilworth Castle. But noisy gatherings could not lessen the beauty of the country in Warwickshire, and Grant and his family enjoyed it much, as well as the trip through the midland counties of England. The rich and rolling country, the fields sepa- rated by green hedges, quaint and ivy-covered old churches, presented a strange contrast to the wide-stretching prairies or rudely fenced farms of the West, to which he had been accus- tomed. This trip was a real rest, made still more so by a visit to his daughter, Mrs. Sartoris, living at Southampton. At its close, at the request of the Birmingham authorities, he, on October 16th, visited that place, where the usual formal reception and speeches were made. From thence he returned to London, but all the pa- geants, banquets, and fetes proper in a recep- tion of so distinguished a gu^st had been gone through with, and he was allowed to lead a comparatively quiet life, and to wander about at his own will. His stay, however, was short. On the 24th of the month he arrived in Paris, 446 LIFE OP GRANT. having gone there in the yacht Victoria by way of Boulogne. The day after his arrival he called on Marshal McMahon, then President, and was received by him and the Duchess of Magenta cordially. Public receptions, espe- cially dinners, when the conversation must be carried on by interpreters, are wearisome affairs, and Grant felt them to be so. He took up his abode, with the American colony, as the Ameri- cans in Paris are called, the head of which is the American Minister. Here amid his own countrymen, speaking his own language, he felt at home, and after a public reception he always returned to it with a sense of relief, and sat down and enjoyed his cigar at his ease. He devoted most of his time to visiting the historic places in and around Paris ; and Versailles, St. Cloud, the Tuileries, and other structures with their famous galleries of art, absorbed a portion of almost every day. Although not speaking French, he did not escape the interviewer. One of these ubiquitous individuals obtained access to him, and for a quarter of an hour pelted him with questions, which with the answers he pub- lished at full length in the Figaro. The cele- brated American millionaire, Mrs. Mackay, re- siding in Paris, gave him the most brilliant din- ner and fete of all he attended in Paris, or any- where else. The house in which it was given VISITS PARIS. 447 cost $5,000,000, and inside and out was a blaze of light .and splendor. The farewell dinner was given by a great banker and was a sumptu- ous affair. The American steamer Vandalia, detailed by our Government for Grant's use, having arrived at Villa Franca on December 15th, he and his family embarked in it for the Mediter- ranean. Four days after they came in sight of the beautiful bay of Naples with its vine-clad hills and smoking Vesuvius in the background. Unfortunately, the day the steamer cast an- chor was one of those rare days in this usu- ally beautiful climate, when a black sky and a cold wind make everything look cheerless and forbidding. Before the authorities had cogni- zance of his arrival, he landed and took a long drive through the city unmolested by the crowd. Passing the night on board the ship he deter- mined to visit Vesuvius next day in the same quiet manner. But the news of his arrival having spread through the city, the next morn- ing when he landed he was met by officials in dashing uniforms and was dragged away to undergo all the formal ceremonies of which he had become so wearied in England ; and thus the whole forenoon wore away before he could get off for Vesuvius. He once more breathed freer as he rattled away from the city. Arriv- 448 LIFE OF GRAOT. ing at the base of Vesuvius, where they were to take donkeys and horses for the ascent, Grant had his first great experience with Italian beg- gars. They gather at this spot thick as the lo- custs of Egypt, and one is met with a clamor and surrounded with outstretched hands till he hardly knows which way to turn. Grant in his greatest battle was never so hard pressed, and hoping to get rid of the Babel crew, he scat- tered his loose coin about him indiscriminately. But he had not yet taken his first lesson in Ital- ian beggars. The more he gave the louder be- came the clamor, and the more pressing the cries for money. When he had emptied his own pocket, he borrowed from his company ; but he found the cry give, give, still louder than ever, and was glad to mount and be off up the mountain. Although the view on the way up and from the top, taking in as it does the vine- clad plains and slopes on the one side and the bay of Naples and its blue islands on the other, with the city sleeping below, is one of wondrous beauty, it lacked to-day the warm and sunny atmosphere of Italy. A cold bleak wind swept the summit, sending the smoke in a level line away from the crater ; and the General and his party were glad to descend again into the plain and hurry away to Naples and aboard ship. The next day he visited Pompeii. In order to ASCENDS VESUVIUS. 449 pay a distinguished guest a compliment, the au- thorities are accustomed to have a house un- covered that has remained buried as the storm of lava left it two thousand years ago, and so one was dug out for Grant, but nothing was found within but a few indifferent ornaments and a loaf of bread wrapped in a cloth. The three or four days spent here were de- voted chiefly to sight-seeing, and then he started for Palermo, where he arrived two days before Christmas, to find it gay with preparations for the holiday. Although Christmas morning was ushered in with the chimes of a hundred bells, and the city was decked with flowers and rung with merry voices, still the day lacked its usual sunny brightness to make it enjoyable. Grant and his family went ashore and wandered through the gay streets, but their pleasure was dimmed by the frequent showers that dropped suddenly and almost unannounced from the sky. But this was made up by a family Christ- mas dinner on board the ship, a home-dinner without formality or restraint, which Grant enjoyed with a zest he never felt in the gor- geous banquets given him in England and France. It was a flying visit, for the very next day they steamed out of port, and sailing along the coast with Stromboli and Etna in view, two 450 LIFE OF GRANT. days after entered Malta. As the vessel moored alongside a British ironclad, commanded by the Duke of Edinburgh, a grand salute was fired, followed by a formal visit from the Duke. The vessel remained here only a day, which was spent in strolling around the town. The next day they steamed away, while the British band aboard the English ironclad played in compli- ment our national airs. At Alexandria, where he was expected, the Governor accompanied by the consul and American missionaries awaited him and came on board in a body as soon as the vessel anchored. In the afternoon Grant returned the Governor's visit, and was received in true Oriental fashion, on divans suited to the rank of each. A solemn smoking of cigarettes and sipping of a hot drink out of miniature porcelain cups, with occasional bits of conver- sation followed, which Grant endured with his usual phlegm, but was glad when it was over and he left free to go where he listed. Dining with the Vice-Consul, he met there Stanley on his way back to England, and had a long and in- teresting conversation with him. Grant's trip around the world was to be so hurried that outside of official receptions, ban- quets, and royal displays, he had time to see only those remarkable objects that are to be found in every guide-book, and are visited by ARRIVES IN EGYPT. 451 every traveller. After seeing those of interest around Alexandria, he left for Cairo in a special train provided for him. As it entered the station at three o'clock in the afternoon, he was met by a military guard, and in casting his eye over it, he caught sight of two old fellow-officers in the American army and now in the service of the Khedive Generals Stone and Loring. The latter had fought him in the late civil war, but they had been West Point cadets together, and the meeting was like that of old friends, and not recent enemies. After wandering over the gay city with its Oriental customs, he went to visit the great Pyramids, the largest of which covers eleven acres, and rises five hundred feet into the heav- ens. But they have been so often described that it is necessary only to say that the party, like all travellers, were overwhelmed with these stupendous structures reared by rnens' labor. Having determined to ascend the !Nile as far as the first cataract the regulation trip for near- ly all travellers in Egypt the Khedive put a steamer at his disposal, and, joined by three offi- cers of the ship, he began his slow, monotonous journey up the sacred stream. Mr. Brugsch, one of the directors of the Egyptian Muse- um, accompanied them, to explain to Grant the ruins and monuments they saw on the way. 452 LIFE Off G&AKT. Sometimes listening to him, and sometimes con. versing with his companions, yet often sitting silent and contemplative, Grant passed the quiet hours as the boat slowly stemmed the current. Siout, the capital of Upper Egypt, lies some distance back from the shore, so the party rode over to it on donkeys, and as they entered it were surrounded by a clamorous crowd of young Arab beggars that almost obstructed their passage. He was received in state by the consul residing there, and after visiting the tombs in the sand beyond the town, wound up the day in a sumptuous banquet, at which toasts were given and speeches made. After listening to a glowing panegyric on America, closing with one on himself, Grant made a short reply, in which he said : " Nothing has so impressed me in my whole trip, as this unexpected wel- come in Upper Egypt." The party was then escorted back by torchlight over the desert plain to the boat. Monotonous as this slow sail up the Nile was, it furnished the most perfect rest imagina- ble to General , Grant. Sitting on deck, shaded by the light awning above from the fervid heat, and long into the moonlight night quietly smoking his cigar, now talking to his compan- ions of their far-off native land, and now listen- A TRIP THROUGH EGYPT. 453 ing dreamily to the low ripple of the water by liis side, drinking in the pure atmosphere the while, he felt it a luxury merely to live. Although it was the middle of January, the weather was summer-like and balmy ; the days bright and sunny, and the nights gorgeous from the transparent atmosphere. Tying up at Gregel, he met there Admiral Stead man with a friend, on their return trip, fast aground, and a pleasant talk of home and friends followed. But with the rising river they were off, and Grant and his party started for Abydos, the "fountain-head of all civiliza- tion," built long before Abraham pitched his tent on the Chaldean hills. Grant was on horseback, and the rest on donkeys, while two camels accompanied them, loaded down with the necessary materials for a lunch amid the ruins. The way led over rocky mounds and desert stretches, heated by a burning sun, which, with the yells of the donkey-drivers, and the crack of their sticks on the poor ani- mals' backs, made it a wearisome, disagreeable journey. Having reached the temple at last, Grant was regaled with a long,, learned disser- tation by Brugsch, on the antiquity and grand- eur of this city built more than two thousand years before Christ. After wandering over the crumbling ruins 454 I,IFF, OF till heated and exhausted with the exertion. they were glad to sit down in their cool shade to what was vastly more agreeable, a good lunch. Having disposed of this, the gentlemen lighted their cigars, and then began their slow journey back to the Nile. The next morning they untied from the bank, and steamed on to the ancient city of Thebes, said to have once had a hundred gates and three hundred thousand inhabitants, and in which stood the temple and colossal statue of Memnon. Once the glory of the world, its ruins are now the grandest on the globe. Amid them and those of Karnack, Grant wandered with amazement. Together they form the great wonders of Egypt, and are worth the long journey up the Nile to see. A whole book could be written upon them, but Grant had time only for a mere glance at them, and then started again up the Nile toward the first cataract, which was to be the end of his journey. Tying up to the shore opposite Keneh, they rode over to it, about a mile distant. This little side- trip was chiefly remarkable for the insight it gave Grant of the daily life of this primitive people, something he had not been able to get before. It was just as it is de- cribed in the Bible; the same utensils, cos- VISITS EGYPTIAN CITIES. 465 t umes, and occupation of men and women ; in fact, one could feel himself almost transported into that far-off past. He was interrupted in this stroll, much to his vexation, by a message from the Pacha, who must ape the European monarchs by giving him a formal reception. After a visit to the German consul, and an- other stroll through the town, in which the Pacha accompanied him, he mounted one of the Pacha's donkeys, and with his friends rode back through a storm of sand to the river. Resum- ing their slow journey upward, with scarcely anything to vary the monotony but the ever- changing, gorgeous tints of the heavens, they at last reached their final goal Asswan, the fron- tier station of Egypt, and the boundary of Nubia, containing some four thousand inhab- itants. The Governor, though a negro, was dressed in the latest Parisian fashion, and re-* ceived him with all the formality of the Khe- dive himself. The next day he received a letter from Gor- don, the hero of Khartoum, who then held the territory in the name of the Khedive, for the purpose of putting a stop to the importation of slaves. Here, to Grant's delight, his mis- erable donkey was exchanged for a superb Arabian steed, and he felt a new life in hiui as 456 LIFE OF GfiAtfT. he vaulted to the saddle of the spirited animal. The island of Philse, with its famed Temple of Isis and ancient ruins, was visited, and then the party once more turned the prow of their boat down the river, which bore them rapidly forward to Cairo, Grant regretting that his visit had been so hurried. After a call on the Khe- dive, he went on to Alexandria and joined the Vandal ia. CHAPTER XXX. Off for Jerusalem r*ffa A Miserable Journey Jerusalem An Unwelcome Deception The Sacred Places The Olive Tree of Gethsemane Nazareth Damascus Constanti- nople Presented with two Arabian Steeds Greece Re- ception by the King Illumination of the Parthenon Marathon and Thermopylae Borne The Coliseum Au- dience of the King and Pope Visits the Paris Exhibition The Hague Eotterclam and Amsterdam Berlin Bis- marck A Pleasant Conversation Eeview of the Army A Dismal Performance Friendship Cemented between Bismarck and Grant Hamburg Excursion on the Elbe A Fourth of July Dinner Copenhagen Gothenburg Christiania A Pleasing Compliment Queer Mode of Travelling Reception at St. Petersburg Interview with the Emperor Interview with Prince Gortschakoff Sa- luted by the Russian Fleet How to Build a Railroad Moscow Vienna Munich Ulm Through France to Bordeaux Its Wine-cellars Visits Spain Received by the King as Captain-General Interview with Castelar A Private Interview with the King Madrid The Escurial Attempt to Assassinate the King Portugal Interview with the King Cintra Cordova Seville The Chapel where Ferdinand and Queen Isabella Received Columbus Tobacco Factory Promenades Cadiz, and Reception at Gibraltar Pleasant Intercourse with Lord Napier Stopping at Pau on His "Way Back to England Grant's Reply to a Toast Given Him at a Public Dinner Return to Southampton Makes a Flying Trip by Himself to Ire- land Reception at Dublin Insulted by Cork Enthusi- astic Reception at Derry The Luncheon Return to England. INSTEAD of keeping on to India at once, Grant determined to visit Jerusalem and retum to 458 LIFE OF GRANT. Europe before he did so. Landing in the miser- able port of Jaffa, the party was compelled to scramble up a bank one hundred and fifty feet high, and make their way through the dirtiest street in the world, filled with dirtier Arabs, to the office of the Vice-Consul. Snatching time enough to seek out the house of " Simon the tanner," made immortal by Peter, he, with his party and some officers of the Vandal ia, mounted into miserable, rickety wagons, and at four o'clock took up their slow journey for Jerusalem. Keaching the miserable town of Ramleh at sunset, they were all huddled into one room, which served for parlor, kitchen, and dining-room they eating in one corner, the servants in another, while the cook fried eggs in a third. The whole party slept in one room, those in bed who dared to, and the others on benches as they could. Grant was up with the dawn, and rousing the others they snatched a hasty breakfast, and by six o'clock were rum- bling along again in their clumsy wagons to- ward Jerusalem. Grant had been able to find a horse, greatly to his relief, and rode beside the wagons. The rain came steadily down, yet he he declined an umbrella, declaring it was only a sprinkle, and pushed on toward the city only twenty miles distant. The road was rough and rocky, over which the wagons thumped along IN JERUSALEM:. 459 at a snail's pace, so that it was well on in the afternoon before the last height was reached that had hid Jerusalem from view. As Grant sat on his horse, on the summit, gazing down on the holy city in grave silence and solemn awe, his face suddenly darkened ; for a horseman galloped up to him to inform him that a public reception awaited him at the gates. To enter the holy city with the blare of trumpets, and amid all the barbaric display and noise of a parade, vexed him sorely. He would far rather have entered it alone on foot with uncovered head. But that was not all ; he had to sub- mit to the complimentary speeches of the vari- ous consuls, and receive the blessings of bishops and patriarchs. The Pacha offered him a band of music of fifty pieces, to accompany him in all his ram- bles through the holy city during the three days he intended to remain. But the thought of a band of music accompanying him to Geth- semane, Olivet, and Calvary was too much even for one good-natured as he ; yet, unwilling to offend the Pacha, he compromised by saying he would be glad of their attendance for an hour at evening. The next morning he with his party commenced their stroll, taking the sad way trod by the Saviour out from the city to Calvary. Much of the solemnity of the 460 LIFE OF GTCANT. scene was marred by the crowd of clamorous beggars that followed, and the apocryphal spots pointed oat by his flippant guide, yet he could not escape the feelings of reverence which the place inspired. When shown the olive tree in the garden of Gethsemane, under which our Lord knelt in agony, he said he could easily believe it was the same, for he had seen trees in California that might well be eighteen hun- dred years old, and having very much the same appearance. Passing beyond these sacred spots, he kept on to Bethany, the home of Martha and Mary and Lazarus. Here there was nothing apocryphal the hills and fields looked just as they did when Christ gazed on them, and the thought awakened strange emotions in his heart. Having seen all the spots made sacred by the feet of the Son of Man, he visited the secluded village of Nazareth, where Jesus was born, and then started for Damascus, going by the road Saul travelled when he heard a voice from heaven and fell to the earth. From the heights that overlook the city and the rich plain that surrounds it, Grant beheld one of the most beau- tiful landscapes on earth. But when the party descended into it all this beauty departed. It is a hundred and thirty miles from Jerusalem, and remains to this day just as it was in the time of Paul the same people, the same customs, DAMASCAS, BEYROOT, CONSTANTINOPLE. dress, and habits of living. Notwithstanding it was so far away from the outside world, Grant's fame had reached even there, and Arab chief- tains came from a long distance to see the " great warrior." Making but a short stay, he returned to Bey- root, and, going on board the Vandalia, sailed for the Bosphorus, entering Stambool on March 5th. The peculiar condition of affairs at Con- stantinople at this time, resulting from the war with Russia, prevented the Sultan from receiv- ing General Grant with that ceremony and mili- tary display which he would otherwise have done greatly to the latter's relief. He was much pleased with the visit he received from the British Minister Layard, the Nineveh ex- plorer. There is not much to be seen in Con- stantinople, except the Mosque of St. Sophia, and, March being the most disagreeable month of the year, the party was not sorry to be off for the more attractive land of Greece. Previ- ous to his departure, however, the Sultan showed him the imperial stalls, and out of the five hun- dred and seventy horses that occupied them a superb Arabian steed was selected for General Grant, to which a second one was subsequently added, and both despatched by our legation to America, where they safely arrived. Arriving at Athens, he was received by our 462 LIFE OF Minister and presented to the King. He was com- pelled, for want of time, to decline most of the invitations to dinners, etc., but attended a grand reception given him by the King and Queen, the most attractive feature of which was the beauti- ful Grecian women that graced it. Of course he visited the renowned temples and localities of Athens and its vicinity the Acropolis, the ruins of Jupiter Olympus, the Parthenon, and other buildings hallowed by great names and showing the art and culture of ancient Greece, once the centre of civilization and learning. The distinguishing event of this visit, however, was the illumination of the Parthenon in his honor. With a large escort he rode up the slopes of the Acropolis on the evening it was to take place, and, taking a position from which the greatest effect could be obtained, he sat for awhile in the gathering gloom, and let the shadow of the mighty past fall on his spirit while the ruins of the magnificent temple, two hundred and seven- teen feet long, surrounded by magnificent col- umns, rose before him. Where once gathered the pomp and glory of the world, all was now dark, silent, and deserted, and yet still in the busy memory the mighty dead passed by in slow procession, awakening strange thoughts and feelings. While he was thus musing, sud- denly a thousand Bengal fires burst out from VISITS GREECE AND ITALY. 463 within and without the magnificent ruin, till it stood a temple of 'light in the surrounding dark- ness, with its splendid proportions, rich col- umns, long colonnades, and architectural beauty perfectly outlined against the sky flaming and quivering before him. It was a wonderful spec- tacle, and a great compliment from the king to his guest, but its effect was greatly marred by the frivolous Greeks, who turned it into a mere exhibition of fireworks. The next day he rode out to Marathon and Thermopylae, where free- dom-battles were fought centuries ago. General Grant having seen the renowned sights of Athens, bade Greece farewell, and sailed for Rome. One of his first visits on his arrival was to the Coliseum, where the great gladiatorial exhibitions took place for the amusement of the people, and in the arena of which many a noble warrior and hosts of Chris- tian men and women have been " butchered to make a Roman holiday." King Humbert gave him a magnificent dinner, and the Pope honored him with a special audi- ence. His stay here, however, was so short that he got but little insight into the habits and character of the people. Crossing the country in the beautiful spring-time to Florence, he stayed there only long enough to visit its princi- pal galleries of art He, however, received the 464 LIFE OF GRANT. attentions that Lad been everywhere extended to him. Taking a run down to Pisa to see the leaning tower, the famous baptistery, and Campo Santo, he left for Venice, greeted with the cheers of the assembled multitude as the train slowly pulled out of the station. Crossing the Venice bridge that connects the city with the main- land, he was received with great ceremony by the authorities. Relieved of these senseless formalities, he drove to his hotel, and spent the evening gazing out upon the water, gay with gliding boats, out of which rose a ceaseless stream of mirth and laughter. There was but little to see here, except St. Mark's Cathedral, and he left for Milan, where the usual formal cere- monies had to be gone through on his arrival. There was nothing here to detain him but its great cathedral, renowned the world over for its artistic beauty and grandeur, and he sped over the Alps to be present at the opening of the great Paris Exposition. Painting and statu- ary and classic ruins were to give way to the common productions of modern invention and labor. Reaching there on the 7th, he was waited on by Mr. McCormick, the American Commissioner, and asked to fix a day when he would visit the Exposition. Naming Satur- day, he, with a great number of Americans, PASSES OVER THE CONTINENT. 465 made the tour of the various departments. Declining all invitations, he, having seen the exhibition, the sole object of his visit to Paris, hurried on to Holland on his way to the Hague. Stopping here only long enough to pay a visit of ceremony to the court, he passed on to Rotterdam, and finally to Amsterdam. He lingered a fortnight on this route, delaying his journey somewhat on account of the excitement at Berlin his destined point caused by the attempt to assassinate the Emperor of Germany. But everything having quieted down, he re- sumed his journey, reaching there on June 26th. Our Minister at the court, Bayard Taylor, came out sixty miles to meet him and escort him to the city. Here, as everywhere that he was al- lowed to do so, he took a quiet stroll through the city in the evening, like any other traveller, in order to see the people in their ordinary ap- pearance. This he kept up during his stay when he could, and enjoyed it more than the fetes that were showered upon him. Among the first callers on him was Prince Bismarck, but not finding him in he left his card. General Grant immediately sent a note inquir- ing when it would be convenient for the Prince to receive him, and he would return his call. The latter appointed that afternoon at four o'clock. The sentinel on duty, when he saw a 30 466 tlttE OF GRAOT. plainly dressed man, with a cigar in his mouth, walking across the court-yard of the palace, was filled with astonishment. The General, having answered his salute, threw away the stump of his cigar, and advanced to the door of the palace, and was ushered by servants into the spacious hall where Bismarck was awaiting him. As the latter caught sight of Grant, he, with both hands extended, advanced in the most frank and cordial manner to meet him. A long and familiar conversation followed on various topics. Bismarck expressed his regret that his attendance on the European Congress, then in session on the Turkish question, would prevent him from showing him around Berlin, and also that the state of the Emperor's health would prevent his receiving him. It was a picture well worth seeing, this fore- most soldier of the Western Hemisphere and the greatest diplomatist of Europe, and, in fact, Em- peror of Germany, sitting side by side and talk- ing in this chatty manner like old acquaintances. On leaving, the Prince invited him to a grand military review. Grant, in accepting the invi- tation, very naively remarked, that he took very little interest in military affairs, saying, " I am more of a farmer than soldier, and, although I entered the army at thirty-five, and hav^e been in two wars, I never went into the army with- INTERVIEW WITH BISMAECK. 46? out regret, and never retired without pleasure." Strange sentiments for the most renowned sol- dier of modern times to utter to a man so ab- sorbed in the army as Bismarck has always been. But it was the natural, spontaneous utterance of his feelings, and shows how small a place military ambition had in his heart, and how lightly he esteemed the glamour that surrounds a success- ful general. Bismarck's reply was doubtless sincere : " You are so happily placed in Amer- ica that you need fear no wars. What has always seemed so sad to me about your last great war was that you were fighting your own people. That is always so terrible in wars so very hard." " Yes," replied General Grant, " but it had to be done." The latter was more pleased with this familiar, unrestrained interview than with any that he had held with the great representative men of Europe. A dinner at the American Minister's followed, with the usual gathering of distin- guished men, and toasts, speeches, and compli- ments. The morning of the great review of the Ger- man Army dawned cold and gloomy, with a steady down-pour of rain. It was to commence at the early hour of half past seven. Grant had awakened with a severe cold, and so hoarse that he could hardly speak. His friends, therefore, 468 LIFE OF GRANT. endeavored to dissuade him from going, on ao count of the great exposure he would suffer. But he would not hear of it the troops were already in motion, and he drove at once to the palace, where he was met by the commander of the Berlin troops and an imposing staff. A splen- did horse was ready awaiting him, but he was so cold and suffering, that he reluctantly de- clined to mount him in such a pouring rain, and drove in his carriage to the field. But he could not have got much wetter if he had been in the saddle, for the pouring rain, driven by the fierce wind, penetrated the carriage, thor- oughly drenching him. It was a brilliant mili- tary display, or would have been on a bright day. The successive bands filled the air with martial strains, and the steady columns moved like clock-work over the field cavalry, artil- lery, and infantry performing their evolutions with an accuracy that showed the perfection of military discipline ; but the drooping necks of the horses in the lashing rain, the draggled plumes of the officers, and wet banners hanging along their staffs, the soaked and half -flooded ground beneath, and a gloomy sky above, while a cold, chilly wind whistled by, combined to make it a dismal performance, and all wished it well over. The enthusiastic Germans, heed- less of the weather, were assembled in great WITNESSES A GRAND MILITARY REVIEW. 460 numbers, and shouted and cheered till they were hoarse. As the whole programme must be carried out, a grand review of the army by General Grant had to follow this general review and parade, and he was compelled to stand, with uncovered head in the pitiless rain, while the drenched and dripping army slowly defiled before him. Although he highly com- plimented the officers on the perfection of mili- tary discipline which the army exhibited, he would have cheerfully exchanged all this show and pomp for a quiet cigar in his own room. A lunch at Prince Hohenzollern's followed, where the usual toasts and speeches were made. In the afternoon Bismarck called on Grant at his hotel, and the latter presented him to Mrs. Grant. After a short conversation, the prince invited them to dine with him the next day, and took his leave. The dinner-party was, of course, composed of the most distinguished men in the city, and af- ter it was over, and the guests had retired to an antechamber, Grant and Bismarck went to a deep window overlooking a handsome park; and the one lighting his cigar and the other his pipe, they sat down to a familiar talk, chiefly about the two countries, their resources, etc. The two presented a striking contrast, in their manner. That of Bismarck was earnest, some* 470 LIFE OF GRANT. times enthusiastic, his statements often illus trated with a humorous story, at which he himself would laugh aloud ; while Grant was more like the historic Dutchman, phlegmatic, almost stolid, and although seeing and appre- ciating Bismarck's humor, never acknowledging it beyond a slight smile. The conversation was easy and pleasant, for the German Chan- cellor spoke English with great fluency, and no interpreter was needed, as at the lunch the day before with Prince Hohenzollern, which made it extremely formal and stupid. The American Minister, remembering an old German custom of cementing friendship with a glass of schnapps, had a bottle of gin opened, and offered a glass to each. Bismarck thanked the Minister for the suggestion, and with a smile touched his glass to that of Grant, and the friendship was cemented. The American residents planned a great cele- bration for Grant on the Fourth of July, which was close at hand. But he was tired of public displays, and so on the 2d he started for the old city of Hamburg, a hundred and seventy miles distant. This commercial burgh, with its onini- O 7 buses, and hacks, and crowds of trucks, seemed like an American city as he entered it. To his relief, he met here no civic displays or formal reception, but was allowed to drive quietly to FOURTH OF JULY AT HAMBURG*. 471 the Vice-Con sul's house like any other trav- eller, where he dined. At evening, lighting his cigar, he took one of his favorite strolls through the city, with its irregular, but clean streets. Though Hamburg belongs to the German Empire, yet, having been one of the free cities of the old Hanseatic Confederation, it was allowed to retain its old form of government, consisting of four burgomasters and twenty-four council- lors, who carried on the municipal government in the old dignified way. In the morning a deputation from the Senate waited upon the General, and invited him on board a small steamer to visit the various docks and basins of the city, and take a short pleasure-trip up and down the Elbe. This was a very sensible attention to him, and he accepted it with pleasure. A heavy rain, however, setting in, marred very much what would otherwise have been a delightful excursion. The next day be- ing the Fourth of July, a German band was sent to serenade him in the morning with our national airs. He then drove out to the coun- try residence of the Vice-Consul, and spent the morning in strolling through the woods, smoking in quietness his cigar, and talking familiarly with his friends. About thirty guests were as- sembled at the dinner-table. The Consul, in giv- 472 LIFE OF GRANT. ing the toast to his distinguished guest, spoke of him as having " saved his country." The latter, in reply, did not agree with him in saying that he had saved the country. "If onr country," he said, "could be saved or ruined by any one man, we should not have a country at all. What saved the country was the coming forward of the young men of the nation. They gave up everything for their coun- try." It was thus he said the country was saved, not by any one leader, but the patriot- ism of the people. The next day, after a din- ner given him by Baron von Ohlendorf, he was driven out of the city to see the races, but a heavy rain having set in he did not remain long. The following day he started for Copenhagen, the capital of the smallest kingdom in Europe. There was not much to see here, except the mu- seum, in which are gathered three hundred of Thorwaldsen's works, the pride and glory of the city, and he kept on to Gothenburg, where he had n^ intention of stopping, but the re- ception of the people was so enthusiastic that he stayed over till next day to receive the hon- ors that had been prepared for him. The next morning he departed for Christiania, the capi- tal of Norway. Here one of the most pleasing episodes in his travels occurred. The peasants on the route had heard of his coming, and had IN SWEDEN, NORWAY, AND DENMAKK. 473 decorated their rural homes in his honor, a com- pliment as simple as it was touching. Christiania was designed to be a mere stop- ping-place, at which he and his party were to arrange a trip to Lapland, where there were no railroads, no public conveyances, nor stage- coaches in the country; hence the journey was to be an entirely new experience. Only two modes of travelling were provided. One was by a vehicle resembling an American sulky the one seat it contained being sunk down be- tween the wheels, with a little frame behind at- tached to the axle-tree just big enough to hold a good-sized hand-trunk, on which the boy hav- ing charge of the pony, and passenger, etc., can sit. The other conveyance was something like an English seat-cart, holding several persons. Each of the party choosing his own mode of travelling, they all set out in high spirits. No more royal equipages, or grand banquets, or stately receptions, with formal speeches and noisy bands. The trip was to be more like a wild frolic than the stately journey of great officials. Grant, choosing the low sulky, and driving his diminutive pony himself, with the diminutive boy having charge of him perched behind, was a comical spectacle. Over the rough roads of Norway, and up and down its steep hills, he rattled away at the headlong speed of 474 LIFE OF GRANT. about five miles an hour. Past farm-houses nestling amid the hills, past fields in which men and Avomen were alike at work, now and then from some height getting a glimpse of the North Sea glittering in the distance; stopping now to get fresh strawberries from the peasant chil- dren, and now to enjoy some wild, enchanting view, they hurried on like children let loose from school. The excitement of this free, unrestrained, un- conventional life, and the exhilarating air and unclouded heavens of this high region elevated the spirits of all to the highest pitch. General Grant, wearied out with royal ceremonies, and official banquets, and monotonous, flattering ad- dresses, enjoyed this freedom of action and in- tercourse with nature keenly; but, unlike the others, he gave no outward sign of it. He wore the same imperturbable face, exhibited the same quiet, composed manner. Nothing could rouse him into any impulsive action or word. Stand- ding amid a hundred guns in the very vortex of battle, before kings, in royal palaces sur- rounded by the most brilliant courts of Europe, and in his low sulky, with his pony and boy, he was the same man, as impervious apparently to external influences as a block of granite. Having enjoyed this apparently aimless life as long as he could and be in St. Petersburg at the INTERVIEW WITH THE CZAR. 475 time lie had fixed, be turned back to Christiana, where an enthusiastic welcome was given him. King Oscar invited him to his royal palace afc Stockholm and gave him a grand dinner, but General Grant made a short stay at the capital. The next day he took the boat for Cronstadt, some four hundred miles distant. As he entered the port all the vessels in it flung out their flags, while the forts that frowned above it thundered forth a salute. Hastening on board a steam- boat he steamed up the Neva to St. Petersburg. He was received by our Minister, Mr. Stough- ton, and soon after his arrival was called upon by Prince Gortchakoff: and other officers of the court, who welcomed him in the name of the Emperor. An audience with the latter was ar- ranged for the following day. The meeting was a very cordial one, though brief, the Emperor following his guest to the door at his departure, and, speaking of the friendship that existed between Russia and America, said, " As long as I live nothing shall be spared to continue this friendship." Grant, reciprocating his good wishes, passed out of the palace and drove away, glad that the interwiew was over, for talking through an interpreter is always embarrassing. The Grand Duke Alexis called on him, and inquired the particulars of the death of Ouster, whom he met in his hunt* ing expedition on our Western frontier when lie visited our country. The longest interview was with Prince Gort- chakofr*, who showed much curiosity concerning the workings of our political institutions, so un- like those of Russia. There were palaces to be seen, such as the great winter palace of the Emperor, that during his residence in it requires five thousand occu- pants to complete its household. But General Grant's visit here, as elsewhere, was so hurried that he could barely get a glimpse of the great imperial city, and the customs and habits of the people, so unlike those of his own land. The Emperor put his yacht at his disposal, in which he made a trip fifteen miles distant to Peterhof, the Versailles of St. Petersburg. He made a visit also to the Russian man-of- war, Peter the Great, and was received with a salute of twenty-one guns, and then kept on down the Neva, and passed through the Rus- sian fleet at Cronstadt. As he did so the stars and stripes were run up, the yards manned, and cheer after cheer rang over the water. Having seen the principal objects of the city, and enjoyed its princely hospitality, he bade it adieu, and took the cars for Moscow, some four hundred miles distant, the road runnin^ almost o the whole distance in a straight line. The two THE KOAB TO MOSCOW. 477 American engineers that laid it out followed the rule observed in this country, which is, in con- necting two distant points, to deviate here and there a little in order to take in the large towns between them, so as to not only increase the commerce of the road but accommodate the people. But despots think only of accommodat- ing themselves, so when the plan of the road was shown to the Emperor he looked at it a few moments, then quietly drew a straight line between the two cities, and said, " Build the road there." It was not for him to think about the people or the hills; nor for the engineers that he employed, and so the road was laid down straight. Neither was it to be in the hands of any company, to be run as economy or self- interest required, but the Emperor's will was to be the time-table, and so the rate was fixed at thirty miles an hour, with a stoppage of an hour for dinner. But the imperious will made a new time-table for General Grant, and the engineers were ordered to be twenty hours in going the distance, which would allow about seven hours for rest. This made it very com- fortable, but the American party would rather have gone in the usual time, and had the seven hours in Moscow, for it was most of the way a dreary, desolate ride ; the rude huts of the peasants, the women working with the men 478 LIFE OF GRANT. in the half-cultivated fields, being the chief feature in the desolate scene, until Moscow is approached, when the landscape changes, and villas and pleasure-grounds and gardens meet the eye. . This old capital is totally unlike St. Peters- burg in its plan. Instead of blocks of buildings, gardens and grounds separate the houses as in New England villages, while from the centre rise the magnificent Kremlin towers, of which there are one hundred and sixty. This world- renowned citadel covers a space of ground two miles in circumference. Its main tower rises two hundred and fifty feet into the air, and in it swings forty bells, which, when all are rung together, can be heard miles away. The largest weighs sixty tons. Of the four days that General Grant had de- cided to give to Moscow, he devoted more time to this than to any other object. At the foot of the main tower is a cracked bell, which fell from it when it was burned more than a hundred years ago, and weighs four hundred thousand pounds, it is now used as a chapel. Among the many pleasant drives he took, the one to Sparrow Hill, the Emperor's villa, which overlooks the entire city, with its framework of villas, cot- tages, and gardens, was the most charming. The four days over, he took the train for War- AUDIENCE WITH THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA. 479 saw, the ancient capital of Poland, five hundred miles distant. But he only roade a short halt here, and kept on to Vienna, where he arrived on the 18th of August, to find the American embassy, and the Americans in the city, at the station waiting to receive him. The same even- ing he had an interview with Count Andrassy, first minister of the council. The second day after, he had an audience with the Emperor. This city is gay and attractive, like Paris, and the hospitality extended to him on every side, with balls and fetes, caused him to overstay the time he had allotted to it. As a rule, his trip resem- bled a military march instead of an excursion of pleasure all the halting-places, with the time for stopping, being fixed with soldier-like pre- cision. He roamed through the palaces, churches, and museums here, drove around the beautiful envi- rons, and made a flying visit to Baden, so fa- mous for its baths, and then was off for Munich. This is unlike Vienna, being a rather quaint- looking city. It is full of works of art well worth seeing, while its library, next to Paris, is the largest in the world, containing books and manuscripts, in all eight hundred and eighty- three thousand volumes. General Grant, after a hasty visit to the principal objects of interest, went to Augsburg, and thence to Ulm, where 480 LIFE OF GRANT. Mack, in 1805, surrendered his entire army ta Napoleon; reminding him of his Yicksburg campaign and the surrender of the rebel army. Crossing again a portion of Switzerland, on the third day, he reached Lyons, celebrated for its silk manufactories. The train sped on through the country, and vineyards, cultivated fields, ham- lets, and the tall chimneys of manufactories came and went in rapid succession. Making only a short halt at the Vichy springs, he kept on to Bordeaux, situated on the Garonne. Here he stopped long enough to visit the vast wine- cellars and brandy store-houses of this famous wine-making city, and then proceeded to Spain, in accordance with an invitation he had received from King Alfonso to make him a visit. He made a short stop at Biarritz, famous as being the seaside residence of Eugenie when Empress of France. As he crossed the borders, he was met at Irun by a general of the King, who wel- comed him in the name of his majesty to Spain, and placed a separate coach at his disposal. The road leading through the defiles of the Pyrenees opened up wild scenery to the travellers, which changed to smiling villages and cultivated fields as the train dashed down the southern slope and sped away toward Madrid. The King came out of the city as far as Vitoria to meet him, and solved the highly important question MEETS CA3TELAR AND KING ALFONSO. 481 as to how a king should receive a simple Amer- ican citizen, by resolving to receive him as Captain- General of the Spanish Army. At Tolosa, General Grant, hearing that ex- President Castelar was on the platform of the station, said he should like to see him. The latter, receiving Grant's message, hastened for- ward to his car, and a short conversation be- tween the two ex-presidents followed ; Grant thanked him for his friendship for the United States, and especially for his sympathy with the North during the Rebellion, and frankly told him there was no man in Spain he was so anx- ious to see as himself. With a cordial grasp of the hand they parted, one to go on to St. Sebas- tian and the other to Madrid, where they hoped to meet again. Grant entered Yitoria in a pouring rain, and was received with great ceremony by the offi- cials, who informed him that the King would receive him the next morning. So the next day at the appointed hour he drove up to the pal- ace, and was taken through a large anteroom filled with officers of rank to the library, where the King awaited him. The meeting was very cordial, the King expressing the strong desire he had felt to see him, and complimenting him highly. In thanking him, General Grant spoke of the sympathy the people of the United States 91 482 LIFE OF GRANT. felt for Mm on the loss of his wife. The King replied, that he had noticed this in the Ameri- can newspapers, and it had touched him deeply, saying that their marriage had been purely a love-match, as they had been engaged ever since he was fifteen years old. He said their mar- ried life had been a very happy one, and that she helped him to bear the burden of his regal position, which was very distasteful to him. Grant replied that the eight years of his presi- dency had been the most disagreeable ones of his life. This mere youth of twenty seemed glad to open his heart to the great American soldier, and the earnest confiding manner of the one made a pleasing contrast to the calm, kind, unaffected, simple bearing of the other. The route from here to Madrid lay through a barren, unpicturesque country. The chief ob- jects of interest in the city are the royal palace, which with its grounds covers nearly eighty acres, the armory, and the royal picture gallery, 500 feet long. The usual complimentary dinner was given by our Minister, Mr. Lowell. The chief object of interest outside of the city is the Escurial, which is reached by a drive of about an hour and a half over a rough road. It is a magnificent structure, 700 feet long and 540 feet wide; and, standing on an eminence 2,700 feet high, presents a remarkable appearance. Gen- VISITS THE ESOURIAL. 483 era] Grant wandered through its magnificent apartments ; descended to the royal tomb, thirty- eight feet high with walls of jasper and por- phyry ; visited the four rooms once occupied by Queen Isabella in the summer-time ; and then mounted to the top, to get the wonderful view that stretched away on every side. He then returned to the city, filled with admiration of this great structure, the pride of Spain, and one of the wonders of the world. He now prepared to leave for Lisbon. But just before starting, as he was sitting at the window, looking at a royal procession passing through the city on the opposite side of the plaza, he saw the smoke of a pistol rise from the crowd, followed by a great commotion. The King had been fired at, and the news spread like wild-fire through the city. Grant's arrangements having all been made, he could not remain over to offer his congratula- tions to the King on his escape, but he sent them through the Minister of State, who, not- withstanding the confusion caused by the at- tempted assassination, accompanied him with true Castilian courtesy to the station. The King of Portugal not being in Lisbon, his officials received him in his name. His father's second wife was a public singer from Boston, and though of course the marriage was never recognized, she is much respected, and is 484 UF OF called the Countess d'Edla. She escorted Grant through the palace, expressing as she did so the pleasure she felt in paying attention to one of her own countrymen. The King arriving the next day, gave him a public reception, in the great audience-chamber ; then he took him into a private apartment, where they had a long con- versation together respecting the two countries. The next evening, at a dinner given in the palace, the King renewed their conversation, and invited General Grant to go on a hunt with him, he himself being a great shot. But the latter excused himself, and the King then in- vited him to visit his palace at Cintra, fifteen miles from Lisbon. This he accepted with pleasure, not only as it is the object most worth seeing, but the drive to it is one of the most attractive in the kingdom. The palace stands on a rocky eminence, three thousand feet above the level of the sea, and commands one of the most beautiful prospects in the world. While on one side the descent is gradual to the village lying at its base, on the other it is a precipice going almost perpendicu- lar down to the chasm at its base. On the farther side of this abyss the ground again slopes up, dotted with green fields beyond stretches away the chain of the Torres Vedras, while the blue sea gleams along the distant ENTERTAINED BY THE KING OF PORTUGAL. 485 .horizon. Grant visited also the old Alhambra, strolled through its halls till weary and hungry, when the party went to a hotel and dined. They then, as the sun was going down in glory, took their carriages and drove back to Lisbon. The King is a literary man, having translated several of Shakespeare's plays into Portuguese, among them " Hamlet," which he presented to Grant. He wished also to present him with the Grand Cross of the " Tower and Sword," but the latter declined the honor, saying that though he had no official position now, yet, having been President, he had rather not receive any deco- ration, as they were forbidden by law to officers of the Government. From here General Grant went to the ancient city of Cordova, on the Guadalquivir, a day's ride. It being the old Moorish capital, it con- tains mosques and palaces in great numbers. Its cathedral, built by the Arabs when they held Spain, is 540 feet long and nearly 400 feet wide, with 450 columns dividing it up into 44 aisles. Seville, which he next visited, is eighty miles distant, once the gayest city of Spain, and dis- tinguished for the beauty and dissoluteness of its women and disgusting bull-fights. The old Moorish palace, though filled with great associa- tions, has now connected with it nothing of so 486 UFE OF GRANT. much interest to Grant and his party, as the private chapel where Ferdinand and Isabella received Columbus, who here stood with his map in his hand, and asked to be allowed to sail into the unknown West, where lay a new world. But grand as the old Moorish palace is, it does not cover so much ground as the tobacco factory close by, which is 660 feet long, and em- ploys 5,000 young girls. The climate here is of rare purity, which makes the promenades along the Guadalquivir delightful, especially toward sunset. The road from here to Cadiz runs along this river, and Grant stopped there a few hours on his wa^r to Gibraltar. It is thought to be the oldest city in Europe, being founded more than a thousand years before Christ, but there is nothing in it to detain the traveller long. Lord Napier, at Gibraltar, received General Grant warmly, and invited him to dinner that evening. Napier had long wished to see Grant, and felt, he said, somewhat as an old acquaint- ance, for he had sent him King Theodore's Bible, after the overthrow of that monarch in Abys- sinia. They were together most of the time during his short stay, and Grant with him re- viewed the British troops, whose marching and bearing called forth the warmest eulogies from WITH LORD NAPIER AT GIBRALTAR. 487 the American soldier. There being nothing to see in Gibraltar but the rock itself, which has been tunnelled into an impregnable fortress, he soon turned back toward England, stopping at Pau, the great watering-place, a few days, to enjoy its promenades, and delicious air, and fine scenery. Mr. Douglas, an American, gave him a dinner, and at its close offered the follow- ing toast : " Unconditional Surrender Grant" The latter replied, as -he never could make speeches, he would now justify the epithet by making an unconditional surrender, which short speech was received with uproarious cheers. He declined the honor of a hunt given him by an English earl, and hastened on to Paris. Stopping only long enough to dine with Presi- dent MacMahon, he went to Southampton, where he left his wife with Mrs. Sartoris, in order to take a hasty trip over to Ireland. After rest- ing a day or two, he started for Dublin, which he reached on January 5th, and was received with the usual honors by the Lord Mayor, who, in imitation of London and Glasgow, ten- dered him the freedom of the city. In reply to the address accompanying it, the latter said : " Having now been made citizen of London, and Glasgow, and Ireland, I might be considered a complete subject of Great Britain." He visited the Royal Irish Academy, containing the speci 488 LIFE OP GRANT. mens of ancient Irish art in silver, and gold, and bronze ; drove to the old parliamentary house, and strolled through Trinity College. In the evening a grand banquet was given him at the Mansion House, and when Grant's name was proposed in a toast, it was received with the tumultuous, enthusiastic cheers that the Irish know so well how to give. In reply he made one of the longest speeches he had yet de- livered. He spoke jestingly of himself as a citizen of Dublin, and said he might run against the other candidates, either for Mayor or Mem- ber of Parliament. He then spoke at large of his country, the depression through which it had passed, and its now rising prosperity, quot- ing in conclusion the words of Lord Beacons- field, that " that prosperity would be felt to the end of the world." The first to welcome Grant, when he reached the other side of the Atlantic, was a deputation from Cork, which boarded the vessel at Queens- town, inviting him to visit their city. He thanked them, and promised to do so at some future time. As the city was the first to wel- come him to the Old World, so now it was the first to insult him. When the American Consul informed the Council of the city that General Grant was about to make his prom- ised visit, they coolly resolved not to receive IK DUBLIN AND LONDONDERRY. 489 him with any public attention, on account of liis feelings against Catholics. Perhaps it was because he did not condescend to stop there before he went on to Liverpool. It was in bad taste, undoubtedly, to prefer London to Cork. The supercilious city officials evidently wished to show their dignity, and succeeded only in making themselves ridiculous. Grant accordingly turned aside to Derry, starting on the morning of January 6th. A driving storm of snow and sleet was raging, yet enthu- siastic crowds were assembled at every station, cheering him to the echo, and even pressing into the carriage to shake hands with him. Reach- ing the city at two o'clock, he was received with all honors by the Mayor, and driven to the Town Hall through a surging crowd that rent the air with cheers. It seemed that they had not found out, like the Corkonians, Grant's anti- Catholic feelings. The next morning he was ofE for Belfast in a heavy snow-storm, greeted as before, all along the route with the enthusi- astic cheers of the multitude assembled at the stations. Reaching the city at half-past two, the same reception and ceremonies awaited him as at Derry. During the luncheon at four o'clock, the crowd, heedless of the pelting storm, surrounded the building cheering lustily. A Roman Catholic bishop was given the post of 490 LIFE OF GRANT. honor at the table, and the generous Irishmen and officials seemed to vie with each other hi showing their contempt for Cork, and their anx- iety to wipe out the unprovoked insult given by it to their illustrious visitor. Having taken a mere bird's-eye view of Ire- land, Grant now returned to England, prepara- tory to his final leave of Europe. CHAPTER XXXI. General Grant Turns his Footsteps to the East The Party Reduced Goes in a French Steamer to Alexandria By Rail to Suez Embarks. in the Richmond for Bombay The Voyage Grand Recepjbion Malabar Point Strange- looking Population A Week Poorly Spent Cave of the Elephants Journey to Delhi Reception at Bhurtpoor Its Magnificent Ruins Agra A Magnificent Tomb Delhi Description of Palace of the Grand Mogul Jeypoor Its Sights Through Lucknow to Allahabad Reception at Benares A City of Priests Its Streets and Temples Sight-seeing Reception at Calcutta, the Capi- tal of the British Empire in the East Public Attentions Novel Way of Cleaning and Watering Streets Disap- pointment A Flying Trip to Burmah Rangoon Its Re- ligion Elephants Their Use Here Trip to Siam The Voyage Anniversary of Lee's Surrender Vexatious De- lay Almost an Accident A Showy Reception The Pal- ace of the Prince Placed at Grant's Disposal A Grand Dinner Visits the Regent and King " The Star Spangled Banner" Second King and First King A Royal Dinner Costly Silver Service A Social Chat The Great Pa- goda. GENERAL GRANT had now visited every na- tionality of Europe. He had accomplished all this in little more than two years and a half. Thirty years ago this would have been impos- sible, for the network of railroads that now covers the continent did not then exist. This 492 LIFE OF GRANT. rapid motion, of course, did not give him time to study the practical workings of the different forms of government among the people, nor to become familiar with their social condition. He did not travel for this purpose. Curiosity and the desire of change of climate and scenes, and the diversion of his mind from everything that would continue the strain that had been on it for the last twelve years, were his controlling motives. Having had a glance at every European state, seen its great objects of interest, and noted its customs and habits, he now hastened his depart- ure for the East, where entirely new forms of civilization or half -civilization were to be seen. The government war- vessel, the Richmond, which had been detailed to carry him thither, being de- tained, he determined not to wait for it, but to go in a French steamer direct to Alexandria. Before starting the party was re-organized, all leaving the General but his wife, son, Mr. Borie, Dr. Keating, and the Herald correspondent. Embarking at Marseilles, they on the seventh day entered the port of Alexandria, and imme- diately took the train across the desert to Suez. Reaching this terminus of the canal, they pushed their way through a crowd of donkeys and yell- ing, dirty Arab boys offering their services, to a hotel. Finding that the steamer that was to . STARTS FOR INDIA. 493 take them to Bombay was not yet through the canal, they, to kill time, mounted donkeys, and made a tour of the dull, uninteresting town. In the afternoon, to their great relief, the steamer glided out of the canal into port, and immedi- ately all was bustle and hurry to get their bag- gage aboard, and by eight o'clock, everything being ready, the vessel turned her prow east- ward, and was soon ploughing the waters of the Red Sea. While going down the coast the stifling winds from the desert made the voyage hot and uncomfortable, and the party would lie scattered around on deck beneath the awning, trying to find the coolest place, Grant part of the time consulting a map of India, in order to lay out his route economically as to time, and yet see the most interesting portions of the country. At last they reached Aden, the Gibraltar of the Red Sea, and sailed out into the Indian Ocean, leaving the hot breezes of the desert be- hind them. Monotonous days and nights fol- lowed, but at last, on February 13th, our trav- ellers, looking eastward, saw dimly rising out of the sea the towers and minarets of Bombay. When General Grant left Europe, he sup- posed he would to a certain extent be free from that round of ceremonies to which he had been subjected from even the smallest town. But as 494 LIFE OF GRANT. they approached the port, he saw all the vessels in it were gay with bunting, while the wharf was darkened with the crowds assembled to welcome him. The sea cable had flashed the news of the ship on which he sailed, and so the day and almost the hour of its arrival were known. As they passed the English flag-ship, an officer representing the Admiral came along side, and welcomed General Grant to Bombay. On landing, a letter was handed him from the Governor-General, offering him the use of the Government House, at Malabar Point. Enter ing the state carriage, escorted by native cavalry, he made his way to Malabar Point, and there took up his quarters during his brief stay in Bombay. Coming fresh from the cities of Eu- rope, Bombay was like a new world to him. Swarming with life like London or Paris, it was yet totally different. Tawny skins and striped faces, and the loose and gorgeously colored garments of the women presented a striking contrast to them, which the rings in their noses, and bracelets jingling on their ankles, as they glided barefoot along the streets, heightened still more. On the other hand, the laboring classes moved about with nothing but a strip of cloth around their loins and a thick fold of cloth on their heads, while carts drawn by little oxen trotting along the streets, instead of omnibuses, A WT2EK IK BOMBAY. 495 completed the strange scene which the out-door life of the city presents. General Grant spent a week here, and though his outlook over the sea made his quarters pleasant, he had scarcely time for anything but to accept the invitations extended to him from all sides. Balls, levies, dinners, luncheons, visits to the schools and missions, and calls of ceremony on officials followed each other in rapid succession, so that at the end of the week he felt that much of his time had been wasted. Among the various objects of curiosity that he visited was the Cave of the Elephants, on an island some seven miles from the city. It takes its name from a gigantic elephant in stone, which in ages past stood there. Within are three colossal images representing the Hindoo trinity. A farewell dinner was given him, and then he started for Agra and Delni, for the purpose of visiting that part of India which illustrates its grandeur and state of civilization before the British conquest. It is a long and tedious journey, and presented very little to interest the traveller on the way. The scattered vil- lages through which they passed, some near by and some far away, consisted mostly of low, mud hovels, unenlivened by a single spire or minaret. The scenery grew more attractive, 496 LIFE OF GBAtfT. however, as they began slowly to ascend the Ghaut Mountains. To break up the long jour- ney, Grant stopped at Bhurtpoor a day, to visit the remarkable ruins of Futtipoor-Sikra. This province, with a population of about 750,000, was presided over by a Maharaja, a young man about thirty years old, who, advised of Gen- eral Grant's intention to stop there, met him at the station with a brilliant escort. Haughty, handsome, and graceful, he received his guest like a king, and led him to his old tumble-down palace to breakfast. Grant and his wife were then conducted to an adjoining ruin, where they were waited upon in state, and where they passed the night, serenaded by jackals and hyenas. The next morning they set out to visit the ruins, which were some seven miles in circum- ference, and illustrate the barbaric wealth and splendor of former times. The mosque is said to be the most splendid one in all India. Grant could get no information of the early history of these magnificent ruins. The next day the party started for Agra, which in past centuries was the heart of the great Mogul Empire, and of which the King of Delhi was the last representative. Being com- promised in the great mutiny, he was captured and sent to prison, where he died. The royal DESCRIPTION OF THE TAJ. 497 palace still stands, built from foundation stone to lofty dome of the purest white marble, while the apartments within, with their richly tessellated floors, glitter in mosaics and pre- cious stones. But the great object of curiosity here is the Taj, or tomb, of the wife of the Emperor Shah Jehan, built by that monarch to commemorate the memory of the wife that he adored. To-day, built in this country, it would probably cost nearly $100,000,000. It stands on the banks of the Jumna River, and is sur- rounded by a garden. It is built of pure white marble, and is a marvellous exhibition of beauty and majesty combined. Grecian art in its palm- iest days could not surpass it. Seen by moon- light, its pure white dome lifts itself into the air with a grace and beauty that makes it seem more like the creation of a dream than a solid structure. Grant and his party visited it twice in their short stay. On the last evening, the young prince, sixteen years old, presided over a dinner given to Grant by the Agra Club. The province has a popula- tion of about a half a million. After the usual toasts and speech-making were over, the young prince and Grant played billiards, in which the latter was beaten, and they then adjourned to the broad veranda, where a company of native musicians was gathered for their entertainment. LIFE OF GfcANT. The next morning before daylight Grant drove to the station, expecting to get off quietly. But as he drew near, the sharp word of com- mand rung out of the darkness, followed by the rattle of arms as they came to a present, and the band struck up a lively air, while cannon thundered out a farewell salute. The young prince had determined to give his distinguished guest a royal parting. Reaching Delhi, weary and fagged out, he had to undergo the usual formal reception, after which he was driven to Ludlow Castle, the quarters of Colonel Young, the British com- mandant. This once grand city was the Rome of the Mogul Empire. The region around it is, like the Campagna of that city, covered with magnificent ruins. It has been overthrown and rebuilt seven times, and once in the long past ages it is said to have been thirty miles in cir- cumference and contained 2,000,000 inhabitants, though now containing only 160,000, while the walls that enclose it are but seven miles in ex- tent. Chadney Chook, the Broadway of the city, is lined with shops containing the richest stuffs of Oriental manufacture. There are many odd sights to be seen there, one of which is ox- carts in the place of omnibuses, the drivers sit- ting on the tongue and urging the unwieldly animals into a gallop by twisting their tails, THE PALACE AT DELHI. 499 while porters stagger by under weights that seem impossible for a man to carry. The palace of the Grand Mogul was one of the chief places that Grant visited. But it is shorn of its ancient splendor, and is now turned into an English fort. From the old throne-room he saw stretched out below him the vast plain on which great battles of elephants were wit- nessed by the King for his amusement, but on which now were only groups of English soldiers lazily lounging. He visited also the hall of special audience, in which was a throne called the Peacock throne, and is said to have cost $30,000,000. But all of its rich ornaments have been carried away by British officers since its capture. It figured largely in the great mutiny, and its barbaric splendor is fast fading away. Grant had passed Jeypoor on his way to Del- hi, and so he now on his return stopped to visit it. Among the sights there was one which in- terested him much, being a school of industry, but he found it was devoted mostly to the mak- ing of ornaments instead of ploughs and reapers. From here he went to see the collection of ti- gers kept for the Prince. On returning to the residence where they had taken up their quar- ters, the party found a company of servants on the veranda, each carrying a tray laden with fruits and sweetmeats, sent from the palace by the 500 LIFE OF GRANT. Maharaja, with a message that he would receive General Grant at five o'clock. The latter drove to the palace at four, and was shown the royal stables, and saw feats of horsemanship that as- tonished him. The party was then led to the top of the palace, from which a fine view of the city was obtained. It constitutes about one-sixth of the city, and shelters within its walls, includ- ing attendants, soldiers, priests, beggars, and politicians, about ten thousand people. They strolled leisurely through the various apart- ments till five o'clock, when they went to the reception hall. A little complimentary speech- making followed, carried on through an inter- preter, when His Highness made a gesture, and a troop of dancing girls filed in to give one of those sacred dances, called the Nautch, which is danced by Hindoo girls of low caste before the idols in the temple. It was a stupid perform- ance, without grace or beauty, which Grant felt to be a great bore, and he gave a sigh of relief when it was at last over. His Highness then proposed a game of billiards. The General ac- cepted, though anything but a brilliant player. The Prince considered it a piece of Oriental po- liteness to let his guest beat, and so gave him every opportunity to do so, but all in vain. He said to one of his attendants, that he tried to let the American beat him, but could not succeed ; BY THE MAHARAJA. 501 not a very great compliment to the General's playing. A stroll through the beautiful gar- dens followed till dark, when innumerable torches were lighted, giving a new charm to the scene. They then repaired to the hall, and went through the ceremony of leave-taking. This was a very elaborate affair, and when it was over the Prince took Grant by the hand, and led him out to the gateway, where the carriages were waiting. The guard presented arms, and they whirled away escorted by a troop of cav- alry. The Maharaja had proposed to get up a grand tiger-hunt in his honor, but Grant de- clined on account of want of time. Before taking his long journey to Calcutta, whither he was now bound, Grant resolved to visit Lucknow, that bore so tragical a part in the great mutiny, and which is so intimately associated with the brave Havelock and his heroic deeds. From here he went to Allahabad, the city of God, regarded by all Hindoos as the holiest place in the world. It stands at the junction of the Jumna and Ganges. , The faithful resort to it from all quarters in the winter, and by Janu- ary 12th there are sometimes collected here two million souls, their white tents covering the surrounding plain for miles. From here to Benares it is about seventy 502 LIFE OF GKANT. miles, Grant's next stopping place. He arrived after dark, yet the officials were there to receive him, with a guard of honor drawn up in line and a band of music. With uncovered head Grant walked down the line to the carriage that was waiting to receive him. British officers and native princes in gorgeous uniform escorted him, and in a blaze of torches that lit up the Oriental scene, he was taken to the house of the English Commissioner. Benares is the holy place of the Hindoos, as Allahabad is of the Mohammedans, and is lit- erally a city of priests, for in a population of 200,000 there are 25,000 Brahmins, who prac- tically govern the city, and own all its temples and streams. It is an unattractive city, with streets too narrow to admit of a carriage, and the upper classes are transported through them in sedan-chairs. Some of them will not permit two persons to walk abreast. The Commissioner had provided sedan-chairs for the use of Gen- eral Grant and his party, in which to make the tour of the city. But the former did not like this mode of conveyance, and determined to go on foot. There being no carriages makes it a very silent city, and as they moved along through these mere gashes between the houses the effect was very strange. The first temple they entered was alive with chattering monkeys, AT ALLAHABAD AND BEISTARES. 503 while stalls were arranged around the walls for the cows and calves which the Hindoos hold sacred. They worship God through animals, and hence both the latter and worshippers mingle together in the temple in the most familiar way. One of the girls having flung a garland of flowers over Mrs. Grant's neck, a sacred cow made a rush for it, and was munch- ing it like a wisp of hay before anyone, could interfere. A policeman, who rushed to the rescue, had a good deal of trouble to make her give up the savory morsel. In the centre of the temple was a hideous- looking idol, before which was a Brahmin praying. Strolling from temple to temple, they found them very much alike, and soon grew weary of them. There is said to be over four hundred thousand in the city. Ascending to the top of the observatory, they looked down on the city flashing in the sunlight, which with the sacred Ganges flowing close along its walls made a beautiful picture. Descending, they went aboard a steam-launch, and passed before the city, that from the water presents a strik- ing appearance. They passed the Ghat, or place where the dead are burned, and saw a funeral procession slowly enter it. It is a twenty-four hours' ride from Benares to Calcutta, where his India tour was to end, 504 1IFE OF GRANT. with nothing to interest the traveller on the way, except the spectacle of camels and ele- phants ploughing like oxen in the fields. The arrival of General Grant at this capital of the British Empire in the East was the occasion of great display and imposing ceremonies. His route had been very carefully studied, in order to see in a given time as much as possible of this empire of India, embracing 1,500,000 square miles, and containing 200,000,000 peo- ple. Its grandeur and glory once centred in the great Mogul Empire, the capitals of which were Agra and Delhi. Allahabad is the centre of Mohammedanism, and Benares of Hindooism. Now he had reached Calcutta, where lives the Viceroy who governs this vast empire. Lord Lytton, Viceroy at this time, had postponed his usual departure for Simla, his summer residence in the Himalaya Mountains, in order to receive General Grant with becoming honors. The public buildings, of course, were visited, and on the annual convocation for conferring the University degrees Grant was invited to attend the imposing ceremony. The Vice-Chancellor made a speech after the degrees were conferred, in which he referred to General Grant as an il- lustration of what a noble ambition, combined with patient resolution and strong purpose, could accomplish. In the evening the in e vita- DESCRIPTION OF CALCUTTA. 505 ble state dinner, with its toasts and almost ster- eotyped speeches, followed. The next morning he was taken by a select company in the Vice- roy's yacht twelve miles up the Hoogly, to the country-place of the latter, and lunched beneath a banyan tree, with a band of music to add to the entertainment. They returned just in time to attend a state dinner given in General Grant's honor. There was one peculiarity in Calcutta that he had not before seen. The streets are cleaned of garbage by jackals, which after midnight have the run of the city, filling it with their half-human cries, and at dawn skulk away to the sewers and other hiding places. The method of watering the streets is also quite original. A goat-skin filled with water is strapped around a cooly, with the neck left open, through which he squirts with great dexterity the water as he walks. Of course, this work requires a great many men, but it is well done. While here, General Grant received a despatch which compelled him to change all his plans. It informed him that the Richmond, which he expected to meet here, would not ar- rive for some time, and he, therefore, resolved to go to China without it. But before doing so, he concluded to make a flying trip to Burmah, a place not originally embraced in his plans. Rangoon is its commercial centre, and as such 506 LIFE OF GRANT. he took a good deal of interest in it. The prin- cipal object of curiosity here is the great pagoda standing on the banks of the Irrawaddy. Re- ligion is the essential feature in every province of India, and Grant had carefully noted the Workings of Mohammedanism and Hindooism, and here he was brought in contact with the third great religion of the East, Buddhism. Its priests are not hereditary, and have no caste. They do not marry, live a self-denying monastic life, dress in yellow gowns yellow being a sacred color and have their heads and beards closely shaven. They sleep in a sitting posture, and spend their time praying and chanting hymns, and other religious rites and ceremonies. Animal life is held sacred, and hence a Buddhist temple is very much like a barnyard. One of the curious sights in Burmah is the employ- ment of elephants on the wharves in loading and unloading vessels, the huge animals picking up a log as easily as a man would his cane. Grant's disappointment concerning the arrival of the Richmond having caused him to abandon some points marked down in his plan of travel, he determined to make a trip to little Siam, in answer to an invitation sent him by the King. Making a pleasant run down the coast of Burmah, through the Straits of Malacca to Singapore, he, on April 9th, took the little BUDDHISM ON" THE WAY TO SIAM. 507 steamer Kong Lee, and slipped over to the Bay of Siam. This is a beautiful little bay, studded with green islands, but from some cause or other a very stormy sheet of water. It was thought it would take about four days to reach Bangkok, the Siamese capital. It rained when they started, but it soon cleared up, and night came down on the sea in Oriental splendor, and the little party grouped on deck sat and talked of home. It was just fourteen years ago that night that Grant received Lee's letter asking on what terms he would accept his surrender. What a world of strange memories and thrilling associations it brought back. They sat up late, watching the stars and the slowly heaving sea, drinking in the exhilarating air, and finally concluded to have mattresses brought up to sleep on deck. But they had hardly composed themselves for the night, when the watch aroused them with the information that it was going to rain. In a moment it was all hurry- scurry for the cabin. The captain, however, saying that the black cloud which they saw coming over the deep would bring only wind, most of them lay down again. But before they had time to fall asleep, a roaring sound was heard, and then the rain came down in torrents. So sudden and violent was the storm, that they left mattresses and blankets all behind them and 508 tIFE OF GHAKt. rusted for the cabin. The subsequent nights were a constant repetition of this one, till at last they reached the Bay of Siam. Arriving at ten o'clock in the morning, they lay off the port and bar all day waiting for a tug to take them in. It was nine o'clock in the evening, before the pilot came aboard. He then ordered the anchor up, and the vessel was got under way. But the night was dark, and after losing his way and floundering about for an hour, he ordered it dropped again. To add to the vexation, a storm of wind and rain set in, covering the little craft with breakers, and fill- ing it with water, making everybody so utterly uncomfortable that all wished Siam were in some other part of the world. But the welcome morning at length dawned, and the royal yacht, with the American colors at the fore and those of Siam at the main, was seen bearing down on them. The American Consul, accompanied by an aid of the King, soon came on board, and welcomed Grant in the name of the Sovereign. The rain was coming down in torrents, and the sea running high, as the party stepped into the boat to be transferred to the yacht. As they approached it, the toss- ing boat was hurled by the waves against one of the paddle-wheels, which was in motion, and for a minute it seemed inevitable that it must WELCOMED BY THE KING OF SIAM. 509 swamp. But by great effort it was pushed clear of the wheel and righted, and the party, drenched to the skin, climbed to the deck of the yacht. It would have been a sad ending to his trip if the General had been drowned in the paltry Bay of Siam. It is some thirty miles up the river to Bang- kok, the capital, situated on the River Menam. This stream divides the city, and the yacht kept on for some three miles or more between the houses that lined the banks. Some of these were built on rafts and moored to the shore, while large clumsy boats, paddled by half -naked natives, were moving around in every direction, giving a half -savage, barbaric look to everything. At four o'clock, the party stepped aboard the royal gondola, and were rowed to shore, where a brilliant retinue were in waiting. As they mounted the landing-steps, a band of music struck up "Hail Columbia," a cavalry escort wheeled into line, and soon they were on the way to the palace of the Prince, set apart for their accommodation, and standing close to that of the King. The Prince himself met them at the head of the marble stairway, and welcomed them. Giving his arm to Mrs. Grant, he led the way to the great audience-chamber, where he made a little speech, and gracefully put his pal- ace and all it contained at their disposal. In 510 LIFE OP GEANT. the evening a grand dinner was given, and a programme of banquets, fetes, and sight-seeing was prepared on such a grand scale that Grant was quite overwhelmed. It was necessary to cut it down greatly, as he said that he must re- turn to Singapore by the mail steamer which returned on Friday, thus giving him only five days to Siam. The party would willingly have made the time still shorter, for it rained inces- santly, forming pools in the courtyard, and beat- ing into the windows of the palace. A visit was made in a gondola to the regent, who received him in state, the band playing the " Star Spangled Banner," the first time Grant had heard it, as all the bands of other countries thought " Hail Columbia " was our national air. It was said, however, that the General did not know the difference. The interview was quite lengthy, as was that also with the second King afterward. Speeches were made through an in- terpreter; and compliments and kind wishes for the prosperity of each other's country ex- changed. But the reception given by the first King, the real King, which came last, was the most stately and brilliant of all. The first King does all the governing, and the second simply draws his large income. The next day the King gave Grant and his BANQUETTED BY STAMPS KING. 511 party a royal dinner, the silver service of which, ornamented with the design of the three-headed elephant, is said to have cost 50,000 in England. The King, ia a complimentary speech, toasted Grant, to which the latter replied in a neat speech, in which he spoke in the warmest terms of the kind reception that had been given him, and said he should always feel a deep interest in the prosperity of Siam, and toasted the King. They then retired to the audience-chamber, where a long conversation took place between Grant and the King, and Mrs. Grant and the Queen, who had not been at the dinner-table, the King expressing over again his warm admi- ration of America, and the great pleasure he felt at having made General Grant's acquaintance. One of the principal objects worth seeing here is the great pagoda, two hundred feet high, covered all over with glittering ornaments, while silver-toned bells are hung from every point and angle, that are set ringing by the wind, till the air is filled with the soft, mysterious music. The interior is bewildering, with the wealth and beauty that adorn it White marble col- umns, gilded cornices, pearly gates everything that wealth could purchase are lavished upon it. But Grant's time was so short that most of ifc was taken up in ceremonial visits, banquets, etc., and Siam outside of Bangkok was left unvisited CHAPTER XXXII. Off for Hong-KongReceived with a Display of Fireworks His Visit to the Viceroy Swatow The Governor's Queer Gift Reception on Board of an American Man- of -War Shang- hai Imposing Spectacle as Grant Entered the Port Fireworks and Torchlight Procession A Brilliant Spec- tacle Peking Interview with the Prince Regent Inter- esting Discussions Description of the City Last Inter- view Reception at Tien-Tsin Long Interview with the Viceroy on the Chinese Question in California The Loo- choo Islands A Singular Farewell Dinner A Visit to the Chinese Wall Nagasaki Reception An Extraordinary DinnerReception at Yeddo, the CapitalJapan Life in It. IN the last of April, 1879, General Grant took the steamer Ashuelot for Canton, for the pur- pose of making a short visit to China and Japan, before returning to America. The real port of Canton is Hong-Kong, ninety miles distant, at the mouth of the Pearl River. Here the forts saluted him, as well as those on the banks of the river on the way up. It was dark when he reached the city, but as the boat steamed to her anchorage blue lights and rockets arose from river and shore, and variegated fireworks lighted up the river and shipping and the thousands of up-turned OFF FOR HONG-KONG. 513 faces like day, while the thunder of cannon made the reception a right royal one. General Grant, the next day, remained at the Consul's house to receive formal calls, while the rest of the party strolled through the streets to see the sights. He called on the Viceroy the following day, and was received with great pomp and ceremony, crowds gathering in the streets to see the American King, as the advertising cards dis- tributed through the streets called him. After the first introductions were over the Viceroy led his guest into another room, where were tables loaded with sweetmeats and fruits, and cups of tea and wine. As a special compli- ment, the Viceroy helped his distinguished guest with his own delicate ivory chopsticks. It was a wearisome day to Grant, and he was glad to get back to the consulate, where he could enjoy his cigar in quietness. The few days spent here were mostly taken up with visits of ceremony, dinners, etc. He then steamed back to Hong-Kong, where more honors awaited him, when amid a salute of guns, he turned north- ward. Reaching Swatow on May 13th, he went ashore, and the party strolled around the town for an hour, and then returned on board. The Governor soon after called on him, and as it was the custom, he said, in making calls, to 514 LIFE OF GBAOT. bring presents, he had brought along a live sheep, six live chickens, six ducks, and four hams. Grant accepted them very graciously, and after he was gone turned them over to the servants, which gave them quite a feast. The next city was Amoy, where Grant landed, and after spending a few hours returned on board to attend a reception given him by the American man-of-war Bangor, then in port, and which was a grand affair. Keeping on, on the 17th they steamed into the port of Shanghai, and were welcomed with salutes from all the forts, while every vessel fluttered with flags, and 100,000 Chinese gathered at the landing not shouting, like an American crowd, but quiet and still as at a funeral. The horses of the carriage that was to convey him to the consulate became fright- ened at the crowd and music, and refused to go, when the guard seized it and dragged it by hand, amid cheers, to the house. Two days after, a torchlight procession and illumination was given in his honor. It was a wonderful affair, and such as the Chinese alone can get up. Variegated lights streamed in all directions from land and water, till the whole air was ablaze with light, while fireworks of every de- scription wove such a fiery net-work over the sky that it seemed a dome of fire. It was one of the most remarkable sights General Grant SHANGHAI SALtJTES OKANT. 61 8 had ever seen, and lie rode slowly all along the shore to witness it, and then returned to the house, to review the brilliant procession, as it inarched by with lights and transparencies, and bands playing our national airs. His brief visit ended, he set sail for Peking, the capital of the Empire. Tien-tsin, near the mouth of the Pei-ho River, its port, is one hun- dred and eighty miles from it by water, though only about half that distance by land. The stream was too shallow for the Ashuelot, while there was no way to travel by land except on horseback or in ox-carts. Mrs. Grant could not go by either way, and so it was concluded to take boats. A mandarin boat was given to General Grant, smaller ones to the others, and the little fleet started for Peking sometimes carried sluggishly forward by the wind, some- times towed from the shore with a rope, and sometimes poled along. They made their slow way inland through fields of rice, green meadows and orchards, sleeping in their cages at night. Grant, for a change, would occasion- ally go ashore and take a stretch through the meadows across some wide bend. On the third day they reached the village of Tung-chaw, where the water journey ended. The Prince Regent had sent down to this point chairs and horses and donkeys, both for the 516 MFE Otf GRANT. party and the baggage. Grant was carried in an imperial chair by eight bearers. Moving for- ward at a snail's pace, it was five hours before the walls of Peking rose in sight. Met at the gate by a new escort that kicked up a terrible dust in their faces, they were conducted through an immense and gaping crowd to the house of the American Minister, where a cool and quiet room awaited Grant, much to his relief and delight. The Prince Regent sent his card, and said that his Imperial Highness had directed him to present his kind wishes and bid him welcome to China. This Imperial Highness, who was so royally complaisant was a child only seven years old. Grant declined the honor of being presented to a mere boy, as he termed him, but called on the Prince Regent the next day, and was ushered into a plainly furnished room, where was a table loaded with food. There can be no display in China without eat- ing. Seeing that Colonel Grant had on a uni- form and his father none, he inquired his rank, and then politely asked him if he were married and had children. Being answered in the af- firmative, and that he had one child, a daughter, he replied : " What a pity ! " Girls are at a discount in China. It was a long interview, in which the condi- tion of the country, its material prosperity, the IN PEKING WITH THE PRINCE REGENT* 51 7 development of its resources, etc., were discussed. General Grant saying everything he could in favor of a different policy in the empire, in opening it to foreign countries, as well as making an advance toward modern civiliza- tion. Before the dinner was finished, Grant took his leave, to visit the English College for the Chinese Youth. It is under the direction of Dr. Martin, an American. One of the students read him quite an address in English, made up chiefly of eulogies. The Prince promptly returned the call of Grant, and another long conversation took place between them, and finally the former touched on the subject of the Loochoo Islands, over which both China and Japan claimed sover- eignty, and asked if he would be willing to aid by his counsel and advice in a settlement of the difficulty, which threatened to end in war. After a full discussion of the matter, the latter replied, that, as he was going to Japan as the guest of the Emperor, he would do everything in his power to bring about a peaceable adjust- ment, adding that great concessions should be made before resorting to hostilities, as war should always be avoided, if possible, as a great evil. There is very little to be seen in Peking but the city itself, and the queer costumes and 518 LIFE OF GKAOT. manners of the country that dates back almost to the flood. The city is divided into two parts, the Chinese and Tartaiyboth enclosed in a wall, that of the latter being very high, and so broad at the top that twelve horsemen can ride abreast on it. The two form a square eighteen miles in circumference. The streets through it are straight, and three miles long from wall to wall, the principal one being one hundred and twenty feet wide, and lined with shops that, with their Oriental stuffs and knick-knacks, present a gay appearance. The houses, however, are low and unpretentious. One thing especially struck the traveller, and that was the vast and never-end- ing throng of people that crowded through the streets. In their last interview, Grant thanked the Prince for the presents he had sent Mrs. Grant. The latter replied he was sorry they were not more worthy of her acceptance, but he was unwilling they should leave China without carrying back one or two souvenirs of his country. This was a long interview, and at its close the Prince took a glass of champagne, telling the interpreter to express to General Grant the pleasure his visit had given him, and to say that he wished to drink his health and wish him a prosperous voyage. The General re- sponded, and leading his august friend to the P&feSENTS AND DINNER TO MfcS. GRANT. 519 door, bade him adieu, when he stepped into his chair and departed. Grant now started back for Tien-tsin, where he was received by the Viceroy with a small army, with banners and gongs and drums and great display. In the interview that followed, the Viceroy entered at once on the Chinese question in California. This was discussed at great length, and then the difficulty respecting the Loochoo Islands was taken up and gone over again. At the close of the interview, the Viceroy expressed the hope that he would again be President, to which the latter replied that he had no such desire or expectation. The Richmond, that had been so long ex- pected, having now arrived off the Pei-ho River, Grant prepared to take his departure. But a farewell dinner must first be given. A remarkable thing was connected with this a more remarkable one, perhaps, could hardly have occurred in China. This dinner was given to Mrs. Grant, to which the ladies of the Ameri- cans in the place were invited. These ladies had lived here for years, and had never seen the Viceroy's wife, nor him either, except through the blinds of the window of his chair. This terrible innovation in the customs of China was the talk of the city, and thirty years ago no Viceroy in the empire would have dared to be guilty of it. 520 LIFE OF GRAM. It came off, however, without incident, and when the ladies returned at eleven o'clock at night Grant went on board the steamer, and the next morning was conveyed to the Richmond. The Viceroy went out in his yacht, accompanied by a fleet of gunboats, to bid him good-by. As he came aboard, the vessels' yards were manned, and the national salute was fired. He remained in close conversation with Grant for an hour, the latter urging on him still more earnestly the enlightened policy he had before recommended to Prince Klang. The partings over, amid the roar of cannon the steamer turned her prow northward. Gen- eral Grant wishing to see the great wall of China, the steamer sailed along the coast till the officers, through their glasses, caught sight of the end of it where it descended, a black line, into the sea. Landing in a boat, they ex- amined this ruined structure, built of stone and brick more than two thousand years ago 1,500 miles long, 30 feet high, and 15 feet broad on the top. The main interest attached to it is its antiquity. Strange thoughts arise in the mind of one as he looks on its zigzag line and thinks that hundreds of years before Christ was born millions of men were toiling on it, carrying it over steep mountains, across deep valleys and rapid streams, fondly believing they SEES THE GREAT WALL OP CHIKA. 521 were erecting a barrier that for all time the rash invader would dash against in vain, little dream- ing the day would come when it would be as worthless as a pasteboard fence. There is a little village close by where it dips into the sea, filled with beggars, and where the people were grinding corn just as they did more than two thousand years ago. After strolling awhile through it, carried back by the costumes and occupations to the dim, far-ofE ages, they returned on board ship. Steaming away, they next morning entered the port of Chefoo, noted chiefly as a resort for invalids, on account of its pure and healthy breezes. Landing here, Gen- eral Grant wandered about the place, noting the people and their habits, until midnight, when he returned on board ship, which bore away toward Japan, and on June 21st entered the port of Nagasaki, one of the most beautiful in the world, and was received with those dis- plays and ceremonies accorded him at every place. Two days after, the merchants gave him an old- fashioned dinner, as in the time of the Daimios, in an old temple in the city. The bill of fare was something wonderful, consisting of fifty courses, the first course alone containing over twenty different dishes. It took four hours to finish this, when the capacity for more storage 522 UFE OF GRAKT. seemed exhausted, and a rest was taken, and a band of female musicians and dancing girls came in and entertained them for awhile The respite over, they went at this astonishing feast again, and kept it up for several hours, till one wondered at the capacity of the human stom- ach, but not that the cholera was raging in the country. Grant could not stand it, and quietly with- drew, and went out on the hill-side to smoke his cigar and gaze on the bonfires blazing below in his honor. The chief visit, however, in Japan was to be made to Yeddo, the capital. It was a warm July day when the steamer entered the bay of Yokohama, about twenty miles distant from Yeddo, the residence of the King. A Japanese convoy led the way, and the Richmond steamed slowly forward, amid flut- tering flags and the incessant roar of guns. Officials in brilliant uniforms came on board to welcome the distinguished guest. After re- ceiving them formally, Grant descended to the barge amid a general salute, and was rowed slowly away to the landing, passing the various ships in the harbor, with all their flags flying, taking off his hat as each thundered its salute over the water, while bands of music struck up our national airs. The yards of each were manned, and cheer after cheer rose out of the AT YOKOHAMA AND TEBDO. 523 smoke that curled up around their stately hulls and rolled away over the bay. It was twelve o'clock when he landed. The princes and minis- ters of the empire were awaiting him, among others Iwakura, who, having known General Grant when President, received him like an old acquaintance. It took about an hour on the railroad to reach Tokio, or Yeddo, where a great crowd had as- sembled, and also a citizens' committee, that, of course, had to read a long and complimentary address of welcome, to which Grant, as usual, n;ade a brief response. It had been arranged by the Japanese Emperor that the reception of his guest should take place on July 4th, as a special compliment, and so he was driven to the Em- peror's summer palace of Eurio Kwan, which had been put in readiness for his reception. The next day, the Fourth, driving through the city gates and the Daimio's quarters, Gen- eral Grant came to the palace, on the steps of which Iwakura was standing to receive him, The royal palace had none of the magnificence of those generally in the East, but was a modest two-story building, more like the house of a wealthy American gentleman than a royal residence. It was furnished in the same simple and tasteful manner. Grant with his party were escorted through a short passage to 524 LIFE OF GRANT. another room, where the Emperor and Empress stood awaiting them, with two princes beside them, and two ladies in a crouching attitude near. The Emperor, a young, spare man, with black hair and beard and a piercing black eye, stood perfectly motionless, looking intently on Gen- eral Grant as he slowly advanced toward him. He then stepped forward, and did what had never before been seen in Japan, reached out his arm and shook hands with him. This seems a trifling matter, yet, as an innovation of Japanese etiquette and customs, it spoke volumes, and was indeed the highest compliment he could pay the American sol- dier. It is true, not being accustomed to that every -day performance of the General, he did it rather awkwardly. Our Minister, Mr. Bing- ham, then advanced, who received simply a slight nod of recognition. The General and his wife were then presented to the princesses, while the Emperor stood with his hand resting upon his sword, as if unconscious of the brill- iant group before him. A nobleman now ad- vanced, and read in English the Emperor's ad- dress of welcome, in which he simply expressed his pleasure at seeing him, and thanked him for his kindness to the Japanese ambassador when he was in the United States, and expressed the wish that his visit would be a pleasant one. THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS OF JAPAN. 525 Grant in reply returned his thanks, and said that his country reciprocated the kind feelings of Japan toward it, and took a deep interest in everything that concerned her welfare. This was followed by a welcome to Mrs. Grant by the Empress, to which the former replied : " I thank you very much. I have visited many countries, and have seen many beautiful places, but I have seen none so beautiful or so charm- ing as Japan." This closed the ceremonies, and Grant and his party retired. The rest of the day was spent in receiving calls. In the evening they attended a party, given in one of the summer gardens by the American residents of the city. They were received by Mr. Bing- ham in quite a lengthy address, which was fol- lowed by one from the General, in which he disavowed the exclusive praise bestowed upon him for his great military services, and said it should be distributed to every brave soldier in the war. There were other speeches and toasts, and fireworks, which made it seem quite like a Fourth of July at home. The 7th was set apart for a review of the Japanese army, of which the Emperor is very proud. As General Grant, escorted by the cavalry formed in a hollow square, drove onto the field, the bands struck up " Hail Co- lumbia," and the soldiers presented arms. En- 526 LIFE OF GRANT. tering two tents prepared for him and his party, he awaited the arrival of the Emperor. Soon the pealing of trumpets, followed by the bands striking up the national air, announced his coming. As the Emperor approached the tent in which was General Grant, the latter ad- vanced to the steps of the carriage and shook hands with him. The review followed, and when it was over Grant and his party drove ofE to the Shilo palace to dine with the Emperor. At the dinner the Emperor conversed a great deal with General Grant, and expressed a wish to have a private interview with him, when they could converse more freely. After dinner they sat and looked out on the charming view that spread away before them, drinking in the refreshing breezes that stole in from the sea, and smoking their cigars. The palace set apart for General Grant was on an island, sur- rounded with extensive grounds laid out and decked in Oriental beauty. On the veranda of this charming retreat, Grant was accustomed, while he staid, to sit almost every evening, look- ing off on the quiet scene spread out before him, smoking his cigar, and conversing with his fam- ily and friends. It was too hot to go out much during the day, and he usually remained at home receiving calls, visits of ceremony, etc. Servants and guards were everywhere, and BINES WITH THE EMPEROR. 527 scarcely an hour passed in which the sound of a trumpet did not announce some distinguished visitor. The ladies sometimes in the afternoon would stroll through the streets of Tokio, look- ing at the shops and buying various curiosities to take home with them. The cholera was in the country, which kept them very quiet. More than a month was thus passed in idleness and luxurious repose. On August 10th the private interview that the Emperor had requested took place, in a little summer-house in the grounds of the palace that Grant occupied. It was car- ried on through an interpreter, and was a very lengthy one. Many topics were discussed, among them the British policy in the East, and national indebtedness, which Grant impressed on the Em- peror he should carefully avoid, giving Egypt as an example. He brought up also the ques- tion of the Loochoo Islands, as he had promised while in China he would do. He spoke long and earnestly on this subject, and warned him against the counsels of foreign powers that would bring on a war which they would turn to their own benefit. He also spoke of the educa- tional system of Japan. In short, he gave the young Emperor sound and statesman-like advice. It would be impossible to give only the general drift of the conversation that took place in an interview that lasted two hours. The result 528 LIFE OF GRANT. showed that it bore good fruits. The advice, which impressed the Emperor the more deeply from the earnest tone and manner in which it was urged, was to beware of the intrigues of foreign powers, that curse of the East. But this delightful sojourn and rest drew to a close, and Grant, not wishing to return home at present, cast about for the next country to visit. Various routes were suggested, but they were one by one abandoned, and it was at last resolved to turn their footsteps homeward. Then there was a deal of packing up to do, for what with purchases and presents they had a small ship-load of curious and costly things. It was on Saturday that General Grant went to the Emperor's palace to bid him adieu. This he did in a formal and for him quite a lengthy speech. In the evening princes and high offi- cials and naval officers and Americans came in crowds to bid him good-by, making a brilliant reception. Monday they went to Yokohama. Here all the ceremonies that took place on Grant's arrival were renewed at his departure. Committees of citizens, military escorts, bands of music, day fireworks, brilliant displays of flags, and gatherings of friends made it a day long to be remembered by the people of Yoko- hama. But the last hour came, and General Grant and his party stepped into the barge DEPARTURE #ROM JAPAK. 529 and were rowed to the steamer Tokio. Soon the last farewell was said, the last friend stepped over the side of the ship, the last line was thrown off, and as the crew of the Rich- mond manned the yards, and the ship thun- dered forth her salute, the Tokio slowly passed down the bay, and the masts of the vessels and walls of the town gradually faded away from the eyes of those on deck, and soon the good ship, under full headway, was ploughing the waters of the Pacific, and the most remarkable visit ever made, and probably ever will be made, by an American to the Old World, was ended. The brilliant round of receptions by kings, emperors, and citizens for the last two years and more were now things of the past, and the little party would sit on deck with nothing but the wide ocean around them and talk them over. But another and grander ovation than all was await- ing General Grant when his feet should once more press the soil of his native land, for it was to be given not merely to the representative of his government, nor as a compliment to the man and his deeds, or as tokens of mere admiration, but to the saviour of his country, and be the spontaneous outpouring of a nation's gratitude and love. The news of the day of his depart- ure from Yokohama had been received. The telegraph-wires had flashed it down the coast 34 530 LIFE of China and India, through the depths of the Indian Ocean to Africa, along the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, through Europe to Liv- erpool, under the waves of the Atlantic to New York, and across the continent to San Fran- cisco, where it fell like an electric spark on the hearts of the people of the Pacific coast, and the most elaborate preparations at once were set on foot to receive their illustrious fellow- citizen. CHAPTER XXXHL Waiting for the Toldo Great Excitement as the Smoke of the Steamer is Sighted Enthusiasm of the People The Pro- cession Public Reception at the Mayor's Office Visits the Forts of the Harbor Trip to Oakland To Santa Clara Reception by School-Children Visits the Yosemite Valley A Trip to Portland Visits Sacramento Starts East- Lake Taheo Summit Capital of Nevada A Visit to the Famous Consolidated Virginia Mine Enters the Tunnel Grant Reproves a Man for His Profanity At Sidney At Omaha At Home in Galena Reception at Chicago A Great Day Banquets Addresses afterward. THE steamer was expected about the middle of September, but she was a little behind time, hence for three days flags and decorations had lined the streets of the city, and everything was kept on the tiptoe of expectation. Saturday morning at last dawned, yet no Tokio was in sight, and the committee in charge of the recep- tion assembled in the afternoon to deliberate about the propriety of putting off the demon- stration till Monday, should the steamer not arrive till evening. In the meantime every hill -top and high point commanding a view of the ocean was covered with people straining their eyes seaward. At length, about half -past three, a black column of smoke, bending like a 532 LIFE OF GRANT. plume, was outlined against the western sky. Immediately the shout, " The Tokio has come ! The Tokio has come ! " ran from lip to lip. The telegraph and telephones sent the news flying through the city, while the bell on the Merchants' Exchange sent forth its loud clang. Bells in every direction answered it, the steam whistles swelled the uproar, and the population poured forth into the streets, swarmed up the heights and along the city wall, and hung in crowds around every point that commanded a view of the ocean. Steadily the unconscious steamer bore down on the coast, till her huge hull rose completely into view. It was two hours after the smoke from her smoke-stacks was seen above the horizon before she neared the port. At half -past five the boom- ing of a gun near the mouth of the harbor came rolling up the bay, followed by another and an- other till every fort was thundering forth its salute, wreathing the surface of the bay with such a cloud of white smoke that for a while it shut out the steamer from view. The reception committee had already taken a tug and stood out to sea to welcome the Tokio. A little later the committee of arrangements, with thousands of citizens, boarded the Pacific Mail steamer China, and steamed down the bay. The sun was stooping to the western horizon, heavy mists were gathering on the surrounding WELCOMED BACK TO SAN FRANCISCO. 533 mountains and heights, and night was fast com- ing on, when at last the huge hull of the vessel loomed out of the smoke of the guns and ap- proached the wharf. The population gathered on the heights and roofs of houses had poured down to meet it, and cheers louder than the thunder of the guns shook the water. It was seven o'clock when General Grant landed from the ferry-boat Oakland. As he stepped ashore he was met by the committee, and introduced to Mayor Bryant, who welcomed him in a speech of some length, to which Gen- eral Grant simply replied : " Mayor Bryant, I thank you and the city of San Francisco for this cordial welcome, and I feel great pleasure in returning to California after a quarter of a century's absence." He was then escorted to a carriage, where he was compelled to wait for an hour before the procession began to move. This was composed of an immense multitude, and as the electric lights flashed down on it, making everything light as day, it seemed that the en- tire population of the city was in the streets. Beneath archways of flags, through" parallel rows of festoons and draperies, it moved up Market Street to Montgomery, thence to Mont- gomery Avenue and back to Market Street, then countermarched to New Montgomery Street, fol- lowed by cheers that rolled in a continuous wave 534 LIFE OF GBANT. through the streets, and finally drew up to the Palace Hotel, in New Montgomery Street, pass- ing, in so doing, under a lofty arch hung with the national colors, and bearing the inscription, " Welcome to General Grant." Here the car- riage of the General drew up and he reviewed the mighty procession, as it slowly marched past, rending the heavens with their shouts. As he alighted from the carriage and entered o o the hotel, the shouting crowd surged after him, while a chorus of three hundred and fifty voices serenaded him from one of the balconies. In answer to the loud and repeated calls of the multitude, he appeared on the balcony of the fourth floor, and bowed to them, and then retired. Still the enthusiastic populace would not leave, and the mayor, to quiet them, ap- peared, and told them that as soon as General Grant had finished his dinner he would show himself. He did so, and was received with deafening applause. Mounting a chair which the mayor passed over the heads of the crowd, he said, as soon as the shouts would allow him to be heard : " Fellow- Citizens of San Francisco After twenty-five years of absence I am glad to meet you, and assure you of my cordial thanks for the kind greeting you have given me. I shall stay in your city to greet you more fully." THE CHINESE WELCOME HIM. 535 Amid the long and tremendous cheering that followed, he escaped to his room, and the pag- eant was over. Although the next day (Sun- day) was a day of rest, and he kept almost en- tirely to his room, yet from the multitude of callers he was compelled to hold a sort of levee. Two days after he held a reception in the mayor's room. The hour was fixed at one o'clock, but long before that time an immense crowd was gathered in front of the building, and blocked all the streets leading to it. At ten. minutes before one the booming of cannon announced his approach, and as soon as he ap- peared the mighty throng broke out into long and deafening applause. A short time after Mrs. Grant arrived, and took her position in a room assigned to the ladies. Before the recep- tion began, an address to General Grant by the Chinese of the city, through their representa- tives, was presented. To this was added by the dignitaries : u To General Grant We join our voices to prolong the paean which has girdled the earth and wafted over seas and continents. Praises to the warrior and states- man ! Most graciously presented by the Chinese of California." To which the General briefly responded, speaking warmly of the kindness and hospitality he received in China, and ex- pressing his interest in her future development. 536 LIFE OF GRANT. The multitude were then admitted, and poured in one dense throng through the room, shaking hands with him as they passed on. He visited the Produce Exchange on the 24th, and after- ward was taken by General McDowell in a tug to the various forts around the harbor. The next day, in response to an invitation from the authorities of Oakland, he visited that city, and was received with a display almost equal to that made at San Francisco. A large procession, with banners and devices, escorted him through the streets. A grand banquet followed, at which Grant made a short speech, and then was driven to the station to take the return train to San Francisco. An immense crowd was gathered there to see him off; while waiting a few minutes, some ladies passed for- ward to greet him, and among them a little girl, who showed so much eagerness to get a glimpse of him, that she was caught up and passed, with shouts, over the heads of the crowd till she reached General Grant. The latter took her in his arms and kissed her, at which the multitude broke forth in deafening cheers. He visited also the annual fair at Santa Clara. A pleasing incident of his short stay in that city was a reception of the children of the public schools at Woodward's, some twenty thousand in number. VISITS SEVERAL CITIES. 537 On the 30th he and his party started for the Yosemite Valley. Halting a short time at Stockton, where a procession met him, he finally reached the valley on October 3d. As he stood in that wondrous valley, surrounded by those gigantic forms of nature that hem it in, he felt a wonder and awe that all the mighty ruins of the Old World could not produce. Re- turning to San Francisco, the Chamber of Com- merce and Board of Trade gave him a reception. He then took a steamer for Portland, Ore., where he arrived on the 13th, and was received as usual with a great demonstration by the people. He visited some of the adjoining towns, but on the 21st was back again in San Fran- cisco. After visiting the naval station at Mare Island, he made a flying trip to Sacramento at the invitation of the authorities, and remained there receiving the hospitalities of the city till the 26th, when he returned to San Francisco. At length, his visit being ended, he took the train for Nevada, and was soon climbing the slopes of the mountains on his way to the east. He reached Truckee Station at noon the next day, and after visiting Lake Tahoe and viewing the scenery, he slowly climbed by rail to Sum- mit only three miles distant in a straight line, but nine by the railroad that creeps like a snake up the steep ascent feasting his eyes at every 538 LIFE OF GRANT. turn on the magnificent views that spread out below him. Here carriages were in waiting, the one designed for General Grant being drawn by four gray horses, and driven by the famous Hank Monk As they wheeled into the capital of Nevada, guns, and whistles, and everything that could make a noise were set going, while the air rung with the vigorous cheers of those mountain dwellers. On the 28th the party visited the famous Consolidated Virginia mine, and in passing through the assay office Mrs. Grant was presented with a solid brick of gold and silver. They visited the tunnel, and went clad in miners' dresses through the dark cham- bers, where the workmen were delving for the precious ore. The journey east was a continual ovation. At Sidney the immense crowd assembled cheered him loudly. One of the number, evidently half drunk, having coupled nis shout for Grant with an oath, the latter quietly said, " You should never swear. It has been a principle of mine never to swear at any time in my life." A word fitly spoken to a crowd in which were so many rough men. At Omaha he rested over Sunday. The day before a grand procession was got up for him, and an immense throng was assembled from far and near to greet him. He attended the Meth- HIS ARRIVAL AT GALENA AtfD CHICAGO. 539 odist church, which was decked with banners, evergreens, and festoons of autumn leaves. Resuming his triumphal journey, stopping now and then to address the crowds gathered to meet him, he at last approached his old home, Galena, where he designed to take a long rest. The entire population turned out to receive him, and conducted him to the grand stand erected for the occasion, where the mayor welcomed him in a lengthy address, to which the General made a short reply, expressing his delight to be in his old home again. After resting here for about a week, he on the 12th of November went to Chicago. As he entered the place a heavy rain set in, but the mighty crowd at the station did not move till Grant was in the carriage and drove rapidly away. Then the mighty mass poured after it on a run, shouting as they surged along like a black and turbulent sea under a stormy heaven. The regular procession, numbering ten thou- sand people, with General Sheridan as marshal, started at half -past one, and marched through the principal streets of the city. General Grant, having reviewed it from a balcony erected at the Palmer House, descended into the rotunda of the hotel, where he received a formal wel- come to the city from Mayor Harrison in a lengthy address, in which he gave a hurried 540 LIFE OF GRAN!'. sketch of General Grant's brilliant career as a soldier. The latter, in replying, said that the speech was so personal to himself that it would not be in good taste for him to respond to it. But, referring to an allusion to his trip abroad, he said that his reception in every case he felt was a tribute to his country ; that the feelings of foreign countries toward our government had undergone a great change in the last few years. " Formerly," he said, " it was believed that we had not a nation ; that it was a mere confedera- tion of States tied together by a rope of sand, that would give way upon the slightest friction. They have found out their great mistake. They know that we have now a government, that we are a nation, and that we are strong, intelligent, and brave people, capable of judging and know- ing our rights, and determined on all occasions to maintain them against either domestic or foreign foes. And this is the explanation of the receptions that you have received through me when I was abroad, gentlemen." At the close the crowd pressed on him in such vast numbers, that the mayor felt compelled to end the hand-shaking, and conducted him to a pri- vate parlor where he could rest. Chicago had never before witnessed such a gala day. It had been a wearisome day to General Grant, yet in the evening he attended the recep- FESTIVITIES IN CHICAGO. 541 tion given him by the Army of the Tennessee at Haverly's Theatre. In response to the various speeches made by distinguished men of the State, he replied in what for him was a lengthy ad- dress, though it seemed to be of the briefest kind compared to those that preceded it. The noxt day, at the Veteran Club, he made another lenghthy speech for him, and closed by saying, " Now, gentlemen, I have said a great deal more than I had any idea I could say when I got up. But, as Mark Twain very aptly remarked last night, I could make a much better extemporane- ous speech, if I had a couple of hours to prepare it." At a grand banquet given at the Palmer House in the evening, long, eloquent speeches were made, to which he responded briefly. A series of brilliant receptions and banquets fol- lowed. General Grant was visiting his son here, and felt relieved when the round of festivities was over and he could enjoy a little repose. Al- though other receptions awaited hirn at differ- ent places before he reached the Atlantic sea- board, nothing surpassed the one in Chicago in size, brilliancy, and in the eloquence of the speakers. CHAPTER XXXIV. 3eneral Grant "Returns to Philadelphia Reception Interested in the Nicaragua Canal Speech at Camp-Fire of the Vet- erans Starts for Havana Triumphal Journey Through the South Reception at Cuba Visits Plantations Al- most a Serious Accident Sails for Vera Cruz At Orizaba Reaches Mexico Reminiscences Sails for Galveston Boat Springs a Leak Reception at Galveston A Boy Hurt Through Texas Reception at New Orleans Speech at Vicksburg Reception at Memphis Speech at Cairo Reception at Galena Visits the Home of Lincoln A Candidate for the Presidency Inspects the Mines of Colo- radoTakes an Active Part in the Presidential Campaign A Quarter of a Million Dollars Raised for Him Recep- tion by the Legislature at Albany Visits Mexico Again A Banquet Given Him Views on the Reciprocity Treaty His Strong Desire to See Sectional Feeling Allayed His Defence of Fifcz John Porter The Retirement Bill Will Take no Pension A Fall on the Ice Partnership with Ward and Fish Loss of Fortune His Property Turned Over to Vanderbilt, Who Offers to Cancel the Debt Grant's Refusal His Presents to be Deposited in the Archives of the Government. GENERAL GRANT seemed to be in no hurry after he reached the Pacific slope to get back to the East. Born and raised in the West, and spending his early manhood there, his associations were all with it, and he lingered on his route visiting various places, and did PHILADELPHIA HONORS HIM. 543 not reach Philadelphia till December 16th, about three months after he landed at San Fiancisco, or about two years and a half from the time he started on his journey round the world. He was not rich, and his friends soon began to cast about for some way to make his life comfortable, and it was proposed to make him Captain-General, thus securing him rank and a competency for life. Of course Grant's, arrival was the occasion of a magnificent display in the city, and it was said that 30,000 persons were in the procession that escorted him through the streets. In a day or two he had an interview with Admiral Amman respecting the feasibility of getting up a company to build the Nicaragua Canal. This had been a favorite scheme with him while President of the United States, and it was stated in some quarters that his visit to Europe had something to do with the project. At all events, Admiral Amman had written to him while abroad on the subject, and he had at last consented to be one of the corporators of " The Interoceanic Canal Company," and when it was fully organized to become its president. Presi- dent Hayes was in favor of it, and promised to urge it on Congress, or, in his own word*, 44 to do everything in my power to promote its success." General Grant had consulted French 544 LIFE OF GRANT. engineers on the feasibility of the work, and for a time it looked as if the project would be carried out. It is not necessary to speak in detail of the reasons why the scheme ultimately fell through. The French company was formed to build the canal across the isthmus at Panama, with Lesseps for its head, which at once absorbed public attention. It could not be expected that money could be raised to carry out both projects, for it was plain that with two canals neither would pay, and Lesseps' soon becoming an established fact, of course the Nicaragua route was temporarily abandoned, though it is not certain yet but it will be found best to build it, and that General Grant's judgment as to which route should be selected was correct. General Grant remained a fortnight in Phila- delphia, receiving distinguished attention from public institutions and prominent men. At a camp-fire of the veterans, to which he was invited, he said to the soldiers : " You have a country to be proud of, to fight for, to die for. In all my journeys round the world, I have never seen one to compare with it." He now planned a trip to Havana and Mex- ico, but before he went he made a short visit to his aged mother in New Jersey. Eeturning to Philadelphia, he in the last of December VISITS THE SOUTH. 545 started south with a party of friends on his journey. Though the country through which he rapidly passed had been so recently con- quered by him, and was still smarting under its humiliation, he was everywhere received with marked honor. Judge T. J. Mackey, of South Carolina, now a member of the Washington bar, and formerly a major in the Confederate army, in speaking of General Grant and the general sympathy with him expressed in the Southern States and among ex- Confederate soldiers, said : "I was the Judge of the Sixth Circuit Court of South Carolina when General Grant passed through the State in December, 1879, en route to Mexico. He was accompanied by General Sheridan and a small party of friends. I was appointed the chairman of a committee of ex-Confederates of Chester County to meet Grant when he entered the State and to escort him to Chester, my district, extending to the northern limit of South Carolina. We performed that duty, and upon our arrival at the Chester Railroad station one thousand ex- Confederate soldiers were in line. They gave nine cheers for the General, with the old Confederate yell and a 4 tiger.' General Grant stepped out on the platform, and when I presented him some one called out, ' Don't introduce him, Judge : we 546 LIFE OF GRANT. all know Grant.' The General addressed them briefly. At other stations along the route he met with similar receptions. On his arrival at Columbia, Captain W. B. Stanley, the Mayor of the city, boarded the train with the Com- mon Council. They were all ex-Confederate soldiers. They tendered to Grant the freedom of the city and informed him that they had pro- vided a banquet in his honor. He expressed his regret that, inasmuch as he would be ac- corded a public reception at Augusta, he would be obliged to decline the proffered hospitality. " A noteworthy incident occurred as the train was entering Columbia. General Grant pointed to two fire-blackened chimneys, which recalled the burning of the city by the Federal forces in 1865, and said : c I suppose those are two of Sherman's monuments ? ' ' Yes,' I answered ; * they are, and they are not the most honorable columns of victory that a soldier can leave be- hind him in his own country.' General Grant replied : i Well, I made war on armies.' I said : ' We know that ; and for that reason Confederate soldiers gather everywhere to honor you as a soldier to-day.' General Sher- idan, who was near by, and who, in view of his blazing campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, was doubtless sensitive on this subject, observed to General Grant : ' I believe there were PROGRESS THROUGH THE SOUTH. 547 houses burned in your lines near Richmond. 1 General Grant answered : i There was a large dwelling burned in the vicinity of Richmond, and the Richmond newspapers stated that it was the residence of the Confederate Secretary of War, Seddons, and that it was burned for that reason. I investigated the matter and found that some of our men were spending the night in it against orders, and it was accidentally set on fire, the men losing a portion of their equip- ments. The only building that I know which was intentionally burned in my lines was a small hotel at Jackson, Miss. The proprietors had treated some of our soldiers, who were prisoners, with great harshness, and when they were released by the fall of Vicksburg they re- taliated in this form. I ordered an investiga- tion, but I did not press it upon learning the facts.' General Grant's progress," continued Judge Mackey, " through the State was a real triumphal march, and when he reached Beau- fort, where he took the steamer, he was received with a salute of one hundred guns fired by the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, an organization over one hundred and fifty years old, and composed chiefly of survivors of the garrison at Fort Sumter.' 1 Even in Charleston, the hot-bed of secession, an assemblage of three thousand people received 548 LIFE OF GEANT. him. The streets were crowded as his carriage passed through them. The colored troops pa- raded and cheers greeted him at every step. At Savannah he was received with all honors by the Mayor and Common Council, as also in Montgomery and Jacksonville. In fact, every- where the South bore its testimony, doubly valu- able from the source from whence it came, to the magnanimity and grand disinterestedness of the man who had crushed them. In the latter part of the month he sailed for Havana, arriving there on the 28th, and was received as usual by the city authorities and conducted through a crowd of people to his hotel. During the fort- night or so that he remained he visited some of the plantations in the interior and was enter- tained sumptuously by the wealthy planters, who were glad to show him how they managed their crops. Just before leaving, on February 12th, he went to a plantation at Las Canas, between Havana and Matanzas. Returning on the train at ten o'clock at night, he came near meeting with a serious accident. Running along an embankment one hundred feet high, the train struck a cow and was hurled from the track, but fortunately it was not thrown down the steep descent, and no one was hurt. The next day he took a steamer for Vera Cruz, the officials of Havana accompanying him to IN THE CITY OF MEXICO. 549 the port. At Yera Cruz, where the authorities received him with the usual formalities, a com- mittee from Mexico was awaiting to escort him to the capital. Remaining here but a few hours he took the train for Orizaba, where he remained two days, a grand reception and ban- quet having been prepared for him. Leaving here on a special train, he arrived in Mexico on February 21st. How changed everything was from thirty -four years before, when he went this same route with Scott's gallant army ; then he was heralded, not with shouts of welcome, but with the thunders of hostile cannon arid curses of the people. A young lieutenant, he had here received his first baptism of fire, and first learned how an army should be handled and victories won. At Mexico ten thousand people were assem- bled to receive him the streets being blocked by the multitude. Through double files of troops and rural guards bearing flaming torches, he slowly passed with uncovered head, followed by the tumultuous shouts of the people. How viv- idly it called up the scene he had gazed on in that same place more than a third of a century before, when Scott's brave ten thousand soldiers stood there, begirt only by foes and fired at from the houses now decorated with flags of welcome. During his short stay here he made a trip in the 550 LIFE OF GRANT. environs, visiting the historical places Pachuca Puebla and the famous pyramid of Cholula and on March 18th took steamer for Galveston, where he arrived on the 23d. The vessel sprang a leak on the passage, and but for the skill and good management of the captain a serious dis- aster would have occurred. At the brilliant reception given him here he, in reply to the Mayor's address, spoke of his first visit to Texas to help settle the boundary line, and was glad to visit it again, and expressed the hope that no sectional boundary line would ever exist be- tween it and the other States. In the crush to get sight of him a little boy fell from a shed and hurt himself severely. Hearing of it General Grant went to see the little fellow and comfort him. From here he went to Antonio the last of March, and then on to Houston, receiving every- where a constant ovation. Having on the begin- ning of his trip received an invitation to visit New Orleans, he now went there and the whole city turned out to meet him. Here he received an invitation from the authorities of Mobile to visit that city, which he accepted of course. These were all flying visits, and are mentioned to show the feeling of the South toward their former conqueror. Going north he reached Vicksburg on the 12th, and after a public reception visited SCENES Otf HIS VICTORIES 661 the national cemetery, and made an excursion up the river to look at the ruins of the great canal he once cut around the city. In his speech delivered at the court-house, in reply to the ad- dress of welcome, he said he believed a day of great prosperity was dawning on the country, and nothing would ever occur to bring the blue and gray again in collision. In Memphis, where he arrived March 13th, an immense crowd re- ceived him with tumultuous cheers. In the court square a stand was erected for him. After his short reply to the Mayor's welcome more than fifteen thousand people crowded around it to shake hands with him. Continuing on his way north, he stopped at Little Rock, Cairo, and Bloomington. At Cairo he made one of his longest speeches, saying that his military career began there. He dwelt on the warm reception he had received in the Southern States, every one of which he had now touched at some point, and said that everywhere he had seen the Union flag floating, and be- lieved that the expressions of loyalty to it which he had heard were sincere. Most of the ad- dresses of welcome which he had received were made, he said, by those who had borne arms against it, but now were ready to fight for it. Keeping on to Galena, he remained there a short time, and then visited Chicago, where a 552 LIFE OF GRANT. people's reception was given him. From here he went to Springfield to visit the home of Lin- coln. He then returned to Galena, and settled down to a quiet life. It was now well on in May, and the Republican Convention to nomi- nate the next President was to take place in a month. The excitement, in view of the approach- ing event, was intense throughout the country. General Grant had been put forward as the candidate of the Republican party, but many of his warmest friends had not only declared, when his name was first mentioned, that he would not serve, but even now believed that at the last moment he would withdraw his name. But he had hardly settled down in Galena, when a statement in a Galena paper, evidently author- ized by Grant himself, stated that, as he had never placed his name in the field, neither should he withdraw it. This settled the question, and the two sections of the party prepared for a severe contest. That the nomination lay be- tween him and Mr. Blaine was well understood, and the friends of each were busy with the dele- gates, especially with those who were elected without instructions. It is unnecessary to go into the history of the long and bitter struggle that followed. The Convention met in Chicago on June 2d, and continued nearly a week in a deadlock between General Grant and Mr. Blaine, THE THIRD TERM EXCITEMENT. 553 It was at last broken, and Mr. Garfield received the nomination. His consenting to be a candidate was un- doubtedly a great mistake. There was no con- stitutional objection to his running for a third term, but the example set by Washington was considered sacred as law, and a precedent so set and faithfully followed from that time on should not be slightly put aside. It is true there had been an interval of four years, but, the rule once broken, there was nothing to prevent a continu- ous presidency of one man, which would be far worse than a limited monarchy. It was unwise, too, to strain so severely the affection and loyalty of the people, who wished to honor him, and yet who would hesitate to help establish what they believed a dangerous precedent. Besides, it is probable that this very feeling would have estranged enough of his friends to have defeated him. This would have caused him the deepest mor- tification. Though this may be all true, it is not true the charge made against him at the time of being governed by personal ambition and the love of power, which he meant to hold and wield at any cost to the last. Whether the true reason for his course can be given or not, this was false. A man's whole life and character cannot be set aside when confronted by a sin- 654 tI*E Otf GRANT. gle act. No man ever rose to such, a height of popularity and power as he, yet showed so little ambition. Moreover, he declared re- peatedly that he did not wish the position, say- ing that it was distasteful to him, and that he would not accept the presidency, if offered him, on personal grounds alone, leaving out all other questions. Abroad, whenever the possibility of his becoming president again was brought up, he invariably expressed these sentiments. But his friends having, without consulting him, put him in nomination, urged, as they believed, by patriotic motives, he did not feel that he had any right to withdraw. Grant's most promi- nent weakness was his strong aversion to do anything that would displease his friends. His most serious mistakes grew out of this. At all events, it was unjust to charge him with being governed solely by personal ambition in the course he took. Soon after this, he wrote to a former Mexican minister at Washington, urging the necessity of a better railroad system in Mexico, in order to reach the valuable mines of the country and develop its resources. He then took a trip to Colorado, to inspect its mines with reference to some future business arrangements, and took up his residence with his family at Moniton, a pleasant summer resort, from whence he made SETTLING IN NEW YORK. 555 excursions to the mountains. In autumn be carne to New York, and took an active part in the presidential campaign, and reviewed the great Republican parade of October 10th. His future residence was to be New York, and his friends soon began to look around and lay plans by which he could be supported in a manner be- coming his high position, and as the deliverer of his country ought to be. This man who had carried the country through the greatest civil war the world had ever witnessed, and after- ward devoted eight of the best years of his life as president to the complete restoration of that Union he had by his valor saved, was with- out the means to properly support his family. That it was so was a disgrace to the country, and gave still more emphasis to the proverb that republics are ungrateful. Such a spectacle no monarchy would have allowed the world to witness. Any man in England who had done for his country what Grant had for his, would have been made a peer of the realm and given an estate and a fortune to sustain his position with becoming dignity. An effort was finally made in January to get Congress pass a retirement bill, placing him on the retired list with the rank and full pay of a general. But though it passed the Senate, it was blocked in the House, and some of his friends 556 LIFE OF GRANT. finally determined to raise a permanent fund for him, and a subscription was started by a few of our wealthiest citizens, fixing the amount at a quarter of a million of dollars. By the latter part of March the entire sum was subscribed and invested in Wabash Railroad bonds, at six per cent., guaranteed, by Mr. Morgan, for ten years. A house costing $60,000 was also purchased for him in East Sixty-sixth Street. This secured him against all anxiety as to the future, while it enabled him to maintain the style of living suitable to his high position. In the meantime he visited Albany, where a grand reception was given him seventy thou- sand people it is said being present. He was also formally received by the Legislature, both Houses assembling in the Assembly chamber for the purpose. Leaning on the arm of the Lieutenant-Governor, General Grant was con- ducted with much ceremony to the Speaker's chair, and addressed by him in behalf of the State. He soon after went again to Mexico to en- deavor to enlist the Government in the railroad schemes he had previously advocated, and of which he was the head. He was given a public dinner in the capital, and in reply to a toast made a speech in which he said nothing stood in the way of the development of the country REVISITS MEXICO. 557 except the people themselves, and refuted com- pletely the assertion of those opposed to him, that the interest of Americans in Mexican affairs concealed a secret design to annex the country to the United States. He had become deeply interested in Mexico, believing that a great future lay before the country if it would put forth the energy necessary to develop her re- sources, while at the same time her commercial prosperity would add greatly to that of the United States. On his return home, when the reciprocity treaty came up in Congress, he advocated it warmly and told members of Congress that the treaty was right, for as things now stood Eng- land and Germany were getting the largest share of the trade of the country. To some one saying that it was reported that in his railroad schemes he was working in the interest of Jay Gould, he replied he was not, but in the interest of fifty millions of people. But while his mind was thus occupied with the material interests of Mexico, he was also keenly alive to those of his own country, dwelling especially on the importance of the complete restoration of feel- ing between the North and South. At public dinners before Southern gentlemen he could hardly reply to a toast without speaking warmly on this subject. 558 LIFE OF GRANT. But there was one thing about which there was much angry discussion in Congress during the years of 1882-83, which illustrates his mag- nanimity and stern integrity more than any one event of his life. General FitzJohn Porter had been court-martialled for not aiding General Pope, as ordered by him in his defeat at the last battle of Bull Run, and was dismissed the service. He denied the justice of this judg- ment and endeavored to have it set aside by Congress and the President. Grant had given his opinion confirming the action of the court- martial. Porter, believing that if he would give him a hearing and go over all the evidence carefully, he would, as a great commander, see the injustice of it, Grant finally consented to sift the matter to the bottom. After he had done so he frankly confessed that he had decided wrongly, and that the court-martial and Congress also were both wrong. Now, it is rare in this world that a great commander confesses he has erred in his opinion on any military question, but rarer still to make that confession public in a letter as he did. It may be said that if it was just, he should have been glad to do it Theoretically that is true, and Brutus was simply right ; but for all that there are not many like him in the world, and this act of General Grant stamps him as A SEVERE ACCIDENT. 559 one of the noblest, most unselfish, and most magnanimous of men. All this time, at every session of Congress, his friends were endeavoring to get the retirement bill passed. Baffled in this, they proposed to introduce one granting him a pension. On hearing of this, he promptly repudiated it, say- ing that in no case would he accept a pension. It was an indignity to offer the old hero a pen- sion, just as one would a maimed private, and he felt it as such. He said frankly that he would be pleased to be restored to his old rank in the army, but he would receive nothing else from the Government. During the winter, he met with a serious acci- dent, or what proved to be one by the long confinement to which it subjected him. Slip- ping on the ice, he fell in such a way as to strain one of his legs severely. No bone was broken, but the injury proved to be more last- ing in its effects than a fracture would have been. He was not only laid up for some time, but long after he was able to get about, was compelled to use crutches indeed, never entirely recovered from the effects of the injury. The long months of inactivity to which it subjected him told heavily on his general health, and his friends thought that this hastened, if not in- duced, the fatal disease that ended his life. 560 LIFE OF But his crowning misfortune was the failure of the house of Grant & Ward, bankers. He had been tempted in an evil day to form a part- nership with a man who, though he stood high in business circles, was in reality an accom- plished swindler. For a time, money poured in from his operations in such quantities that Grant thought he saw in the near future a colossal fortune. He came into it in 1880, and though for the last two years he had drawn out two and three thousand dollars a month, this was a mere fraction of his gains, and he left the bulk of them in the vaults of the house, so safe did he consider it. The credit which it preserved among the old and wise operators of the street, in view of the enormous dividends it paid, was some- thing extraordinary. But the day of doom came at last, and the showy fabric that was rotten from top to bottom fell with a crash, carrying down all of Grant's fortune with it. The greatest mistake of his life, and the one which embittered it most, was this partner- ship with Fish and Ward. It swept him of his property, it connected his name with swind- lers, it threw suspicion on his integrity in short, crushed him to the earth. It is not necessary to go into the details of this sad affair. The collapse of the house WARD'S FAILURE. 561 revealed a state of rottenness, fraud, and rob- bery that astonished the city ; and Grant had lent his name to this stupendous swindle, nay, had been induced to borrow, personally, $150,- 000 from Mr. Vanderbilt, to prop it up, only a day or two before it was exposed. No one can doubt but that he thought the house to which he lent his name was a firm and sub- stantial one, and doing a legitimate business. It is folly to say that the enormous dividends he received should have awakened his suspi- cions. If the old and wary operators in Wall Street were deceived, it is absurd to suppose that this man, unacquainted with business, should not be. Doubtless, his governing motive in going into the firm, in which he put $J 00,000, was to establish his sons in business. The only thing that need be said about it is, that an ex-President of the United States should not have gone into Wall Street at all, and been mixed up with the herd of stock gamblers, whose gains consist in other people's losses. Grant immediately made over what property was left him to Mr. Vanderbilt, to secure the loan of $1 50,000. The latter generously offered to cancel the debt, but Grant refused to accept the offer. Among other things, he surrendered all the valuable presents he received while abroad. These Mr. Vanderbilt returned to 86 562 LIFE OF GttAttT. Mrs. Grant, but she refused to accept them, ex- cept on condition they should be deposited in the archives of the government. (See Aj> pendix.) CHAPTER XXXV. Last Illness Cancer of the Throat Commences the Task oi Writing his Memoirs Letters and Resolutions of Sympa- thyRemoved to Mt. McGregor Death Burial at River- side Park, New York His Character. BUT this life that .had carried with it such great destinies was destined soon to end. On June 2d, 1884, when eating some fruit in his cottage at Long Branch, he felt a lump in. his throat, which made swallowing paiiif uL As it grew more painful, he called on a doctor stopping there, who advised him to consult his family physician; but General Grant did not think it a serious case enough for that. The swelling, however, continuing to grow more painful, he at last, on October 22d, consulted Dr. Barker, who, on examination of the throat, saw that it was a serious matter, and advised him to go at once to Dr. Douglas, a specialist in throat diseases. The latter saw that the disease threatened to develop into a cancer. After prescribing some medicines for him, he advised him to limit his smoking to three cigars a day. After obeying this direction for two or three days, the General abandoned smoking al- together. At the end of four weeks he was so much better that he gave up his visits to Dr. 564 LIFE OF GRANT. Douglas entirely, and his health seemed nearly restored. But in December he caught cold, which brought the throat trouble back again, and in an aggravated form; and he again, on the 16th, put himself under Dr. Douglas' care. The treatment he received relieved the most painful symptoms. This state of things con- tinued until February 17th, when he caught another cold, which prostrated him. An ex- amination of the throat next day revealed alarming symptoms. On the day following, a consultation of four physicians was held over his case, and it was the unanimous opinion that the disease was cancer, and that it was incur- able, though they could not agree as to the rapidity with which it would pursue its deadly work. The news of this, sent to every part of the land, awakened the greatest anxiety and the intensest sympathy. Many years seemed reserved for him yet, and the sudden announce- ment that he was dying shocked every heart. It seemed hardly possible that he who occupied so large a place in his country's history WAS to pass off the stage almost without a moment's warning. A sudden hush seemed to fall on the people, and the voice of calumny, criticism, hatred and suspicion was heard no more. Mistakes and faults, from whatever source they arose, were forgotten, and his great services to LAST ILLNESS. 565 Ms country and the noble points of his char- acter were alone remembered ; and from e very part of the land, from individuals and legis- latures, and organizations of all kinds, words of sympathy came pouring in upon the great suf- ferer, which were like a balm to his lacerated heart, and helped him to bear with still greater fortitude his sufferings. The groups that gathered every morning in the hotels and on the sidewalks to hear the daily bulletins, at- tested the universal interest felt in the condi- tion of the apparently dying hero. For a long time each night seemed to bring on a crisis, and his family would gather round his bedside, ex- pecting every moment to be his last. His suf- ferings were great, yet he made no complaint. Whatever mental struggles he endured no one knew. Calm and silent, his steadfast look into the great unknown gave no sign of what he saw. A simple " God bless you all," or similar expressions, were all that escaped him. Believ- ing his end to be near, his friends had tele- graphed to California for his old pastor, Dr. Newman, and his daughter, Mrs. Sartoris, in England. The latter arrived on the 30th of March. She was overcome at the sight of her prostrate father ; but though he strained her to his bosom, his words were few and calm as in an ordinary meeting. The physicians watched 566 LIFE OF GRANT. him night and day with the closest attention, and met every alarming symptom with prompt remedies. The month of March wore away wearily, for it was a constant fight with death ; and though the great sufferer bore his pain pa- tiently, he felt at times it were better not to keep up the useless struggle, and wished it were ended. One event, however, occurred this month which gave him great pleasure and excited him more than a casual observer would have suspected, and that was the passage of the retirement bill restoring him to his old rank in the army. On the 29th, however, there came a terrible crisis, and the telegraph announced to the world that he was dying, and his family gathered around his bedside in overwhelming grief. To the surprise of the doctors themselves, however, he rallied, and soon began to mend. After a few days, however, a hemorrhage set in which caused the greatest alarm. But this too was speedily stopped, and the patient slowly floated back to life and increased strength. After the 5th of April he gained steadily, and hope grew strong in him that his prayer would be granted and he would live long enough to com- plete his memoirs. These were undertaken soon after the failure of Grant & Ward, and solely to obtain an income for his family. Though he had often been solicited by different book firms EXPRESSION'S OF SYMPATHY. 567 to write them, lie tad invariably refused, but his fortune having gone down in the general wreck of the firm of Grant & Ward, he was induced to accept an offer made him by a publisher, and had got well on with his work before he was taken down. Of expressions of sympathy there was no end, and messages of love poured in a ceaseless stream into the sick-room. The sick man felt all this kindness and interest in him deeply. Among the many gifts of flowers he received, none touched him more than a basket of roses from a middle-aged man who would not give his name, but said that he was one of the Confederate soldiers that surrendered to him at Appomattox. That legislatures of different States, and conven- tions of clergymen, and army associations should pass resolutions and send messages of sympathy did not, doubtless, surprise him, but the follow- ing message was entirely unexpected : ATS-LES-BAINS, April 8, 1885. MRS. GKANT, care of General Grant, New York. The Queen, who feels deeply for you in your anxie- ties, commands me to inquire after General Grant. DOWAGER MARCHIONESS OF ELY This expression of sympathy from the Queen of England did honor to her heart, and was fully appreciated by General Grant and his family. 568 LIFE OF GRANT. The letters of sympathy from every part of the country kept increasing, and, though suffer- ing intensely, he felt worried that he was unable to acknowledge them personally, but could only say, " I am grateful for the sympathy that has been expressed for me ; not only for that mani- fested by my friends, but by those who have not hitherto been regarded as such." " Well," said the doctor, " what parting word shall I take to-night to give to the public for you ? " " Say," feebly replied the sufferer, "that I desire the good- will of all, whether heretofore my friends or not. Is that enough \ " " Yes," replied the doctor. Standing, as he believed, on the brink of the grave, his great and forgiving heart, like that of his Divine Master, felt at that solemn hour only kindness toward those who had wounded him deepest. It was touching to see the groups every day gather on the sidewalks in front of the house and gaze silently up at the unoccupied windows, mutely interrogating them of the condition of the dying hero within. The crowd would at times be so great that the police would have to interfere in order to keep the sidewalks open to those passing by. During the fore part of April he steadily im- proved and became cheerful, so that his birth- day, which they never expected he would see again, and which occurred on the 17th of this GENERAL GRANT'S REPLY. 569 month, was a pleasant, joyous one. Congratu- lations and messages kept pouring in on him, and friends called, many of whom he was able to see and converse with. " The perfume of flowers filled his home from early morning. Many callers left them with their cards, while messengers and expressmen, similarly laden, kept the bell ringing of ten until well into the afternoon. There were flowers in profusion for every room. The parlor floor was rich with their color, and up-stairs they rested in every available space. Callers besieged the house until late. Few saw the General, but for some he took pains to come down-stairs, while a few were invited to the library. The Rev. Dr. Newman and Mrs. Mark Hopkins, of Cali- fornia, calling a little before noon, were greeted by the General as he came down prepared to drive. He talked with them in a very cheerful vein." In the evening he sent out the follow- ing general reply to the congratulations that had kept pouring in all day : To the various army posts, societies, cities, public schools, States, corporations, and individuals, North and South, who have been so kind as to send rne con- gratulations on my sixty-third birthday, I wish to offer iny grateful acknowledgments. The despatches have been so numerous and so touching intone that it would have been impossible to answer them if I had been in perfect health, U. S. 570 LIFE OF GRANT. This sudden revival of his energies enabled him to resume work on his memoirs, which he pushed with great vigor, often working four hours a day, and he felt to his great delight that he should now live to finish them. The month of April, with its changes, passed away, leaving no material change in the condi- tion of the invalid, save that it was evident that the disease was slowly encroaching on his vital energies. But the first warm weather in May brought on symptoms of weakness that caused his physi- cians much uneasiness. In the middle of the month a little incident occurred which gave him great pleasure. A book called the " Grant Me- morial " had been got up by the soldiers who served under him, and was being published at Cincinnati. Lieutenant Holbrook, of Boston, with the publisher, called on the General to pre- sent him with an album containing the names of the first fifty subscribers to it. Tears stood in his eyes as he received it, and he said : " Tell the boys that they probably will never look into my face again, nor hear my voice, but they are engraved on my heart, and I love them as my children. What the good Lord has spared me for is more than I can tell, but it is perhaps to finish up my book, which I shall leave to the 'Boys in Blue,' and in which they cannot only BEHOVED TO MT. McGREGOR. 671 see me, but follow me in the acts in which they helped me." The effect of the warm weather on his gen- eral health determined the physicians to remove him to some mountainous region as soon as it could be done in safety. Many places were pro- po^d, but as Mr. Drexel offered him his cottage on Mount McGregor, near Saratoga, for the summer, it was decided to go there. Although he was so feeble that it seemed a dangerous ex- periment to move him, it was soon evident that to stay in New York was certain death, and it was therefore resolved to make the attempt. The loth of June, the day fixed upon to start, proved to be a very hot one, and though a spe- cial car was provided for him and all the ven- tilation possible secured, yet the ride up the Hudson was a suffering one. Most of the time he sat facing the door of the rear platform, gaz- ing out vacantly on the glassy river. Once only, as he passed West Point, did he seem to rally, but soon sank back into his dozing, dreamy state. The ride up Mount McGregor tired him ex- ceedingly, and bad effects from the great effort he had put forth were anticipated, but the next morning found him apparently none the worse for his journey. The effect of the high, pure air acted like a chavrn on him, and stimulated him so strongly 572 LIFE OF GBAtft. that on the third day he took a long walk. But he had overestimated his strength, and soon after his return he began to sink so rapidly that he felt his final hour had come, and immediately wrote down some last words to his family, giv- ing directions respecting matters after his death, and also a note to his doctor. But it proved tc be not the action of disease, but mere exhaus- tion, that for a time had aggravated his symp- toms. From this time on little change took place, except the ups and downs incident to the dis- ease. Sometimes he would be drawn in a sort of a chair on wheels along the mountain-side, at others sit wrapped up on the piazza gazing off on the wide stretch of landscape that spread out below him, till, weary, he would seek his own room. Thus the days passed monotonously on, the patient sufferer gazing quietly, serenely, into the unknown, towards which he was steadily drifting. Groups would gather daily in front of the piazza to gaze on the silent sufferer, and sometimes he would receive friends, with whom he would converse on paper, his voice being entirely gone ; but these interviews being plainly injurious, they were very sparingly al- lowed. One of the most interesting during the summer was with General Buckner, who VIEWS EXPRESSED TO GEN. BUOKNER. 573 surrendered to him at Port Donelson. They were West Point cadets together, and old friends, and the ex-Confederate general called on him as a friend to express his sympathy for him in his great affliction. On the part of Gen- eral Grant the conversation was carried on with pencil and paper. It was a confidential, friendly talk, not meant for the public ear. Still General Buckner felt that one sentiment expressed by him on public matters should not be lost to the country : " ' I have witnessed since my sickness,' Gen. Grant wrote, ' just what I have wished to see ever since the war harmony and good feeling between the sections. I have always contended that if there had been nobody left but the soldiers we should have had peace in a year. and are the only two that I know of who do not seem to be satisfied on the Southern side. We have seen some on ours who failed to accomplish as much as they wished, or who did not get warmed up to the fight until it was all over, who have not had quite full satisfac- tion. The great majority, too, of those who did not go into the war have long since grown tired of the long controversy. We may now well look forward to a perpetual peace at home and a national strength that will screen us against any foreign complications. I believe, myself, 574 LIFE OF GRAOT. that the war was worth all it cost us, fearful as that was. Since it was over I have visited every State in Europe and a number in the East. I know as I did not before the value of our institutions.' " Those," said General Buckner, " are noble sen- timents of genuine patriotism, and I think that the general public ought to share with me the knowledge that General Grant holds such views. They show that he has only the good of hia country at heart in the last moments of his pa- triotic life. The names of those which I have left blank are those of ex-Confederates still living, and I don't feel at liberty to make them public. Beyond this sentiment there was noth- ing whatever in the interview that is of in- terest to anybody except General Grant and myself." Those are " truly noble sentiments," and those which he has always held. The welfare of the country, the whole country, united in love as well as in interest, was the wish that always governed his great and patriotic heart. General Grant's patience under suffering, his quiet submission to his fate, his sweet and gentle spirit, touched the hearts of all those who watched over him and gathered around his in- valid chair. He knew he must die ; he made no concealment of it; and he often wished to HIS PATIENCE UNDER SUFFERING. 575 talk about bis death, and give directions as to what should be done after he was gone. But his family refused to talk with him on the sub- ject, and broke down so completely when he referred to it, that he at length gave it up, and communed only with his God on the solemn event. But, on the 16th of July a hot day he wrote on a slip of paper to Doctor Douglas : " I feel sorry at the prospect of living through the summer and fall in the condition I am in. I do not think I can ; but I may. But I am losing strength." The doctor endeavored to cheer him up by saying the appearance of his throat was very much improved. The suffering man, in reply, wrote the following on a slip of paper : " After all that, however, the disease is still there, and must be fatal in the end. My life is precious, of course, to my family, and would be to me if I could recover entirely. There never was one more willing to go than I. I know that most people have first one and then another little tbing to fix up, and never get quite through. This was partially my case. I first wanted so many days to work on my book, so the au- thorship would be clearly mine. It was graciously granted to me after being apparently much lower than since, and with a capacity to do more work than I ever did in the same time. My work had been done BO hastily that much was left out, and I did it all over from the crossing of the James River, in 1864, to AppomattoXj in 1865. Since that I have added as 676 IIFE OF GRANT. much as fifty pages to the book, I should think. There is nothing more to do, and, therefore, I am not likely to be more ready to go than at this moment." His hopes were to be realized sooner, perhaps, than he expected. The longing and hoping, the weariness and pain, were almost over, and the rest so earnestly prayed for near at hand. Al- though he was steadily sinking, it might be some time before the end came; but it was evident that the least over-exertion or unfavor- able incident would precipitate it. This came July 20th, in an effort he made to reach a point on the mountain from which a magnificent view could be had. Some of the family had visited it, and, excited by their descriptions, he resolved to be drawn there himself. The doctor objected, fearing the result; but finding the General so very anxious about it, he finally gave his consent. The trip was too exhausting, and by the time he reached the desired point he was suffering too much to enjoy the view, and wished to be taken immediately back. The next day his condition confirmed the doctor's fears, and it was evident the effort had produced a crisis through which he could not safely pass, and he sank ra-pidly away. But by the use of stimulants he was kept alive till the 23d. His death was expected on the preceding night, but having passed mid- HIS DEATH. 577 night safely it was thought he might survive the day, and some of the family and others were out of doors getting the fresh air when the nurse saw a change suddenly pass over his face and hurriedly summoned all to return. As they gathered round his bed it was evident that the final hour had come. His son sat by his pillow, his wife held one hand, the rest stood around, a silent, sorrowful group, and gazed on the un- conscious sufferer as, without a struggle, he sank quietly into the arms of death. It was eight o'clock in the morning when he breathed his o last. The news was instantaneously telegraphed over the country, sending mourning and sadness into every hamlet of the land. Messages of sym- pathy for the bereaved family at once came pouring in. From the President down, through governors and legislatures and distinguished men of the nation, telegraphic despatches were received ; and at last one came from the Queen of England, and Prince and Princess of Wales, to the crushed, sorrow-stricken wife. The land was draped in mourning, and all hearts felt that a great soldier and patriot had fallen. After much discussion as to what spot should be honored with his remains, the family resolved to accept the offer of the city of New York and bury him in Riverside Park, on a promontory overlooking for a long distance the Hudson 578 LIFE OF GRANT. River. His body was embalmed, and lay guarded by soldiers till August 4th, when the funeral ceremonies took place, Dr. Newman preaching the funeral sermon. The next day, to the sound of tolling bells and minute guns, the body was conveyed by rail to Albany, and placed in the Capitol, where it lay in state till the next day, visited by tens of thousands of people. In connection with the funeral services of this day, memorial services, conducted by Dean Farrar, were held at the same hour in Westmin- ster Abbey, London, which was crowded not only with American residents abroad, but at- tended by many of the most distinguished men of England. No such honors had ever before been rendered to an American, and showed more than anything else the high estimation felt for him abroad. On Wednesday, amid the booming of minute guns, the body was transported to the Hudson River cars, which started for New York. The train, draped its entire length in black, passed down the bank of the river, the track lined almost the entire distance with crowds standing with uncovered heads as it passed. Reaching New York, the coffin was placed in the City Hall, and the people thronged in myriads to take a last look at the great captain. FUNERAL AT MT. MoGREGOR. 579 The funeral at Mount McGregor was a pri- vate one ; that on Saturday was the public one, under the charge of the Government. In con- formity with Mrs. Grant's wishes, the President appointed two ex-Confederate generals as pall- bearers. IS'o more beautiful tribute could be paid to the dead General than this. It was the controlling desire of his heart that the Union which be had saved should be one in feeling and affection, and if his spirit could look down on earthly things, it would have rejoiced to see the men he bad met and overthrown on the field of battle bending in sorrow over his tomb. His death, like his life, cemented that Union he loved so well. During the few days the body lay in state in the City Hall, it was estimated that a quarter of a million viewed it. It was a constant stream of people. Saturday, the day of the funeral, dawned bright and beautiful, and the hosts gathering to accompany the dead chieftain to bis last resting-place assembled at the City Hall. At length the catafalque, draped in black and drawn by twenty-four black horses, started up Broadway, soldiers and citizens falling in line, and passed through long lanes of human beings standing silently with uncovered heads as it moved slowly onto the mournful "Dead March." It was an impressive spectacle, and as the line 580 LIFE OF GRANT. moved slowly northward it seemed intenmn- able. It reached nearly nine miles, composed of soldiers, the President and Cabinet, members of Congress and Legislature, and distinguished citizens and men of all occupations. But the most impressive sight of all was that of General Johnston, his old enemy on the battle-field, with Buckner and Sheridan, and General Lee, who so often had flung himself on General Grant's firm-set ranks; and, last, the Virginia troops, clad in their old Confederate gray, and carrying their old hostile flag, riddled with Union bullets, now draped in mourning following sadly their great conqueror to his tomb. It was nearly five o'clock when the grave was reached, and the sun was stooping to the west- ern horizon as they silently, sadly laid him in it. Then " Put out the lights," the last strains that tell the army the day's work is over and the time for retiring has come, was played. The guns from the fleet lying off shore on the Hudson fired a farewell salute that echoed mournfully away over the water, and the scene was ended, and the old hero " left alone in his glory." The plain history of his career, so dramati- cally ended, is stranger that any romance. A poor Western boy, taught in a district school, IMPOSING PAGEANT IN NEW YORK. 581 he is afterward sent to West Point, and, after an indifferent course, enters the army. Retir- ing from it early, he becomes an unsuccessful farmer ; then a sort of clerk in a tannery. At length, the war breaking out, he enters the army as a volunteer, and rising step by step, becomes its commander-in-chief. Bringing that war to a successful issue, he is made President of the United States ; is received as a monarch in the Eastern world ; dies in comparative poverty ; and is then laid in his grave with the pomp and pageantry of an Emperor, and with a nation's tears raining on his grave. HIS CHARACTER. The main points in General Grant's character are clearly brought out in the life we have been tracing, not only those of the great soldier, but as a statesman and private citizen. No man has ever been presented to the view of the public in circumstances and conditions so varied, and hence so well calculated to develop the char- acter in every respect, as he. As a great soldier leading our armies to victory, he first attracts the eyes of the world. His courage, though lofty and steadfast, was not of that fiery, chiv- alric kind which dazzles the public. He was not borne up in action by the enthusiasm and pride of the warrior ; but apparently uncon- 582 LIFE OF GRANT. scious of danger, made battle a business which was to be performed with a clear head and steady nerves. His coolness in deadly peril was wonderful. What we once said of Marshal Ney applies forcibly to him. " In battle he could literally shut up his mind to the one ob- ject he had in view. The overthrow of the enemy absorbed every thought within him, and he had none to give to danger or death. Where he placed his mind he held it, and not all the uproar and confusion of battle could divert it. He would not allow himself to see anything else than the one object in view, and hence was almost as insensible to the dangers around him as a deaf und dumb and blind man would be. He himself once expressed the true secret of his calmness, when, after one of those exhibitions of composure amid the most horrid carnage, an officer asked him if he never felt fear, he re- plied : ' I never had time? This was another way of saying that fear and danger had nothing to do with the object before him, and there- fore he would not suffer his mind to rest on them for a single moment." This wondei-ful power of concentrating all his faculties on a given point was strikingly characteristic of Grant. In tenacity of will, also, he was like Ney, wlio would not be beaten ; and in the last extremity rallied like a dying man for a final HIS CHARACTER. 583 blow, and then planted it where the clearest practical wisdom indicated. Like Ney, too, he was naturally of a sluggish, indolent nature, which requires great crises to thoroughly arouse. We cannot better express our views of this last peculiarity of Grant, than by repeating what we once before said of him. There are some men in this world possessing immense mental power, who yet, from mere inertness, pass through life with poor success. Lighter natures outstrip them in the race for wealth or position, and the strength they really possess is never known, because it has never been called out. It never is called out by ordinary events. They were made for great emergencies, and if these do not arise, they seem almost made in vain ; at least these extraordinary powers appear to be given them in vain. Grant was one of these. He was like a great wheel, on which mere rills of water may drop forever without moving it, or if they succeed in disturbing its equilibrium, only make it accomplish a partial revolution. It needs an immense body of water to make it roll, and then it revolves with a power and majesty that awe the beholder. No slight obstructions then can arrest its mighty sweep. Acquiring momentum with each revo- lution, it crushes to atoms everything thrust before it to check its motion. 584 LIFE OF GRANT. One would naturally think that such a char- acter would pay but little attention to mere detail, contenting itself with general instruc- tions and movements. But this was not so with Grant. When once awaked to action, his whole being was alive, and he wanted to be omnipresent. Thus, in the campaign of Vicks- burg, he was constantly performing the duties of subordinates, fearing that unless he person- ally superintended everything his plans would miscarry. Nothing escaped his memory or inspection. Hence, he was often on the picket line all alone, endeavoring to ascertain, from personal inspection, more of the enemy's position and plans than he could obtain from the reports of his officers. On one of these occasions he came near falling into the hands of the enemy. It was at Chattanooga, while he was preparing for the battle of Missionary Ridge. Wishing to get a nearer view of the enemy, he often rode out on the picket line, and once happened to be on the eastern bank of Chattanooga Creek, when a party of rebel soldiers were drawing water on the other side. They wore blue coats; and, thinking they were his own men, Grant asked them to whose command they belonged. They answered, " Longstreet's corps ; " whereupon Grant called out : " What are you doing in those coats, then ? " The rebels replied : " Oh ! HIS CHARACTER. 585 all our corps wear blue." This was a fact which Grant had forgotten. The rebels then scrambled up on their side of the stream, little thinking that they had been talking with the commander of the national army. Another striking peculiarity of Grant was his correctness of judgment under adverse circum- stances and conflicting views. Sherman once told him that he thought he would fail in " grand strategy," but he found that his strong common sense supplied the place of the study of this science. This is but another way of say- ing that Grant's judgment was so correct that he seldom failed to do the right thing under whatever new circumstances he was placed. His confidence in this judgment was wonderful not the confidence of self-conceit, but of con- scious power. He never hesitated to assume any responsibility. In his final campaign against Vicksburg he acted against the advice of every officer whom he consulted, and against the known views of the General-in-Chief and the President. Not only was it conceived by himself alone, but in carrying it to its successful termination he never called a council of war. The victories he won are evidence to the whole world of his great ability as a military leader ; but he also showed a remarkable power in one respect that has hardly been commented 586 LIFE OF GRAOT. upon the power of handling large armies, Napoleon declared that not more than one or two generals beside himself in all Europe, could manoeuvre a hundred thousand men on the field of battle. Grant did more than this ; and the manner in which he handled the Army of the Potomac on the route from the Rapidan to Richmond, was more astonishing than the win- ning of a great battle. The way he swung it from Spottsylvania to the North Anna, without having his flank crushed in, and from thence to the Pamunkey, and, last of all, from the Chick- ahominy, for fifty miles, across the James, to Petersburg, right from under the nose of the enemy, and yet never being attacked, showed a capacity in wielding enormous forces possessed by few men in the world. In this change of base to James River, in the presence of the enemy, he exhibited the skill of a great commander as much as in any battle he ever fought. Napoleon says a change of base is " the ablest manoeuvre taught by military art." This proof of Grant's great ability is one that cannot be appreciated by those who never made military movements a study. Hence President Lincoln, in summing up Grant's character, entirely over- looked the power of combination the mental breadthj comprehensiveness, and administrative HIS CHABACTE& 587 power which he possessed, and put foremost that which was really a subordinate quality. He says : " The great thing about Grant, I take it, is his perfect coolness and persistency of pur- pose. I judge he is not easily excited which is a great element in an officer, and he has the grit of a bull-dog ! Once let him get his teeth in, and nothing can shake him off." Now, it was unquestionably true of Grant that he pos- sessed the characteristics here mentioned. But these alone can never make a great general. Obstinacy without the ability to plan and con- trol, fails as often as it succeeds. So coolness and self-possession will not avail unless con- nected with mental activity and the power to take in, comprehend, and mould the tossing, conflicting elements around him. Thought often wins battles more than the sword. But the supreme will, despotic authority, and the relentless pursuit of an enemy indispensable in a great commander, disappeared when he laid down the sword and became Chief Mag- istrate of the Union. Not a trace of the mili- tary man remained, and his whole thoughts were on peace arid the supremacy of law. To the fotmen of former days he held out both hands in token of peace, and amid the clamors of excited men and the demands of vindictive passion, he remained unmoved, and breathed 590 tire OF GRANT. patriot, an humble Christian, he yielded up his spirit without a sigh into the hands of his Maker. That character will shine brighter with time, and his memory grow dearer with each successive generation. BURT'S HOME LIBRARY, Comprising four hundred and fourteen titles of utandard works, embracing fiction, essays, poetry, history, travel, etc., selected from the world's best literature,written by authors of world-wide repuoa tion. Printed from large type on good paper, and bound in handsome uniform cloth binding. Uniform Cloth Binding. Gilt fops. Price, $1cOO. Abb Constantin. By L. Halevy. Abbot. By Sir Walter Scott. #dam Bede. By George Eliot. Aesop's Fables. Alhambra. 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