highest political honors. He was not forgotten amid final retiracy, though too modest to be obtrusive and too well satisfied to be ambitious. Admirers strove to place him beyond want. In grave political emergency his name spontaneously came to the fore. Wherever he appeared, the public clamored to show their respect. Whatever he said— and it was all too little-was weighed as the words of a seer. Amid financial wreck, through no fault of his own, he had the most unbounded sympathy. In his last hours, when confronting the foe to whom all heroes must strike their colors, amid the pain of a horrible malady, the inner heart of the nation was instinctively drawn to him, and regrets over his suffering and prospective loss were general and profound. And now that he is dead there is universal mourning. Our greatest and noblest has been taken. Let us learn of him and teach our children. Another, others, might have done so, but he saved us as a people, a government, a solidified nation. He gave us order and law, peace and happiness. Though a larger and more perilous work than that of Washington, it was not unlike his. And as of him, an admiring, loving and grateful people will say: "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." My thanks are due to Badeau, Humphreys, Dana, Wilson, Swinton, Young, and the various other army officers and civilians who are recognized as authorities upon the war and the times in which General Grant figured, and whose literary works I have consulted freely. CONTENTS. The Grant name—Scottish clans—Crests and mottoes-Migration to America— The grandfather in the Revolution-The Father in the West-Birth of Hiram Ulysses Grant-Story of the christening-His boyhood days - Anecdotes showing his disposition and qualities-His skill with horses-His heroism in danger-His ingenuity-Bravery and self-reliancc-Did not like tanning-Off to West Point-His name changed by inadvertence-His career as a cadet— Rank in his class—Sketch of his appearance and character by a schoolmate— With his regiment-At St. Louis and New Orleans-With Taylor in Texas-At Palo Alto and Resaca-The bloody fight of Monterey-The army sentiment- At Vera Cruz with Scott-Molino del Rey, and Chapultepec-Capture of Mexico -Peace, and back to New York-Marriage-On the Pacific Coast-From Lieu- tenant to Captain-Resigns from the army-A farmer-In real estate-A tanner at Galena-As business man and citizen-Traits and disposition- Analysis of character-The whole man at thirty-nine-Outline of the future The Federal soldier and French Emperor-Grants political views-Sumpter and the awakening-The call for volunteers-Grant and his company-Colonel of Ilinois Twenty-first-Off to Missouri-From Colonel to Brigadier-At Cairo— Capture of Paducah-Battle of Pilot Knob-Toward Columbus-Belmont and victory-The retreat-Effect of the battle-The Confederate lines-Its wings The Departments-Grant at Cairo-The move on Fort Henry-Capture of the Fort-Looking to Donelson-Marching on the stronghold-Foote and the Gunboats-Location and description of the Fort-Investment-Beginning the attack-Grant's motive and orders-Battle with the boats-They are driven back-Hard battle of land forces-Repulse and confusion-Grant restores order-Orders another attack-Brilliant charge on the left-A foothold in the enemy's lines-Heavy work along the whole line-The wonderful Council of War-Floyd's and Pillow's escape-Buckner proposes surrender-Grant's "unconditional" terms-Final surrender-The men and trophies-Grant's magnanimity-Halleck's treatment-Made Major General-Effect of the victory Donelson and the South-European sentiment-Grant's guiding principles— Opinion of General Scott-The territorial loss-Grant and Sherman-Other victories for Union arms-National rejoicing-Grant's forward movement-His visit to Nashville-Halleck's enmity-The correspondence—Grant's disgrace and vindication-Smith at Pittsburg Landing-The new Confederate line-Its significance-Grant in command at Savannah-He consolidates the armies- Description of Pittsburg Landing and Shiloh-Buell's slow march-The Con- federates at Corinth-They mass for attack-Disposition of Grant's forces- The battle of Shiloh begins-The first day's fighting-The Federals recede― Their new lines-Terrific fighting-Second day's battle-The Confederates retire-Lost ground gained-Confederate retreat to Corinth-The victory com- Halleck and Grant-Reorganization-The three army corps-Grant snubbed and odds-His plan of operations-Kept constantly on the alert by Van Dorn- CHAPTER VII. PREPARING FOR VICKSBURG. ΙΟΙ Importance of the Mississippi Valley-Meaning of Grant's victories-Object of CHAPTER VIII. SIEGE AND CAPTURE OF VICKSBURG. III Vicksburg-Situation and fortifications-Department of Tennessee-The army |