PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR, LENOX AND PUBLIO LIBRAR FORD COLLECTION ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, BY J. HAGERTY, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. HAS GENERAL GRANT GENIUS? CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. Ir has been said that all have genius-that each one of us can do something better than any one else in the world. The results of our labor may not be so apparent to the world's eye as that of some, but we will be none the less happy in doing it. And when all are angels, it will doubtless be found that our work-the present company's excepted, of course-was as important and necessary a part of the Great Plan as that of any. "Act well your part, there all the honor lies." Various definitions have been and will be given of the qualifications that constitute genius; but with special reference to the matter in hand I would say, a genius is one whose thought cannot be anticipated. In war, when the average commander is confronted by such an one, he is all at sea: the usual plans to checkmate an ordinary antagonist are of no avail; he cannot imagine how or where he will be struck; and in this condition-he is already whipped. One of the essentials of genius, then, is the capacity to originate plans that are too deep, too boldly conceived for the ordinary or even the able man to anticipate or prepare for. And, as a beautiful voice is always accompanied by the capacity to learn music easily, so the ability to originate is accompanied by the courage to execute, the courage of your convictions. For the ability to make superior combinations goes for nothing if the person is too timid to test them. The creative instinct is also accompanied by such an intense and unselfish love for the work for which it is best adapted, that life itself is held cheap in comparison. This quality is known as enthusiasm, magnetism, etc., and is contagious. In art it elevates and ennobles all who come in contact with it, and in a commander it inspires his men with a fire that is irresistible. The perfect commander is also a real artist, and not a mere butcher, as an incident in the late war goes to show. During Sheridan's raid on Lynchburg, Custer was ordered in pursuit of Early. General Early was found at Waynesboro, in a wellchosen position, behind intrenchments, and Custer disposed his men for attack at once, sending three regiments around Early's left flank, while the balance of his troops deployed in front. Then charging impetuously at the head of his command he carried the Confederate works, and two regiments, without stopping, dashed through the town and secured the bridge in the Confederate rear, where they formed in line with drawn sabres. Early's entire command, on seeing this, "threw down their arms and surrendered, absolutely cheering at the suddenness with which they had been captured." Gen It was a work of art, and that was their tribute to the artist. eral Sherman shows the artist's eye in the smallest matters. Speaking of a soldier roasting ears of corn, he says: "The fire was built artistically." Water-color painting, the general says, was his weakness when a young officer. Military genius means, then, the capacity to conceive, the courage to execute, and the enthusiasm to inspire an army. General Badeau says: "It takes a hero to command an army." And so it does-to command it properly. When the war broke out I thought it would take at least two years to subdue the South. Some thought then that it would be merely a matter of a few months; but I felt assured that the Southern people would make a determined struggle, once they got into it. When, however, Horace Greeley gave the order, "On to Richmond !" and I had read the vivid descriptions of the long lines of baggage-wagons that were advancing in that direction, I thought that I might be mistaken and that the baggage-wagons would do it. After the first Bull Run I joined the Army of the Potomac, and knowing how much depended on the capacity of the leaders, I naturally "took stock" of all the generals and officers I saw. Genius-military genius-did not appear to me to be rampant there, and, so far as I could see, an intelligent corporal could have handled the army as well as it was done on most occasions. In light |