tab-The Visit to Lucknow-The Scene of the Sepoy Rebellion-Missionary Efforts Benares, the Sacred City of the Hindoos-Macaulay's Description of Arrival at Calcutta-Reception by the Consul-General-The Government House -The City-Religious Progress-General Grant at the University-The Money- Changers of India-The Reception by the Viceroy-A Picnic at Barrackpore- Remnants of Indian Splendor-Refugees from Burmah-Farewell to Calcutta -Reception of General Grant at Burmah-Rangoon-The Hindoo Faith- Sailing Down the Straits of Malacca-Farewell to India-A Visit to Siam-A Letter from the King-Almost an Accident-Impressions of Bangkok-The Venice of the East-Landing in Bangkok-A Visit to the Ex-Regent-The Regent The King-A Royal Visit--Interview Between the General and the King-State Dinner at the Palace-Speech of the King of Siam-The General's En Route for Canton-The Reception at the Viceregal Palace-A Chinese Tea- Party-Eating with Chopsticks-The Viceroy Gives a Dinner to General Grant-How to Dine in China-Curious Dishes-Farewell to the Viceroy- Canton-The Five Hundred Disciples of Buddha-Canton Streets-Street A Visit to Macao-The Grotto of Camoens-The Author of “Lusiad "—Hong Kong-Address of Welcome-A Strange Ceremony-Visit to Swatow-Hospi- talities of the Island-Amoy-Shanghai-A Hearty Welcome-Procession to the Consulate-The City en Fête-A Beautiful Scene-Tientsin-The Viceroy -His Address of Welcome-The General's Response-A Fête-Champêtre. Concerning Pekin-Boat-Life on the Peiho-Embarking for Pekin―The End of the Journey-The American Legation-Visit to Prince Kung-Welcome by the American Colony-Grant's Reply-The Reception by the Prince-A Chi- Prince Kung Returns General Grant's Visit-A Remarkable Conversation-The Loochoo Islands-General Grant becomes a Messenger of Peace-The Situa- tion-How Japan has Treated China-War not Desired-How Japan Captured GRANT'S TOUR AROUND THE WORLD. CHAPTER I. LEAVES THE HIS EARLY LIFE-ENTERS WEST POINT-GALLANT CON- - SURRENDER-GENERAL GRANT BECOMES PRESIDENT--- In the early part of the Rebellion, the venerable The young man referred to was General Grant, who Let us see who General Grant was: He was born at Point Pleasant, Clermont County, in the State of Ohio, April 27th, 1822. His grandfather desired that he might be called Hiram, while his grandmother was equally desirous that he should be called Ulysses, after the Grecian hero; so the matter was compromised by calling him Hiram Ulysses. His father was by trade a tanner, and Ulysses was early initiated into the mysteries of the trade. At that period, the facilities for obtaining an education were not as good as they are now, and thus that of young Grant was very limited, and so "he grew up a sturdy youth, differing little from scores of hard-working young men around him." When eighteen years of age, he succeeded in obtaining an appointment in the Military Academy at West Point, through the influence of Mr. Hamer, member of Congress from the district in which Grant's family lived. When Mr. Hamer presented his name for cadetship, by mistake he wrote the name, Ulysses S. Grant, and his name was so entered on the books at West Point. As Ulysses Simpson Grant he pursued his studies, graduated, and has since been known throughout our land. "He labored under great disadvantages, in comparison with many young men in his class, in his want of knowledge of the preparatory studies which they possessed. He made up. however, for all deficiencies in this respect, by his close application and perseverance." He graduated at West Point, in 1843, the twenty-first in his class. He was appointed brevet second lieutenant in the Fourth Regular Infantry, at that time stationed at Jefferson Barracks. He immediately joined his regiment, and in the following spring he moved with it up the Red River, to do frontier duty. In 1845, at the commencement of our difficulties with Mexico, Grant and his regiment accompanied General Taylor to Corpus Christi, as a part of the "Army of Occupation." Soon after, he was promoted to a full second lieutenant. Grant's active military life began in 1846, when war was declared by Mexico against the United States. He accompanied General Taylor in his march from Point Isabel, and took an active part in the battles of Resaca and Palo Alto. When the army passed into the interior, his regiment accompanied it, and took part in the battle of Monterey. Soon after this, his regiment was transferred to the command of General Scott, and he was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. Soon after, they took part in the battles between Vera Cruz and the City of Mexico. He distinguished himself at Molino del Rey, and was appointed brevet first lieutenant. His bravery at Cha pultepec caused him to be appointed brevet captain, and to be honorably mentioned in the dispatches. When the war was over, his regiment returned to the United States, and was soon after stationed at Detroit. Shortly after his return, he was married to a Miss Dent, of St. Louis, Missouri. From Detroit he was transferred to Sackett's Harbor. At a later period, a force being sent to Oregon, he accompanied it, and while at this post, received, in 1852, a full commission as captain. In the following year he resigned his commission, and settled on a small farm, near that of his father-in-law, a short distance from St. Louis. Here he remained for a time, but when, a few years later, his father invited him to go into the leather trade with him, he at once availed himself of the opportunity, and moved to Galena, Illinois, in 1859; and "Grant & Son, Leather Dealers," becane well-known in their line of business. He was quietly pursuing his business when the news of the fall of Fort Sumpter startled the land, and fired him with his old military enthusiasm. In the attack which had been made, he saw the old flag, for which he had often risked his life, imperiled. With the spirit of a true patriot, he exclaimed: "Uncle Sam educated me for the army; and although I have served faithfully through one war, I feel that I am still a little in debt for my education, and I am ready to discharge it and help put down this rebellion." He was invited by the Governor of his State to assist in organizing the quota demanded of that State, he taking the rank of Adjutant-General. He assisted in raising the necessary men, but did not accept the position offered him; and when Governor Yates proposed to send his name to Washington for the appointment of Brigadier-General, Grant nobly replied: "I do not ask for promotion; I want to earn it." |