all party distinctions should be lost sight of, and every true patriot be for maintaining the integrity of the glorious old Stars and Stripes, the Constitution and the Union. The North is responding to the President's call in such a manner that the Rebels may truly quake. I tell you, there is no mistaking the feelings of the people. The Government can call into the field not only 75,000 troops, but ten or twenty times 75,000 if it should be necessary, and find the means of maintaining them, too.

It is all a mistake about the Northern pocket being so sensitive. In times like the present, no people are more ready to give their own time, or of their abundant means. No impartial man can conceal from himself the fact that in all these troubles the Southerners have been the aggressors and the Administration has stood purely on the defensive, more on the defensive than she would have dared to have done but for her consciousness of strength and the certainty of right prevailing in the end. The news to-day is that Virginia has gone out of the Union. But for the influence she will have on the other border slave States, this is not much to be regretted. Her position, or rather that of Eastern Virginia, has been more reprehensible from the beginning than that of South Carolina. She should be made to bear a heavy portion of the burden of the war for her guilt.

In all this I can but see the doom of slavery. The North does not want, nor will they want, to interfere with the institution; but they will refuse for all time to give it protection unless the South shall return soon to their allegiance; and then, too, this disturbance will give such an impetus to the production of their staple, cotton, in other parts of the world that they can never recover the control of the market again for that commodity. This will reduce the value of the negroes so much that they will never be worth fighting over again.

I have just received a letter from Fred (Frederick Dent, Jr.) He breathes forth the most patriotic sentiments. He is for the old flag as long as there is a Union of two States fighting under its banner, and when they dissolve, he will go it alone. This is not his language, but it is the idea, not so well expressed as he expresses it.

Julia and the children are well, and join me in love to you all. I forgot to mention that Fred has another heir, with some novel name that I have forgotten. Yours truly, U. S. GRANT.

The Tribune says:

"It is a peculiarly important and timely contribution to history. It

was written by a Democrat to a Democrat, at a time when Demo cratic Governors in border States were insultingly replying to the President's proclamation, and refusing troops for what they called "an abolition war," or "the coercion of sister States." The language of the Mugwumps of that day may be profitably contrasted with the private letter of the true patriot, who little dreamed then how large was to be his part in the suppression of the rebellion.

"This letter comes in time to correct many impressions as to the career of the great soldier and ex-President. It has been commonly thought that he entered the service as a soldier rather than as a patriot, with not very clearly defined political opinions, but with a clear idea that it was his duty as a soldier to defend the flag of his country, and that his political convictions were mainly formed by intercourse with others, and by the progress of events in later life. His letter of 1861, on the contrary, proves that he had most clearly-defined convictions in regard to the question of slavery, the right and wrong of the struggle, and the aggressive spirit of the slave power, even before he had offered his services to his country. He was mentally a larger and broader man, prior to the war, than the Nation has been prone to suppose, and it is easy to see how, beginning to “work with the Republican party," only as a matter of duty, he soon found its convictions wholly in accord with his own. Shortly after this letter was written, he began that active life which has resulted so grandly for his country and so gloriously for himself."

Captain Grant at once joined his regiment, then organizing at Mattoon, Illinois. Attending personally to their drill and equipment, he soon raised the regiment to a state of discipline rarely attained in the volunteer service. Soon after, Colonel Grant and his regiment were removed across the Mississippi River into Missouri, and formed part of the guard of the Hannibal and Hudson Railroad line, extending across the State from the Mississippi River to St. Joseph on the Missouri. On the 31st of July Colonel Grant was placed in command of the troops at Mexico, Missouri. His force at this time was attached to General Pope's command. There were various movements made by Colonel Grant's regiment of local importance, such as fortifying and garri

soning Pilot Knob, Ironton and Marble Creek. These movements occupied most of the time until the latter part of August, 1861, at which time he was detached from his regimental command and promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General of volunteers, his commission dating from May 17, 1861, being placed in command of the important post at Cairo, Illinois.

CHAPTER' V.

BELMONT, FORT HENRY, AND FORT DONELSON.

The post of Cairo included within its jurisdiction both banks of the Mississippi from Cape Girardeau to New Madrid, and the whole of Western Kentucky on the Ohio River. Its importance as a strategic point is evident at a glance; situated at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, it is the natural base for a military movement upon the South, as also as a defensive military position, It is said that in the first consultation General Scott had with Mr. Lincoln's cabinet at the opening of the war, he placed his finger on the map at Cairo and spoke of it as in every way one of the most important points in the country as a base of supplies, and for military operations.

At the time of General Grant's taking command at Cairo, the State of Kentucky had assumed a nominal neutrality, the secession element was very strong and at many points the rebel forces were received with joyous welcome, while everything was done to prevent the progress of the Union armies. The Confederates had seized Hickman, Bowling Green, Columbus, fortified Fort Henry commanding the Tennessee River, and Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River. As soon as Grant found out that the rebels had encroached upon Kentucky, he ordered the seizure of Paducah, a valuable port at the mouth of the Tennessee River. At the time of taking possession of Paducah Grant found secession flags flying in various

parts of the city, in expectation of the speedy arrival of the rebel forces. Occupying the telegraph office, hospitals and all points of importance, he issued the following procla mation to the citizens:

PADUCAH, KY., September 6, 1861. TO THE CITIZENS OF PADUCAH:-I am come among you, not as an enemy, but as your fellow citizen; not to maltreat you nor annoy you, but to respect and enforce the rights of all loyal citizens. An enemy, in rebellion against our common government, has taken possession of, and planted its guns on 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, to assist the authority and sovereignty of your government. I have nothing to do with opinions, and shall deal only with armed rebellion and its aiders and abettors. You can pursue your usual avocations without fear. The strong arm of the government is here to protect its friends and punish its enemics. 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. GRANT, Brigadier-General Commanding.

This proclamation is of importance as being the first public expression of one who has shown that in statesmanship he is as reliable as in war. Its tone was admirable, and represented the spirit of the Union people.

Following up the occupation of Paducah, General Grant advanced and occupied Smithland, at the mouth of the Cumberland River, thus effectually blockading the entrance to or emergence from the rebel States by those important

streams.

The Confederates had assembled in great force at Columbus, on the Kentucky shore of the Mississippi below Cairo, and were sending their forces across the river to General Price at Belmont, Missouri. It is not the purpose of this biography to give a history of the movements of