PREFACE. In the preparation of this volume the editor has endeavored to present, in a concise and readable form, a faithful and accurate biography of the great chieftain whose military genius restored domestic peace and civil law throughout our land; who, in his public and political career, while twice occupying the most exalted position of President of the United States, administered the government with moderation, generosity, wisdom and success, and solved with rare patriotism and intelligence the many complicated and difficult questions that confronted him. Triumphs, which conspired to make ULYSSES S. GRANT honored and revered by all Americans and the civilized nations of the world. In these few pages will be found a delightful picture of grandeur and simplicity of character,—a man thoughtful, reserved and taciturn, of unprecedented magnanimity, undoubted patriotism, cool judgment, clear-sighted sagacity, singleness of purpose, subordination of all egotistical and selfish considerations to duty and the public good, impervious to flattery, modest in his bearing, never boasting of his deeds or selfishly obtruding himself before the public, a man of tireless energy, of great breadth of comprehension, of the highest order of administrative genius. Such a character, when carefully studied, will teach the mass of mankind that high qualities and great abilities are consistent with the simplicity of taste, contempt for parade, and plain ness of manners with which direct and earnest men have a strong and natural sympathy. The editor of the San Francisco Chronicle truly voices the sentiment of all Americans when he said: "It was but fitting that he should be crowned with such honors as have never been bestowed by foreign nations upon any citizen of the United States, and become the recipient of such tokens of confidence and enthusiastic affection as have never been exhibited by Americans to any citizen. For when this generation shall have passed away, when the fierce passions engendered by a bitter strife shall have been tranquilized, the voices of prejudice and calumny that have been so loud against his great name will be hushed forever, and the verdict of impartial history will be that, since the foundation of our government, no American, however bright the halo that time has cast around his memory, has deserved better of his country than Ulysses S. Grant." The compiler has availed himself of all reliable sources of information, special care having been taken to verify statements of fact from official sources. He would acknowledge his indebtedness for the military record of General Grant, to Head. ley's "Grant and His Campaigns," Greeley's "American Conflict," General Badeau's interesting "Military History of General Grant," and Abbott's "Life of Grant." The description of General Grant's tour around the world is largely drawn from two sources: The letters public and private of Jesse Grant to the New York Herald and Chicago Inter-Ocean, and those of J. Russell Young to the New York Herald, CONTENTS. The Grant Family Moto-His Grandfather-His Father-His Father's Marriage-A Pious Mother-Birth of Hiram Ulysses- Anxious for a Collegiate Education-Adopts the Profession of 23 Breveted Second Lieutenant on the Frontier-Ordered to Texas -Annexation of Texas-Sam Houston - - Bombardment of Fort Brown-Battle of Palo Alto-Battle of Resaca de la Palma--Battle of Monterey-Vera Cruz to Mexico-Garrison Life at Sacketts Har- bor-His Marriage-On the Pacific Coast-Resigns his Commission The First Shot-Raises a Company-Adjutant General of Illi- Mr. Dent-New York Tribune Editorial Comments-Joins his Reg- The Port of Cairo-Kentucky Neutrality-Occupation of Paducah -Proclamation to the Citizens-Battle of Belmont-Capture of Fort Henry-Commodore A. H. Foote-Fort Donelson-Co-operation of the Fleet-General Floyd-Escape of Floyd and Pillow-Uncondi- tional Surrender-Its Importance to the Union Cause-Evacuation The Confederates at Corinth-Crumps Landing-Johnston's Pro- clamation-Battle of Pittsburg Landing and Shiloh-Rally of the Union Forces-The Confederate Defeat-Pursuit-Sherman's Remi- niscences-Rebel Retreat to Corinth-Siege of Corinth-Retreat of The Advance upon Vicksburg-Repeated Failures of Movements to the Northward of Vicksburg-Running the Batteries-March to New Carthage-Admiral Porter-Bombardment of Grand Gulf- Crossing the Mississippi at Bruinsburg-Advance upon Port Gibson -Union Success-Evacuation of Grand Gulf-On the Big Black- Grant's Strategy-Battle of Jackson-Champion's Hill-Big Black The Investment of Vicksburg-Magnitude of the Achievement |