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CHAPTER II.

AT WEST POINT.

When a young man, it was Grant's earnest desire to secure a collegiate education. As has been stated in the previous chapter, his father's limited means presented an almost insurmountable obstacle to the acquirement of more than a common school education. Under these circumstances but one way suggested itself to the youthful Grant, and that was by adopting the profession of arms, and obtaining an appointment of cadet at West Point. He knew that at this school, not only was education gratuitous, but that during his course the student was supported well and paid a regular sum, which was more than enough for the ordinary expenses of a student at college. There was also, after graduation, a field open to him either to remain in the army, or to engage in engineering or industrial pursuits.

In the year 1839 his father secured, through the influence of General Thomas L. Hamer, then a member of Congress from the district, an appointment as cadet at West Point. Grant was at this time but seventeen years of age. It is somewhat remarkable that without any preparatory study he was able to pass the rigid examination which all cadets are obliged to undergo. He was admitted into the fourth class, where his studies consisted of mathematics, English grammar,-including etymological and rhetorical exercises, composition, declamations,-geog raphy, French, and the use of small arms.

During a part of the summer, the cadets at West Point go into camp, living in tents as if "on the field." Young Grant ranked during his first year as a private of the battalion, and enjoyed the privileges and had to submit to all the trials that privates in camp have to suffer. During the year 1840 he was advanced into the third class. His studies consisted of the higher mathematics, French, drawing, and the duties of a cavalry soldier. He was also advanced to the rank of corporal in the cadet battalion.

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During 1841 Cadet Grant entered the second class at the United States Military school, advancing to the rank of a sergeant in the battalion of cadets. The studies of this class he found were somewhat more laborious, yet his progress here, as in his previous studies, was steady-not rapid, but of the sure kind-mastering thoroughly all that he undertook, holding firmly on to all that he acquired. He never fell back; was ever found faithful in every duty, receiving the approbation of his teachers, and the friend

ship of his associates. In this class his studies embraced natural and experimental philosophy, chemistry and drawing, and practical instruction in horsemanship, and during the summer encampment was well drilled in both infantry and artillery tactics. Passing out of this class with credit, he entered the first or senior class in 1842. In the battalion of cadets he ranked as a commissioned officer, learning here how to command a section, troop or company. In this class he engaged in acquiring the knowledge of civil and military engineering, in the study of ethics; constitutional, military and international law; in mineralogy and geology, and the Spanish language. He was also thoroughly drilled in infantry, artillery and cavalry tactics; in the use of rifled, mortar, siege and seacoast guns; in small sword and bayonet exercise, as well as in the construction of field works and fortifications, and in the fabrication of munitions and material of war.

Thus he received at West Point the best education a man can receive, namely, that which fits him for his I work in life. He was subjected to a course of physical training which invigorated his body. Young Grant appreciated and improved all the opportunities which were offered to him. He gave these years diligently to selfimprovement in the widest sense. He graduated in June, 1843, with a good rank in his class, and, what was better, without vices which enfeebled his body, or mental habits which depraved his mind. It may not be uninteresting to the reader to know who General Grant's fellow graduates were, and what their relative positions were at the close of the civil war. There were in the graduating class of 1843 thirty-nine graduates, Grant standing the twenty-first on the list. The grade and brief biography of each at above date was as follows:

The cadet who stood first in the class was William Benjamin Franklin, who entered the Topographical Engineer Corps; and having passed through a series of adventures under various commanders was, at the beginning of 1864, the general commanding the Nineteenth Army Corps, in the Department of the Gulf, under General Banks.

The names of the next three graduates do not now appear in the army list of the United States.

William F. Raynolds ranked fifth in the class, entered the infantry service, and was appointed an aide on the staff of General Fremont, commanding the Mountain Department, with the rank of colonel, from the 31st of March, 1862.

The next graduate was Isaac F. Quinby. He had entered the artillery service, and had been professor at West Point, but had retired to civil life. The rebellion, however, brought him from his retirement, and he went to the field at the head of a regiment of New York volunteers. He afterward became a brigadier-general in the Army of the Potomac.

Roswell S. Ripley, the author of "The War with Mexico," stood seventh; but his name did not appear in the official Army Register of the United States, as he had attached himself to the rebel cause.

The next graduate was John James Peck, who entered the artillery service, and was, on Jan. 1, 1864, the commander of the district of and army in North Carolina, which then formed a portion of General Butler's Depart

ment.

John P. Johnstone, the daring artillery lieutenant who fell gallantly at Contreras, Mexico, was the next graduate. General Joseph Jones Reynolds was the next in grade.

This officer had gained great credit while in the army, as a professor of sciences; but had resigned some time, when the Rebellion broke out. He was, however, in 1861, again brought forward as a general of three months' volunteers, under General McClellan, in Western Virginia; was afterward commissioned by the President; and latterly became attached to the Army of the Cumberland. He served on the staff of the general commanding that army, with the rauk of major-general, until General Grant assumed command of the military division embracing the Departments of Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland, when he was transferred to New Orleans.

The eleventh graduate was James Allen Hardie, who, during the War of the Rebellion, became an assistant adjutant-general of the Army of the Potomac, with the rank of colonel.

Henry F. Clarke graduated twelfth, entered the artillery service, gained brevets in Mexico, and became chief commissary of the Army of the Potomac, during the War of the Rebellion, with the rank of colonel.

Lieutenant Booker, the next in grade, died while in service at San Antonio, Texas, on June 26, 1849.

The fourteenth graduate might have been a prominent officer of the United States army, had he not deserted the cause of his country, and attached himself to the Confederates. He had not even the excuse of "going with his State," for he was a native of New Jersey, and was appointed to the army from that State. His name is Samuel G. French, major-general of the rebel army.

The next graduate was Lieutenant Theodore L. Chadbourne, who was killed in the battle of Resaca de la Palma, on May 9, 1846, after distinguishing himself for his bravery at the head of his command.

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