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with radiating Indian plumes. In front of the eagle, its breast reclining upon it, is the American shield. Beneath, sprigs of pine and palm, indicative of the union of the North and the South, are twined together. Over all in a curved line are the words; "PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND." What a golden badge of merit for the TannerBoy!

This national testimonial was rapidly followed by others equally expressive of high popular estimation from different parts of the United States.

The Legislatures of Ohio and New York presented him with resolutions of thanks, and caused them to be engrossed in their official records; while presents and proofs of gratitude from the hearts of the people poured in upon him.

Such is the just reward of virtue, courage and perseverance !

CHAPTER XXVII.

BUT

MADE LIEUTENANT-GENERAL.

UT the most significant act of respect associated with the name of Ulysses Grant is that which made him Lieutenant-General of the Army of the Unitted States. This act was passed by the united vote of Congress on the first of March, 1864. President Lincoln immediately approved it. On the second of March it went into effect, by the confirmation of Gen. Grant by the Senate as the ranking officer of the United States army.

The rank of lieutenant-general is one of extraordinary powers. It was conferred as a compliment on Gen. Scott; but, in consequence of the great age and enfeebled condition of the health of that distinguished commander, he has for some time declined to fill the position by active service. Gen. Grant, therefore, is solely empowered by direct authority of the President to exercise exclusive active command of all the United States armies. The honor is equivalent to that of Field-Marshal. It places its occupant in sole control of the military movements of over one million armed men in the field of battle. What a post to

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be reached by the Tanner-Boy of America! Coming up from humble private. life, with no authority of birth, or wealth, or family connection to promote him, by the blessing of Heaven on the sheer force of his innate energy, directed aright by parental counsels, we behold him where he is. There is no brighter record, thus far, on the pages of all history. This nation is more indebted to him for its military suc-' cesses than to any other living man.

It is a remarkable fact that this high eminence has been reached without any previous intimation on the part of others. On a recent occasion when Gen. Scott was freely conversing with a friend respecting Gen. Grant he expressed the opinion that he had exhibited more skill than any general officer of our times; and added that he was the more surprised at it because his only slight recollection of Grant was as a young lieutenant in the Mexican war of not more than ordinary promise.

When his name was first brought before Congress in connection with this post he wrote a member of the House that he had already been highly honored by the Government, and did not deserve any thing more in the way of promotion. A single-minded patriot he desired only to command men for his country's sake, not his own. Duty!-duty!-this was his highest aim. Calumny, detraction had been heaped upon him, and he had asked absolutely nothing from his country but to be kept in the battle-field. During

all his service, from the time he volunteered as a soldier to the hour of his. highest promotion, he had never sought or asked a furlough of a single day. Quick to decide, prompt to execute, persevering to accomplish, he had encountered every danger, braved every hardship, borne every reproach for his country, his race and his God.

Some said that when this great distinction was conferred Grant would retire from his usual active duties in the field, and assume the reins at a distance. How little they knew of the man! He took the post of lieutenant-general not to be at greater ease, but that he might toil so much the more for his country. The honor was conferred upon him while he was in the field. He is yet in the field while these pages of his life are being written. The intelligence of his appointment came to him at the West, busied at the very moment with new and larger campaigns.

During the preceding months of December, 1863, and January, 1864, he had personally inspected every portion of his active department. The most minute examinations were made in detail into every element of his army.

On the 7th of January, 1864, measures were in train to authorize the President to issue a call for a million more volunteers. The country was fully awake to the crisis, and resolved that no effort should be spared to overthrow the Rebellion. All eyes were beginning to turn to Grant. Many of the rebel sol

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diers, convinced that under such a leader the Union forces must ultimately triumph, came to his standard. He at once prepared the form of a solemn oath by which, if they adhered to it honorably, they would be rendered of service to the United States. Speculators and camp-followers were still kept at bay. The property of loyal citizens in conquered rebel territory was still protected, while that of rebels in arms was lawfully seized and confiscated to the patriotic work of saving the country. The comfort of the soldiers, whom he ever continued to call his "boys," was still the constant object of his care.

All these arduous and patriotic labors were premonitory of his entering on his wider sphere of public duty. In the course of the month of January he visited the posts at Knoxville and Nashville, passing on to St. Louis and Louisville. At St. Louis he met his family, from which he had been so long absent, to act the part of a good father in caring for a sick child. He had made this tour of duty at this most inclement season of the year, carefully attending everywhere to the great interests of the Republic.

He arrived in St. Louis on the 26th of January, 1864. The first intimation of his being in the city was his record of his name on the books of his hotel, "U. S. Grant, Chattanooga." He had just come up from the latter place, like any other traveller. His object was to pay a parental visit to his ill boy,