that occasion. "He is a brave and efficient officer. His Western campaign is one of the most masterly military feats on record. He is 'the right man in the right place' and above all others fitted to command the American armies."

Such was Ulysses Grant on the day of his being made Lieutenant-General of the Army of the United States. Such is he at this hour, leading on the embattled hosts of the Union for the overthrow of the Rebellion.

May God preserve him!

ee

CHAPTER XXXV.

MORE NEWS FROM THE FRONT.

WHA

HAT is the last news from the front, Major?" eagerly inquired Robert, the elder, as he entered the room, earlier than usual in the morning. "Have you heard?"

"I hear frequently," replied the Major, "and from parties who can be relied upon.

But hereafter in our

history I shall not go so much into particulars as I have done in most cases: It will be impossible for me or any one to mention here all the days and places and names of the great fight of the General to capture Richmond. We must wait for the official reports. And, besides, I mean, one of these days, to give you a special history about the capture of Richmond.”

"Oh! that will be just the thing!" said both Ned and Tom, at the same moment. Just what we

should like."

"You shall have it," said the Major.

Now let us go on with the Union men to the front. By the twelfth of May, 1864, the left wing of the Rebel Army had been seriously disabled and ten thou

sand prisoners taken from the enemy. But the resistance of the traitors was of such a nature as to convince every careful observer that the struggle was to be one of endurance as well as valor. The question did not seem to be- Which army can fight the bravest? but Which army can endure the longest? The problem of equality of bravery had been settled early in the war. It was Greek meeting Greek — American meeting American.

The fiery contest must be fought out. One thing had become certain - the Union would never surrender.

A multitude of touching proofs of patriotism occurred that will be for ever embalmed in history. Time and space would fail us to record even a tithe of them in these pages.

Brig.-Gen. Rice was mortally wounded while leading on his men, colors in hand. Being carried in a hospital-ambulance from the field in company with one of his staff to a place of quiet, he soon expired. Just before dying he sent this telegram to his wife : "I have been true to my country." In a few moments the patriot-hero was no more.

A report from Gen. Sheridan, in command of Grant's cavalry, dated at headquarters, May 10th, stated that he had then turned the enemy's right, pushed to the rear and destroyed nearly ten miles of railway, two locomotives, three trains of cars and a very large quantity of rebel supplies. There was

NEWS FROM THE FRONT.

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much excitement among the inhabitants and army in rebellion. All attempts of the enemy to annoy him had failed. He had recaptured five hundred of our men, two of them colonels of regiments.

Gen. Grant reported on the 12th of May to the Secretary of War that up to that hour every thing was going on well. We had lost no organization in the battle not even a company; while we had destroyed and captured one division, one brigade and one regiment. The capture of this division, embracing four thousand men, was exclusive of Lee's killed and wounded left on the field.

All the prisoners taken from the enemy continued to admit that Lee was astonished at the tactics of Grant. The rebel chief had evidently lost spirit if he was still stubborn in fight. His men gave unmistakable signs of being less elated though yet sullen. They did not give their savage yells, as had been their wont, But charged or fought or retreated in dogged silence.

When Lee received orders in the field from the rebel President to fall back for the defence of the imperilled capital of the Rebellion, he coolly despatched a brigade across the Rapidan, and deliberately planted a park of artillery so as to command Germania Ford; as if he supposed, of course, that Grant would pursue the old tactics of firing and falling back. Instead of this he found Grant holding every inch of ground he gained; and ready every

moment in line of battle to contend for more. It bewildered Lee. Such conduct on the part of a Union commander was not in his programme. It was decidedly inconvenient to all his plans.

The style of fighting adopted by Grant gave the highest satisfaction to his citizen-troops. They could understand it. They saw the point at once. Weary and depleted as they were with long marching and hard fighting they cheered the hero as he passed and obeyed every order with alacrity and enthusiasm. They had never seen it on this wise before. They felt that at last they had the Rebellion in their hands.

A strong position had been gained by our troops. The importance of holding it was apparent to the general in command; but he wished for special instructions. Galloping with all speed to headquarters he asked:

"What shall be done with it, Lieutenant-General ?" "Pile in the men !-hold it at all hazards!" came the prompt reply of Grant.

It was done.

This was the man. It was West Point over again. What he gained he held.

Up to noon of the 12th of May there was occasional skirmishing. Our men continued full of enthusiasm. A wounded Union officer lay panting on the bloody grass. Gen. Grant passing by stopped and bent tenderly over him. He knew the Lieutenant-General, and with his last struggles gave the official signal.