The life of Ulysses S. Grant, general-in-chief U. S. A.

Front matter

I

GEN ITLy S SL S S. GKANI. US A ubiished Isr E B Ireat & C9 eS* BroaaroT. ^JewToit

THE LIFE

Preface

In a former work, composed of biographical sketches of the distinguished generals that shared the fortunes and the triumphs of General Grant, we gave a brief outline of the military history of the latter. The object of the present work is to fill up that outline, and present him not merely as a great military leader, but by a careful collection and faithful narration of the facts and events that go to make up his history, from his boyhood to the present hour, furnish to the reader the materials for obtaining a correct estimate of his character as a man.

Immediately after the war, things were in that state of chaos that it was impossible to get hold of those details so necessary to the proper understanding of this. These have since come to light, which enables the biographer not only to give his

IV PREFACE.

complete history, so far as it illustrates his great qualities, but also to explain much that was hitherto wrapt in obscurity. This is especially true of his early struggles in the West, against secret persecutions and open hostility. In his varied fortunes whilst serving under Halleck, much that is new and strange has been learned which not only reveals Grant in a more attractive light than even his great deeds, but also the mysterious path by which Providence finally led him to the exalted height which he so much adorns.

Such a complete history of him is desirable, not only because of the prominent place he holds in our military annals and national history, but because of the important position he at present occupies in the civil afi"airs of the republic.

If he is destined in these turbulent times to take the helm of the government, it is of vital consequence that the people should know his character as illustrated by his acts, other than as a victorious general.

We believe a calm perusal of the following work will enable a just man to form correct conclusions, and that he will rise from it convinced

PBEFACE.

that a more unselfish, patriotic, or purer man was never entrusted with power.

In reference to Grant's military life West, we wish to acknowledge our great obligations to Col. Badeau, who, as a member of the General's staff, had access to his private papers, and hence was able to reveal what was before unknown, or only conjectured.

ILLUSTRATIONS

FINELY EXECUTED ON STEEL,

From Photographs and Original Designs.

PoETEAiT OF GENERAL U. S. Gbant (from a late Photograph,

Engraved by H. B. Ilall Frontispiece

Map of Geneeal Geant's Vioksbubg Campaign, Engraved

by Eoberts, » 1(>

BiETH-PLACE OF Genebal U. S. Geant, Designed by Perkins,

Engraved by Robins 40

VioTOEious Maeoh of Gen'l Geant's Aemt into Eiohmond,

Designed by Momberger, Engraved by A. Robins 200

Genebal Geant's Aemy's "Welcome Home {Grand Review at Washington)^ Designed by A. L. Rawson, Engraved by A. Robins 357

Chapter I

Childhood of Great Men — Influence of Circumstances — How Generals are made— Grant's Ancestry — Nativity — ^Early Life — Apt at Figures— Examined by a Phrenologist— His love for Horses — Early management of them — Rides a Circus-Pony — Sent alone on business to Kentucky— Ingenuity in loading heavy timber — Dissatisfied with his position — Resolves to go to West Point 17

Chapter II

Enters West Point — How his Name became changed— Application to his Studies — His steady Progress — Distinguished for his Horsemanship — Graduates — Brevetted Second Lieutenant — Ordered West— Serves under Taylor on the Rio Grande— Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma — Joins Scott at Vera Cruz — Made Quartermaster and serves also on the Staff — Distinguishes himself at Molino del Rey and Chapultepec — Complimented for his gallantry — West Point OflScers turn Gunners — Value of their early training in the Field — Returns home and Marries — Stationed at Detroit and Sackett's Harbor — Sent to California — to Oregon — Made Captain — Resigns his Commission— Settles on a Farm near St. Louis — Sells Wood — Anecdotes— Turns Collector — Poor Success — Joins his Father in the Leather business — Breaking out of the War — West Point vindicated 27

Chapter III

His Politics — Raises a Company and takes it to Springfield — He offers his services to the Government — His letter unanswered — ^Assists Governor Yates in organizing the troops — Made Col-

Vin CONTENTS.

onel of the 21st Eegiment — Endeavors to get on McOlellaa's staff — Serves in Missouri — Made Brigadier-General — Amusing Anecdote of him — Makes Cairo his Headquarters — Occupies Paducah — Proclamation to the People — Correspondence with General Polk — Battle of Belmont — His congratulatory Order — Letter to his Father, giving an account of the Action — The Cairo Expedition — Order respecting it — Eetaliatory Order — Proposes to Halleck to seize Fort Henry — Rude treatment by the latter 41

Chapter IV

Importance of their Capture — Grant commands the land forces in the Expedition against them — Fort Henry taken by Admiral Foote — Grant's advance against Fort Donelson — Eepulse of Foote — Investment of the place — Description of its defences — Desperate Assault of Pillow — The Battle— Arrival of Grant on the Field — His sublime determination — Assault of the enemy's works — Smith's Success — The Night-Consultation of the Rebel Officers — Escape of Pillow and Floyd — Correspondence between Grant and Buckner — The Surrender — Grant breakfasts with the Rebel General — Result of the Victory — Enthusiasm of the People — Congratulatory Order to the Troops — Fall of Nashville— Consternation and Flight of the People — Violence of the Mob — Columbus Flanked 63

Chapter V

Halleck's Neglect — His unjust and abusive Despatch to "Washington— Failure of his Attempt to injure him with the Government— Grant ordered to Fort Henry — Halleck accuses him of Acting Unbecoming an Officer — Puts Smith in his Place at the head of the Army of the Tennessee — Continues his Persecutions— Noble Conduct of Grant — Denies the Charges made against him — Asks to be relieved from Command till his Conduct can be investigated — Sudden Change in Halleck's Treatment— Attempts to vindicate his Conduct— His Duplicity — Unsuspected by Grant — General Morgan treated in a similar manner— Magnanimity of Grant and Smith — Rumors of Grant's Arrest 83

CONTENTS. IX

Chapter VI

Position of the Army on the Tennessee — Located at Pittsburgh Landing and Savannah — Eeasons for it — Grant restored to his command, and takes up his Headquarters at Savannah — Buell ordered to join him with forty thousand men — Grant forbidden to give battle — Concentration of the Enemy at Corinth — Threatening Demonstrations of the Enemy— Accident to Grant — Fierce and unexpected onset of the Enemy — The Battle — Surrender of Prentiss— Gallantry of Sherman — Arrival of Grant on the Battle Field — His orders to Nelson and Wallace to push forward to his aid — They fail to arrive — The Army driven back to the Eiver — Arrival of Buell — The Gunboats — Night — A Storm — Buell's army got into position — Grant sleeps on the field— The Second Day's Battle— Grant heads a charge — The Victory — Correspondence with Beauregard — Causes of First Day's Defeat — Defence of Grant — Outcry against him .... 97

Chapter VII

Halleck takes Chief Command — Again disgraces Grant — Uncomplaining Conduct of the latter — Abused by Correspondents of the Press — His calm Reply to one — His quiet, dignified Behavior — Offers Halleck Good Advice — Insulted for it — His Sharp Retort — Evacuation of Corinth — An Excellent Llustration of Halleck's Strategy— Halleck called to "Washington— Last Attempt to disgrace Grant — The latter makes Corinth his Headquarters — Order respecting Fugitive Slaves — Severe Order to the People of Memphis — Receives a threatening Letter— Battle of luka— Of Corinth— Sends Sherman to Attempt the Capture of Vicksburg — Causes of his Failure — Plans his great Expedition against the Stronghold 116

Chapter VIII

Situation of Vicksburg — Difficulty of reaching it — Attempt to get below it by a Canal — Sickliness of the Camp— Visit of one of the Sanitary Commission— Aided by Grant — His Solicitude for the Comfort of the Soldiers— A Flood— Failure of the Canal— The Red River Route — Abandoned — Attempt on the east Side

X CONTENTS.

of the River, by Moon Lake — Narrative of the Expedition sent through it — Its Abandonment — A Fourth Attempt by Steele's Bayou — Its Difficulties — Porter's Account of it — Its Abandonment 128

Chapter IX

Grant resolves to run the Batteries with his Fleet — Opposed by his Officers — Boldness of the Resolution — Desperate Character of his Plan — Attempt to remove him — Cooperation with Banks — The Army marches below Vicksburg — Running the Batteries — A thrilling Spectacle — Success — Grand Gulf attacked — Repulse— Its Batteries run — Landing at Bruinsburgh — ^Energy and Activity of Grant — Superintends every thing — Strikes Inland— Battle of Port Gibson — Grant assumes Command — The Victory — Grand Gulf Evacuated — Entered by Grant 145

Chapter X

A Perilous Resolve — Cuts loose from his Base — Untiring Activity — Urgent Orders — Sherman's Arrival — His Astonishment — Grant Marches for Jackson — Address to his Troops — His little Son accompanies him — Despatch to Halleck — McPherson defeats Johnston — Jackson evacuated — Grant's Son the first to enter it — Sherman left to destroy Public Property — The Army marches back toward Vicksburg — Johnston outmarched — Battle of Champion's Hill — Grant with his Boy under Fire — " The Hill of Death "—Battle of Black River— Before Vicksburg— Sherman's Opinion of the Campaign — Results of it — Its Resemblance to Napoleon's Italian Campaign 164

Chapter XI

Description of the Enemy's "Works — First Assault — Bombardment of the City by Porter — Second Assault — Terrific Scene — Heroism of the Troops — Gallant Deed of Joseph Griffith — The Chicago Battery — Mistake of McClernand — Grant deceived by it, and orders the Assault renewed — Its Failure — Our Loss —

CONTENTS. XI

Grant's Eeasons for making the Assault — Grant resolves on a regular Siege — Pemberton asks for a Suspension of Hostilities — Burial of the dead 189

Chapter XII

Perilous Position of the Army — Want of competent Engineers — Labor of Grant — Silence of the Enemy — Wooden Mortars — Progress of the Siege — Famine in the City — Distress of the Inhabitants—They hide in Caves — Explosion of a Mine — Desperate Fighting— The "Death Hole"— Day fixed for the final Assault — Pemberton sees his Condition to be hopeless 199

Chapter XIII

Propositions of Pembertoa — Interview between him and Grant — Impressive Scene — Haughty Bearing of the former — Terms Agreed upon — The Eebel Soldiers stack their Arms — Interview between Grant and Pemberton — Paidenejs of the Latter and his Ofiicers — Grant enters the City in Triumph — Interview between him and Porter— The Soldiers Celebrate the Fourth of July — Pemberton's Reasons for Surrendering on the Fourth — Grant's Despatch to the Government — Parole and Departure of the Prisoners — Rebuke of Halleck — Correspondence with Banks — The President's Letter — Sherman sent back to Fight Johnston — Summing up of the Campaign 208

Chapter XIV

Employment of Negro Troops — Grant's Views respecting it — Threatens to retaliate if they are abused when captured — Opposed to opening Trade with the South — Proposes an Expedition against Mobile — His Application rejected — Protects his Soldiers against the Extortion of Steamboat Captains — Wife visits him — Her enthusiastic Reception in St. Louis— Public Dinner at Memphis — Thrown from his Horse at New Orleans and laid up — Long Confinement — Ordered to reinforce Rosecrans — Leaves Vicksburg — Placed over all the Troops in the Mississippi Valley— Interview with the Secretary of War. . 227

Xll CONTENTS.

Chapter XV

Grant's Despatch to Thomas — Puts him in the place of Rosecrans — Starts for Chattanooga — Has to be carried over rough places — Gloomy Entrance into Chattanooga — Positions of the two Armies — Opening up the Channel for Supplies — Hazen's Expedition — Seizure of Lookout Valley by Hooker — Burnsido threatened at Knoxville — Sherman hurried forward — Grant resolves to attack the Enemy — Postponement — His Anxiety for Burnside — Despatches to him — His great Anxiety 2-il

Chapter XVI

Bridges carried away — Anxiety and Restlessness of Grant — Reconnoisances and advance of Thomas — Sherman makes a lodgment on Missionary Ridge — Hooker carries Lookout Mountain — Battle above the clouds — A tlirilling spectacle — Night before the Battle — Sherman's attack — Hooker's delay — Grant's anxiety— Assault of the Mountain — Heroism of the Troops — Grant and Thomas — The victory — The pursuit — Hooker attacks by moonlight — Grant's despatch to Halleck — Sherman sent to relieve Burnside — Review of the Campaign and Battle — Letter from the President 256

Chapter XVII

Grant again Proposes to capture Mobile — His views Opposed — His Congratulatory Order to his Troops — Congress orders a Medal struck for him — He wishes to carry on a Winter Campaign, but is unable — Sends Sherman on a raid into Mississippi — A Public Dinner given hira in Louisville — His Political Views —Made Lieut.-General, and ordered to "Washington — Interesting Correspondence between him and Sherman — His Reception at Washington — His Commission presented him by the President — Grandeur of his Position — Hurries up Banks- Maturing of his Plans 277

Chapter XVIII

The way to a stable Peace — Grant on the Erroneous Manner in which the War had been carried on — The right Plan of Action

CONTENTS. Xiii

—View of the Condition— Forces in the Field— Sketch of Grant's Plan of Campaign— Instructions to Sherman— Instructions to Butler— To Meade— Array of the Potomac— Its Koute decided upon— Movement delayed by muddy Eoads— Strange Confidence of the South— Not shared by Lee, who orders a day of Humiliation and Prayer— His Preparations— Numerical Strength of the two Armies 292

Chapter XIX

The March begun— The Eapidan crossed— Lee's Flank turned- He determines to attack Grant in the Wilderness— A sagacious Move— First Day's Battle of the Wilderness— Arrival of Longstreet and Burnside— Swift Marching— Second Day's Battle- Third Day— Headquarters— Grant attempts to move around Lee's Left to Spottsylvania— The Night-March— The Enemy arrive first— Grand Assault of the Enemy's Works— Gallant Charge of Hancock— A Lull— A third Attempt to get between Lee and Richmond— It Fails— Last Effort to reach Eichmond from the North— Battle of Cold Harbor— Change of Base to the James Eiver— Attempt to capture Petersburg 302

Chapter XX

The Overland and Peninsula Eoutes considered— Seasons against the Former— " Continuous Hammering"- Grant charged with having Contempt for all Manoeuvres— The Charge disproved— Distinguished for his Skilful Manoeuvres— Compared to Napoleon—Not to blame for the Slaughter in the Wilderness, or the Error at Cold Harbor— Gloomy Eetrospect— Failure of Siegel and Butler to do their Part— Eeason of the great Disparity in the Losses of the two Armies , 321

Chapter XXI

Disheartening aspect of affairs— Importance of Petersburg— Hunter succeeds Siegel— Wilson's raid— Movement north of the James Eiver— Explosion of a Mine— Defeat of Hunter— Invasion of Early-Despondency— Grant's letter to Washburn- Appoints Sheridan Commander of all the Forces around Wash-

XIV CONTENTS.

ington and in the Middle Department — Cliecks Sheridan — Finally, bids him " Go in ! " — Effect of Sheridan's Victories — Grant attempts to get around Lee's left — Hancock attacked — Winter operations — Almost a frightful disaster — Atlanta reached— Grant's grief at the death of McPherson — His Letter to the Grandmother — Permits Sherman to cut loose from Atlanta — His views upon it — Is anxious to have Thomas attack Hood — Correspondence — Fort Fisher — Butler's disobedience — Capture of the place — Directs Sherman to come to him by sea — Countermands the order — Schofield ordered East — Stoneman's raid — Expedition against Mobile— Directions to Thomas — Concentric movements — Sheridan's raid — Correspondence with Lincoln — Interview with him and Sherman — Eesolves to move 335

Chapter XXIII

Attack of Lee— Sheridan's Orders — The Movement Begun — Sheridan's Orders revoked — Grant changes his Plan and resolves " to Finish the Job" — Battle of Five Forks— Storming of the Works — The Victory — Evacuation of Kichmond ordered — Davis receives the News in Church — Incredulity of the People — Scene in the Capital — Terrific Scene in the Streets— Blowingup of the Kebel Iron-clads — Burning of the Bridges and Warehouses— The City takes fire — A maddened Populace — Weitzel and Ewell — Their Eegimental Bands— The Morning' — Entering the City^The Conflagration continues — The Capitol-square at Night 357

Chapter XXIV

The Pursuit — Swift Marching — Sheridan's Victory over Ewell — Lee cut off from Burkesville— Endeavors to reach Lynchburg — Grant's Letter to Sherman — Lee leaves the Highway, and takes to the Thickets — Headed off by Sheridan — Grant addresses a Note to Lee asking him to surrender — The Reply — Correspondence— Lee resolves to cut his way through Sheridan's Cavalry— The Attempt abandoned — Lee seeks an Interview with Grantr— Description of the Meeting — The Surrender of the Army agreed upon— The Surrender— Grant visits Washington— The

CONTENTS. XV

President tells liira a Dream — Is sent down to receive the Surrender of Johnston — The Army starts for Home — Grand Review in the Capital 368

CHAPTEH XXV.

Grant since the "War — ^Keeps clear of Politics — His freedom from animosity to the South — His calm and dispassionate judgment — Interferes in behalf of Lee — Opposed to the distinctions made in the Amnesty Proclamation between Officers of different Rank — Also to that based on Property — Opposed to Military Government — Intercedes for Rebels asking for Pardon — The Presidential Tour — His Reception at the Sanitary Fair in Chicago— A thrilling spectacle — Welcome at Galena — Prefers "Work to Show — Sent South to examine into its Condition — Remonstrates against the Removal of Sheridan — Appointed Secretary of "War ad interim — Discharges the Duties of the Office with signal Ability — His Reticence on Political Questions — His Platform of Principles 386

Chapter XXVI

Grant's Freedom from Party prejudice — Vacates the War Office — Correspondence with the President — Statements of the Members of the Cabinet — Contradictory Statements — Explanation of the discrepancy — His course approved — Refuses to sanction Hancock's order at New Orleans — His Character — His Courage — Power of Concentration — Tenacity — Knowledge of Detail — On the Picket Line — Anecdote of him — Skill in handling Large Armies — Lincoln's estimate of his Character— McPherson's 398

THE LAST INLAND EOUTE OF GEN GRANT TO REACH THE REAR OF VICKSBUEG

Chapter I. Boyhood

Childhood of Great Men — Influence of Circumstances — How- Generals are made— Grant's Ancestry — Nativity — ^Early Life — Apt at Figures— Examined by a Phrenologist— His love for Horses — Early management of them — Kides a Circus-Pony — Sent alone on business to Kentucky — Ingenuity in loading heavy timber — Dissatisfied with his position — Kesolves to go to West Point.

There is always more or less desire to know something of the early life of great men, in the expectation of finding those traits or qualities of character, in boyhood, which afterwards rendered them so distinguished. Sometimes the wish is so strong to find these early revelations, that every floating rumor is caught at, and accepted as true, if it goes to establish precocity of genius. Thus, the boyhood of Napoleon and Washington has been turned into a romance, in the eagerness to show how, almost in their infancy, they gave indications of their former greatness.

But the truth is, circumstances make men — not that circumstances can make a strong man out of a weak one — a wise one out of a fool — but that men are educated by circumstances. A man of well-balanced character, strong common sense, and good mental capacity, is capable of expanding to meet any of the exigencies of human life ; that is, he will grow to his condition, adapt himself to the sphere rapidly enlarging around him. Washington, for instance, but for the Revolution, would doubtless have been distinguished only as the first man in his county, of excellent judgment, and worthy of any position of trust or responsibility. But he had the capacity for greater things ; and when the momentous struggle of the colonies was thro^vn upon him, he rose to meet the great responsibility. As the war advanced, he advanced in military knowledge and skill. In short, he was capable of being educated by the circumstances and events into which he was throAvn. There are great geniuses in history that were born such — who seem to be endowed with a sort of inspiration that enables them to leap to results which others reach only by patient labor and slow experience ; but they are rare as comets in the solar system. The great truth, that but few men are equal, at once, to any and all emergencies that may arise, was one that our government, at the outset, was slow in learning. In ordinary wars, the general that has been educated for the very position of trust in

MISTAKES. 19

which he finds himself, and shows by his failures that he is unequal to it, proves his incapacity, and his removal is a matter of imperious necessity. But no one in our country had received the training requisite to fit him for the wide field of operations, and the distracting circumstances presented by the awful civil war that was precipitated upon us. That military leaders should blunder, as well as the government, which was equally unprepared for it, was inevitable. To require, as some did, an immediate change of government— even going so far as to hint at the removal of the President — was insanity. We were all children, and had, like children, to learn to walk, by repeated stumbles. Ignoring this important fact, in military matters, made the government present the spectacle of throwing dice, as it were, for a general. One after another was sacrificed, and Grant and Sherman narrowly escaped the same fate. The latter was removed fi:om the Department of Kentucky, as a crazy man ; while nothing but the most strenuous efforts of a single friend saved the former from disgrace, after the battle of Pittsburgh Landing ; yet both proved themselves to be eventually the greatest captains of the age.

But though it is true that the child seldom exhibits any indications of the future greatness to which he attains, yet, in many respects, the old maxim is true, that "the child is father to the man."

A child of weak and vacillating will never becomes a man of great decision and executive force ; nor one who exhibits a total lack of perseverance and energy in every thing he undertakes be distinguished for marking out a course, and persisting in it, over all obstacles, and amid the greatest discouragements. Those quahties of character for which Grant is so remarkable, he exhibited as a child. He confronted difficulties with the same dauntless resolution then, that he did afterwards.

His father, still livuig, loves to recall and recount the events in the childhood of his distinguished son ; hence, there is no public character of modern times, of whose early life so much is kno-^vn.

He is of Scotch descent; and though much effort has been made to trace his lineage to Connecticut, we can find very little that is reliable, beyond his great-grandfather, who settled in "Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where, in in 1794, the father of Ulysses was born, and, five years after, emigrated to Ohio — ^then the far west. Here he in a few years died, leaving his son, eleven years of age, an orphan, and nearly penniless. There were seven children in all, the oldest of which was but twelve years of age when the family was broken up. When sixteen years

HIS BOYHOOD. 21

old he was apprenticed to his half-brother, in Maysville, Kentucky, to learn the tanner s trade, and served out his time, and then went back to Ohio, and set up in business for himself, at Kavenna, Portage county. Compelled by illness, after a few years of toil, to abandon his trade, he finally settled down agam, for a while, at Point Pleasant. He shortly after became acquainted with Miss Hannah Simpson, who had emigrated from his native county, in Pennsylvania, and married her.

Ulysses, their first child, was born here, on the 27th day of April, 1822. The mother was a Methodist, and trained her child to respect religion, to avoid profanity and strife, and to love truth, industry, and honesty. The father was poor, and Ulysses was early taught to help him, on whom a rapidly increasing family pressed hard. Thus, at eight years of age, we find him driving team for him ; and at ten he was accustomed to drive a pair of horses alone from Georgetown, where he lived, forty miles, to Cincinnati, and bring back a load. Like many farmer-boys, he was very fond of horses, and, though a mere lad, showed great skill in managing them, and acquired a knack, no one knew how, of breaking them to pace. Most of the incidents of his boyhood differ but little from those which make up the life of boys of poor parents, whose necessities compel them to work instead of play. Some of them, however, exhibit those traits which have since distinguished him — in fact, have led to his success. That tenacity of purpose, which no obstacles or dangers can shake, was illustrated in the persistency with which he once clung to a circus-pony that he was induced to mount in the ring. The trained little animal could not, with its utmost efforts, shake him off; and the ring-master, disappointed to see him succeed, where others always failed, let loose a monkey, Avhich sprung up behind him and mounted on his shoulders, and began to pull his hair. The spectators shouted, and the pony struggled still more frantically to get rid of its rider ; but Ulysses, with his face wearing the same imperturbable expression it in after-years wore in battle, rode on, until pony and ring-master had to give it up.

That quiet, fixed resolution, which is such a marked feature in his character to-day, he possessed when a mere lad. His father possessed great confidence in his ability to take care of himself, and once sent him, when but twelve years of age, to Louisville, alone. We give the incident in his own language. He says :

" It was necessary for me to have a deposition taken there, to be used in a law-suit in which I was engaged in the State of Connecticnt. I had written more than once about it to my lawyers, but could not get the

SENT ON A JOURNEY. 23

business done. ' I can do it,' said Ulysses. So I sent him on the errand alone. Before he started, I gave him an open letter that he might show the captain of the boat, or any one else, if he should have occasion, stating that he was my son, and was going to Louisville on my business. Going down, he happened to meet a neighbor with whom he was acquainted ; so he had no occasion to use the letter. But when he came on board a boat, to return, the captain asked him who he was. He told him ; but the captain answered, 'I cannot take you ; you may be running away.' Ulysses then produced my letter, which put every thing right ; and the captain not only treated him with great kindness, but took so much interest in him as to invite him to go as far as Maysville with him, where he had relatives living, free of expense. He brought back the deposition with him, and that enabled me to succeed in making a satisfactory adjustment of mj suit." *

The father remembers also the following incident, of which doubtless similar may be related of hundreds of others who never reached any eminence, yet it has a peculiar interest in the light of after events. He says, " I will relate another circumstance which I have never mentioned before, which you may use as you think proper. He was always regarded as extremely apt in figures. When he was ten years old a distinguished phrenologist came along and stayed several days in the place. He was frequently asked to examine heads blindfolded. Among others, Ulysses was placed in the chair. The phrenologist felt his head for several minutes without saying any

♦Written for the " Ledger."

thing ; at length, a noted doctor asked him if the boy had a capacity for mathematics. The phrenologist, after some further examination, said, ' You need not be surprised if you see this boy fill the 2^'^(2sidential chair some time.' " *

Now, whether the opinion of the phrenologist was worth any thing or not, or whether it was a mere piece of flattery, or a scientific opinion, may not, perhaps, be of much consequence ; but one thing is certain, if he had not been diff*erent from the ordinary class of boys of his age he never would have been selected as a subject for public examination. This fact alone shows that he was a marked lad, possessing certain positive, distinct qualities which distinguished him from others. If it were not so, the examination of his head would have been without significance. Another anecdote is told of him when a little older, showing that great self-reliance which also formed so remarkable a trait of his manhood. Sent once to the woods with a team to bring some pieces of timber, where his father supposed there were workmen to do the loading for him, he, on his arrival, found no one there. Instead, however, of returning with the team and reporting the state of affairs, he immediately set about performing the herculean task himself; and unhitching the horses, he with their help hauled up the pieces of hewn