A new, original and authentic record of the life and deeds of General U. S. Grant

Front matter

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. 0. .- j^jB±>^z<D:eiXj^x^ iexditxoxnT, rjA

AS A MAN, TUE NOBLEST ANU Pl.KEST OK HIS TIMKS.

Preface

There are many obstacles in the way of the writing of a just history of General Grant. There are questions which are still unsettled ; disputes of time and circumstance which can still be created. Many of the actors in the great melodrama of the Republic are yet alive, and their recollections do not always harmonize. As nearly as is possible, at this time, the Author has tried to anticipate the final judgment of history.

In this book each side to the conflict has freely honored his drafts for information. The blue and the grey tell their parallel stories in its pages. In this respect it will be unique in war history. In this respect, too, it will be a curious illustration of the comity now existing between those so lately and so bitterly in arms against each other — a comity which the funeral scenes at the grave of the great commander emphasized.

History is impartial. There is more than one side to the shield. The Author has recognized this, and he has called the Confederate as well as the Federal in evidence. The record so made up shows that the Americans who fought against Union had much of gallantr}' and earnestness. That they laid down much upon the altar of an error which had become rather a habit than a conviction, does not detract from the splendid abilit)' and courage which they displayed. The cause which was lost left many graves, but that of a greet tradition was among

PREFACE. \

them. It was better that it should be buried!; been an ugly spirit makinf^ strife between the Sv

The method of the work furnishes a suggestid how the history of the Civil War should be writte seems to the Author that, from the broader view, great conflict which resulted in the birth of our new nationality can be generously treated because it furnishes a tribute to the gallantry of the soldiery of both sides — each side American. Neither has any reason to be ashamed of the test of manhood involved.

Better than this, the career of General Grant contains its lesson to the re-united country. It is as potent South as North. Independent of all the angry details of the strife, it tells its own stor}^ of the possibilities of our citizenship. It is a great object lesson to American youth. It is a life which proves the strength and ensures the perpetuity of our institutions. It is a vindication of all that has been claimed for the possibilities of manhood in the republic.

There has been an effort in this work to present unprejudiced testimony and tell the stor)' of a remarkable career and a great war simply and impartially. Old friends, and old foes, who are so no longer, have joined in the work. In no other countr)- could such a conjunction have been possible.

!•. A. Blrr.

Chapter I. In Suprkme Command

Grant in command of all the armies— Crossing the Rapidan— The wrestle in the Wilderness — Description of that wild and rugged region — Hancock on Hooker's old battle-field — Warren's assault — Grant's famous ride to the front — An old officer's tribute .... . . • • -49

Chapter II. The Gr.a.nt Family

Grant's ancestry — He comes of fighting stock— Tracing his family back eight hundred years — They are from the sturdy yoemanry of Scotland — Matthew Grant's arrival in this country — Early settlement in New England — Noah Grant the great-grandfather and Noah Grant the grandfather — His life in Pennsylvania — Birth and early life of Jesse Grant — His marriage to Hannah Simpson — Characteristics of his parents 60

CHAPTER HI.

BIRTH AND BOYHOOD DAYS.

Grant's birthplace in Ohio — His early life and education— A plain, unassuming boy — Not much of a student and less of a soldier when a lad — A manly, courageous, industrious boy, fond of horses— School-days — His appointment to West Point — Difference between Grant and other great commanders . 68

Chapter IV. West Point

Starting for West Point — Stops in Philadelphia — His associates at the Academy — His feats of horsemanship — General Quimi^y's recollections of his school-days—General Rufus Ingalls tells of " Sam Grant " — How his classmates generally regarded him 7^

Chapter V. From West Point To Me.kico

Graduation and assignmdnt to the Fourth Infantry — Is sent to St. Louis and meets Miss Julia Dent — Fined several bottles of wine by Captain Buchanan — Army-life in Louisiana — Visits the Rifle Regiment — Is a good hand at gander-pulling— A characteristic letter — Goes to Mexico — An honorable record in his first war . ......... 88

Chapter VI. In The Mexican War

To the Rio Grande— In the Mexican War — Grant's first battle under Taylor — At Vera Cruz with Scott — Gallantry at Chapultepec — Brevetted for gallantry — Always a good soldier — Quartermaster of his regiment — Reminiscences of him by old comrades 102

Chapter VII. To The Western Frontier

Return from the Mexican war — Stationed at Sackett's Harbor — Marriage — Pffeparing for the Pacific coast— Crossing the Isthmus — Battle with cholera

At Fort Vancouver — Speculations which ended badly — Hoes potatoes,

puts up ice, and deals in pigs and cattle — Resigns from the army . .112

CMArTER VIII.

FROM IIIK ARMY TO FARNHNO.

' >ul of the armv— r.^i: haractcr by nn old comrade— His farm-life

near S< I>..uiv_H . i'> market— Mccling old army ofiicer>— On

ihelhrrtJu.l.lol war -.. ,u,od at the bejjiiminK— A characteristic letter I20

CHAITER IK.

RETIRN TO THE ARMY.

War inspires him t-> rrtnm to military duties— Scenes with the Governor of lllinoii -Dick Vato'llrst impression of Grant— Wants a place on McClellan's rtaff— Is ma.lc Colonel of an unruly regiment- Marches it into Missouri- Made Bngadier General— Assitjncd to Cairo— Grams first notable service . 136

CHAPTER X.

THE BATTLE UK BELMONT.

Grant's first battle— Hi* feint toward Columbus— Colonels Oglesby and Logan

— Movrng down the river— The location of the Confederate forces — Moving to the attack — (,;rant's horse killed under him — .\ demoralized army — Deftroyin^; the camp— Retreating to the bo.its— Grant's yicril and success — Tells why he fought his first Iwttle ... I44

CHAPTER XI.

A CONFEDERATE VIEW OF BELMONT.

Tolk r -How they fought their troops at Belmont— The story told by

a ,:; 1 ex Confederate— Grant's masterly t.iclics — Pushing Pillow to

the \s .\.\ 1 nning his own guns ujwn his demoralized troops — Fine artillery practice— The retreat— Saving Grant's life- Safe aboard the transporU . 1 56

CHAPTER XII.

FROM CAIRO TO FORT HENRY.

Grant's district enlarged — Restive under llalleck's opposition to an .advance — Generril ^rrith'* r^]^cdi^ion to M.nylield — Suffering of the new troops — The C.I s on the Tennessee and Cumberland — "Two guns"

cr. r! Henry — Halleck's assent to attack it obtained — The

amiv "11 ii.i:: , -.Its— Commodore I'oote's gunboats — The att.ack and the surrender — Grant moving on Eort Donclson . . . . .163

CHAPTER XIII.

THE CAPTl.RE OF FORT lK)NEI.SON.

hurt 1 1 >n the Cuml>erland — The vital point of the Con-

fc.l lovcls — Halleck to Grant — The march and flight —

Su' 'f the triM)|is — Grant on (kity — I'eais a su]>crior

foi t — ^ The attack on McClcrnand — lloyd and Pillow

nia. olncs on ihe ficM — Turning defeat into victory —

General c. 1-. Saiilht »|>lcndid charge — The surrender .... 169

CHA1*TER XIV.

THE CoNFH>KK.\rE STORY OF IXINELSON.

The fall of Fort llnuy— Tlie Mtuaiioii at Donclson — A Confederate's graphic Mory of slic iiivi siin-iii Poittr's battery — The fight on Febiiiary l^lh — lnili\i'lu.«I iini.iiu r» oi g.dl.mtry -The asaanll on the Federal ri^ht — Striking the I'moii line* — ■ticiicial Smith's charge — The (."onfederale council of war

— Hoyd'» csca|ic — The surrender — Interesting details .... 191

CHAPTER XV.

nnlhntiti I «ii of •• f»ad b. u.iled — Rumor made a baste

of C(>m|>i;tMii-- ■■ Mtion charged — "An enemy l»ciween you and me "

— (iranl's no • — His rc<jiiest to lie relieved refuse<l — Halleck's

h&lting es|)lau.)tK>ii Oraut's magnauimuus waiving of personal feeling . 221

CHAPTER XVI.

THE ISATTLK t)F SHILOH.

Grant nrrain in command — .Smith's knightly loyalty — Hallock's orders — Buell's leisurely march to Pittsburgh — Albert Sidney Johnston at Corinth— Preparing a surprise — The Confederate march — Undiscovered in Grant's frcnt — Attacking at daylight — Prentiss sustains the first shock — His raw troops give way — Sherman's stubborn stand — Thrice driven back — W. H. L. Wallace slain — Sidney Johnston mortally wounded — Saved by Webster's guns — Buell's army arrives — The second day's battle — (Jrant takes the offensive — The Confederates' resistance — Retreat ordered — Results of the victory . 235

CHAPTER XVn.

CONFEDERATE VIEW OF SHILOH.

Beauregard in the West — Interview with General A. S. Johnston — The Confederate line of defence — Its weak points indicated — Johnston's gloom — Beauregard concentrated at Corinth — A badly-armed force — Johnston arrives at Corinth — He assumes command — The march to Shiloh — Tardiness of Polk — The onset delayed — Confederate dispositions for battle — ''^he attack a total surprise — Sheridan's and Prentiss' resistance — The Federals driven back thrice — Johnston's fatal wound — The Confederates' final charge — Sleeping in the Federal camps — The second day's fight — Buell's fresh troops — The Confederate retreat . . ....... 258

CHAPTER XVIII.

FROM SHILOH TO CORINTH.

Shiloh's lessons — Politics in war — Halleck assumes immediate command — Three armies concentrated — One hundred and twenty thousand men — Campaign of picks and shovels — Six weeks moving fifteen miles — The investors awaiting attack — Corinth evacuated \vithout a struggle — Quaker guns — The enemy tardily pursued — Disgust of the army — Buell sent to Chattanooga — Pope takes command of the Army of the Potomac — Grant left at Corinth — The battles of luka and Corinth — Plolding his own against Van Dorn and Price — Influence regained . . . ...... 279

CHAPTER XIX.

MOVING TOWARD VICKSBURG.

Pemberton confronting Grant — Campaigning at a distance — Grant moving down the Mississippi Central — McClernand's ambitious schemes — Moving toward the Tallahatchie — "I can handle them without gloves" — Holly Springs taken — Hovey's successful diversion — Abbeville evacuated — Within eighteen miles of Grenada — Grant's communications cut — Murphy's surrender — Living on the enemy — The campaign defeated — Grant's only retreat . . 297

CHAPTER XX.

THE APPRO.'VCH TO VICKSBURG.

Vicksburg's batteries — Tier after tier of heavy guns — The gunboats prepare to run them — A brilliant war-scene — Success of the enterprise — Grant's obstacles on land — Changing the face of nature — Five crosscuts abandoned — The army thrown below Vicksburg — A wonderful military feat — Into Mississippi — The demonstration at Haines' Bluff — Battle of Port Gibson — Grand Gulf evacuated — At last a base around Vicksburg . . . . . . 310

CHAPTER XXI.

BREAKING THE RULES OF WAR.

Grant's most original campaign — Cutting loose from his base — Subsisting on the countrj' — Bewildering manoeuvres — Pemberton's army divided — Accidental battle at Raymond — Logan's splendid valor — Jnckson invested — McPherson's hot engagement — Jackson captured — The army turned backward — Pemberton struck at Champion's Hill — An overwhelming defeat — Routed at Black River Bridge — Penned up in Vicksburg — Haines' Bluff taken — The siege begun — Sherman's doubts turned to admiration ....... ^26

< CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXII.

VICKSBl'RG SURRKNUERED.

\i kshur^; invcstc i — H.u!:'?-.' Uluff occupied — The first assault — Union battletU;;% oil '.)ic L..ui:tct>..iri> — The assault repulsed — Second assault — The city l».>ir' • 1 jue scenes — Gallant cliarges — Again repuls-^d — CJrants ani: ■: »icKc iines tiyhl drawn — Ilardshii^s uf l)esiegers and |»e»i-^ : ^ ^ the mines — Starving Confederutes and civilians — Surrender f ro[K»scd — 1 he corresjxjndence — A glorious Fourth of July — Terms of surrender — Sherman's protest returned — llie Miisi-.sii)pi " unvexed to the »ea- 350

CHAPTER XXIII.

CONFEDERATE STORY OK VICKSBL'RG.

The importance of V'icksl>urg to the Confederacy — The country it commanded — Cjrant's forward movement — Peml>erton's inability to grasp the situation — \V\s utter failure to make any pro|)er resistance — Johnston fails to take active command — Blunder after blunder — More tentative operations — The final surrender 376

CHAPTER XXIV.

VICKSHIRIJ TO CHATTANOOGA.

• The river unvexed to the sea" — Great rejoicing over Vicksburg's fall— Re-

stored to |K)pular cntidcnce — Success the test — Sherman pursues Johnston

— Si ■ ' -Johnston's hasty evacu.ition — A marcli of terrible suffer! : .1 buildings destroyed — Kcedinij famished inhabitants — S..| , .. . . •. ..;i.derate wounded — Sherman in command at Vicksburg — Grant visits New (Jrle.ms — Is seriously injured — The army scattered — Succoring Rosecrans — Ordered to Cairo — Military division of the Missis- "Ppi 403

CHAPTER XXV.

THE n\TTLE OF ClIICKAMAfOA.

• The hardest battle of the war " — Fought to secure Chattanooga — Preliminary

movements — Hragg's army across the river — Thomas reinforced — l.oomis' artillery caiiturrfl — l/isngstreel's arrival — His corps frmi Virgini.i — No conferenc ■ .ifcderate wing commanders — .Attack nt daylight ordered

— I ■'■ t'le ficlil — Rosecrans' dispositions — Thomas to defend

the ....... ..i—.x>.^,.ng for the fateful struggle .... . 41S

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE SEIONIJ day's FIGHT.

The commanders earlv astir — Rosecrans finds fault with McCook — Polk fails to .\v ' ' ' -Wo.kI's terrible mistake — Longstreet's famous charge

I" " 1 t'rittenden forced b.ick — Thomas' splendid tenacity —

Stic f, ; .barge — Fighting for darkness — Federal reti cat — Hragg

fails to pursue — Nearly forty thousand lost on both sides . . \ 431

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE llATTLt:.s AMofT CHATTANOO<;a.

^U": '' ' ' r.ins' removal — Thomas in command — Grant as

armies — He re.iches the scone of operations nfier

-1 :• - - 1 army — "The gloomiest part of my life" — Plans

for rclicl — I'IciUy ul rations— Preparations for the attack . 445

CHAPTER XXVIII.

y ,,..^. f ..;... 1. 1 Hooker on the Confedcr.ite (l.mk — Moves to

1 :kc up the heights— Covered by the mists of •' ' - 111 war — Ihe battle alH)vc the fogs — The army await iKimgs irom ihc mountain — A season of dread »usp.-nsc — The messenger of victoiy ^-5

CHAPTER XXIX.

SWEKPING MISSIONARY RIDGF..

The messenger of victory — Shifting die Confederate forces — Openintj of the last day's tight — The Feder.il dispo>iti()ns— Grant and his generals on7jrchard Knob— Slierman's tenilic charges — The general ass.nilt — Climbing the ridi^e — An inspiring spectacle — Success •••..... 466

CHAPTER XXX.

GENERAI, CKEATHAM'S NARRATIVE.

A graphic recital of a jiicturesque battle — Hragg's mistake— The famous Council of War — Too much State pride — Sending Longsireet away — The battle of Lookout Mountain — A small atTair — Bringing the troops off the ridc'e Preparing for the battle— A grand military display— Sherman's assault— Thomas' final victory — The " Perilous Ridge of Mission" ..... 47^

CHAPTER XXXI.

CHATTANOOGA TO WASHINGTON.

After Chattanooga — Political generals — (Grant's popularity in the country The

temptation of the Presidency — The relief of Knoxsville — The Meridian raid — Made Lieiitenant-General — The correspondence between Grant and Sherman — Grant's arrival in Washington ....... 481

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE STRATEGIC VALUE OF RICHMOND.

Colonel Charles Marshall- The country between the James and the Potomac — The disadvantage of scattering Federal forces— The Army of Northern Virginia — Lee's motive in concentrating the Confederates — .\ constant menace to the northern frontier — Easy access to Richmond — Grant's changing base of supplies^-The last move towards Washington .... co-"

CHAPTER XXXIII.

BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS.

Grant on the Rapidan — Matched against Lee — What he thought of his army

— Interesting reminiscences of Admiral Ammen — His judgment of Lee

Crossing the river — The first day's fight— The fight preparations— Hancock's daybreak attack — Burnside's tardiness — The failure to ma'ss the troops— The Confederate assault — Fighting flame — A desperate attack^-The Confederate retreat— The Sedgwick disaster — The two generals en

CHAPTER XXXIV.

GORDON OX THE WILDERNESS.

Graphic Confederate story of Grant's first fight as Lieutenant-General — General Gordon's description of the field — A hand-to-hand conflict — The varying fortunes of the day^Warren's struggle with Ewell — Gordon strikes 'and breaks the Sixth corps— " A hellish attack"— General Lee rides over the field— His estimate of Grant— The movement from the field^Gordon at Spottsylvania ..........

CHAPTER XXXV.

OUT OF THE WILDERNESS.

Lee foiled — The army satisfied with Grant— Flank march to Spottsylvania

Warren's night march— Miscarriage of plans— Grant's practi-ed ear— Pulling his army through itself— Sheridan's fight at Todd's tavern— Butler lands at

City Point — Still " On to Richmond " ryi

CHAPTER XXXVI.

AT SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT-HOUSE.

Nearer Richmond — Playing for position — Position of the two armies before the fight— Sedgwick's death— Crossing the Po— General Barlow's division in danger— Turning the enemy's flank— Hnncock's description of the w^ithdrawal— Upton's gallantry— Failure of Warren's and Wright's attack- Grant and Meade review the onset — Grant's disappointment — Magnificent manoeuvring — Grant's determination — " I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer" .......... 1:44

CHAPTER XXXVII.

HANOXriC'S FAMOUS CHAROE.

Cirint plan? the capture of the Confeilcraie salient — Hancock to do the work

IMans for the .issiult— The midnight march — A straggling mule — Phantom

soldiets— A gloomy night— The Druid council — Massing for the assault — On to the charge — " I-ct Mience, dead silence, be the awful menace, and break it onlv u iih the bayonet I " — Pouring into the enemy's works — A hand-to-hand conllict — Guns and prisoners — Holding the salient 557

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

CONH-UF.RATK LINE BROKEN.

; , . ■ .. 'v^nia — How the iwo armies were drawn up — Lay of the

. s story of the engagement — Hancock's charge on the

. .,, ;,von's surpriseand capture — Gordon's desperate fight

with Hancock — (.icm-ral Lee's sudden appearance — His anxiety — Gordon has I^e led from the field — Trees gnawed in twain by bullets — The most terrific

battle of the war 574

CHAPTER XXXIX.

CONFEDERATES IN THE SALIENT.

General Stu.nrt's story of Hancock's charge — The location of the salient — Removing the artillery — Premonitions of battle — .\sking for more artillery — Waiting f">r the .attack — The situation at daylight — First view of the blue coats — Capture of the artillery — The scene in the angle — Map of the fortifications — The surrender 5^'

CHAPTER XL.

THE ONSET AT COLD HARBOR. '^earching for a new place to strike — Back again to familiar ground — Going toward the North Anna — .Sheridan's cavalry and their work — Preparing to vtrike another blow at Lee — .\ general assault ordered — The bloody work of Cold Harbor — No results of importance — Between the Rapidan and James 591

CHAPTER XLI.

CONFEDKRATJVS AT COLD HARBOR.

After Spottsylvania — The wear ami tear on the anny — .Moving to Cold Harbor and l>ev<>n<l — (jrant's thcor)' of the conflict — His tenacious grip — Handling his forcc-i with ••kill — .\n estimate of Grant and Lee — Summing up the cam-

(>aign from the Rajidan to the James — The only way to whip Lee — Frightul losses 603

CHAPTER XLII.

CONFEDERATE OVERLAND CAMPAIGN.

Colonel Vcnablc's recollections — Blocking the Federals — The fight in the Wildcme»5 — "Go back, (icncral Lee I " — The terrible second day's fight — Spottsylvania — Incidents of the .struggle — The desperate slaughter — The <lying soldier — The jH>sition at North Anna — Grant crosses the river — Back aj;ain— The march across the Peninsula — Before Petersburg . . . 60Q

CHAPTER XLIII.

ACROSS THE JAMt:S RIVER.

I „., ihe Potomac — Grant's grand scheme — Butler

1 urc to go in the movement of the 12th of June — I lu: .i.iini I .1 <> .i-niM;.;iMn — Ovcr-cautious gcncialship — .Smith's unneces- '^

%ary deliberation — Ixc in secure possession of Petersburg .... 622 CHArrER XLIV.

KARI.Y'S VALLEY CAMTAIC.N.

Karly's . •rr-s ■rl- ri-(l (.. ;}u- V.iIK V IiiixitiL' Hunter away — Beating Sigel —

Thr ton — Early crosses the Potomac )

— I 1 . before the Washington defences

— |)iivcn ;=.i. •- ' :..inibcrsburg burned — Sheridan made commander of '.es — " Early whirling up the Valley" — Comj»lctc suttees HI .^ii<rii,\ns \ .illey cam|^ign ..... ojj

CHAPTER XLV.

GORDON IN THE VALLEY.

Hiiiiler in Virginia — TTis move to Kanawha — The ConfederUe advance on Washington — Slieiidan sent to the rescue — Gordon's siory of tlie campaign ^Winchester — Overlooking the Federal camp at Cedar Creek — The attack at dawn — Defeat of the Federals — Sheridan's arrival — Defeat changed into victory — The valley clear .......... 639

CHAPTER XLVI.

THE DEPRESSION OF 1S64.

Despondency of the American people — Ignorance of the nation about war — Clamoring for a conclusion — The war declared a failure — " Peace at any price" — The Northwestern conspiracy — Grant's remarkable letter to Admiral Ammen — His thorough knowledge of the situation — Fall of Atlanta — The cry for Sherman — The relations of the two generals . . . 645

CHAPTER XLVII.

SIDE-LIGHTS OF THE GREAT GAME.

Lee loses the Weldon Railroad — Touching Lee's lines here and there — Movements north of the James — The battle of Chapin's farm — Cnpture of Fort Harrison — General Stannard's story of Grant's fearlessness in battle — General Sherman's visit — Capture of Fort Steadman — Brealcing Hill's lines — President Lincoln comes to review the army and witnesses a battle — The beginning of the end ........... 654

CHAPTER XLVHI.

a; H. STEPHENS AND LONGSTREET.

The Peace Commission — What Ben Hill said — Mr. Stephens' narrative — How the commissioners met the commander — Grant's rude head-quarters — A pen-picture of him — Interesting incidents of the meeting — Longstreet — Grant's anxiety for peace — Lee's position in the matter ...... 667

CHAPTER XLIX.

THE FEDERAL TROOPERS.

The spirit of the cavalry — The consulidation under Sheridan — The first raid — The hunt for Hunter — Wilson's raid — In the Shenandoah — Sheridan's officers — A Grant incident — Early's destruction — The move south — Five Forks — The character of the service — The end . . . ... 680

CHAPTER L.

GORDON BACK WITH LEE.

Gordon ordered back to Richmond — Success of Grant in cutting ofT Confederate supplies — A historical conference^Lee's profound depression — A message from Grant — The assault on Fort Steadman — The last desperate battle before Petersburg is evacuated — A characteristic incident — The failure — Gordon wounded — Death of Hill ........ 695

CHAPTER LI.

THE MARCH TO THE SEA.

The armies of co-operation — The instructions to Sherman — " Penetrate the interior as far as you can " — Moving on Johnston — The evacuation of Dalton — Resaca — The assault on Kenesaw — McPherson killed — Fall of Atlanta — " Go as you propose " — The march begun — Buoyancy of the soldiers — Fright of the inhabitants — Arrival at Milledgeville — On to Savannah — Wheeler in the rear — At last . .......... 704

CHAPTER LII.

THE LAST YEAR OF STRIFE.

How the armies were placed — Sheridan in the valley — Ord's movements — Visit of President Lincoln — He sees a battle instead of a review — Sherman arrives — His conversation with Lincoln — The understanding between them — Another great battle certain — Lincoln desires to avoid it — Sherman returns to Nortli Carolina — Sheridan . . . . . . . ..717

CHAPTER LIII.

THE ARMV BEFoRfc PETKRSBURG.

Failure to carry Petersburg hy assauU — De^nondency in the North — Enormous death-ruil — (jniit farther from Richmond — President Lincoln's firm confidence — iiis predictions — Hcvisit>City Point — (J|>erating against the Weldon Road — Huilcr's move on Deep Bottom — Battle of Reams' Siation — Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry l>ca!en — Souihsidc Railroad at Banksville torn up — Narrow escape of the Union cavalry — The army res'.ing — The siege begun . . 725

CFIAPTER LIV.

IN THE DEADLY CRATER.

" Le« cannot feed reinforcements" — Grant has no fear of Johnston aiding Virgmia — The sie;;c train at Petersburg — Within short cannon range — Grant reinforcing — The Trans- Mississippi campaign discontinued — Preparing the mine — Its frightful dc>.tructiveness — Fatal delay of the assailants — Slaughter in the crater — Ihc troops withdrawn — Trying to fix the responsibility — No one to blame — The Confederate description . . . . . ■ 731

CHAPTER LV.

THE CONFEDERATE TROOPERS.

The peculiarity of the Confederate cavalry — Fitzhugh Lee's recollections — The tight at To<id's Tavern — The move towards Richmond — Yellow Tavern — General Stuart monaily wounded — Major J. R. McNulty's recollections of the atTair — The fight at Five Forks — What Fitzhugh Lee advised his men — The surrender at Farmville ......... . 754

CHAPTER LVL

THE FLAG OF TRUCE.

The cavalrymen standing to horse — An all-night vigil — The morning of the last day — Moving forward to the attack — The Confederate army at sunrise — Custer in the adv.mcc — The (lag 01 truce — .\ ride to the Confederate lines — Col. Brig^s' graphic dcscrijition of its coming and going — Meeting Longstreet and Gordon — Custer and Sheridan ....... 759

CHAPTER LVIL

STOPPING THE FINAL CHARGE.

Custer 4t .App'mnttox — .-Xcrnss Lee's line of retreat — Cavaln,* preparing to ch.irge — A biilliaiU nioniiiig pageant — A flag of truce — Custer's reply — Whittakcr hunting for Lee — l.ongstreet and Gordon's answer — Efforts to stop the firing — .\ Souili Carolina retjiment's determination — How the surrender was received — Elation of the Federal troops ...... 769

CHAPTER LVIII.

lee's army SIRRENDERED.

Sheridan's cavalry on the w.nrpath — Attacking the enemy's communications — Brilliant cavalry manneiivrcs — The b.-ittles at Dinwiddie — Breaking over the lVtcr>l)urg ir<nchc* — (iallnnt assaults by the inf.intn,' — The lines pierced — The battle at Five Forks — Lee's right wing turned — Confederate retreat towards Petersburg — The city evacuated — Richmond falls — Lee in full retreat — Grant pursues to intercejit — Swiii marching and hard fighting — Grant propovr<i to I.ce to surrender — The corresiwndcnce — Closing battles — Lee's army surrounded — The surrender at Appomattox ..... 777

CHAPTER LIX.

THE RXriRINC <:LANCF:S OF STRIFE.

Gordon's <tory of the final days — The Federal anxiety to prevent the juncture with Johnston — The Confederate conference — The deep aversion to surrender — < )nc last attempt — Its f.iilurc — The ll.ag of inicc — Sheridan rides into the Confederate Imrs— Gordon saves .Sherid.ui's life — The emotion of the Confederate* at the surrender — Ixrc talks to the soldiers — His profound dejection 802

CHAPTER LX.

THE CLOSING DAYS OF THE WAR.

General Grant's indifference to entering Richn.ond — Difference between him and other commanders — His interview wiiii the Secretary of War — Goes to Washington — Assassination of Linc^hi — Recalleil to the capital — Sherman's Protocol — Grant's interview with Stanion — Admiral Ammen's recollections — Grant's delicacy towards Sherman — The war ended .... 819

CHAPTER LXI. •

THE MEXICAN PERIL.

The French attempt to establish a Mexican Empire — Grant's vigorous objections — His letter to Johnson on the subject — Admiral Ammen's recollections of the .situation — A query as to the strength of the navy — Seward's energetic note — Sheridan sent to the Southwest — The French evacuate Mexican soil — A war with France averted ...... . . • 837

CHAPTER LXn.

grant's troubles with JOHNSON.

He stands like a stone wall between the ex-Confederates and punishment — His insist.ince upon the power of his parole — An incident told by Attorney-General Garland — Swinging round the circle — His disgust — The proximity of a revolution — Grant's reply to Johnson — Sherman sent for — The effort to get Grant to Mexico — His refusal to go — His regret at his first nomination to the Presidency ............. 844

CHAPTER LXni. grant as president.

Grant's nomination in 1S68 — The last States readmitted to the Union — " Let us have peace " — The fifteenth amendment — Condition of the South — The Force bill — The Republican revolt — Defeat of Greeley — The panic of 1873 — The inflation period — Bill for the res'jmption of specie payments — The Geneva award — The Centennial — The Electoral Commission — Review of his civil career ........... . . 857

CHAPTER LXIV.

GRANT AND THE SUPREME COURT.

Grant and tlie judiciary — Ju-tice Miller's recollections of him as President — His judicial appointments — Grant in society — An interesting companion — His quality of silence — The value of his appointments — His simplicity — An interesting estimate of his character ........ 873