The hero boy

Front matter

THE HERO BOY;

OR,

THE LIFE AND DEEDS

Preface

The author of this volume acceded the more readily to the desire of others, in preparing it, because it was for loys. To interest and instruct them, who are to bear the burdens of the church and state in the peaceful future which must ere long succeed the stormy period, has been the inspiring hope. The materials were from immediate friends of the subject of biography, or other reliable sources, so far as the years previous to the Great Eebellion are concerned. The incidents of his early life are, for the most part, from data furnished by General Grant's father. He stated that the published stories of purchasing a horse of Farmer Ealston, and the quarrel with his Canada cousin — also letters purporting to be his early correspondence — are fictions entirely ; they are therefore omitted. He made the pencil sketch from which the view of Point Pleasant, and the humble home of General Grant's infancy, were engraved. Larke's compilation, and Carleton's "Days and Nights on the Battle Field," have been valuable books of reference.

iv

PEEFACE.

The deeds of the Lieutenant- General since the conflict opened, are spread abroad in official and unofficial records, so that no serious error is possible, unless by singular oversight, or misprint of the pages. It is believed to be a correct outline of a hero's life.

And, to give a more distinct impression of the war field over which General Grant moved, outline maps are added. A glossary of military terms is also given. The pages were not written to glorify a military chieftain, and add to the ephemeral productions of the day, but to present to our youth a record reliable as the sources of information could make it, of an unostentatious, earnest, brave, and successful man. It is offered to the homes of the people with the prayer that the memorial of a distinguished general who sprang from a humble dwelling in the wilderness of the West, may aid in moulding character for the country's need, and for the " Better Land."

NOTE.

This volume is the first of a series for boys, entitled " The Young American's Library of Modern Heroes." The biography of the brilliant astronomer, patriot, and commander, General 0. M. Mitchel, is in press; to be followed by "The Life of Captain John Ericsson ; or, The Miner Boy and his Monitor " — a biography of rare interest, from authentic sources. Other volumes rvi.ll be added to the series.

Chapter I. Paqk

The Grant Family— The Orphan Boy— Home and Birth of Ulysses- How he got his Name — His School Days— Don't know what Can't means, 1

CHAPTER n.

The "Log Hauling "—The Young Patriot wants an Education — His Opportunities — How he hecomes Cadet — West Point Military Academy— Where and "What is it? — Young Grant as Cadet— His Classmates— He Graduates— Never quarrels, 8

Chapter III

The Young Lieutenant— He joins his Regiment — Goes to Louisiana- Is in the Mexican War— The First Battle— The Long March— Vera - Cruz— Returns to the States— Is Married— Ordered to Oregon— Resigns, . 17

Chapter IV

The Captain turns Farmer— He is not Afraid of Work— In the Leather Trade— The Call to Arms again— Captain offers his Service— His First Post of Duty— Is appointed Colonel, 27 vi

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER Y.

Three Months Men — Colonel Grant joins his Regiment— In Camp — Off for the Field of Action — A Rapid March— Promotion— Grant loses no Time— He is Commissioned Brigadier-General — A Good Story — Headquarters at Cairo — A True American— He seizes Paducah — Secession Flags — A Noble Proclamation — The "Stove-pipe General," 36

CHAPTER YT.

Columbus — Exchange of Prisoners — Battles — General Grant writes to his Father — Cares for the Wounded— A New Department of Command—Prepares for a Grand Movement upon the Enemy — His Strategy — Issues Orders— The Advance, 47

CHAPTER VII.

The Gunboats Move up the Tennessee — Delay— Open Fire upon Fort Henry— The Fort Surrenders— Right on to Fort Donelson — The Fleet Disabled — Foote "Wounded— The Forces of Grant close on the Fortress — The Terrific Contest— The Victory — Promotion- Striking Contrasts, 61

CHAPTER VIII.

The more the Hero does, the more is he expected to do — His Kingdom Enlarged— Anecdote about his Habits— Major-General Grant's First Work — Congratulations— Martial Movements — No Plundering allowed— Up the River— Sword presented— Scours the Country- Moves toward Corinth — Preparations for Battle, 87

CHAPTER IX.

Saturday Night— General Grant a Scout— The Signals of Battle— The Combat Opens— The Scenes of Carnage — The Critical Hour — The Heroic Onset— The Victory— General Grant's Bravery— The Good News in New York and Washington — A Speech in favor of Grant, who is assailed— Scenes on the Battle Field of Shiloh, . . 102

CONTENTS.

vii

CHAPTER X.

Corinth the next G-oal of the Army— Getting ready to March— The " Grand Army of the Tennessee "—The Advance— The Siege— The Surrender— The Pursuit— The captured Sheep— General Halleck's Farewell— Grant at Memphis— How he deals with Traitors, 118

CHAPTER XI.

The Position of our Army— The Grand Programme— Armies in Motion—Bragg tries to Deceive Grant— The Advance toward Iuka — The Eight— The Victory— The Stampede— General Grant's Words of Cheer— Despatch from the President— A Curiosity, .... 134

CHAPTER XII.

A larger Field, and bolder Plans— Getting Ready— Skirmishes— Cotton— Negroes — Jews— Speculators— Grant's Sense of Honor — Vicksburg and the Mississippi — Farragut's Fleet— The Bombardment — Failure— A worthless Canal— The Noble Logan-r-Holly Springs Surrenders to the Rebels— Amusing Scenes, 145

CHAPTER XHI.

The Grand Plan Deranged— Sherman's Flotilla— His Assault on Vicksburg— Defeat — Fatal Ambition — Disloyalty — President's Proclamation of Freedom, and General Grant — Yicksburg again— Canals around the City a Failure— The Copperhead and the Bush, . . 155

CHAPTER XIY.

A New Plan — Admiral Farragut's Ship— Porter's Fleet— Hot Work- Thrilling Scene— Grierson's Raid — Ludicrous Scenes —Banks and Grant— Passing Grand Gulf Batteries— The Grand Advance— The Night March— The Night Battle— Port Gibson Taken— Governor Yates and the Victory, 166 viii

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XV.

Sherman— Deceiving the Enemy— General Grant's Wisdom, and humane Care of the Men— Ready to move again— Governor Pettus frightened— Grant's Despatch— A Battle— The Capital taken— News— Crossing the River— The Investment and Assault— The Attack repeated— The Siege— The Messenger deserts — The Prison Fortress— Amusing Incidents, ^ 180

CHAPTER XYI.

The captured Courier— Grant and the Letters — The Sappers and Miners—How they do their strange Work— All is ready— The Explosion—The Advance— The Flag of Truce— The Message, and General Grant's Answer— The Capitulation — The Fourth of July in Vicksburg— The Glad Tidings — The Loss and Gain— The President and General Grant — Scenes after the Fall of the Fortress— Bill of Fare— The Dead— Hurrah 1 195

CHAPTER XYII.

The Eastern Army— Port Hudson falls— The "Father of Waters" i,pen— Joe Johnston pursued — Jeff. Davis's Library found— Jackson surrenders— General Grant's care of his Soldiers— His Politics—Anecdotes—Looks after his Department— Mrs. Grant visits him— General Grant goes to Memphis— A splendid Reception, . 219

CHAPTER XVIII.

General Grant at New Orleans— His Simplicity in Dress— Reviews the Thirteenth Army Corps— Sad Accident— Recovers from the serious Injuries— He cares for the Soldier in little things— A new and larger Command— Chickamauga and Chattanooga— An amusing Incident—The Feelings of the Rebels— General Grant at Chattanooga- Clearing the Track— Jeff. Davis on Lookout, 233

CONTEXTS.

ix

CHAPTER XIX.

Preparations for Battle again— The successful Trap— The brave Advance of General Wood— The Contest opened— The Three Days' Fight— G-eneral Hooker above the Clouds— General Grant's Despatch — General Bragg' s — General Meigs's Despatch — General Grant at the Coffin of Colonel O'Meara, 245

CHAPTER XX.

General Sherman at Knoxville— The President and the Victories— Major-General Grant's Congratulations — Colonel Ely, the Indian Sachem's Tribute— Excitement in "Washington— A Medal — Other Honors— Hon. Mr. Washburn's Speech— Grant's untiring Activity — Visits a sick Child — He is invited to a Banquet— Accepts the Honor— The brilliant Festival, 273

CHAPTER XXI.

The Spring Campaign— General Grant at "Washington— Scenes in the Hotel— The Levee— The Presentation of the Commission of Lieutenant-Generalship— General Grant's Reply— The summit of Honor — He visits the Potomac Army— The Fancy Soldier — The Crisis, 291

CHAPTER XXII.

The Advance— Richmond— The path to the Rebel Capital— The " Wilderness" — The opening of Battle — The Days of Carnage — The Death of Sedgwick— Of General Rice— General Grant's Strategy — General Butler— Sheridan— Sherman — The grand flanking March to North Anna— Chickahominy— James River— "What the Rebels think, 299

Definition of Military "Words, 337

Chapter I

The Grant Family— The Orphan Boy— Home and Birth of Ulysses— How he got his Name — His School Days— Don't know what Can't means.

BOUT a hundred years ago, two brothers, by the name of Grant, came from Scotland to the y^f^ wilderness of the New World. The grand- ^^^T father of Ulysses settled in Pennsylvania. His ^ son, Jesse R. Grant, was bom in Westmoreland County, January, 1794. With his father's family he went to the great and distant valley of the West, in the spring of 1799,— sixteen years after the war of the Revolution closed. There were no canals or railroads then. The usual mode of emigration was to carry the family and household goods in the canvas-covered wagon. The toilsome journey was made along rough roads, through dark forests, and across rapid streams. At length the bruised and soiled vehicle which carried his earthly possessions stopped in Ohio. Not a single State had been formed out of the extensive region called the Northwestern Territory, lying between the Alleghany and- Rocky Mountains. It was at one time claimed by the 1

LIFE OF GENERAL GRANT.

French under the name of Louisiana, A large portion of this rich country was the wide hunting ground of the Indians. Often, while the white settler was chopping in the woods to clear his land, the bullet or tomahawk of the savage, from a thicket or behind a tree, would strike him ; and, falling dead, his body would be found, sometimes a great while after, by the dear ones he left in his cabin. The celebrated Tecumseh was the mighty chief and warrior there. Bloody battles had been fought not far from Mr. Grant's humble dwelling.

In 1804, when the Reserve became partially settled, Mr. Grant removed to Deerfield. Here he died, leaving Jesse fatherless. To use his own words :

" I was left a poor orphan boy at eleven years of age, with none to guide my way through the world. I saw that I was destined to get my living by the sweat of my brow, and that it was necessary to select some calling that promised to pay the best ; so I learned the tanning business. I followed that until I was sixty, and then retired."

Thus did young Jesse, from the earliest childhood inured to pioneer life, with God's blessing, carve his way alone, to an honorable position in society, and to wealth.

"When the last war with England threw the country into excitement, and unsettled to some extent its business, the family removed to Maysville, Ky. In 1815, when hostilities ceased, Jesse returned to Portage County, Ohio, and commenced the business of tanning in Ravenna. Fever and ague, once the scourge of the West, compelled young Grant to go South again in 1820. A few months later he returned to Ohio. This charming region had already attracted enterprising people from the colonies East. An interesting peculiarity in the climate is alluded to hy early residents in their accounts of the country ; and that is, the cool evenings. So much of the land was shaded by forests, that the ground did not get warm during the day ; and soon as the sun dropped behind the green ocean of verdure, the air was cold at midsummer there, as in our autumn here. This made the shining bosom of the wide rivers especially cheering to those whose humble dwellings stood on' the banks. Among these was the house of an emigrant from Pennsylvania, who came two years before. His daughter, Hannah Simpson, who was born only twenty-five miles from Philadelphia, in Westmoreland County, a woman of character and prudent economy, won the heart of Jesse. In June, 1821, they were married. Their first home was at Point Pleasant on the Ohio River, in Clermont County, Ohio. It is a beautiful spot, below the mouth of Indian Creek. You will see by the map, that the Little Miami River separates Clermont County from Hamilton, whose principal town is Cincinnati, justly called the " Queen City" of the West.

In this new home by the Ohio a son was born, April 27th, 1822. The humble dwelling is still standing It is " a small one-story frame cottage. It was not worth more than two or three hundred dollars before the war.

LIFE OF GENERAL GRANT.

But every victory gained by the general, or a promotion, adds in the owner's estimate another hundred dollars to the price of the cottage." Strangers not unfrequently stop, on their way down the river, to see the recently unknown and unnoticed home.

The first question about him, was one which has been asked over every child: " What shall we name him?" I knew a little girl ten years of age, for whom it was not answered. The parents could not agree upon a name, so they called her " Tommy," leaving her to select a name whenever she could suit herself. I have often wondered how she succeeded in making a choice among all the names she had heard and seen.

I will give you the origin of our Western boy's name, in the language of his 'father, who wrote me about it :

" The maternal grandmother was quite a reader of history, and had taken a great fancy to Ulysses, the great Grecian general, who defeated the Trojans by his strategy of the wooden horse. She wished the child named Ulysses. His grandfather wanted to have him named Hiram. So both were gratified by naming him Hiram Ulysses. When I wrote to Mr. Hamer, then a member of Congress from our district, to procure the appointment of cadet, he wrote to the War Department, and gave his name 1 Ulysses S. Grant.' And we could not get it altered. Simpson was his mother's maiden name. We had a son named Simpson, and Mr Hamer confounded the two names.

LIFE OF GENERAL GRANT.

We regarded it a matter of but little consequence, and so let it stand."

The absence of fear was always a characteristic of Ulysses. When two years of age, while Mr. Grant was carrying Ulysses in his arms on a public occasion through the village, a young man wished to try the effect of a pistol report on the child. Mr. Grant consented, saying, " The child lias never seen a pistol or gun in his life." The baby hand was put on the lock and pressed quietly there, till it snapped, and off went the charge with a loud report. Ulysses scarcely stirred ; but in a moment pushed away the pistol, saying, " Fich it again ! fich it again ! " A bystander remarked : " That boy will make a general ; for he neither winked nor dodged." It is true such acts in childhood, which attracted no particular attention at the time, are related of distinguished men, as very remarkable, after they have become famous. Still, boys usually show talent or genius if they possess it, for any high achievement in after life.

At the village school, Ulysses was a faithful and diligent boy. He made excellent progress ; and if not as brilliant as others of his age, what is better, he was " slow and sure."

Though he gave no striking evidences of genius — neither did Washington in early life— there was a beautiful resemblance to the Revolutionary leader's boyhood, in a peculiarity well expressed by one who ought to know • " There was certainly a manly, dignified modesty

LIFE OF GENERAL GRANT.

r*i his deportment which made him at least an uncommon lai*

FTe patiently committed to memory the dry, hard lessons, sure that, when older, he would understand them better and find them useful ; unwilling to give up, when he came to a difficult question or problem. This was evidently the leading characteristic of the boy. It is related of him, that once he seemed to be fairly bewildered with his task ; and a schoolmate, who saw his perplexity, said to him, " You can't master that."

Ulysses replied : " Can't ! What does it mean ? n " Why, it means that— that you can't. There / " This answer was not satisfactory. The young student thought he would find out the exact definition. He took the dictionary and began the search. He^readily got to can, but there was no " can't" As usual, when beyond his own knowledge, he went to his teacher, and inquired : " What is the meaning of can't ? The word is not in the dictionary." The explanation of the abbreviation was soon given. But this was not all, nor the best of it. The affair afforded an opportunity to impress the great truth upon the minds of the school, that perseverance in well doing is the secret of success. Added the instructor : 11 If in the struggles of life any person should assert that 1 you can't ' do a thing you had determined to accomplish, let your answer be, 1 The word can't is not in the dictionary.' " It was the same lesson learned by Robert Bruce from the spider which repeat-

LIFE OF GENERAL GRANT.

edlv failed to fasten its web, but at last succeeded. The desponding aspirant for the throne of Scotland put on new strength and fresh courage, thankful for the silent lesson which a kind Providence sent to hirn while he was ready to give up in despair. Xot many boys learn so early and well the lesson as did the youthful Grant.

His father has given me another amusing little incl dent :

u 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 about 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 anything ; at length, a distinguished doctor asked him if the boy had a capacity for mathematics. The phrenologist, after some further examinations, said : \ You need not be surprised if you see this boy fill the Presidential chair some time.' "

Chapter II

The "Log Hauling "—The Young Patriot wants an Education — His Opportunities—How he becomes Gadet — "West Point Military Academy— Where and What is it ?— Young Grant as Cadet — His Classmates— He Graduates— Xever quarrels.

LYSSES early showed his Scotch blood. That is to say, he had the substantial, strong qualities of character for which the well-trained fami-

^ es °f Scotland are remarkable. No people are Q£ calmer in action and more reverent in religious feeling, or surpass them in intelligence and integrity. When twelve years of age, he gave a fine illustration of self-reliance and manliness, along with the ability to manage difficult undertakings, which have marked his whole career.

His father wanted several sticks of hewn timber brought from the forest. The boy had learned already to drive "the team," and liked nothing better than to take the reins. Mr. Grant told Ulysses that he might harness, and go for the timber ; men would be there with handspikes to assist in " loading up."

Soon Ulysses was on the way, whip and " lines " in his hands, with the manly pride felt only in a higher degree by the king, or president, or general, in his position of honor and authority.

TVhen he reached the forest, no men were there ; for some reason they had failed to appear. He looked around him a few moments in surprise, thinking what to do.

- The natural and indeed entirely proper course would have been, to wait a sufficient time, and then return home if assistance did not come. But the tanner boy, accustomed to all sorts of labor, and inclined to take responsibility from which others of his age would expect to be excused, resolved not to go without the timber. How to get the heavy logs on the wagon was the serious question. Just then his eye rested on a tree fallen over, and leaning against another. This made the trunk an inclined plane, rising gradually upward from the ground. Ulysses saw at a glance, how to make the horses do the work intended for the workmen with their handspikes. He hitched the team to each of the logs, and drew one at a time near the tree, and lying parallel with it ; i. e., in the same direction, lengthwise. The next thing was to swing the end round upon the inclined plane, and slide it along, till the timbers were at right angles with it, and projecting over it, far enough to admit the wagon under them. Then fastening the horses to these ends hanging over the back of the wagon, he dragged them in turn along into it ; just as

LIFE OF GENERAL GRANT.

with your, hand you could pull the " see-saw " board, with one extremity resting on the ground, over the fence or fulcrum supporting it, into a vehicle of any kind which stood beneath the end raised from the earth.

Having secured his load, the young teamster mounted it and drove homeward in triumph ; again proving clearly that cant was not in his dictionary. When he reined up his team before the door of Mr. Grant, we can imagine the pleasing surprise with which he heard the story of Ulysses.

But the young woodman's prospects were not encouraging. His father's means were limited, and, excepting three months each winter in the common schoo], he had to assist in the work of the tannery and the home.' Besides, books and newspapers for reading were very scarce.

At seventeen, Ulysses began to feel, as did his father, that decisive steps must be taken toward an education. It was often talked over at the fireside, and various plans suggested. The young man's taste for military life, the thorough instruction and economy of the Academy at West Point, suggested the possibility of getting an appointment there. The congressmen usually controlled the selection of the candidates for admission in their several districts. Political influence and position necessarilv have much to do witli the choice among the applicants. But Mr. Grant was hopeful. He wrote a letter to the Hon. Thomas Morris, member of the United States Senate from Ohio, requesting his influ-

LIFE OF GENERAL GRAXT.

ence to secure a place for his son in the Military Academy at "West Point. Mr. Morris had another applicant, and wrote accordingly to the father of Ulysses ; but informed him of a vacancy in the district of Hon. Thomas L. Hamer. It seems that a young man who had been appointed there, failed, for some reason, to enter the institution. This was the only chance for Ulysses. At the suggestion of Mr. Morris, Mr. Grant immediately corresponded with Mr. Hamer, who cheerfully proposed the tanner's son to the Government.

Young Grant was appointed. And novr he must go before the examiners, who would either send him home again, or open to him the doors of the Academy. The trial included, with certain preparatory branches of study, a physical ordeal, to ascertain whether the body were perfectly sound. He passed safely through it all, and entered the school July 1st, 1839.

West Point is a romantic and beautiful spot on the west bank of the Hudson River, in Cornwall, Orange county, New York, fifty-two miles above Xew York city. The plain, or plateau, as it is termed, is one hundred and eighty-eight feet from the water ; with an abrupt bank to protect it, and on the south and southwest, lofty summits to shut it in. Fort Putnam is more than four hundred feet higher, and looks down upon it One beautiful plat of land is known as Kosciusko's Garden, in which stands the fine monument of this Polish refugee and patriot, who commanded the post at one time

LIFE OF GENERAL GRANT.

daring the Revolution. Here a massive chain was stretched across the river to keep the enemy's boats from passing.

The Academy was established by act of Congress, in 1780 ; and is allowed to have only two hundred and fifty cadets, from fourteen to twenty-one years of age. Each of them is paid enough per month to defray all his expenses. By this method, instead of paying the bills for them, a manly independence is cultivated, while at the same time the education is gratuitous. They, in return, are to serve at least eight years in the army, unless allowed to resign or are dismissed.

The scenery is charming, and the school has every facility for a thorough preparation to enter any part of the military service. You recollect it was the scene of Arnold's treachery in 1780, which cost the accomplished spy, Major Andre, his life. Here Ulysses found just the means of culture he wanted. "With a fondness for mathematics, he could enjoy the class drill, which is not surpassed in the country, and also have the finest apparatus for the demonstration of difficult problems, and all the science of war.

Grant, unlike a large number of the cadets, had no previous academic or collegiate course. But his studious habits, his close attention to the stringent rules of the institution, soon gave him a high position. Whether in the recitation room, in the military exercise, or in the annual encampment of the cadets, he attended to

LIFE OF GENERAL GRANT.

his own business; Trilling to ' : bide his time H in the career of honorable success.

And, my young reader, I must show you 7 in his own words, which I quote again from a letter, how Mr. Jesse R. Grant, Ulysses's father, spoiled a story of the Cadet's life. I intended to close this chapter with the narrative, which was already printed, purporting to be a fact, of a quarrel with his comrades, because, in accordance with the foolish custom, in literary institutions, of .playing off practical jokes upon the freshman class, they made him the target of fun. The father says :

" The story about his 1 flogging ' the captain is untrue.

He is said to have never had a personal controversy in his

life. The nearest approach to it was with General

H , at the siege of Corinth. He says he desired

moving on the enemy 7 s works ten days before General

H was ready, and saw that, by delay, they would

lose the chance of bashing the rebel army, then COm- C^C O v "

pletely in their power. He is sure he used stronger language to General H - ._ than he had ever used before to any person, and expected to be arrested and tried. But the General said to him : - If I had let you take your own course, you would have taken the rebel army. Hereafter I will not dictate to vou about the management of an army.' It was a common remark among the boys, when Ulysses , got his appointment, that 'Lis' would make a good cadet in every respect but one ; that was, if he ever was engaged in war, he was too goodnatured to be kicked

LIFE OF GENERAL GRANT.

into a fight. In addition to freedom from personal controversy, it is believed he never used a profane word, nor told a deliberate falsehood — at least, under the parental roof. He was brought up in a Methodist family."

The allusion to Corinth you will understand better when you read the account of its siege. "What an interesting glimpse is here given of " Lis," as his playmates called him ! He was modest, kind, reverent, and true, in the bosom of that religious family, the parents little dreaming what a hero and nation's benefactor was trained under the humble roof, for his unrivaled field of action.

The freshman year passed away, and the annual trial of scholarship, dreaded by pupils who feel unprepared for it, camp. Not a few failed in the examination of 1840, and left the institution, or fell back to a lower position ; but Grant advanced to the third or next class, receiving also the appointment of corporal in the battalion of cadets. His progress was steady but not brilliant, in mathematics, French, drawing, and cavalry exercises. Quiet, sure of what he learned, and confident he could accomplish the thing he proposed to do, he was a fine example of the modest, reliable, and really successful student.

When the examination of 1841 asrain thinned the

o

number of those with whom he started, he took no backward step, advancing to his place in the second class. The office of sergeant of the battalion, was a compliment given him by the cadets, for the summer encampment.