INTRODUCTION. THIS THIS volume was undertaken at the solicitation of the publishers, who wished a life of General Grant for the people. As an apology for errors and inadvertencies, I feel at liberty to say that circumstances have constrained me to write it with a hurried pen. The pages have been sent to the printer as fast as written; and, as they were electrotyped as fast as printed, I was prevented from revising them fully in proof-sheets. There is no authority for the youth and childhood of Grant but his father: the son never consents to indulge in reminiscence respecting his early years, and uniformly refers biographers to the record for his career during manhood. In regard to the Mexican War, I have been favored with some material by Hon. Mr. Washburne, who has also furnished me with data respecting Grant's life on the frontiers. In the campaigns from Belmont to Chattanooga, I have followed, upon all disputable points, the authority of Gen. Adam Badeau, in his “ Military History of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.” I have frequently in the text expressed my obligations to the careful researches of this gentleman; and I repeat my acknowledgments in this introduction. The telegrams, despatches, letters, of Gen. Grant, which have been for the first time given to the public by this accomplished historian, I have freely used; because I have regarded them as Gen. Grant's own commentaries upon his own campaigns, written, like Cæsar's, in the field. In the Wilderness campaign I have relied upon manuscript reports, which were furnished me at headquarters, when I was investigating a question of legislation, by authority of the House of Representatives. I have also to express my acknowledgments to Charles J. Hoadly, Esq., of the State Library, for genealogical material ; to Hon. J. Hammond Trumbull, Curator of the Watkinson Library, for facilitating my researches; to Williain N. Matson, Esq., for daily encouragement and aid ; and to three steadfast assistants (whom I am only permitted to indicate), I am immeasurably indebted for lightening my labors and expediting my volume. I make no professions to acquaintance with military science. I can only see such system and methods in battles and campaigns, and of course can only describe such, as a civilian, who has only studied war in history, biography, and in Jomini's analysis of the campaigns of Napoleon and Frederick, may be permitted to discern. A full detail of all the military movements of Grant was incompatible with the limits of my volume; and I have selected for full description those which best served to illustrate his character as a general. I have, moreover, attempted to avoid cumulative illustration. In the chapter devoted to “ Administrative Experience," my authority has been the official reports. HARTFORD, April 28, 1868. Plan of the Work. – Pedigree. — Matthew Grant. -Noah Grant. - Noah Grant, 2d. — Jesse Root Grant. Ilis Marriage. — Sketch of Mrs. Grant. - Mother's Influence. Birth of Grant. The Ol Home- stead. - His Name. — Boyish Susceptibilities. — Traits. — Anecdotes. 19 West Point. - Martial Life. — Course of Study. - Recreation. – Grant's Capability. - First Examination. — Graduation. — Classmates. — In- struction in Law. -- Preparation for Civil Government. Garrison War. – War with Mexico. – Grant's Rank. — Matamoras. - View of Monterey from the Heights. — Forts Teneria and Diablo. - Surrender Mexico. PAGE Enemy's Defences. — Cerro Gordo. – Plan of Attack. - Cerro Gordo carried. — Prisoners. — Capture of Pecote. — Occupation of Puebla. Advance. - Mexico from the Cordilleras. — Occupation of San Agustin. - Description of Mexican Battles confined to the General Operations in which Grant was engaged. – Two Plans of Attack upon Mexico. - Organization. — Grant's Division-Master. — Grant on the San An- tonio Causeway, — What Garland's Division see. — What they know. - Charge on San Antonio. — Operations of Twiggs. — Operations of Pierce and Shields. — Repulse of the Assailants. Another Charge. - The Eighth Infantry capture the tête de pont. — Duncan's Battery Stormers on the Right scize the Salient. Churubusco taken. – Demoralization and Retreat of the Enemy. Pursuit. — Headquarters at Tacubaya. - Attempt at Armistice. Before Molino del Rey. — Casa Mata assigned to Garland's Brigade. - Ready for the Assault. Assault. - The Enemy's Batteries cap- tured. - Hand-to-hand Fight in the Molino. - Casa Mata blown up. - Reconnoissance of the Southern Avenues of Mexico.- Batteries established. — Bombardment. — Pillow's Approach. Scott's Ac- count. – Garland aimed for the Alameda. - Grant flanks the Enemy. Grant serves a Battery. - Honorably mentioned. Street Fight. — Mexico is Ours. — Occupation of the City. - What Grant sees . Tactics. - Science of Command. - Genius. - Lord Ch im. – Grant's Marriage. — IIis Wife. — Torpor upon Military Posts. — Stationed at Detroit. - Life in Detroit. — Grant in Society. — His Powers of Con- versation.-Gen. MePherson's Opinion. — “No Orator.” — Ilis duties of Quartermaster. -- Influence of Duties on his Character. — Birth of his Children. - The Fourth Infantry ordered to Oregon. - Stationed at Benicia. - At Vancouver. — Description of. – Life at Vancouver. - IIudson's Bay Company. - Purpose for which they are sent ac- complished. - Second Year. -- Habitudes of Mind. — Commission as Captain. – Ordered to Humboldt Bay. – Resignation. — Farmer at · St. Louis. - Collector at St. Louis. - Leather-Dealer at Galena. Contrasted with other Civilians who were also Laborers. - Distin- Purpose of the Chapter. -- Sir Arthur Wellesley. - Grant hears of the Bombardment of Sumter. – Exclamation thereupon. - Retrospect. Grant drills a Company. - Presents himself to Gov. Yates. -- Narra- tive of Gov. Yates. — Appointed Colonel of Twenty-first Illinois Infantry, - Marches it to Missouri. - Arrives at Mexico. - Commis. sioned Brigadier-General of Volunteers. - Assumes Command of the District of South-cast Missouri. -- Topographical Features. — Politi- cal Status. – Grant at Cairo. --Seizes Paducah. -- Urges Frémont to seize Columbus and Hickman. - Polk occupies them. - Grant re- strained by Frémont. – Demonstrates against Columbus. Encoun- ters the Enemy at Belmont.-- Demonstration converted into an At- tack. – Officers with him. - Volunteers under Fire. - Scene of the Fight. — Enemy re-enforced. – Grant makes his Way out. - His Coolness. - Second Charge. — Withdraws to the Transports. - Criti- HE BREAKS THE ENEMY'S CENTRE AT FORTS HENRY AND DONELSON. (February, March, April, 1862.] New Field of Operations. — Fremont superseded by Halleck. -- Change of Command over Grant; no Change of System. — Naval Service in |