A HERO-GENERAL GRANT. 97 live only in the memories of the few who saw and heard them. An incident will illustrate. In the Ninth Illinois Regiment, a. soldier received a shot through his arm. The wound was dressed, and again he hastened to his place in the ranks. Soon after, a ball entered his thigh, and he fell. His brave associates offered him help. "No," he replied; "I think I can get along alone." Away he staggered, leaning on his gun, through the iron and leaden hail, found a surgeon, who did his work, and gave the brave refreshment. He rose, and saying, "I feel pretty well; I must go into the fight again," he joined his comrades. He stooped to point his gun; a bullet pierced his neck, and went downward into his body. The next moment balls riddled his head, and the mangled hero fell in death. Such were the warriors, who, thinking not of fame or life, lay down under the dear old flag waving on the battered walls of Donelson. The magnificent conquest sent a thrill of joy over the nation. Thousands of cannon in the peaceful towns of the North thundered forth the rejoicing, and banners floated over almost every loyal house. Our modest victor, in the successful performance of a great duty to the country he loved better than life, took another stride in the rapid march of fame. He was made Major-General of Volunteers, dating from the day of the fort's surrender, February 16, 1862. No one would suspect, from the manner of General Grant, amid these exciting events and clustering honors, the echoing salutes and hurrahs of the soldiery and the people, that he was the hero and object of them all. Unostentatious, "calm as a clock," he kept time to the "drum-beat of duty," unheeding the storm of conflict, or the sunshine of triumph around him. Let us take a glimpse at scenes apart from the hero and the strife. A friend, who went to the fort after the victory, in behalf of the Christian Commission-one of the noblest enterprises called out by the war, blessing the embattled hosts in its care for them physically and spiritually-related two striking incidents. He visited a hospital-steamer, and found, not far apart, fatally wound ed, a religious and a profane young man. The former was ready to die under the old flag, with a banner seen only by faith, bearing the "Star of Bethlehem" and the stripes by which we are healed," flying over him. The other said: "I have never prayed. And do you think, after such a life, I will now ask for mercy! Never! I will face the music." And soon he also died. Going to the plains of death, he saw a soldier half buried in the snowy mud, lying on his back with a Testament, which had fallen from the side-pocket of his coat, on the breast. Further on, he came against a corpse, from the pocket of whose coat a pack of cards had dropped, and were scattered over it and on the ground. What instructive contrasts along the track of unpitying war! In the Atlantic Monthly appeared the following fine little poem, commemorative of the costly yet magnificent victory. O gales, that dash the Atlantic swell Along our rocky shores, New England's glad hurrahs; Bear to the prairies of the West The prayer that springs in every breast- Oh, awful hours, when grape and shell It came at last: "Now, lads, the steel!" "Charge, boys!" The broken traitors reel; In vain thy rampart, Donelson, The living torrent bars; It leaps the wall-the fort is won- Thy proudest mother's eyelids fill, And Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill HABITS OF MAJOR-GENERAL GRANT. 99 CHAPTER VII. HABITS OF MAJOR-GENERAL GRANT. Rumors about the Habits of Major-General Grant.-Amusing Incident.-Enlarged Field of Action.-Congratulations to his Army.-Movements of the Fleet.General Grant's Discipline.-Sword Presentation.-Enlarged Command.-Preparations for Conflict at Corinth.-The advance to Pittsburg Landing.-The Plaus of the Enemy.-He Surprises the Union Army.-The Battle of Sunday. -The arrival of General Buell.-General Grant Victorious.-Congratulations. -A Christian Hero. GENERAL GRANT was becoming sufficiently conspicuous to attract general interest, and lead those who, for any reason, would weaken his influence, to parade before the public real or imaginary faults. With most of the officers of the regular army, and it may be added, of the volunteer service, he probably sometimes indulged in stimulants. But he certainly was never a drunkard, and, when he found himself rising to serious responsibilities in the national cause, abandoned the use of them altogether. An incident occurred, after the victories of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, in connection with this discussion of the great commander's habits, which occasioned much merriment among his friends in the Southwest. The rumors that he would get intoxicated had moved the friends of the Illinois troops at home to send a delegation of gentlemen to confer with General Halleck respecting his removal. They accordingly waited upon the Chief of the Department, and gravely stated the object of their visit. "You see, General, we have a number of Illinois volunteers under General Grant, and it is not safe that their lives should be intrusted to the care of a man who so constantly indulges in intoxicating liquors. Who knows what blunders he may commit?" "Well, gentlemen," said General Halleck, "I am satisfied with General Grant, and I have no doubt you also soon will be." While the deputation were staying at the hotel, the news arrived of the capture of Fort Donelson and thirteen thousand prisoners. General Halleck posted the intelligence himself on the hotel-bulletin, and as he did so he remarked, loud enough for all to hear: "If General Grant is such a drunkard as he is reported to be, and can win such victories as these, I think it is my duty to issue an order that any man found sober in St. Louis to-night shall be punished with fine and imprisonment." The people of St. Louis took the hint, and those whose temperance principles were easy, including members of the delegation, passed a festive night. Wrote a staff officer, about this time, to a friend in New York City: "I have seen it stated in the public prints that General Grant is a drunkard. I have seen him in every phase of his military life, and I can assert that the accusation is false. I have been in the same tent with him at all hours of the day and night, and I never knew him to be under the influence of liquor, or any thing even approaching to it. I do not know what his former life may have been, but I do know that now he is a temperate man.' There was another reason for attacks upon distinguished generals, which should here be stated. It was, disappointment of ambitious or mercenary designs. General Grant was approached by reporters of the press, to secure a place, and the compensation of it, on his staff. Generals Halleck, Sherman, and C. F. Smith agreed with him that no Government funds should be applied to such a purpose. The "cut" made a wound, whose irritation was aimed at the offenders. General Sherman was called crazy, and General Smith a traitor. It was only at the special request of General Grant that the United States Senate confirmed the nomination of General Smith, and he was able to retain General Sherman; he assuring the Government that both were true men. GENERAL GRANT'S NEW COMMAND. 101 To the same source may be traced repeated attempts to destroy the rising reputation of General Grant. The operations of the early part of February, 1862, had brought him and his army into the State of Tennessee; and to enable him to act with promptitude and success it became necessary to increase his line of operations. Therefore, on the 14th day of February, General Halleck , issued an order creating the new district of West Tennessee, to embrace all the country between the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, to the Mississippi State line, and Cairo, making the head-quarters temporarily at Fort Donelson, or wherever the general might be. The first order issued by General Grant, after the assumption of the command of that district, was a congratulatory order to his troops on their late victory : HEAD-QUARTERS, DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,} FORT DONELSON, February 17, 1862. The general commanding takes great pleasure in congratulating the troops of this command for the triumph over rebellion, gained by their valor, on the 13th, 14th, and 15th instants. For four successive nights, without shelter, during the most inclement weather known in this latitude, they faced an enemy in large force, in a position chosen by himself. Though strongly fortified by nature, all the additional safeguards suggested by science were added. Without a murmur this was borne, prepared at all times to receive an attack, and, with continuous skirmishing by day, resulting ultimately in forcing the enemy to surrender without conditions. The victory achieved is not only great in the effect it will have in breaking down rebellion, but has secured the greatest number of prisoners of war ever taken in any battle on this continent. Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in capitals on the map of our United Country, and the men who fought the battle will live in the memory of a grateful people. By order, U. S. GRANT, Brigadier-General Commanding. General Grant never paused to enjoy congratulations or fruits of victory, but followed promptly every advantage gained over the enemy. West Tennessee was evidently within his grasp. Although one of the principal objects of the campaign -the reopening of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers -had been accomplished, he did not allow his forces to |