"Thy proudest mother's eyelids fill, As dares her gallant boy, And Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill Yearn to thee, Illinois." CHAPTER VIII. The more the Hero does, the more is he expected to do-His Kingdom HE fighting yet prudent chief had brought under And, accordingly, the field was laid out for vaster and more difficult operations. February 14th, General Halleck, who was at the head of military affairs, formed for Grant the new district of West Tennessee. Refer to the map once more, and you will observe its extent. It was bounded on the south by Tennessee River and State line of Mississippi, and on the northwest by Mississippi River, far north as Cairo. He could select his own headquarters. Over this large region he was military king. That is, he had the control of affairs in his own hands. And you must not forget, that no monarchy is more absolute than the power of martial command. The genius of its unquestioned sway is well expressed by the Roman centurion's words to Christ, nearly two thousand years ago: "For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it." This power will be abused by bad men. A poor sick soldier carried the certificate of his inability to serve, signed by the surgeons and all inferior officers, to the commander; who, half intoxicated, refused to read them, and ordered the man on duty. He had to obey; but, in the effort to do so, staggered a moment, and fell dead. Such facts are too many, and sad enough. Power is a dangerous trust. It has proved to be safe in the rapidly-growing command of General Grant. Many of the officers of the regular army, pleading, as an apology, the change of cli mate and social scenes away from domestic life, have freely used stimulants. This is a deplorable habit, and never a protection against exposure. Provost-General M. R. Patrick, of the Potomac army, a Christian patriot and hero, who had been in Mexico with "Bob Lec," as he called him familiarly, and went through the Seminole war, assured me that only those who, with himself, abstained entirely from strong drink, escaped Southern diseases, without fleeing, in hot weather, to the North. Some amusing incidents have occurred in connection with the stories about General Grant; who is a thoroughly correct, and, many Christian friends believe, a religious man. About this time, several gentlemen, acting as a delegation, called on General Halleck, and desired his removal, when the following scene occurred: "You see, General," said the spokesman, "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." This was ironical pleasantry, designed to silence the complaining gentlemen, who were evidently not as much afraid of intemperance, as they were of General Grant. "Do you know what the personal habits of General Grant are?" was the interrogation addressed to one who had fought long under him. He answered: "I know that he is one of the most moderate of men in his desires. His purity is equal to his modesty. His personal character, to my certain knowledge, is without a blot. He is tenderly devoted to his wife and family." The first official act in the wider field of his wise administration, was a congratulatory order. He had not been in haste, as an inferior, inflated mind would have been; but when the calm of a new order of things came, he addressed his brave troops : HEADQUARTERS, 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 instant. 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 condition. 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, Brig.-Gen. Commanding. |