The hour of recitation, whether in philosophy, chemis try, or drawing, found him ready for the unsparing pro fessor. He acquitted himself well in horsemanship, in infantry tactics, which relate to the use of small arms, and in artillery, or the handling of heavy guns. The next year, in a class of less than half the original number, he entered upon the last and crowning course of studies. He was honored with a commission as officer of cadets, who could command either a section, troop, or company. Few young persons bear, with propriety, authority. It often creates self-conceit or petty tyranny. But Cadet Grant won respect by doing just what belonged to his office, and no more. Faithful to his position, he was kind and respectful to all. He made the most of this last year at the academy.

Engineering, which is the science of building fortifications, bridges, &c., with the dry rules of law in its application to the country, military affairs, and the conduct of nations toward each other, he mastered by careful and hard study. Meanwhile, he perfected himself in horsemanship, and became one of the finest riders in the insti tution.

June 30th, 1843, only thirty young men of the hundred who put on the gray suit of the cadet four years before, graduated. The Ohio boy was No. 21, or nearly in the middle of the class. The country youth of seventeen, who came from a district school, left be hind him along his academic career seventy-nine of

his classmates, among whom were sons of senators and of professional men. Many of them had been to college. Such was the reward of industry and a good character; a determination to do well, with a patient, honest straightforward course to secure his object. Without such qualities and exertion, Ulysses would have only been a poor tanner, or a very common farmer in the West.

Among those who finished the regular course with Cadet Grant at the Academy, were many distinguished officers in the Mexican war, and others who became conspicuous commanders in the great civil conflict of the Republic. The first in the class was Major-General W. B. F'ranklin, who led the Nineteenth Army Corps under General Banks. Generals Ingalls, Steele, and Judah, were of the same company of graduates. It is sad to know that several of them fought under the flag of secession,-brave officers in a bad cause. They little dreamed, while under the "star-spangled-banner" at West Point, enjoying its pro tection in the walks of science, and among the glorious scenery of the Hudson, with the warning example of Arnold suggested by it, that they should stand in battle array against each other. But such has been the result of home education in the hostile principles of freedom and oppression. The harvest of death and ruin on the field of war, followed the moral seed-sowing of many years, in the hearts of the people. A cultivated mind with wrong principles, is like a splendid engine off the track-it will do only harm.

CHAPTER III.

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

F

OUR long years of study and drill were now over. Nobly proud and happy cadet! The educated young man looks out upon a life of service and honor. What shall be the first step? The army of the United States was scattered through the land, doing little besides occupying forts as garrisons, guarding the frontier wherever threatened by troublesome Indians, and superintending the opening of military roads through the wilderness. Vacancies in command did not often occur, and the new graduates must be content with the honorary titles of command. Grant was therefore breveted second lieutenant of the Fourth Regular Infantry, performing the duties of a private soldier. He joined his regiment, stationed at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, and, with it, went on the occasional expeditions into the wild country lying back of the settlements scattered along the great rivers, to protect the defenceless inhabitants from

the incursions of their savage neighbors. In the spring of 1844 he removed with his regiment up the Red River, in Louisiana.

While alluding to the aborigines, I must tell you that. our Government, and the Indian agents and traders, have been far more guilty than the red men in regard to deeds of violence these have committed. This all our best military officers who have been among them will tell you. Scarcely an instance of massacre or war is recorded, which cannot be traced directly to some outrage upon them—such as breaking treaty, defrauding them of money due them-or robbing them of property. We have treated the poor Indian as if he were under no government, human or divine, but lawful plunder for the white man. No Christian person, certainly, can doubt that Providence, in the civil war, chastised the nation on account of such oppressive and treacherous treatment of the red race, along with the enslavement and cruel abuse of the African.

Months passed away without any striking events in this frontier-life of Lieutenant Grant. But a war-cloud was now gathering on the Southern horizon. Mexico and the United States had been disputing about the boundary line of Texas, which became about this time a State. Texas claimed more territory than Mexico said was hers. There was apparently no very strong desire on our part to settle the quarrel on righteous principles. Southern feeling and interests, which at last brought on

the great Rebellion, led ambitious politicians to urge the claims of the Texans. The more territory given to slavery, the stronger would the aristocratic owners of the multiplying victims of their mercenary, aspiring desire, and lust, become. Mexico refused to yield to our demands. Both parties were willing to enter the field of deadly conflict. The Government determined to send to the border an "army of occupation;" that is, a force to secure the observance of the prescribed limit of Texas lands. General Zachary Taylor was the commander; a very heroic officer, and afterward President of the United States. This was in 1845. Lieutenant Grant was in the expedition, and marched with his regiment to Corpus Christi, where the troops were concentrating. The town is in Nueces County, and very important because situated on the southern shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and near the disputed territory. Vessels could bring supplies, and the troops move from it over the country.

Meanwhile young Grant was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in the Seventh Regiment of the United States Infantry. But he was anxious to stay with his old comrades and the officers under whom he served, and requested the Government to let him remain. He was gratified in his choice; and the brevet or compli mentary appointment was exchanged for the substantial honor of a regular commission as Second Lieutenant of the Fourth Infantry. The winter passed away with nothing decisive. in military movements, till May 23d.