as when, after disease and bullets have done their work, not more than half or a third of the original number remain. Not far from this very time, a splendid regiment. crowded in long and glittering lines Washington street, Boston, from one curb-stone to the other. A year afterward I saw only one hundred and twenty-five left, able to march, with blackened and torn banners, and their apparel and faces nearly as dark with exposure and powder-smoke. They still bore their proud name, as when the multitude admired and cheered their full and manly ranks.

CHAPTER V.

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."

owners.

HEN the first call for volunteers was issued, it was believed that the secessionists would be confined almost entirely to South Carolina, and a few in others of the cotton-growing States, where the slaves were most valuable to their For this reason only seventy-five thousand soldiers, to serve three months, were asked for in all the Northern States. The Twenty-first Illinois belonged to the number; but they said if Grant commanded, and they were needed longer, they would reënlist. The brave fellows were as good as their word. Colonel Grant hastened to his own State, and joined his regiment at Mattoon, where it was organized. He then removed the troops to Casseyville for encampment. As if by magic, the gathering volunteers were transferred to the little canvas city, with its guards and sentinels, its frequent drill, and all the means of prepara

tion for the field of deadly conflict. Without display of authority or noise, the Colonel kindly enforced the sever est discipline, setting the example of obedience to superiors, and of simplicity in style of living. For a month. this training continued, relieved by the presence of citizens to look upon the novel scene in our hitherto peaceful land, and the more welcome visits to the soldiers from so many Western homes, of sister, wife, and mother.

An application was made to the Governor to send a regiment to Quincy, one hundred and twenty miles distant. The trouble with the Governor was not the want of men, but the lack of transportation.

"Send my regiment," said Grant, "and I will find the transportation."

The command was given, and before night the regi ment was under orders to march. On foot it was transported to Quincy; and when the men were there encamped, they were reported as belonging to one of the best disciplined regiments of Illinois volunteers.

At length the welcome order to the men came, to strike tents and be ready to march away to the field of conflict, turning their backs upon the scenes and friends of former days, perhaps forever.

The soldiers get very tired of the camp life. There is such monotony; no excitement of any importance, and but little to do. They prefer the toils of warfare and the storm of bullets, to the dull security of encampment.

Oh, it was a stirring scene on the morning of the

march! The boys packed the knapsacks, rolled up the blankets, and down with the tents in a hurry. Colonel Grant rode at the head of the columns, which formed in glad haste at the word of command. His calm face was lit up with rational delight. The natural bent of his genius, his years of experience in military affairs, and, more than all else, the sacred cause which led him away to the enemy's lines, inspired him with hope and courage. Reaching the Mississippi River, the troops embarked, and in fine style crossed the Father of Waters into Missouri. Then they swept along the war-path with rapid marches, leaving behind them, in six days, a distance of one hundred miles. The cars then bore them on as much further in a few hours, toward Northern Missouri. Their first duty was to guard the Hannibal and St. Joseph's Railroad, lying nearly west of Springfield, Illinois, as will be seen by reference to the map, and connecting the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. It is one of the railways which forms a link in the great chain of iron tracks connecting the vast and growing West with the older and enterprising East. The indispensable army work assigned to Colonel Grant's troop, was very forcibly apparent in a recent visit to the Potomac "front." For more than sixty miles from Washington, through the Old Dominion, which was one wide desert, with graves and carcasses of horses and mules, over which the crows were flying in myriads, the military road was protected by encampments of troops, looking in the distance like villages of white tents and log cabins, a few miles apart. At

some points "block houses were built, from whose second story the road could be seen in both directions, and the deadly bullet fired.

Several regiments had been ordered on this service, having their headquarters in Northern Missouri, and wanted a general. Who shall have this honor, from associates equally willing to accept it, till a regular appointment is made? Although the youngest colonel on the ground, Colonel Grant was selected, and became acting brigadier-general-another step in the line of promotion.

He took this command on the 31st of July, 1861, at a place called Mexico, on the North Missouri Railroad, south of the Hannibal and St. Joseph's. It was in the "District of North Missouri," and in the department of General Pope. The whole field of military operations is divided into distinct territories, each under the command of a general who has the direction of its martial movements.

August 9th, Grant was commissioned brigadier-general, and ordered to Southern Missouri, when General Jeff. Thompson was ready to advance upon us. He went to Ironton, and then to Marble Creek, where he built fortifi

cations and placed a garrison to defend it. Jefferson City was threatened, too, and he hurried on to that town. For ten days his forces protected the place.

A member of the hero's staff relates an amusing and characteristic story of him during his Missouri campaigns:

"The hero and veteran, who was citizen, captain, colonel, brigadier and major-general within a space of nine