Chapter 3:
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- The rebellion. -- Grant's patriotism. -- Raises a company of volunteers. -- Tenders his services to the Governor of Illinois. -- good service. -- Desires to take the field. -- Thinks of a position on McClellan's staff. -- fortunate escape. -- appointed colonel. -- in Missouri. -- brigadier General. -- an honorable appointment. -- at Cairo. -- Kentucky rebels. -- occupies Paducah. -- too prompt for Fremont. -- Desires to advance against the rebels. -- battle of Belmont. -- victory too much for new troops. -- Grant's Watchfulness.--“we have whipped them once, boys, and we can do it again.” -- narrow escape. -- the purpose accomplished. -- misrepresentations. -- Grant's generosity to his subordinates.--“better that I should suffer, than the country lose the services of such officers.” -- Fort Henry. -- Halleck's want of appreciation. -- Fort Donelson. -- Grant's determination. -- the Fort invested. -- engagements. -- the rebel prisoner. -- prompt decision. -- attack and victory. -- rebel Flag of Truce. -- no terms but unconditional surrender. -- the capture of prisoners. -- the effect of the victory on the country.
Grant, as before remarked, had never taken much interest in political affairs, both on account of his quiet, retiring disposition and his training as an officer, and he gave but little attention to the agitation which preceded secession and rebellion. But his patriotism led him to support the government against all assailants; and when the secessionists collected troops at Charleston, and planted batteries around Fort Sumter, he avowed himself without reserve for the government. When the war was opened by the attack on Sumter, and President Lincoln issued his proclamation
