Chapter 1:
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- Ancestry. -- removal of his grandfather to Ohio. -- parents and Birth. -- at school and at home. -- characteristics of his boy-hood. -- love of horses. -- skill in managing them. -- too much for vicious Ponies. -- persistency. -- the load of logs. -- prefers being a soldier to being a tanner. -- appointed a cadet at West Point. -- his name. -- U. S., “Uncle Sam,” and “unconditional surrender.” -- career at West Point. -- solid Acquirements and medium rank. -- brilliant scholars not the ablest generals. -- too plucky to be imposed upon. -- respects himself, and compels the respect of others. -- patriotism. -- Graduates at West Point.
The ancestors of General Ulysses S. Grant came from Scotland, and probably belonged to the Scottish clan named Grant, whose ancient motto was, “Stand fast, Stand firm, Stand sure.” The clan has never afforded a better illustration of that motto than the distinguished subject of this sketch. They first settled in Connecticut, from which state General Grant's grandfather, who was a soldier through the whole war of the revolution, removed to Westmoreland County, in Pennsylvania, and was a thrifty farmer there. About
