ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT 347 circumstances, and had established himself in the leather business in Galena, 111. It seemed to be incumbent upon him to do something for the relief of his oldest son, and in 1 860 the ex-captain becarrie a member of the firm of " Grant & Sons." This was the position in which the opening of the War of the Rebellion found him. For years the military spirit of the North had been repressed and discour- aged Sober and dignified people regarded the soldier as unnecessary, and mili- tary parades were looked upon as childish, and classed in the category with circus shows. But suddenly, when the cannon of the Rebellion began to resound in the South, the people were awakened from their dream of security, and the profes- sion of arms, which had been disparaged and had almost fallen into disrepute, became in the highest degree honorable, for the safety of the nation depended upon it Millions were ready to fight for the Union, but there were very few trained officers to organize and command those who were eager to uphold the flag and save the nation. Except here and there one who had served in the Mexican or Indian wars, there was not a soldier in the land who had any ex- perience of actual warfare. To Galena came the intelligence that Fort Sumter had been bombarded, and with it the proclamation of President Lincoln calling for 75,000 volunteers. Grant was profoundly moved by the situation of the country, and without seek- ing for or thinking of the honors and emoluments that might be reaped, he pa- triotically desired to serve his country in the present terrible emergency. The nation had educated him for military service, and though he had fought with honor through one war, he did not regard the debt as paid. He was a soldier, but he did not boast of what he had done, or even claim the rank in the gather- ing armies to which his experience entitled him. In less than a week he was drilling a company in Galena, whose members wished to make him their captain ; but another citizen wanted the place, and he declined it. He consented to go to Springfield, the capital of the State, with the company. On the way he met the Hon. Elihu B. Washburn, and by him was presented to Governor Yates, who, however, did not appear to be greatly impressed, and did not take much notice of him. Then Grant wrote to the ad- jutant-general of the army at Washington, stating that he had been educated at West Point at the public expense, and considered it his duty to tender his ser- vices to the Government. He did not apply for the commission of a brig- adier-general ; but was willing to serve in any capacity where he might be needed. . No response came to this modest offer, and Grant visited Cincinnati, where George B. McClellan, who had been appointed major-general of volunteers by the governor of Ohio, was organizing the forces. Both had served in Worth's brigade in Mexico ; and Grant thought his former friend might tender him a position on his staff. Though he called upon him several times, he failed to find him, and returned to Springfield. While he was waiting at the capital. Governor Yates sent for him, and asked him if he knew how many men belonged in a
