saw. He was, moreover,
imbued with the most fervid and intense patriotism. The war with
him was one to preserve the Republic from destruction, and his
creed was that the government should draft, if necessary, every
available man in the North, and spend every dollar of the wealth of
the country, sooner than suffer the rebellion to succeed, and the
Nation to be destroyed. I think the most eloquent speech I ever
heard in my life was one delivered by Col. Grass to his regiment at
Little Rock, Arkansas, in February, 1864. The plan was then in
progress to induce the veteran troops in the field to re-enlist for
three years more. We boys called it 'veteranizing.' For various
reasons it did not take well in our regiment. Nearly all of us had
been at the front without a glimpse of our homes and friends for
over two years. We had undergone a fair share of severe fighting
and toilsome marching and the other hardships of a soldier's life,
and we believed we were entitled to a little rest when our present
term should expire. Hence, re-enlisting progressed slowly, and it
looked as if, so far as the 61st Illinois was concerned, that the
undertaking was going to be a failure. While matters were in this
shape, one day Col. Grass caused the word to be circulated
throughout the regiment that he would make us a speech that evening
at dress parade on the subject of 'veteranizing.' At the appointed
time we assembled on the parade ground with fuller ranks than
usual, everybody being anxious to hear what 'Old Dan,' as the boys
called him, would say. After the customary movements of the parade
had been performed, the Colonel commanded, 'Parade, Rest!' and
without further ceremony commenced his talk. Of course I cannot
pretend, after this lapse of time, to recall all that he said. I
remember best his manner and some principal statements, and the
effect they produced on us. He began talking to us like a father
would talk to a lot of dissatisfied sons. He told us that he knew
we wanted to go home; that we were tired of war and its hardships;
that we wanted to see our fathers and mothers, and 'the girls we
left behind'; that he sympathized with us, and appreciated our
feelings. 'But, boys,' said he, 'this great Nation is your father,
and has a greater claim on you than anybody else in the world. This
great f