ry.]

Galena,
May 30th, 1861.

DEAR FATHER:

I have now been home nearly a week, but return to Springfield to-day.
I have tendered my services to the Government and go to-day to make
myself useful, if possible, from this until all our National
difficulties are ended. During the six days I have been at home I
have felt all the time as if a duty were being neglected that was
paramount to any other duty I ever owed. I have every reason to be
well satisfied with myself for the services already rendered, but to
stop now would not do.

All here are well. Orvil or Lank will write to you in a day or two and
tell you how business matters stand. Write to me at Springfield.

Yours truly,

U.S. GRANT.

[After taking charge of his new regiment, Grant was encamped a short
time near Springfield. A month was spent in drill and discipline; when
the time came for the mustering into the national service of those who
were willing to enter, the regiment went in as a body. July 3d he was
ordered to Quincy, Mo. While here he was ordered to move against
Colonel Tom Harris, a Confederate, who was encamped on a creek with
high hills on both sides. Grant approached the place with much
uneasiness, expecting to find Harris and his men drawn up ready to
meet him. Instead, they had fled. He realized then that Harris had had
quite as much fear of him as he had had of Harris. This experience was
a valuable lesson to him; remembering it, he never again felt
trepidation before encountering an enemy.]

East Quincy, Mo.,
July 13th, 1861.

DEAR FATHER:

I have just received yours and Mary's letters and really did not know
that I had been so negligent as not to have written to you before. I
did write from Camp Yates, but since receiving yours remember that I
did not get to finish it at the time, and have neglected it since. The
fact is that since I took command of this regiment I have had no spare
time, and flatter myself, and believe I am sustained in my judgment by
my officers and men, that I have done as much for the improvement and
efficiency of this regiment as was ever done for a command in the same
length of time.--You will see that I am in Missouri. Yesterday I went
out as far as Palmyra and stationed my regiment along the railroad for
the protection of the bridges, trestle work, etc. The day before I
sent a small command, all I could spare, to relieve Colonel Smith who
was surrounded by secessionists. He effected his relief, ho