ns, the Galena lawyer, who was made adjutant-general, with
the rank of captain, and who as long as he lived continued near Grant in
some capacity, dying while serving as Secretary of War in the first term
of Grant's presidency. He was an officer of high ability and personal
loyalty. He alone had the audacity to interpose a resolute no, when his
chief was disposed to over-indulgence in liquor. He did not always
prevent him, but it is doubtful whether Grant would not have fallen by
the way without the constant, imperative watchfulness of his faithful
friend. There were times when both army and people were impatient with
him, not wholly without reason. Nothing saved him then but President
Lincoln's confidence and charity. The reply to all complaints was: "This
man fights; he cannot be spared."

In the last days of August, having been occupied, meantime, in reducing
to order distracted and disaffected communities in Missouri, he was
assigned to command of a military district embracing all southwestern
Missouri and southern Illinois. He established his headquarters at
Cairo, early in September, and from there he promptly led an expedition
that forestalled the hostile intention of seizing Paducah, a strategical
point at the mouth of the Tennessee River. This was his first important
military movement, and it was begun upon his own initiative. His first
battle was fought at Belmont, Mo., opposite Columbus, Ky., on the
Mississippi River, on November 7, 1861. Grant, in command of a force of
about 3000 men, was demonstrating against Columbus, held by the enemy.
Learning that a force had been sent across the river to Belmont, he
disembarked his troops from their transports and attacked. The men were
under fire for the first time, but they drove the enemy and captured the
camp. They came near being cut off, however, through the inexperience
and silly recklessness of subordinate officers. By dint of hard work and
great personal risk on the part of their commander, they were got safely
away. It was an all-day struggle, during which General Grant had a horse
shot under him, and made several narrow escapes, being the last man to
reembark. The Union losses were 485 killed, wounded, and missing. The
loss of the enemy was officially reported as 632. This battle was
criticised at the time as unnecessary; but General Grant always asserted
the contrary. The enemy was prevented from detaching troops from
Columbus, and the national forces acquir