Produced by Glen Bledsoe. Additional proofing by David Widger
PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF U. S. GRANT
Volume I.
by U. S. Grant
PREFACE.
"Man proposes and God disposes." There are but few important events inthe affairs of men brought about by their own choice.
Although frequently urged by friends to write my memoirs I haddetermined never to do so, nor to write anything for publication. Atthe age of nearly sixty-two I received an injury from a fall, whichconfined me closely to the house while it did not apparently affect mygeneral health. This made study a pleasant pastime. Shortly after, therascality of a business partner developed itself by the announcement ofa failure. This was followed soon after by universal depression of allsecurities, which seemed to threaten the extinction of a good part ofthe income still retained, and for which I am indebted to the kindly actof friends. At this juncture the editor of the Century Magazine askedme to write a few articles for him. I consented for the money it gaveme; for at that moment I was living upon borrowed money. The work Ifound congenial, and I determined to continue it. The event is animportant one for me, for good or evil; I hope for the former.
In preparing these volumes for the public, I have entered upon the taskwith the sincere desire to avoid doing injustice to any one, whether onthe National or Confederate side, other than the unavoidable injusticeof not making mention often where special mention is due. There must bemany errors of omission in this work, because the subject is too largeto be treated of in two volumes in such way as to do justice to all theofficers and men engaged. There were thousands of instances, during therebellion, of individual, company, regimental and brigade deeds ofheroism which deserve special mention and are not here alluded to. Thetroops engaged in them will have to look to the detailed reports oftheir individual commanders for the full history of those deeds.
The first volume, as well as a portion of the second, was written beforeI had reason to suppose I was in a critical condition of health. LaterI was reduced almost to the point of death, and it became impossible forme to attend to anything for weeks. I have, however, somewhat regainedmy strength, and am able, often, to devote as many hours a day as aperson should devote to such work. I would have more hope of satisfyingthe expectation of the public if I could have allowed myself more time.I have used my best efforts, with the aid of my eldest son, F. D. Grant,assisted by his brothers, to verify from the records every statement offact given. The comments are my own, and show how I saw the matterstreated of whether others saw them in the same light or not.
With these remarks I present these volumes to the public, asking nofavor but hoping they will meet the approval of the reader.
U. S. GRANT.
MOUNT MACGREGOR, NEW YORK, July 1, 1885.