After a three months' furlough visiting his father's home, now at
Bethel, Ohio, he reported for duty at the Jefferson Barracks, near St.
Louis, as a second lieutenant in the infantry. The best horseman in
his class had to walk!
But there were compensations. Outside of duty, Grant could always
procure a mount; and about five miles away from the Barracks--just an
easy canter--was the home of his college chum and roommate, Lieut.
Frederick T. Dent. The Dents had a big, hospitable country place, and
they speedily made Fred's friend feel at home. One member of the
family who had heard much about "Sam" Grant from her brother's letters,
long before Grant appeared in person, was Julia Dent now a charming
girl of seventeen. It was not long before her friends began teasing
her about "the little lieutenant with the big epaulets"--and while she
laughed and blushed she didn't seem to mind.
The little round of social gayeties, however, was of brief duration.
Trouble with Mexico was brewing, and in 1844 relations had become so
strained that an "Army of Observation," as it was called, was assembled
under General Zachary Taylor, old "Rough and Ready," on the border.
Grant's company was ordered to join this army, on the briefest notice.
The young lieutenant had time only for a brief leave-taking with the
Dents, and one member in particular, but her final message meant all
the world to him.
Pages:
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46