By DAVID COSTIGAN Ulysses S. Grant was not quite 40 in April
1861 when Confederates fired on Fort Sumter beginning the Civil
War. Grant, a West Point graduate and Mexican-American War
veteran had resigned from the Army in 1854. Rumors of excessive
alcohol consumption marred his reputation and his future in the
military. Subsequently he failed as farmer, salesman, candidate
for county office, and customhouse clerk. At the time of Sumter,
Grant worked in a leather store in Galena. In his memoirs, Grant
acknowledged that he expected the war to be over in 90 days or
less. Grant was elected captain of a Galena infantry company, he
had helped to raise, but he declined waiting for a more
significant opportunity. This came in mid-June when Illinois
Gov. Richard Yates appointed him colonel of the 21st Illinois
Infantry Regiment mustered at Springfield. Grant proceeded to
Springfield to take charge. Despite the lack of time for even
meager training, Grant received orders to proceed to Quincy to
allay possible hostile a