# Trip to Austin—Promotion to Full Second Lieutenant—Army of Occupation explained — Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

> Chapter companion for Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant.

## What happens

Grant recounts a hazardous journey from Austin back to Corpus Christi with fellow officers, including the illness of Lieutenant Augur, encounters with wildlife, and the challenges of travel in Texas. He also describes the methods used to break mules for the Army of Occupation, reflecting on the difficulties of managing wild animals and the loss of his own horses.

## Themes in this chapter

### Personal Integrity and Self-Reliance

Grant's self-deprecating account of his lack of hunting skill and his honest handling of the mule and horse incidents reflect personal integrity.

### The Horrors and Cost of War

The harsh treatment of mules and the loss of horses hint at the broader costs and brutalities of military life.

## Character check-ins

### Ulysses S. Grant

Narrator and participant in the journey; regimental quartermaster who loses his horses.

### Winfield Scott

Mentioned as General Taylor's Adjutant-General, Captain Bliss, is referenced.

### Zachary Taylor

Commanding general of the Army of Occupation; his adjutant-general is mentioned.

## Key lines

> I had never been a sportsman in my life; had scarcely ever gone in search of game, and rarely seen any when looking for it.

Grant admits he was not a hunter and rarely sought or saw game.

_Reflects his lack of interest in hunting despite the abundance of game._

> The method of breaking them was less cruel and much more amusing.

The process of taming mules was more entertaining than harsh.

_Grant contrasts the violent breaking process with its amusing aspects._

> I never suspected the colored boy of malicious intent in letting them get away, because, if they had not escaped, he could have had one of them to ride on the long march then in prospect.

Grant believed the boy who lost his horses was not deliberately malicious, as he would have benefited from keeping them.

_Shows Grant's fair-mindedness and understanding of human nature._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters