Outbreak of the Rebellion — Presiding at a Union Meeting — Mustering Officer of State Troops — Lyon at Camp Jackson — Services Tendered to the Government explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• National Union and Constitutional Crisis

  The chapter opens with the secession crisis and Lincoln's oath to maintain the Union, highlighting the constitutional struggle as states secede and Fort Sumter is attacked.

• Duty and Service

  Grant's immediate response to the call for troops—presiding at the meeting, helping raise a company, and volunteering his services to the governor—exemplifies a sense of duty to the nation.

• The Horrors and Cost of War

  Though not yet in combat, the chapter foreshadows the war's cost through the rapid mobilization and the tense atmosphere in St. Louis, where Union and rebel sentiments clash.

Characters to notice

• Ulysses S. Grant

  Presides over a Union meeting in Galena, helps raise a company, declines captaincy, assists Governor Yates in mustering regiments, and witnesses the capture of Camp Jackson.

• Abraham Lincoln

  Sworn in as President on March 4, 1861; issues first call for 75,000 volunteers after the firing on Fort Sumter.

• John A. Rawlins

  Delivers a speech at the Galena Union meeting as a Douglas elector.

• Nathaniel Lyon

  Commands the small garrison at the St. Louis Arsenal; reinforced by Blair's regiment, captures Camp Jackson.

• Frank P. Blair

  Raises a regiment in Missouri, reports to Captain Lyon, and leads the force that captures Camp Jackson; Grant introduces himself to Blair for the first time.

• Richard Yates

  Governor of Illinois; accepts Grant's assistance in mustering state regiments and authorizes ten additional regiments.

Key passages

• “The 4th of March, 1861, came, and Abraham Lincoln was sworn to maintain the Union against all its enemies. The secession of one State after another followed, until eleven had gone out.”

  Lincoln took the oath of office on March 4, 1861, pledging to preserve the Union, even as eleven Southern states seceded one by one.

  Grant sets the stage for the Civil War by noting Lincoln's inauguration and the rapid secession of Southern states.

• “Upon the firing on Sumter President Lincoln issued his first call for troops and soon after a proclamation convening Congress in extra session. The call was for 75,000 volunteers for ninety days’ service.”

  After the attack on Fort Sumter, Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to serve for ninety days and summoned Congress to a special session.

  Grant describes the immediate federal response to the outbreak of war.

• “As soon as the news of the call for volunteers reached Galena, posters were stuck up calling for a meeting of the citizens at the courthouse in the evening. Business ceased entirely; all was excitement; for a time there were no party distinctions; all were Union men, determined to avenge the insult to the national flag.”

  When word of Lincoln's call for troops arrived in Galena, the town shut down and a patriotic meeting was held at the courthouse, with everyone united as Union supporters.

  Grant captures the surge of patriotism and unity in his hometown.

• “I declined the captaincy before the balloting, but announced that I would aid the company in every way I could and would be found in the service in some position if there should be a war.”

  Grant refused to be elected captain of the new company but promised to support them and to serve in some capacity if war broke out.

  Grant shows his humility and commitment to the Union cause without seeking personal advancement.

• “Camp Jackson surrendered without a fight and the garrison was marched down to the arsenal as prisoners of war.”

  The militia at Camp Jackson gave up without resistance and were taken as prisoners to the St. Louis Arsenal.

  Grant recounts the bloodless capture of the pro-secessionist camp.

• “The Union men ordered the rebel flag taken down from the building on Pine Street. The command was given in tones of authority and it was taken down, never to be raised again in St. Louis.”

  Union supporters commanded that the Confederate flag be removed from a building in St. Louis, and it was taken down permanently.

  Grant describes the shift in public sentiment after the capture of Camp Jackson.