Page:Harris Dickson--The unpopular history of the United States.djvu/149

What of the Regulars? which end of a musket should properly be held to the shoulder, they concluded that they could get along without West Point dudes to chaperon their martial activities.

As a curious bit of history: In 1861 a certain U. S. Grant volunteered the service of his military education, but no notice was ever taken of it. His letter was not thought of sufficient importance to be preserved.

Five weeks later, placed at the head of a regiment by Governor Yates of Illinois, he began the career which led to supreme command of the Union army and to the Presidency.

At this time there were 741 graduates of the Military Academy. 168 Southern officers resigned and went to their home states, while 92 ex-graduates, who had gone out of the service in 1861, also joined the Confederacy, providing the Southern army with 260 trained officers.

Five hundred and fifty-six West Pointers remained with the Union, while 102 ex-graduates reëntered service, thus giving the [131]