Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/204

86 strategy. I need not speak of his tactics. I believe mankind are agreed, that the history of war discloses no display of tactical skill and vigor superior to Grant's about Vicksburg, and from the 3d to the 9th of April, 1865, being directed to prevent General Lee's attempted escape from Petersburg and junction with Johnston in North Carolina. The annals of other wars seem tame when read by the side of the story of that week's work. It resulted in the despatch to Secretary Stanton, so simple and modest in language, yet the most momentous of all history: "General Lee surrendered the army of Northern Virginia this afternoon on terms proposed by myself." The work was done, and how completely done,—done precisely as planned; not an element, not a vestige, of luck in it. Every army was at the precise place designed, with the exact work accomplished that was marked out for it. Method, plan, design, exclude the idea of luck. Let us in humble reverence say, as the truth was, the God of nations blessed General Grant in his awful undertaking. Judge Veazey.

we take a stroll together,
 * You and I,

And discuss the charming weather,
 * This July,

Or the picnics and the dances, And those sweet but short romances, Which, like other idle fancies,
 * Pass and die?

Yes, 'tis true that things have happened
 * Since we met,—

Since I saw you first with cap and
 * Gay rosette,

Standing like some well-drilled soldier, Only calmer and—well—bolder, With a racket on your shoulder,
 * At the net;