39 Reminiscences of 



Mexico as a lieutenant in the United States service. 

 As a tactician he was eminent, possessing that fac- 

 ulty characteristic of all great generals, from ancient 

 times down to modern, which in General Grant's in- 

 stance, coupled with military training and indomitable 

 courage and persistence, gained for him the success 

 he deserved. Beyond these traits so prominent, and 

 of such incalculable value for the success of the Union 

 armies, I failed to observe in him any conspicuous 

 features of comprehensive greatness. The great bard 

 tells us some are born to greatness, others achieve it, 

 and others have it thrust upon them. Many live and 

 die in obscurity, lacking the opportunity to display 

 their particular merits. But the opportunities oc- 

 curred for General Grant, Cromwell, Cortez, Lincoln, 

 and dozens of others whose names are familiar from 

 the pages of history. There are but few, however, 

 who have been great in all senses, of whom our Washing- 

 ton may be accounted one. A peculiarity of General 

 Grant's most noticeable was his habit of incessant smok- 

 ing. He seemed never without his friendly cigar. When 

 he came from his chamber in the morning, it was with a 

 lit cigar, and during the day it was only laid aside at 

 meals, and accompanied him to his sleeping quarters. 



Going on from the Canon del Agua, I reached Ber- 

 nalillo in a day's drive, rinding Captain Slawson and 

 assistant, and put up with Mr. Bebo, a Hebrew store- 

 keeper established there. This Bebo was a good- 

 natured, pleasant man, who had with his family carried 

 on a country store for several years, who gave us com- 

 fortable quarters. No hotel was in the place, and only a 

 few houses were about, and these were of adobe and 

 occupied by Mexicans. 



