My family are all well and living in our own house.  It is much more pleasant than where we lived when you were here, and contains practically about as much room.  I am still unemployed, but expect to have a place in the Custom House from the first of next month.  My name has been forwarded for the appointment of Superintendent, which, if I do not get, will not probably be filled at all.  In that case there is a vacant desk which I may get that pays $1200 per annum.  The other will be worth from $1500 to $1800 and will occupy but little time.

Remember me to all at home.  There is a gentleman here who has lands in San Antonio de Bexar County, Texas, that would like to get you, should you go there this winter, to look after them.  If you go, and will attend to his business, drop me a line and he will furnish me all the papers, and instructions, to forward to you.

Yours,

U.S.  Grant.

P.S.  The man that has your horse is the owner of a row of six three story brick houses in this city, and the probabilities are that he intends to give me an order on his agent for the money on the first of the month when the rents are paid.  At all events I imagine the horse is perfectly safe.

U.S.G.

[Grant had given up the real estate business and had come to Galena in May, 1860, as has been said, nominally as a clerk in his father’s store, but really as a prospective partner in the business.

In March, 1861, Lincoln was inaugurated President.  The Confederates proclaimed themselves aliens; South Carolina seceded; other Southern States followed; Fort Sumter was fired upon, and President Lincoln issued his first call for troops, 75,000 volunteers.  The quota for Illinois had been fixed at six regiments.  Galena immediately raised a company.  Grant declined the captaincy but promised his aid in every way possible.]

Galena,
April 21st, 1861.

Dear father: 

We are now in the midst of trying times when every one must be for or against his country, and show his colors too, by his every act.  Having been educated for such an emergency, at the expense of the Government, I feel that it has upon me superior claims, such claims as no ordinary motives of self-interest can surmount.  I do not wish to act hastily or unadvisedly in the matter, and as there are more than enough to respond to the first call of the President, I have not yet offered myself.  I have promised, and am giving all the assistance I can in organizing the company whose services have been accepted from this place.  I have promised further to go with them to the State capital, and if I can be of service to the Governor in organizing his state troops to do so.  What I ask now is your approval of the course I am taking, or advice in the matter.  A letter written this week will reach me in Springfield.  I have not time to write to you but a hasty line, for, though Sunday as it is, we are all busy here.  In a few minutes I shall be engaged in directing tailors in the style and trim of uniform for our men.