Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1885 — GEN. GRANT’S BOOK. [ARTICLE]

GEN. GRANT’S BOOK.

Text of the Preface to His “Personal Memoirs.” [New York dispatch.] , The preface to Gen. Grant’s book will be as follows: “Man proposes, and God disposes.” There arc "but few important events in the affairs of men brought about by their o.wn choice. Although frequently urged by my Iriends to write my memoirs, I had determined never to,do so, never to write anything for publication. At the age of nearly 62 I received an injury from a fall which confined me closely to the house, while it did not apparently affect my general health. Shortly after the rascality of a business partner developed itself by the announcement of a failure. This was followed soon after by universal depressions of tall securities, which seemed to threaten the extinction of a good part of the income still retained, and for which I am indebted to the kindly act of friends. At this juncture the editor of the Century magazine asked me to write a few articles for him. I consented for the money it gave me, for at that moment I was living on borrowed money. The work I found congenial, and I determined to continue it. The event is an important one for me[for good or evil—l hope for the former. In preparing these volumes for thepublic I have entered upon the task with the sincere desire to avoid doing injustice to anyone, whether on the Nat onal or Confederate side, other than the unavoidable injustice of, not making mention oiten where special mention is due. There must be .many errors of omission in this work, because the subject is too large to be treated in two volumes in such a way as to do justice to all the taticers and men engaged. There were (thousands of instances during the rebellion of individual, com-pany.-regimental,, and brigade deeds of heroism which deserve special mention, and are not here alluded to. The troops engaged in. them will have to look to the detailed reports of their individual commanders for the full history of those deeds. , ’ T< e first volume, as well as a portion of the s ’cond, was written before I h <1 reason to suppose I was in a critical condition of health. Later I was reduced almost to the point of death, and it b. came impossible for me to attend'o anything for weeks. I have, however, regained somewhat? of my strength, and am able often to devote as many hours a day as a p rson should devote to such woik. I would have mire hope of sat sf.vihg tbcGe.'pectation <f the public if I could have allowed mykelr n ore time. I have used my be t efforts, with the aid of my eldest son, F. D. Grant, assisted by his hiotbers, to veri.y from the records every statement of fact given. 'J he comments are mv own, and show howl saw the matters treated’of, whether others shw them" in the same lighter not. With these remarks I present these volumes to the public, asking no favor, but hoping they will meet the approval of the reader. • U. 8. Guant.