YOUNG ULYSSES S. GRANT FOND OF FARM WORK. AN INSTANCE OF HIS "BULL-DOG GRIT." GRANT GOES TO WEST POINT. HIS BRAVERY IN THE MEXICAN WAR. HE TRIES FARMING AND BUSINESS. THE BEGINNING OF THE CIVIL WAR. THE BATTLE OF PITTSBURG LANDING. GENERAL GRANT CAPTURES VICKSBURG. GENERAL LEE'S SURRENDER. GENERAL GRANT'S KINDNESS AND DELICACY OF FEELING. HIS PERSONALITY. HIS TOUR AROUND THE WORLD; HIS LAST DAYS. TO THE PUPIL 1. Tell as much as you can about the boyhood of Grant. 2. What can you say of his record in the Mexican War? 3. Give an account of his capture of Vicksburg. 4. Picture the scene of the interview which took place when Lee surrendered. 5. What can you tell about Grant's personality? About his ability as a speech-maker? 6. What traits in Grant's character do you admire? CHAPTER XXVI Some Leaders and Heroes in the War with Spain [1898-1899] Thus far we have directed our attention to the prominent events in American history centring about certain leaders and heroes. In so doing we have in every chapter given emphasis to the achievements of some one man. But in all these cases there were many other men that received no mention by name, and yet their co-operation was necessary to the success of the leader in working out his plans. This is no doubt true of all times and countries, but it is eminently true of our own country, whose history is full of striking instances of individual heroism and devotion to the flag. We shall find no better example of patriotic daring than in the late war with Spain--a war which exhibited to us and to the world the strong and manly qualities of American life and character. It seems fitting, therefore, that we should in this closing chapter briefly consider a few of the recent events that help us to understand what manner of people we have come to be, and what we are able to accomplish in time of earnest endeavor. [Illustration: The United States Coast and the West Indies. Distances are given in geographical or sea miles, sixty miles in a degree of latitude.] From the very beginning of her dominion in Cuba, Spain ruled the people there with extreme cruelty and oppression. Again and again did the Cubans, driven to desperation by unjust treatment, rise in rebellion, without success. But in 1895 they organized an uprising that Spain strove in vain to put down. In the last extremity of her power, she sent over as governor-general a man who tried to starve the Cubans into submission. A large part of the population lived in the country, and furnished the Cuban troops with food and recruits. The Spanish commander's brutal method was to drive these country people into the towns and cities, burning their homes, and destroying everything that might be of use to feed and support the fighting Cubans. But the Cubans were determined to win their independence or die in the attempt. [Illustration: The Wreck of the Maine.]