July 4, 1863-Vicksburg

 I told my men, "I propose to fight it out on this line, even if it takes all summer!" And we did fight. We fought until we lost many of our men. We pulled back for a short while and slowly pushed through. The soldiers fighting besides me, those are the soldiers that I trust with my life, the soldiers I trust with my country. It began when we came in from the east and pushed the Confederate troops to defend the town. We attacked in assaults on May 18. After seeing that little progress was being made, I decided that it would be better to siege Vicksburg. We had artillery firing at the town on three sides and gun-ships firing from the Mississippi. With Hell raining down on them I would expect they would give up pretty easily. It took 6 long weeks. I missed my family, I missed home, I missed having a drink with my friends. But this is what you can expect from war. War is a bad thing, but it's what I'm good at. My country is counting on me. My people are the only things driving me forward. They are my fuel to success. It would be an honor to be one of the few that bring this country together, one free nation.

December 24, 1860-Galena, Illinois

After many years of financial disappointment in Missouri, I turned to my father for help. I took a clerkship in a leather goods store owned by my father and operated by my brothers Orvil and Simpson in Galena, Illinois. After the election the Republicans of Galena, supporters of Abraham Lincoln, held a celebration in the Grant store. I helped them serve oysters and liquor. I have not lived in Illinois long enough to be eligible to vote, but I have not decided about the merits of Lincoln and his opponent, Stephen Douglas. Lincoln is against the spread of slavery, supports homesteads, and increasing tariffs. I agree with slavery staying in the South. I also agree with homesteads because I recently moved from the West. I usually would not be against tariffs but this year it would be more expensive to purchase leather for the shop. Douglas also is against the spread of slavery, though he is against homesteads and tariffs while Lincoln is for. They are both balanced candidates. It is now Christmas Eve, a few minutes after dusk. I usually have almost nothing for gifts, so Julia has to make them for our children. Julia asks me not to get her anything because we can’t afford it, but this year will be different. I have saved up to buy my wife a necklace, made from the purest of gold. It cost a fortune so I hope she likes it. I will just have to wait and see.