war had actually begun,
volunteers began to flock to the standard. The ensuing months of that
year were packed with incident and no little danger. In August, Grant
was made quartermaster and commissary of the regiment--a position of
responsibility which he held until the army was withdrawn.

Although Grant's duties were now such as to withdraw him from active
fighting, he was not the man to take advantage of the fact. The lively
battle at Monterey bears witness of this. After a hard encounter on
the outskirts of the city, the Americans stormed it from the north and
east, and began to drive the Mexicans out, street by street. But when
the citadel was in sight, the commanding officer, Colonel Garland,
found to his dismay that they were short of ammunition.

"We must have ammunition at once," he announced to his men. "Who will
volunteer to ride back with the message? I do not wish to detail any
one, as it is extra hazardous."

At once, Lieutenant Grant stepped forward and saluted.

"I will go, Colonel," he said.

"You are just the man. If anybody can ride through, you can. But
hurry."

And Grant did. Crouching low on his mustang like an Indian, he dashed
down the bullet-swept streets, made the open, and delivered his message
to General Twigg.

The Mexican War was marked by the political rivalry of two American
Generals, one of whom was destined to win the highest honors in the
gift of his country--General Zachary Taylor, old "Rough and Ready," and
General Winfield Scott, "Fuss and Feathers." Both were able leaders,
though totally unlike in their methods. Taylor cared nothing for
personal appearance or etiquette. He worked in close contact with his
men. Scott, on the contrary, was fond of display, and issued his
orders through his staff officers.

Scott was now given supreme command of the Mexican campaign, and
summoned all the regular troops for an invasion by way of Vera
Cruz--the scene of a later landing, in very recent years. Taylor was
left with only the volunteers, but he utilized them at Buena Vista to
such good effect that at the next election old "Rough and Ready" became
President of the United States--the very thing that his political foes
at Washington had tried to prevent, by giving Scott the supreme command.

Grant's company, with other regulars to the number of eight thousand
men, landed at Vera Cruz, and early in April began its perilous march
into the interior. Roads had to be buil