nd sagacity that saved Grant from the
storm of popular passion, and gave us the greatest hero of the Civil
War.

It is this keeping right on that wins in the battle of life.

Grant never looked backward. Once, after several days of hard fighting
without definite result, he called a council of war. One general
described the route by which he would retreat, another thought it
better to retire by a different road, and general after general told
how he would withdraw, or fall back, or seek a more favorable position
in the rear. At length all eyes were turned upon Grant, who had been a
silent listener for hours. He rose, took a bundle of papers from an
inside pocket, handed one to each general, and said: "Gentlemen, at
dawn you will execute those orders." Every paper gave definite
directions for an advance, and with the morning sun the army moved
forward to victory.

Massena's army of 18,000 men in Genoa had been reduced by fighting and
famine to 8,000. They had killed and captured more than 15,000
Austrians, but their provisions were completely exhausted; starvation
stared them in the face; the enemy outnumbered them four to one, and
they seemed at the mercy of their opponents. General Ott demanded a
discretionary surrender, but Massena replied: "My soldiers must be
allowed to march out with colors flying, and arms and baggage; not as
prisoners of war, but free to fight when and where we please. If you
do not grant this, I will sally forth from Genoa sword in hand. With
eight thousand famished men I will attack your camp, and I will fight
till I cut my way through it." Ott knew the temper of the great
soldier, and agreed to accept the terms if he would surrender himself,
or if he would depart by sea so as not to be quickly joined by
reinforcements. Massena's only reply was: "Take my terms, or I will
cut my way through your army." Ott at last agreed, when Massena said:
"I give you notice that ere fifteen days are passed I shall be once
more in Genoa," and he kept his word.

Napoleon said of this man, who was orphaned in infancy and cast upon
the world to make his own way in life: "When defeated, Massena was
always ready to fight a battle over again, as though he had been the
conqueror."

"The battle is completely lost," said Desaix, looking at his watch,
when consulted by Napoleon at Marengo; "but it is only two o'clock, and
we shall have time to gain another." He then made his famous cavalry
charge, and