the only thought that reconciled him to the attempt was that
it necessitated a trip from Ohio to New York, which gratified his
longing to see more of the world. This was so consoling that it
was almost with a gay heart that he set out of the Hudson in the
middle of May, 1839.

For a boy who had lived all his life in an inland village on the
outskirts of civilization the journey was absolutely adventurous,
for although he was then in his eighteenth year, he had never even
as much as seen a railroad and his experiences on the cars, canal
boats and steamers were all delightfully surprising. Therefore,
long as the journey was, it was far too short for him, and on May
25th he reached his destination. Two lonely and homesick weeks
followed, and then, much to his astonishment and somewhat to his
regret, he received word that he had passed the examination for
admission and was a full-fledged member of the cadet corps of West
Point.





Chapter V




Grant at West Point