of major and then to that of lieutenant-colonel, was universally
approved.

Meanwhile, Grant had been acquitting himself with high credit in
all the work which fell to his share. He was in no position to
render service of anything like the importance of Lee's, but he
did what he was ordered to do and did it well, being brevetted a
first lieutenant for conspicuous gallantry at the battle of Molino del
Rey, September 8, 1847. Again, on September 13, in the fighting
around Chapultepec, where Lee, though wounded, remained in the saddle
until he fell fainting from his horse, Grant gained considerable
distinction by his quick action in relieving a dangerous pressure
on part of the American lines by posting a small gun in the belfry
of a church and galling the enemy with his deadly accurate fire.
It was characteristic of the man that when complimented upon this
achievement and told that a second gun would be sent to him, Grant
merely saluted. He might, with truth, have informed his commanding
officer that the belfry could not accommodate another gun, but it
was not his habit to talk when there was no need of it, or to question
the wisdom of his superior officer. He, therefore, quietly accepted
the praise and the superfluous gun and, returning to his post,
resumed his excellent service. This and other similar conduct won
him further promotion, and on September 14, 1847, when the Americans
marched triumphantly into the Mexican capital, he was brevetted a
captain.

The war practically ended with this event and within a year Grant
was married to Miss Julia Dent and stationed at Sackett's Harbor,
New York, while Lee was assigned to the defenses of Baltimore, not
far from his old home.