Fred D. Grant -- the Brave Orderly at Vicksburg
During the siege of Vicksburg, thirteen-year-old Fred D. Grant serves as his father General Grant’s orderly, following him through shellfire and Confederate sharpshooters. Quiet and unboastful, Fred shares dangers that alarm observers, yet his courage receives little public notice. The narrator urges that he be honored for his heroism.
By Annie Wittenmyer · First published 1895 · Genre: Civil War nonfiction, Historical biography, Military history · 420 words
First lines
Nearly every day during the siege of Vicksburg, General Grant rode around the fiery line of the besieged city on his little black horse; and his son Fred, about thirteen years old, who acted as his orderly, followed about fifty yards in the rear.
It was a wild ride over the rough, roadless fields and bluffs in the rear of our batteries, where the enemy's guns were ploughing the ground here and there, over which they were riding.
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Genres
- Civil War nonfiction — The work recounts an observed episode from the Siege of Vicksburg, centering on Union general Ulysses S. Grant and his son Fred during the American Civil War.
- Historical biography — It presents a biographical character sketch of thirteen-year-old Fred D. Grant, emphasizing his conduct, personality, and bravery while serving as his father's orderly.
- Military history — Its setting and action involve siege warfare, Union and Confederate batteries, sharpshooters, military command, and the tactical dangers surrounding Vicksburg.
- Heroic narrative — The narrative is explicitly structured to celebrate Fred Grant's courage, restraint, devotion to duty, and deservingness of public honor.
Tags
American Civil War · Siege of Vicksburg · Vicksburg, Mississippi · 1863 · Union Army · Ulysses S. Grant · Fred D. Grant · child soldier · military orderly · father-son relationship · battlefield danger · artillery fire
What this Textopian page supports
Fred D. Grant -- the Brave Orderly at Vicksburg is listed on Textopian as a short story by Annie Wittenmyer, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Annie Wittenmyer
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Civil War nonfiction, Historical biography, Military history, Heroic narrative, Historical sketch
- Length: 420 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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