CHAPTER II.
WEST POINT--GRADUATION.
In the winter of 1838-9 I was attending school at Ripley, only ten miles distant from Georgetown, but spent the Christmas holidays at home.
During this vacation my father received a letter from the Honorable Thomas Morris, then United States Senator from Ohio.

When he read it he said to me, "Ulysses, I believe you are going to receive the appointment." "What appointment ?" I inquired.

"To West Point; I have applied for it." "But I won't go," I said.

He said he thought I would, AND I THOUGHT SO TOO, IF HE DID.

I really had no objection to going to West Point, except that I had a very exalted idea of the acquirements necessary to get through.