Ulysses S. Grant, as colonel of the 21st Infantry Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, left Camp Yates at Springfield on July 3, 1861, with his unseasoned troops and marched them to Naples, arriving on July 6. Frederick Grant, the colonel’s son, though only eleven years old, accompanied the regiment and rode his father’s horse, Rondy. From Naples on July 7, Col. Grant wrote his wife, Julia, a long letter about the march. The 21st was then ferried across the Illinois River to continue its advance to the front, but soon received orders to recross and take a train to Quincy.