[119][m] Ready to fight, Grant recalled with satisfaction, "I never went into our leather store again."[120][n] On April 18, Grant chaired a second recruitment meeting, but turned down a captain's position as commander of the newly formed militia company, hoping his previous experience would aid him to obtain a more senior military rank.[122]

Early commands
Further information: Kentucky in the American Civil War
Grant's early efforts to be recommissioned were rejected by Major General George B. McClellan and Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon. On April 29, supported by Congressman Elihu B. Washburne of Illinois, Grant was appointed military aide to Governor Richard Yates and mustered ten regiments into the Illinois militia. On June 14, again aided by Washburne, Grant was promoted to Colonel and put in charge of the unruly 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which he soon restored to good order and discipline.[123] Colonel Grant and his 21st Regiment were transferred to Missouri to dislodge Confederate forces.[124]
On August 5, with Washburne's aid, Grant was appointed Brigadier General of volunteers.[125] Major General John C. Frémont, Union commander of the West, passed over senior generals and appointed Grant commander of the District of Southeastern Missouri.