Transcript:

(Cipher)

City Point, Va, Feb; 25^th 1865

Hon. E. M. Stanton, Sec. of War, Washington.

I am very much pleased with the interest Commodore Radford seems to take in his duties and the way he talks. Adml. Farragut can tell better than I can how he will do when danger comes. The Probabilities of an attack from the Rebel Navy in the first rise in the river is anticipated and every preparation made to deceive it. I have not the slightest apprehension about the result and rather desire it. We are far differently prepared now, both on land and water, from what we were the last time the Rebel Iron Clads came down.

I think we must very soon use either Adml. Farragut or Porter in capturing Galveston. It will be but a very short time I hope before we will be able to spare the troops for this purpose from here or from Cape Fear River.

U.S. Grant

Lt. Gen.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Edwin M. Stanton. City Point, Va.; 25 February 1865. AMs 358/7

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City Point, Va. Feb. 25^th 1865

Maj. Gen. Schofield,

Fortress Monroe,

Do not hesitate about making any changes in commanders you may think necessary. I supposed Palmer had Kinston before this. I think by all means you should get Goldsboro and hold and supply it as soon as possible. If you hear information of Sherman coming in at any other point you will of course want to meet him with supplies. I take it that whilst you are moving on Goldsboro a small force will protect supplies sent to Fayetteville or elsewhere. If he should come to Fayetteville you could send supplies after his arrival there. Prepare to send supplies forward to Fayetteville the moment you know Sherman is coming in there.

U. S. Grant

Lt. Gen.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to John McAllister Schofield. City Point, Va.; 25 February 1865. AMs 435/8.6

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(Cipher)

Head Quarters Armies of the United States

City Point, Va, Feb; 20^th 1865

Maj. Gen. Sherridan, Winchester Va.

As soon as it is possible to travel I think you will have no difficulty about reaching Lynchburg with a Cavalry force alone. From there you could destroy the railroad and Canal in every direction as to be of no further use to the rebellion this coming Spring or, I believe, during the existence of the rebellion. Sufficient Cavalry should be left behind to look after Mosby’s gang. From Lynchburg, if information you might get there would justify it, you could strike South, heading the streams in Virginia to the Westward of Danville, and push in and join Sherman. This additional raid with one now about starting from East Tennessee under Stoneman numbering four or five thousand Cavalry, one from Vicksburg numbering seven or eight thousand Cavalry, one from East Port Miss ten thousand Cavy. and Canby from Mobile Bay with about thirty eight thousand mixed troops, the three latter pushing for Tuscaloosa, Selma & Montgomery, and Sherman with a large army eating out the vitals of South Carolina, is all that will be wanted to leave nothing for the Rebellion to stand upon. I would advise you to overcome great obsticles to accomplish this. Charleston was evacuated on Tuesday last.

U. S. Grant

Lt. Gen.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Philip H. Sheridan. City point, Va; 20 February 1865. AMs 358/6

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City Point, Va. Feb. 13^th 1865

Hon. E. M. Stanton, Sec. of War, Washington

I would most decidedly oppose enlisting prisoners of war, with bounties. The most determined men against us would be the first to enlist for the sake of the money and would return with it to their friends. I would make no special objection to trying the experiment of one or two regiments raised without bounty but even this would be risky. The men who want to enlist are those who really it is most desirable to exchange first. If they want to enter our service in good faith they can return under the Presidents Amnesty proclamation, and my order, and become loyal citizens and help fight on the side of peace.

U. S. Grant

Lt. Gen.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Edwin Stanton. City Point, Va.; 13 February 1865. AMs 435/8.11

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City Point, Va, Feb. 7^th/65

Maj. Gen. Meade,

The idea I intended to convey was that we should hold permanently out to Hatcher’s Run fortifying as you think best, but destroying no works already made. Then when we came to make a general move against the enemy we would hold our present line and abandon all the new works outside of them. You have been over the ground when our troops now are and I have not. Take up such line for permanent occupation as you think will best secure our purposes. I thought likely we should hold from our present left to Armstrong’s Mill. The Cavalry could then picket down Hatcher’s Run and cover our rear easier than at present. In view of the bad weather the troops had better to get back into the position you intend them to occupy. It will be advisable to send this order to alarm at once so as to avoid any further attack unless promising great advantage to us.

U.S. Grant

Lt. Gen.

Citation:  Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to George G. Meade. City Point, Va., 7 February [18]65. AMs 542/10

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City Point, Va. Jan. 25^th 1865

Maj. Gen. Halleck, Washington,

I do not want to draw any troops from Washington that cannot be well spared. I will garrison the Forts on Cape Fear with Heavy Artillerists from here.

I will not leave Hampton Roads until Friday morning. It’s probable the Asst. Sec. of the Navy will accompany me. If so Schofield can leave Washington with him to-morrow evening. Answer if I shall wait for them.

U. S. Grant

Lt. Gen.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Henry W. Halleck. City Point, Va.; 25 January 1865. AMs 435/8.12

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Head Quarters Armies of the United States

City Point, Va, Jan. 23d 1865

Maj. Gen. Halleck, Washington

Order Maher to Alexandria. We will send Schofields Corps first and add this detachment to it until such time as it can be got to Sherman. It is too late now for it to reach Sherman from Pocotaligo.

U.S. Grant

Lt. Gen.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Henry W. Halleck. City Point, Va., 23 January 1865. AMs 774/18

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Head Quarters Armies of the United States,

City Point, Va. Jany 20^th 1865

Maj Gens. Ord & Meade,

I leave at 12 for Washington. Will remain there but a few hours. During my absence be prepared to take the offensive if it should be found that the enemy are drawing off any considerable portion of their troops, an event not impossible though which is not likely within the limits of my absence.

U.S. Grant

Lt. Gen.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Edward O.C. Ord and George G. Meade. City Point, Va.; 20 January 1865. AMs 774/16

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Fortress Monroe Va.

Jan., 5^th 1865

Maj. Gen. Halleck Washington

Please have everything called for by Sherman forwarded without delay. He cannot move until the forage and subsistence called for is received. A special message from Sherman has just left here with his requisitions.

U. S. Grant

Lt. Gen.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Henry Halleck. Fortress Monroe, Va.; 5 January 1865. AMs 435/8.3