May 6, 1865: U.S. Grant Letter to his Father

AMs 358-10 p1 U.S. Grant to Jesse Root Grant AMs 358-10 p2 U.S. Grant to Jesse Root Grant AMs 358-10 p3 U.S. Grant to Jesse Root Grant

Transcript:

Dear Father,

I have received a sixty days furlough for Samuel A. [Yearrow?]. He can be discharged at any time after his return […]. It will take probably three weeks for my directions to reach him and he return.

I have just returned from Phila leaving Mr. Cramer there. He can describe our new house to you when he returns. My health is good but I find so much to do that I can scarcely keep up with public business let alone answering all the private letters I receive My going to Phila and spending half my time there as I hope to do will give me some leisure. I attend to public business there by telegraph and avoid numerous calls taking up much time or hope to do so.

My kind regards to all at home. I hope to hear of mother’s entire recovery soon.

Ulysses

Citation:  Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Jesse Root Grant. 6 May 1865. AMs 358/10

April 25, 1865: U.S. Grant on the Suffering of the South

AMs 358-12 p1 U.S. Grant to Julia Dent Grant  AMs 358-12 p2 U.S. Grant to Julia Dent Grant

Transcript:

Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi

In the Field Raleigh Apl. 25th 1865

Dear Julia,

We arrived here yesterday and as I expected to return to-day did not intend to write until I returned. Now however matters have taken such a turn that I suppose Sherman will finish up matters by to-morrow night and I shall wait to see the result.

Raleigh is a very beautiful place. The grounds are large and filled with the most beautiful spreading oaks I ever saw. Nothing has been destroyed and the people are anxious to see peace restored so that further devastation need not take place in the country. The suffering that must exist in the South the next year even with the war ending now, will be beyond conception. People who talk now of further retaliation and punishment, except of the political leaders, either do not conceive of the suffering endured already or they are heartless and unfeeling and wish to stay at home, out of danger, whilst the punishment is being inflicted.

Love and kisses for you and the children.

Ulys.

 

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Julia Dent Grant. Raleigh, 25 April 1865. AMs 358/12

April 11, 1865: Grant’s Instructions for Surrendered Confederate Supplies

AMs 358-11 p1 U.S. Grant to John Gibbon

Transcript:

U. S. Military Telegraph.

Apl. 11th 1865

By Telegraph from Burke Station 1865

To Maj. Gen. Gibbon Appomattox, Va.

Owing to the excessive state of the roads I think you had better load your supplies so far as possible on the Captured Trains and move them up by rail as you progress. Returning the same means of transportation might be used. I expect you will find the captured trains too weak to bring back all the artillery, arms, etc. If so destroy the caissons and such small arms as can not be moved. Leave wagons for the country people to pick up and double team so as to send back the artillery and as many of the wagons as you can loaded with small arms.

U. S. Grant

Lt. Gen.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph telegram signed to John Gibbon. Burke Station, Va.; 11 April 1865. AMs358/11

April 10, 1865: U. S. Grant to Secretary of War

AMs 473-19-2 US Grant to Edwin M Stanton

Transcript:

Prospect Station, Apl 10th 1865

7:30 P.M.

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

I am at this point in my return. The 2d & 6th Corps and the Cavalry are on their way back to Burkes Station. The 5th and 24th Corps remain at Appomattox Station to arrange the paroles of Gen. Lee’s Army. When this is done the 5th Corps will join the other Corps at the A.P. If advantage is taken of the present feeling in the South I am greatly in hopes an early peace will be secured.

U.S. Grant

 

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph telegram signed to Edwin M. Stanton. Prospect Station, Va., 10 April 1865. AMs 473/19.2

April 9, 1865: U.S. Grant and Robert E. Lee Correspondence on Surrender Terms

 These documents are official manifold copies made and signed on April 9 & 10  by Maj. H. Gause from other copies made by Lt. Col. Ely Parker AMs 473-19-4 p1 Grant and Lee Surrender AMs 473-19-4 p2 Grant and Lee Surrender

Transcript:

Appomattox Co Va

April 9th 1865

Genl. R. E. Lee

Commanding CSA

General

In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 8th inst. I propose to receive the surrender of your army. N. Va. on the following terms to wit.

Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate—one copy to be given to an officer designated by me—the other to be retained by such officer or officers as you may designate.—

The officers to give their individual parole not to take up arms against the government of the United States until properly exchanged & each company or regimental commander to sign a like parole for the men of their commands.—

The teams, artillery and public property to be parked & stacked & turned over to the officer appointed by me to receive them—this will not embrace the side arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage.—

This done each officer & man will be allowed to return to their homes not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their parole & laws in where they reside

Very respectfully

(Sgd) U.S. Grant

Lieut. Genl.

 

Hd Qrs. N. Va.

9 April 1865

Lieut. Genl. U.S. Grant

Comdg. Armies of the U.S.

General

I have received your letter of this date containing the terms of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia as proposed by you—

As they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th inst, they are accepted—

I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect—

Very respectfully

Your obd. Servant—

(Sgd) R.E. Lee

General

 

Citation: Documents relating to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. 9-10 April 1865. AMs 473/19.4.

April 6, 1865: U.S. Grant to William T. Sherman

 

AMs 435-8_13 Grant to Sherman 4-6-1865

Transcript:

Head Quarters Dept. of N.C.

Army of the Ohio

April 8” 1865.

By telegraph from Burkeville Va Apl. 6”

Maj. Gen Sherman

We have Lee’s army pressed hard his men scattering and going to their homes by thousands. He is endeavoring to reach Danville where Jeff Davis and his cabinet have gone. I shall press the pursuit to the end. Push Johnson at the same time and let us finish up this job at once.

Signed U. S. Grant

Lt. General

Official

(Signed) Theo Cox

Maj. & A.A.G.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to William T. Sherman. Burkeville, Va.; 8 April 1865. AMs 435/8.13

April 5, 1865: U.S. Grant to William T. Sherman

AMs 473-19-1 US Grant draft to WT Sherman

Transcript:

Wilson’s Station Apl 5th 1865

Maj Gen Sherman, Cav Col T.S. Bowers

City Point

All indications now are that Lee will attempt to reach Danville with the remnant of his force. Sheridan who was up with him last night reports all that is left, Horse Foot and Dragoons at 2000 much demoralized. We hope to reduce this number one half. I shall push on to Burkeville and if a stand is made at Danville will in a very few days go there. If you can possibly do so push on from where you are and let us see if we can not finish the job with Lee’s & Johnston’s Armies. Whether it will be better for you to strike for Greensboro or nearer to Danville you will be better off to judge when you receive this. Rebel Armies now are the only strategic points to strike at.

U.S. Grant

Citation:  Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885).Autograph letter signed to William T. Sherman(draft). Wilson’s Station, Va.;  5 April 1865. AMs 473/19.1

April 2, 1865: U.S. Grant to George Meade

AMs 473-19-3 US Grant to George G Meade

Transcript:

Apl. 2d 1865 9.30 p.m.

Maj. Gen. Meade,

Miles has made a big thing of it and deserves the highest praise for the pertinacity with which he stuck to the enemy until he wrung from him victory. As the Cavalry was coming down the Cox and River Roads I am very much in hopes we will hear tonight of the capture of the balance of Heth’s & Wilcox Divisions. I think a Cavalry force had been thrown to the very bridge over which they expected to escape in advance.

U.S. Grant

 

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to George G. Meade. 2 April 1865. AMs473/19.3

March 30, 1865: U. S. Grant to Abraham Lincoln

AMs 526-18 US Grant to Abraham Lincoln

Transcript:

Gravelly Run March 30th 1865

A Lincoln, President, City Point

I understand the number of dead left by the enemy yesterday for us to bury was much greater than our own dead. The captures were larger than reported also amounting to about 160. This morning our troops have all been pushed forward and now occupy a line from what you will see marked on the map as the Crow House across the Boyland plank road North of where the Quaker road intersects it. Sheridan’s Cavalry is pushing forward towards the White Oak road and I think this afternoon or tomorrow may push on to the South side road.

U.S. Grant

Lt. Gen.

 

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Abraham Lincoln. City Point, Va.; 30 March1865. AMs 526/18

March 19, 1865: U. S. Grant Letter to His Father

AMs 358-15 p1 U.S. Grant to Jesse Root Grant AMs 358-15 p2 U.S. Grant to Jesse Root Grant AMs 358-15 p3 U.S. Grant to Jesse Root Grant

Transcript:

Head-Quarters Armies of the United States,

City Point, Va, March 19th 1865

Dear Father,

I received your two letters announcing the death of Clara. Although I had known for some time that she was in a decline yet I was not expecting to hear of her death at this time. I have had no heart to write earlier. Your last letter made me feel very badly. I will not state the reason and hope I may be wrong in my judgement of its meaning.

We are now having fine weather and I think will be able to wind up matters about Richmond soon. I am anxious to have Lee hold on where he is a short time longer so that I can get him in a po-sition where he must lose a great portion of his Army. The rebellion has lost its vitality and if I am not much mistaken there will be no rebel Army of any great dimen-tions a few weeks hence. Any great catastrophy to any one of our Armies would of course revive the enemy for a short time. But I expect no such thing to happen.

I do not know what I can do either for Will Griffith’s son or for Belville Simpson. I sent orders last Fall for John Simpson to come to these Hd Qrs. to run between here and Washington as a Mail Messenger. But he has not come. I hope this service to end now soon.

I am in excellent health but would enjoy a little respite from duty wonderfully. I hope it will come soon.

My kindest regards to all at home. I shall expect to make you a visit the coming summer.

Yours Truly

Ulysses.

Citation:  Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Jesse Root Grant. City Point, Va., 19 March 1865. AMs 358/15