Transcript (excerpt):

Corinth Mississippi

August 19^th 1862

Dear Sister,

Julia and the children left here on Saturday last for St. Louis where they will remain on a visit until about the last of the month. At the end of that time they must be some place where the children can go to school. Mrs. Hillyer has a nice house in the city and is all alone whilst her husband is on my staff and it may be that she and Julia will keep house together. If they do she would be very much pleased to have you make her a long visit. Julia says that she is satisfied that the best place for the children is in Covington. But there are as many of them that she sometimes feels as if they were not wanted. Their visit down here in Dixie was very pleasant and they were very loathe to leave. Things however began to look so threatening that I thought it was best for them to leave. I am now in a situation where it is impossible for me to protect my long line of defence. I have the Mississippi to Memphis, the railroad from Columbus and to Corinth, from Jackson to Bolivar, from Corinth to Decatur and the Tennessee & Cumberland rivers to keep open. Guerillas are hovering around in every direction getting whipped every day some place by some my command but keeping us busy. The war is evidently growing oppress-sive to the Southern people. Their insti-tution are beginning to have ideas of their own and every time an expedition goes out more or less of them follow in the wake of the army and come into camp. I am using them as teamsters, Hospital attendants, company cooks etc. thus saving soldiers to carry the musket.

I don’t know what is to become of these poor people in the end but it weakening the enemy to take them from them.

If the new levies are sent in soon the rebels will have a good time getting in their crops this fall…

Citation:Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Mary Grant Cramer. Corinth, Miss., 19 August 1862. AMs 357/8

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Cairo, Illinois

November 29^th 1861

Dear Father,

Your letter asking if Mr. Leathers can be passed South, and also enclosing two extracts from papers is received.

It is entirely out of the question to pass persons South. We have many Union men sacrificing their lives now from exposure, as well as battle, in a cause brought about by Secession and it is necessary for the security of the thousands still exposed that all communication should be cut off between the two sections.

As to that article in the Hawk Eye it gives me no uneasiness whatever. The Iowa Regiment done its duty fully and my report gives it full credit. All who were on the battle field know where Gen. McClernand and myself were and it needs no resort to the public. Press for our vindication. The other extract gives our loss in killed and wounded almost exactly correct. Our missing however is only

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three or four over one hundred. Recent information information received through deserters shows that the rebel loss from killed wounded and missing reaches about 2500. One thing is certain, after the battle about one third of Columbus was used for hospitals and many were removed to houses in the country. There was also two steamboat loads sent to Memphis and the largest hotel in the city taken as a Hospital. The city was put in mourning and all business suspended for a day and the citizens thrown into the greatest consternation lest they be attacked.

I wrote to you two days ago therefore it is not necessary to write a long letter. I believe I told you that Julia had gone to St. Louis. Will pay you a short visit before returning to Galena.

Ulysses

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Jesse Root Grant. Cairo, Ill., 29 November 1861. AMs 357/7

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Cairo, November 8^th 1861

Dear Father,

It is late at night and I want to get a letter into the mail for you before it closes. As I have just finished a very hasty letter to Julia that con-tains about what I would write, and having something else to do myself, I will have my clerk copy it on to this.

Day before yesterday, I left here with about 3000 men in five steamers, conveyed by two Gun Boats, and proceeded down the river to within twelve miles of Columbus. The next morning the Boats were dropped down just east of range of the enemies Batteries and the troops disembarked.

During this operation our Gun Boats exercised the rebels by throwing shells into their Camps and Battery….

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885),  letter signed to Jesse Root Grant. Cairo, Ill., 8 November 1861. AMs 357/6

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Cape Girardeau, Mo.

August 31^st 1861

Dear Father,

Your letter of the 26^th is just received. As to the relative rank of officers (Brigadiers) you are right but in all the balance you are laboring under an erroneous impression. There has been no more made affecting me  which has not been complementary rather than otherwise though calculated to keep me laboriously employed. I was sent to Ironton when the place was weak and threatened with a superior force and as soon as it was rendered secure was ordered to Jefferson City, another point threatened. I was left there but a week when orders were sent me ordering to this point putting me in command of all the forces in S.E. Mo. South Ill, and everything that can opperate here. All I fear is that too much is expected of me. My duties will absorb my entire attention and I shall try not disappoint the good people of Ill. who, I learn from every quarter, express an enthusiasm for me that was wholly unexpected. – [Gen.] Prentiss is not a particular favorite as you suspect nor is there a prejudice against him. I think all the Brigadiers are acceptable, with the rank assigned them by the President.

The Brigadiers are not all up north as you suspect. I know of but one, Hurlbut, who is there. Gen. McClernand is at Cairo, Prentis at [Scranton] and I presume Curtis will be with the command under me.

Gen. Hunter is at Chicago but I look upon that as temporary. I have not heard of any command being assigned him as yet and do not know that he has sufficiently recovered from wounds received in the late engagements in Virginia to [take] the field. Hunter will prove himself a fine officer.

The letters spoken of by you have not all been received. Those sent to [Galena] I got and answered. My promise to write to you every two weeks has been complied with and however busy I may be I shall continue it if it is but a line. I am now probably done shifting commands so often, this being the fourth in as many weeks.

Your suspicions as to my being neglected are entirely unfounded for I know it was the intention to give me a Brigade if I had not been promoted. Application would have been made to have me assigned, arbitrarily, as senior Colonel from Ill. for the purpose.

I want to hear from you as Mary often. I sent you the Daily Democrat thinking that would keep you better posted in this section – than I could do and being a cheap correspondent.

I wrote to you that I would like to have Mary go out to Galena and stay some time. I do not want Julia to leave Galena being anxious to retain my residence after the many kindnesses received from the people there.

I only arrived at this place last night and can not tell you much about things here. The people however are generally reported to be secessionists.

Ulys.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Jesse Root Grant. Cape Girardeau, Mo., 31 August 1861. AMs 357/5

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Jefferson City, Mo.

August 27^th, 1861

Dear Father,

Your letter requesting me to appoint Mr. Foley on my staff was only received last Friday night, of course, to late to give Mr. F. the appointment even if I could do so. I remember to have been introduced to Mr. F. Sr. several years ago and if the son is anything like the impression I then formed of the father the appointment would be one that I could well congratulate myself upon. I have filled all the placed in my staff and, flatter myself, with deserving men. Mr. J. A. Rawlins of Galena is to be my Adgt. Gen. Mr. Lagow of the Rgt. I was formerly Colonel of and Mr. Hillyer of St. Louis, Aides. They are all able men from five to ten years younger than myself. Without military experience but very capable of learning. I only have one of them with me yet and having all raw troops and but little assistance it keeps me busy from the time I get up in the morning until from 12 to 2 o’clock at night, or morning.

I subscribed for the Daily Democrat, a staunch Union paper, for you so that you might hear from me often.

There is a good deal of alarm felt by the citizens of an early attack upon this place and if anything of the kind should take place we are illy prepared. All the troops are very raw and about one half of them Missouri Home Guards without discipline. No Artillery and but little Cavalry here.

I do not anticipate an attack here myself, certainly not until we have attacked the enemy first. A defeat might induce the rebels to follow up their success to this point but that we expect to prevent. My means of information are certainly as good as anyone else has and I cannot lean that there is an organized body of men North of the Osage river or any moving. There are numerous encampments through all the counties bordering on the Missouri River, but the object seems to be to gather supplies, horses, transportation etc. for a fall & winter campaign.

The country West of here will be left in a starving condition for next Winter. Families are being driven away in great numbers for their Union sentiments, leaving behind farms, crops, stock and all. A sad state of affairs must exist under the most favorable circumstances that can take place. There will be no money in the country and the entire crop will be carried off together with all stock of any value. I am interrupted so often while writing that my letters must necessarily be very meager and disconnected. I hope you will let Mary go to Galena when Mother returns home. She has never paid us a visit and I would like to have her make a long one. I think it doubtful whether I will go home at all.

Ulysses

Citation:  Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Jesse Root Grant.  Jefferson City, Mo., 27 August1861. AMs 357/4

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Dear Julia,

No Doubt you will be quite astonished after what the papers have said about the precarious position my Brigade has been in for the last few days to learn that tomorrow I move south. This is one of the most delightful places I have ever been in. High enough to make quite a difference in the atmosphere. Springs of water that makes ice cease to be a luxury and scenery equal to anything you can imagine.

I don’t know where to tell you to direct a letter to me. The safest way is probably St. Louis. My duties not give me but precious little time, generally engaged writing until 12 o’clock at night. I received a letter today from [illeg.] and one from Collins, the first wanting me to appoint Thad. on my staff the second wanting me to give Ms. Thompson some appointment. Their letters came in since night and I have been busy ever since until now about 12 o’clock or I would answer them. Tell them that I have but two appointments and they must be from Lieuts. of the Army. One I feel it obligatory to make from the Regiment which I was Col. of and the other I have offered to Mr. Rollins if he can get the appointment of Lieut. I received one from Mr. Goodin of St. Louis also wanting a place. I expected to be able to make a short visit to Galena after this but now it does not look much like it. I want very much to get back into civilization for a few days to get me some things that I very much need. I am without a sword sash or uniform of every description according to my grade and see no chance of getting them. I subscribed for the Daily Democrat for you because it contains more Army news than any other paper and because it has a regular correspondence with one of the regiments of my Brigade. I have taken Orly into my new office. The position will be a pleasant one giving him a horse to ride but whether I can give him anything to which there is extra pay attached or not I don’t know. If I can I will. He is most exemplary in his conduct and is much thought of by the offices of the Company to which he has been attached. From Collins’ letters I see Simpson has not yet left. I hope he is enjoying better health than he could in Covington. Do the children annoy him any? Does he think Jess a bad boy? Tell Jess he must be a good boy and learn to read. I hope mother & Simp will stay with you all summer and I dont believe but what he would do better in the Winter there than in Covington. If I can draw my pay regularly I will supply you liberally. First however I must send about $300 more to the store to pay Hughletts. Write to me soon and often. Kiss the children for me. Ulys.

Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) autograph letter signed to Julia Dent Grant. Ironton, Mo.,15 August 1861. AMs 357/3

Transcript [excerpt]:

[EXCERPT]

Dear Sister,

Your letter directed to me at Mexico, Mo. came to hand yesterday at this place. A glance at the map will show you where I am. When I came here it was reported that this place was to be attacked by 8,000 secessionists, under Gen. Hardee, within a day or two. Now Hardee’s force seems to have reduced and his distance from here to have increased. Scouting parties however are constantly seen within a few miles of out Pickets. I have here about 3,000 vols., nearly all infantry, but our position being strong and out cause a good one, it would trouble a much larger force of the enemy to dislodge us. You ask my view about the continuance of the war &c. Well I have changed my mind so much that I dont know what to think. That the rebels will be so badly whipped by April next that they cannot make a stand anymore I don’t doubt. But they are so dogged that there is no telling when they may be subdued. Send Union troops among them and respect all their rights, pay for everything you get and they become desperate and reckless because their state sovereignty is invaded. Troops of the opposite side march through and take everything they want, leaving no pay but script, and they become desperate secession partisans because they have nothing more to lose. ..

Your Brother,

Ulys.

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Galena, May 30^th 1861

Dear Father:

I have now been home near a week but return to Springfield to-day. I have tendered my services to the Government and go to-day to make myself useful, if possible, from this until all our National difficulties are ended. During the six days I have been at home I have felt all the time as if a duty was being neglected that was paramount to any other duty I ever owed. I have every reason to be well satisfied with myself for the services already rendered but to stop now would not do.

All here are well. Orvil or Lank will write to you in a day or two and tell you how business matters stand. Write to me at Springfield.

Yours Truly

U.S. Grant

Citation:  Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Jesse Root Grant. Galena, Ill., 30 May 1861. AMs 541/19.1