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