Fort Henry, Tenn.,
Febr. 9th, 1862.
DEAR SISTER:
I TAKE my pen in hand "away down in Dixie" to let
you know that I am still alive and well. What the next few days may bring
forth, however, I can't tell you. I intend to keep the ball moving as lively as
possible, and have only been detained here from the fact that the Tennessee is
very high and has been rising ever since we have been here, overflowing the
back land and making it necessary to bridge it before we could move. — Before
receiving this you will hear by telegraph of Fort Donelson being attacked. — Yesterday
I went up the Tennessee River twenty odd miles, and today crossed over near the
Cumberland River at Fort Donelson. — Our men had a little engagement with the
enemy's pickets, killing five of them, wounding a number, and, expressively
speaking, "gobbling up" some twenty-four more.
If I had your last letter at hand I would answer it. But I
have not and therefore write you a very hasty and random letter, simply to let
you know that I believe you still remember me. Whilst writing I am carrying on
a conversation with my Staff and others.
Julia will be with you in a few days and possibly I may
accompany her. This is barely possible, depending upon having full possession
of the line from Fort Henry to Fort Donelson, and upon being able to quit for a
few days without retarding any contemplated movement. This would not leave me
free more than one day however.
You have no conception of the amount of labor I have to
perform. An army of men all helpless, looking to the commanding officer for
every supply. Your plain brother, however, has as yet no reason to feel himself
unequal to the task, and fully believes that he will carry on a successful
campaign against our rebel enemy. I do not speak boastfully but utter a
presentiment. The scare and fright of the rebels up here is beyond conception.
Twenty three miles above here some were drowned in their haste to retreat,
thinking us such vandals that neither life nor property would be respected. G.
J. Pillow commands at Fort Donelson. I hope to give him a tug before you
receive this.
U. S. G
SOURCE: Jesse Grant
Cramer, Editor, Letters of Ulysses S.
Grant to His Father and His Youngest Sister, 1857-78, p. 80-2
No comments:
Post a Comment