Oxford, Mississippi,
Dec. 15th, 1862.
Dear Sister:
Yesterday I received a letter from you and the children and
one from Uncle Samuel. To day I learned by telegraph that Father is at Holly
Springs, thirty miles north of here. Julia is there and as I expect the
railroad to be completed to this point by tomorrow I look for them down. I
shall only remain here tomorrow, or next day at farthest; so that Julia will go
immediately back to Holly Springs. It is a pleasant place and she may as well
stay there as elsewhere.
We are now having wet weather. I have a big army in front of
me as well as bad roads. I shall probably give a good account of myself however
notwithstanding all obstacles. My plans are all complete for weeks to come and
I hope to have them all work out just as planned.
For a conscientious person, and I profess to be one, this is
a most slavish life. I may be envied by ambitious persons, but I in turn envy
the person who can transact his daily business and retire to a quiet home
without a feeling of responsibility for the morrow. Taking my whole department,
there are an immense number of lives staked upon my judgment and acts. I am
extended now like a peninsula into an enemy's country, with a large army
depending for their daily bread upon keeping open a line of railroad running
one hundred and ninety miles through an enemy's country, or, at least, through
territory occupied by a people terribly embittered and hostile to us. With all
this I suffer the mortification of seeing myself attacked right and left by
people at home professing patriotism and love of country, who never heard the
whistle of a hostile bullet. I pity them and a nation dependent upon such for
its existence. I am thankful however that, although such people make a great
noise, the masses are not like them.
To all the other trials that I have to contend against, is
added that of speculators whose patriotism is measured by dollars and cents.
Country has no value with them compared with money. To elucidate this would
take quires of paper. So I will reserve this for an evening’s conversation, if
I should be so fortunate as to again get home where I can have a day to myself.
Tell the children to learn their lessons, mind their Grandma
and be good children. I should like very much to see them. To me they are all
obedient and good. I may be partial but they seem to me to be children to be
proud of.
Remember me to all at home,
Your brother
ULYS.
SOURCE: Jesse Grant Cramer, Editor, Letters of
Ulysses S. Grant to His Father and His Youngest Sister, 1857-78, p. 95-7
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