Cairo,
Dec. 18th, 1861.
Dear Sister:
I have been wanting to write you for some time and am not so
indifferent as you would make out. I wish you could be here for a day or two to
see what I have to go through from breakfast until twelve at night, seven days
in the week. I have now just got through with my mail for to-night, and as it
is not yet twelve and the mail does not close until that time, I will devote
the remainder of the time in penning you a few lines. I have no war news to
communicate, however.
Julia and the children have returned from St. Louis. They
will not make you the promised visit whilst I remain here.
Captain Foley arrived to-day and I showed him all the
attention I could but I regret to say it was not much. He will excuse it
however.
I am sorry you did not come with him. I believe I should
have allowed the children to go back with you.
I have learned through private sources that an attack has
been made upon Fort Jackson, Louisiana, and that the place has been taken. That
is to say such is the report in Columbus, but I do not know whether to credit
the report. Something has taken place to call off many of their troops. They
still have a much larger force than I have.
Whilst I am writing several Galena gentlemen are in talking.
They will remain until the office closes so you must excuse a disconnected
letter.
I do not now see that the probabilities are so strong that I
will likely be removed. A full disposition seems to have been made of all my
seniors.
Father seems to be very much inclined to criticize [sic] all
our generals. It may have been a little inexcusable in General Buell not to
allow troops to stop for a few hours when near their homes. But he should
recollect that General Buell was not on the spot to see the circumstances
fully, and he does not know what necessity may have existed to have got the
troops through by a certain time.
At your request I send a small batch from my cranium. I doubt
whether it is big enough for the purpose you want it.
If you will come out here you might spend a few weeks pleasantly and I
hope you will not lose such an opportunity as has just occurred.
I will close this. My love to all at home.
ULYS.
SOURCE: Jesse Grant Cramer, Editor, Letters of
Ulysses S. Grant to His Father and His Youngest Sister, 1857-78, p. 74-6
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