Monday, September 16, 2019

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Julia Dent Grant, June 9, 1862

Corinth Mississippi,
June 9th 1862
Dear Julia:

I expected by this time to at home, but fate is against it. — You need not now look for me atal [at all] but you may look for a letter soon where to join me.  I do not yet know where I will be, but probably West Tennessee.

Privately I say to you that when I talked of going home and leaving my command here there was quite a feeling among the troops, at least so e[x]pressed by Gen. officers below me, against my going.  I will have to stay.  It is bearly [sic] possible that I may be able to leave long enough to go after you and bring you on.  If so I will do it.—It would afford me the greatest pleasure to be relieved from active duty for even a short time.  People in civil life have no idea of the immense labor devolving on a commander in the field.  If they had they never would envy them.  Rawlins has become so perfectly posted in the duties of the office that I am relieved entirely from the routine. of the office  Cols. Hillyer & Lagow are also familiar with the duties and Aid me out of doors materially.

Although Gen. Sherman has been made a major-general by the battle of Shiloh I have never done half justice by him. With green troops he was my stand-by during that trying day of Sunday, (there has been nothing like it on this continent,) nor in history.) He kept his division in place all day, and aided materially in keeping those to his right and left in place—He saw me frequently and, and obeyed, my direction during that day, but some others, I will only say one other, may have forgotten them.  It writing this last sentence it would have an influence against a commander on Sunday.  I would imply nothing of the sort, but against one of my commanders on Monday.

Give my love to all at home.  Kiss the children for me and accept the same for your self.  Has Jess got his pistol yet.—I sent it by William Smith.

Goodbuy
Ulys

SOURCE: John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 5: April 1-August 31, 1862, p. 140-1

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