Major-General Henry W. Halleck to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 14, 1863

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,        

Washington, July 14, 1863.

Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT,
        Vicksburg:

GENERAL: Your letterto the President of June 19, forwarding one from General Sherman to you of June 2, in regard to filling up old regiments with drafted men, has been sent to me for reply.

The course you recommend was determined on by the War Department some time ago, and will be carried out as soon as the draft is made.

Permit me to call your attention to the propriety of sending such communications through the proper military channels. They will in that way receive an earlier attention, for there is always much delay in referring them back. Moreover, that course will be in compliance with Army Regulations and the usages of the service.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. W. HALLECK,        

General-in-Chief.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series III, Volume 3 (Serial No. 124), p. 487