Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Commodore George W. Graham, July 3, 1863

Have a fast boat ready to send up the river, whenever it it is required, and let no boat go up without orders.

SOURCE: John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 8, p. 470

Commodore George W. Graham to Lieutenant Colonel John A. Rawlins, July 3, 1863

Will you permit the steamboat men to celebrate the fourth of July. By the firing of cannon from their respective steamers at sunrise & sunset holding a meeting reading of Declaration of independence &c.

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Grant’s reply, reply, "Yes," was noted on the bottom of this telegram.

SOURCE: John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 8, p. 470

Commodore George W. Graham to Lieutenant Colonel John A. Rawlins, probably July 3, 1863

Can you send me early in the morning Copy of declaration of Independence not one Copy here[.]

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[Rawlins drafted his reply on the bottom of this telegram:]

"I will if I can find one"

SOURCE: John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 8, p. 470

Commodore George W. Graham to Lieutenant Colonel John A. Rawlins, July 4, 1863

Boys very uneasy along the river cannot you send me glad tidings something that I can depend upon for fourth of July.

SOURCE: John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 8, p. 470

Lieutenant Colonel John A. Rawlins to Commodore George W. Graham, July 4, 1863

Vicksburg will probably be surrendered at 10 oclock today, the terms have not yet been fully settled, will be by nine oclock, will send you word. Dont go off half cocked[.]

SOURCE: John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 8, p. 470