Description:

ULYSSES S. GRANT
(1822 - 1885) Eighteenth President of the United States and Union lieutenant general. Fine content war date A.L.S. "U.S. Grant Maj. Gen." 1p. 4to., "Head Quarters, Dept of the T[e]n[nessee]" Holly Springs, Miss., Dec. 24, 1862 to Gen. Charles Smith Hamilton (1822 - 1891). Still reeling from the raid by Confederate General Earl Van Dorn on Dec. 20 at Holly Springs, Grant reports to Hamilton on the movements of the Confederate force, who, in conjunction with Nathan Bedford Forest, was still wreaking havoc on Union positions in southern Tennessee. Grant writes, in full: "Enclosed herewith I send you copies of dispatches just received from Col. [Benjamin H.] Grierson. One a little later from Grand Junction [Tenn.] says fighting is now going on North of that place. It is probable therefore that the enemy are now turning their course South. The force at Salem should be informed of this fact and be on the lookout for them to give them a salute as they pass. Send notice...Yours &c. U.S. Grant Maj. Gen.". Van Dorn's raid on Holly Springs seriously disrupted Grant's campaign to capture Vicksburg, capturing 1,500 soldiers and destroying $1.5 million worth of supplies. By the time Grant wrote to Gen. Hamilton, Van Dorn was in Bolivar, Tenn. and preparing to retreat back to his base in Grenada, Mississippi. The damage had been done as Grant decided to abandon his move to cooperate with Sherman against Vicksburg and began falling back to La Grange, Tennessee. The recipient, Charles Smith Hamilton, graduated West Point with Grant in 1843 (ranking five places below Grant). At the start of the Civil War served in the Shenandoah in the winter of 1862 and then commanded a division of Heintzelman's III Corps on the Peninsula until he was relieved of duty by McClellan, who declared that Hamilton was "not fit to command a division". Hamilton was sent west where he served admirably at Iuka and Corinth. During this period, while Hamilton was assuring Grant of his devotion and esteem, he was writing to Sen. James Doolittle that "Grant is a drunkard." After Hamilton's criticisms of other superior officers came to light, Grant protested to Washington and Hamilton offered his resignation, which was quickly accepted. Ironically, Grant would appoint Hamilton as a U.S. Marshal in 1869. Light toning from previous framing, light foxing at left clear of text, usual folds, else fine condition.

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October 9, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
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