Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) to George H. Thomas
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05730 Author/Creator: Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) Place Written: City Point, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 December 1864 Pagination: 1 p. ; 25.1 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
Grant, commander-in-chief of the United States Army, instructs General Thomas to move out of Nashville, Tennessee, "and force the enemy to retire or fight upon ground of your own choosing." Informs Thomas, commanding the Department of the Cumberland, that he (Grant) thinks the Union army should have taken the offensive against Confederates based on the successful Union repulsion of Confederate General John Bell Hood at Franklin, Tennessee (30 November 1864). Declares "You will now suffer incalculable injury upon your railroads if Hood is not speedily disposed of; [inserted in pencil: Cut forth therefore Every possible Exertion to attain this End] should you get him to retreating give him no peace." Marked in the margin as "Copied." Marked on the top as "Cipher." Written on Head Quarters Armies of the United States stationery.
(Cipher) [in pencil:] 130 PM
Head Quarters Armies of the United States, / City Point, Va, Dec. 2d 1864.
Maj. Gen. G. H. Thomas, Nashville Tenn.
With your citizen employees armed you can move out of Nashville with all your Army and force the enemy to retire or fight upon ground of your own choosing. After the repulse of Hood at Franklin it looks to me that instead of falling back to Nashville we should have taken the offensive against the enemy where he was. At this distance however I may err as to the best method of dealing with the enemy. You will now suffer incalculable injury upon your rail-roads if Hoods is not speedily disposed of; [inserted in pencil: Put forth therefore every possible Exertion to attain this End] Should you get him to retreating give him no peace.
U. S. Grant
M. Gen.
[in left margin:] Copied
[verso:] 91
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