Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) to Edwin M. Stanton
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00090 Author/Creator: Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) Place Written: City Point, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 February 1865 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25.1 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses future appointments within the army. Suggests that the state of Tennessee should be under one commander and that west Kentucky and west Tennessee should be added to General George H. Thomas's command. Mentions General Cadwallader C. Washburn and General Napoleon J. T. Dana. Comments that Dana "might do well in the field. I do not think him the most suitable...for the command of a Dept." Writes that "[i]f Gen. [Nathaniel P.] Banks is not to go back to the Dept. of the Gulf I would suggest some other officer than Gen. [Stephen A.] Hurlbut for the command of that Dept," probably due to his abuse of the position. Written on United States Army stationery with header: Head Quarters Armies of the United States. Noted as "Cipher." Signed twice with first signature crossed-out with addition.
Stanton was the Secretary of War from 1862-1868. Thomas was the commander in charge of the Department of Tennessee and joined Sherman in his march to the sea. Dana was in charge of the Department of Mississippi. Banks was a governor of Massachusetts prior to joining the Union Army, where he was a poor field commander, but contributed lots of recruits, morale, money and propaganda. Hurlbut was in command of the Department of the Gulf, but often used his position to further his own means, resulting in a special commission for his arrest and trial for corrupt practices, though the case was eventually hushed up. He was "honorably mustered out" of service as of June 20, 1865.
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