Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) to Henry W. Halleck
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00325 Author/Creator: Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) Place Written: City Point, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 March 1865 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Marked "Cipher" at top. Grant sends Halleck this telegram in response to a false alarm speculating that Lee might retreat south, and indicates the priority of providing his army with more horses for operations against Lee. Gives instructions on disposition of Hancock's force in western Virginia, and any reinforcements soon to come, depending on where Lee heads next. Tells Halleck to "Direct all the Cavalry horses to be sent to [General Edward] Canby that can be. His Cavalry ought however to remount itself in the Country where it is operating. Canby should be supplied from the West and by the Miss. river." Verso is marked "copied" in another hand. Written on stationary marked "Head Quarters Armies of the United States."
Halleck had sent a cable to Grant concerning General Sheridan's appeal for 3,000 more horses for his Cavalry in Northern Virginia but a clerical error substituted Sheridan's name for General Edward R. Canby. This caused Grant to think he was being asked to sacrifice the horses to the distance western theater, not to Sheridan, whose cavalry was vital to Grant's campaign against Lee. The communication error was corrected and Sheridan moved to Petersburg to join with Grant and the Armies of the Potomac and the James for the final successful Appomattox campaign in April 1865.
(Cipher) Friday
112 M City Point, Va, March 24th 1865
Maj. Gen. H.W. Halleck, Washington
I have no present purpose of making a Campaign with the forces in the Middle Department but want them in the best possible condition for either offensive or defensive operations. If Lee should retreat South the surplus force under Hancock could [struck: could] be transfered to another field; if he should go to Lynchburg they will be required where they are. The 19th Corps ought to be discontinued or else all the new troops coming into the field added to it.
We want here all the Cavalry horses that can be delivered between now and next [struck: Tuesday] Wednesday, Direct all the Cavalry horses to be sent to Canby that can be. His Cavalry ought however to remount [2] itself in the Country where it is operating. Canby should be supplied from the West and by the Miss. river.
U.S. Grant
Lt. Gen.
(Copied)
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