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Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) to Edwin McMasters Stanton

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00445 Author/Creator: Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) Place Written: City Point, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 March [1865] Pagination: 2 p. ; 25.1 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy

Union General Grant transmits a communication just received from Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Stanton, Secretary of War, regarding the exchange of "Citizen prisoners and prisoners of War improperly captured." States that Union General Edward Otho Cresap Ord discussed the prisoner exchange with Confederate General James Longstreet. Requests instructions as to how he should proceed. Labeled "Cipher." Writes "The following communication has just been received from Gen. Lee ... Gen. Ord met Gen. Longstreet a few days since at the request of the latter to arrange for the exchange of Citizen prisoners and prisoners of war improperly captured . He had my authority to do so and to arrange definitely for such as were confined in his Dept. Arrangements for all others to be submitted for approval."

(Cipher) 6 PM
City Point. Va. [struck: Feby] Mar 3 1864.

Hon. E. M. Stanton, Sec. of War, Washington.
The following communication has just been received from Gen. Lee.
X X X X X
X X X X X X
Gen. Ord met Gen. Longstreet a few days since at the request of the latter to arrange [struck: to arrange] for the exchange of Citizen prisoners and prisoners of war improperly captured. He had my authority to do so and to arrange definitely for such as were confined in his Dept. Arrangements for all [inserted: others] to be submitted for approval. A general conversation ensued on the subject of the War and has induced the above letter. I have not returned any reply but promised to do so at [2] 12 am to-morrow. I respectfully request [struck: this to be laid before the President and for his] instructions.
U.S. Grant
Lt. Gen.

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870
Longstreet, James, 1821-1904
Ord, Edward Otho Cresap, 1818-1883

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