Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) to Abraham Lincoln
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00639.09 Author/Creator: Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) Place Written: City Point, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 August 1864 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm Order a Copy
Grant requests a promotion for Theodore S. Bowers, which Lincoln approves with his own signature. Grant wishes that Bowers be promoted from Lieutenant Colonel in the volunteer army to the Adjutant General's Department in the regular army. For this to be accomplished he must first be promoted to a lower post in the regular army, which Grant requests be done. Lincoln's autograph endorsement on docket reads "Let General Grant be obliged in the matter within," agreeing to the promotion. Also, signed and dated by Lincoln. Docket also includes an autograph signed endorsement discussing this possible promotion, written by Edward D. Townsend of the Adjutant General's Office.
Theodore S. Bowers was a Lieutenant Colonel in the volunteer army, and Grant's Assistant Adjutant General. In March 1865 he was Breveted Brigadier General in the regular army.
Edward D. Townsend was a Union Officer in the Adjutant General's Department, who rose to be breveted Major General.
City Point Va. Aug. 24th 1864.
A. Lincoln,
President of the United States,
Dear Sir:
I have heretofore recommended Lt. Col. Theador S. Bowers,
my Asst. Adjt. Gen. for appointment in the Adjt. Gen's Dept. of the regular Army. I find however he is not eligible for the appointment he not belonging to the regular Army. I would therefore most respectfully recommend his appointment as Asst. Quartermaster to fill the vacancy created by the promotion of Gen. Hancock out of the Dept. as a step to make him eligible for the other place. I would then urge the appointment most of Capt. T. S. Bowers A. Q. M. as Maj. & A.A. Gen. in the Regular Army to fill the vacancy now existing.
Col. Bowers has served directly with me from his first enlistment in 1861, first as a private soldier detailed as a clerk in the office, next as Aid-de- Camp, then as Judge Advocate and since the fall of Vicksburg as Asst. Adj. Gen.
But few men are better qualified for the office and none are possessed of higher moral worth. He has too this great merit, he has never asked directly nor through friends for this advancement nor for any other promotion he has had in this war.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully
your obt. svt.
U.S. Grant
Lt. Gen.
[docket:] G501 C.B. 1864 / City Point Va / Aug 24. 64 / Vide B1214 C.B. 1864 / U.S. Grant / Lt Genl U.S.A. / Recommends that Lt. Col. T. S. Bowers A.A.G. be appointed Capt A.Q.M. U.S.A. as a preliminary step to his appointment as Major A.A.G. U.S.A. / Recd A.G.O. Aug 29, 64
[endorsement in Lincoln's hand:]
Let Gen. Grant be obliged in the matter within
A. Lincoln
Aug. 27, 1864
[docket:] Referred to the Adjutant General. By order of the Secretary of War. / War Dept. / Aug. 29, 1864
[endorsement in Townsend's hand:] The vacancy occasioned by Genl. Hancock's appointment as Brigadier General has not, to my knowledge, been filled. If Captain Bowers were appointed to that vacancy he would be eligible under law to the appointment of Asst. Adjt. Genl., though officers of one staff department have, as a rule, not been appointed to places in another. There is at present no vacancy in the Adjt. General's Department -
Respectfully submitted
E D Townsend
A.A. Genl.
A.G. Office,
Aug. 30/64.
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