Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) to Edward R. S. Canby
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01555 Author/Creator: Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) Place Written: City Point, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 March 1865 Pagination: 2 p. ; 26 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Marked "(Cipher)" at top. In this telegram, Grant criticizes Canby's request for men and material to build 70 miles of railroad, and orders him to "Take Mobile and hold it." Writes, "I expected your movements to have been cooperative with Shermans last. This has now entirely failed. I wrote to you long ago urging you to push forward promptly and to live upon the country and destroy railroads, Machine shops and not to build them." Advises him to take a position where he can be supplied by water and states that "By this means alone you can occupy positions from which the enemy roads in the interior can be kept broken." Verso is marked "copied."
(Cipher
City Point, Va, March 9th 1865
Maj. Gen. Canby New Orleans, via Cairo
I am in receipt of a dispatch from Gen. Meigs informing me that you have made requisition for a construction Corps and material to build 70 miles of rail-road. I have directed that none be sent. Gen. Thomas Army has been depleted to send a force to you that they might be where they could act in the Winter and at least detain the force the enemy had in the West. If there had been any idea of repairing rail-roads it could have been done much better from the North when we already had the troops. I [2] expected your movements to have been co-operative with Shermans last? This has now entirely failed. I wrote to you long ago urging you to push forward promptly and to live upon the country and destroy rail-roads, Machine shops &c not to build them. Take Mobile and hold it and push your forces to the interior to Montgomery & Selma. Destroy rail-road, rolling stock and everything useful for carrying on War and when you have done this take such positions as can be supplied by water. By this means alone you can occupy [struck: a] positions from which the enemy roads in the interior can be kept broken.
U.S. Grant
Lt. Gen.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.