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Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) to William T. Sherman

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03313 Author/Creator: Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) Place Written: Jackson, Mississippi Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 May 1863 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25.1 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy

General Grant, Commander of the Army and Department of the Tennessee, writes to General Sherman, Commander of the Fifteenth Corps, Army of the Tennessee. Instructs Sherman to designate a Brigade from his command to guard Jackson, Mississippi, and to collect Confederate property within the city. Orders Sherman to direct his troops to destroy bridges and roads leading into the city. Instructs troops travelling East of the river (possibly the Pearl River), should burn all Confederate cotton and stores they find. Includes a stain in the upper left corner.

Confederates evacuated Jackson early in the day 14 May 1863.

Head Quarters, Dept. of the Ten.
Jackson Miss. May 14th 1863.
Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman,
Comd.g 15th Army Corps.
Gen.
Designate a Brigade from your Command to guard the City, collect stores & forage and [inserted: collect] all public property of the enemy. The Division from which such Brigade may be selected will be the last to leave the City. You will direct them therefore to commence immediately the effectual destruction of Pearl River Rail-Road bridge and the road as far East as practicable. Also [inserted: destroy] roads North & South.
The 4th Iowa, and a Brigade of Infantry, should be sent East of the river with instructions for the Cavalry to go on East as far as possible. Troops going East of the river should burn all C.S.A. Cotton and stores they find.
Very respectfully
U.S. Grant
Maj. Gen.

[docket]
Head Qrts. Dept of the Tenn.
Jackson Miss May 14, 1863.
___________________________________
U.S. Grant
Maj Genl Comdg.
___________________________________
Directs Genl W.T. Sherman to
designate a Brigade as guard
for City, which would be the last
to leave the place - also to give
instructions for destruction of the Rail Road: send what troops are
to cross the Pearl River around
the East with orders to burn all
Cotton marked C.S.A.
___________________________________
Recd (15. A.C.) May 15th. 1863

Grant, Ulysses S., 1822-1885
Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891

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