Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) to Charles Smith Hamilton
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05268 Author/Creator: Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) Place Written: LaGrange, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 November 1862 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 25 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy
Grant, commander of the Army and Department of the Tennessee and commander of the 13th Corps, organizes troop movement in preparation for his Vicksburg campaign. Orders Hamilton to be prepared to move with his entire command southward, except for one regiment of General John McArthur's Division now in charge of contrabands. Discusses the movement of troops commanded by McArthur and Isaac Ferdinand Quinby. Writes that William Tecumseh Sherman will be leaving Memphis, Tennessee, and will arrive at Holly Springs, Mississippi the same day as Grant's forces. Discusses details regarding the march from LaGrange to Holly Springs. Docketed "Grant" in pencil.
Head Quarters, Dept. of the Ten.
Lagrange November 26th 1862
Gen. C.S. Hamilton
Comdg. Left Wing Army in the Field,
Gen.
You will be prepared to move with your entire command, except one regiment of McArthur's Division now in charge of Contrabands, Southward, making Coldwater the first day, by the most Easterly roads found practicable for Artillery. [Row] and McArthur[']s Divisions are only embraced in the troops to march by this route. Quimby will march directly from Moscow, taking everything clean from that place, leaving no garrison. He will encamp the first night to the right of Right Wing. Second day form the rear and come up and take his position with the Left Wing when he encamps in the evening.
Three days rations will be taken in Haversacks & five in wagons. Two hundred thousand rations will be taken down the rail-road on Monday morning next, as far as the road may then be practicable, from which point your teams will have to haul further supplies.
No provision will be made for a reserve [inserted: for the entire command] but each Wing Commander will provide for, [2] and have charge of, his own reserve.
The order of march of each Wing will be provided for by Wing Commanders.
Sherman leaves Memphis to-day and is instructed to reach water, to the Southwest of Holly Springs on Sunday next. Our march must be so arranged as to reach water to the South, Southeast & Southwest of Holly Springs on the same day.
Each commander will have with him two hundred rounds of Ammunition per man, for the Infantry & Cavalry, and all the Artillery Ammunition their means of transportation will allow. Further supplies will be provided for by the Ordnance Officer under instruction which he will receive direct from these Hd Qrs.
Wing Commanders will require all men to keep in ranks. At least one Field officer of each regiment should march in the rear of their regiment, and Company [struck: Commander] Officers should, at all times be directly with their companies.
On the first halt Regimental Commanders, under supervision of Division & Brigade Staff Officers, should make an inspection of their entire commands, and take from every officer and soldier who is not entitled to forage from the United States, that may be found mounted, [3] [struck: and send] his horse and horse equipment, [inserted: and send them] back to the Quartermaster at this place.
Respectfully
your obt. svt.
U.S. Grant
Maj. Gen.
[docket]
Grant
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