Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) to George Gordon Meade

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.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05623 Author/Creator: Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson) (1822-1885) Place Written: City Point, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 November 1864 Pagination: 2 p. ; 11.2 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Grant, Commander in Chief of the United States Army, writes to Meade, Commander of the Army of the Potomac, during the Union's operations against Petersburg. States that Confederate forces are moving on General Terry's (possibly Alfred Howe Terry's) front and massing North of the James River. Notes that these might be troops reported the previous day to have left Hill's Corps (possibly Confederate General Ambrose Powell Hill). States "If the enemy should attack Terry it will be out of the Question to reinforce him... but be prepared to attack at Petersburg either by morning to the left or one some weak point in front as may seem best. The movements of the enemy may mean nothing but they will bear watching." Written on a half sheet of paper numbered 579 on verso.

City Point Va. Nov 11t/64
Maj. Gen Meade,
The enemy have been moving on Gen. Terry's front all day apparently moving troops to our right. At same time there appears to be troops moved North of the James below our left on the river. These are probably the troops reported yesterday to have left Hill's Corps. If the enemy should attack Terry [2] it will be out of the Question to reinforce him from you but be prepared to attack at Petersburg either by moving to the left or on some weak point in front as may seem best. The movements of the enemy may mean nothing but they will bear watching.
U.S. Grant
Lt. Gen.

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Meade, George Gordon, 1815-1872
Hill, Ambrose Powell, 1785-1858
Terry, Alfred Howe, 1827-1890

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources