Ulysses S. Grant War-Date Autograph Letter Signed to Major General Ord

Item Details

A war-date Ulysses S. Grant autograph letter signed to Major General Edward O. Ord. The correspondence is dated Oct. 12th of 1863, a pivotal period in the Civil War following Grant’s celebrated victory at Vicksburg. The letter was penned by Grant while traveling aboard the steamship Metropolitan en route to Cairo, Illinois where he would report to the Commander in Chief by telegraph. In just four days (Oct. 16th) Grant would be given command over the Military Division of the Mississippi and further secure his legacy as a military strategist and leader. The contents of this letter cover Grant’s trepidation in leaving command of the Army of the Tennessee, report on events surrounding prominent military leaders (Sherman, Hooker, Asboth, Hovey, Rosecrans, Stoneman, Howard), and give personal account of recovery from a fall sustained in New Orleans the previous month. The letter is accompanied by U.S. Grant portrait print set in blue matting and presented under glass in giltwood frame. Steamer Metropolitan (near Napoleon). October 12, 1863. ALS 2 pages. This item is accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication.

The body of the letter reads in full, ’Dear Ord, / Your letter of the 28th of Sept. only reached me the day before leaving Vicksburg. I am now on my way to Cairo to report by telegraph to the Cm. in Chief. My instructions go no further. From dispatches previously received, however, I suppose my order will be to go to Nashville. / Sherman has gone, with his entire Corps and some from Hurlbuts east from Corinth to strengthen Rosecrans in his position. I regret exceedingly the necessity for breaking up the Army of the Tennessee. With that left as a unit, knowing the officers as I do, I would feel much more confident than I possibly can with any other army new to me. / I see from the paper that Stoneman and Howard’s Corp to be consolidated and commanded by Hooker, are on their way to join Rosey. If they are all put under my command it will place me in a position not to be envied. I will have to do my best however. / You are not under any great obligation to me for the accession of Asboth to your staff but having so many majors I thought you could put him in command of a Brigade whilst here. He would necessarily have a Division. / Hovey reported and was ordered to join you. But his wife being in a dying condition, I changed his orders so as to leave him within telegraph range of her. I will leave orders for Ranson to join you as soon as he returns. McPherson is the best off for Brigade Commander of either the Corps Commanders in this Army and I can afford to lose one even he is as good if not the best in the lot. / I am now able to ride on horseback very well through am obliged to use crutches to get about. The day before leaving Vicksburg in my anxiety to get off of crutches I watched about the house a goodeal without them and thrown myself back by it. I will remember your advice in the future. / All the staff are with me and desire to be remembered. I hope if the war continues we will all get together. / Yours truly, U. S. Grant”.

Condition

- with toning and foxing to the paper of both the engraving and letter, some old water stains to the letter as well.

Dimensions

- measures the frame.

Item #

18DAL300-148