Apr 30, 1862 Wrote Gen. Wallace, “Advance tomorrow with two Brigades of your Division on the Corinth Road beyond the creek where Gen. McClernand is now encamped, closing up on Gen. Davies’ forces.  You will keep to the right of Gen. Buell’s Corps-de-Armée, and avoid mixing in with them.

“As soon as encamped, make roads and bridge the ravines in front and rear of your position to the Corinth road and repair the latter thro’ your limits.

“Take all your Camp and Garrison Equipage.  Make immediate requisition for ammunition sufficient for 200 rounds per man including that already on hand, and get it to your camp as soon as possible.  Leave Col. M. L. Smith’s Brigade and instruct him that he is to guard the two Purdy roads establishing pickets about where they have been stationed heretofore.  All your Cavalry will be left with Col. Smith and one Battery.”

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 5, p 100

National Archive, RG 393, USG Letters Sent

Apr 28, 1862 Wrote Gen. Halleck, “The expedition ordered this morning from general headquarters to go out the Purdy road and destroy the railroad near Adams’ has started, with three days’ rations in haversacks. The expedition consists of Major-General Wallace’s entire brigade, with the exception of artillery. But one battery is taken. All the cavalry belonging to my forces fit for duty and not otherwise employed accompany the expedition.”

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 5, p 88

O.R., I, x, part 2, 135

Apr 27 1862, Wrote Gen. Halleck, “Some of the Cavalry from Gen. McClernand’s Division have just returned from a little beyond the pickets having captured two negroes found skulking about.  One of them reports having heard his master state that the enemy at Corinth intended making an attack on our forces today.

“This of course, it will be impossible to do, but it may foreshadow an intention of attacking.

“Shall I send for the negroes and forward them to you?  I give all here that has been reported to me, officially, by Gen. McClernand.”

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant

Wrote my father Jesse, “I will go on, and do my duty to the very best of my ability, without praise, and do all I can to bring this war to a speedy close.  I am not an aspirant for any thing at the close of the war.

“There is one thing I feel well assured of; that is, that I have the confidence of every brave man in my command.  Those who showed the white feather will do all in their power to attract attention from themselves.  I had perhaps a dozen officers arrested for cowardice in the first day’s fight at this place.  These men are necessarily my enemies.

“As to the the talk about a surprise here, nothing could be more false.  If the enemy had sent us word when and where they would attack us, we could not have been better prepared.  Skirmishing had been going on for two days between our reconnoitering parties and the enemy’s advance.  I did not believe, however that they intended to make a determined attack, but simply that they were making a reconnaissance in force.

“My headquarters were in Savannah, though I usually spent the day here.  Troops were constantly arriving to be assigned to brigades and divisions, all ordered to report at Savannah, making it necessary to keep an office and some one there.  I was also looking for Buell to arrive, and it was important that I should have every arrangement complete for his speedy transit to this side of the river.”

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 5, p 78-9

Wrote Julia, “Again I write you from this place where I verily believe it has rained almost continuously since the beginning of the year.  No doubt we will leave here so soon as the roads become passable.  I, however, am no longer boss.  Gen. Halleck is here and I am truly glad of it.  I hope the papers will let me alone in the future.  If the papers only knew how little ambition I have outside of putting down this rebellion and getting back once more to live quietly and unobtrusively with my family, I think they would say less and have fewer falsehoods to their account.  I do not look much at the papers now, consequently saving myself much uncomfortable feeling.”

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 5 p 72

Apr 26 1962, Wrote Mrs. Charles F. Smith, “It becomes my painful duty to announce to you the death of your lamented husband, Major General Charles F. Smith. He died at 4 o’clock p. m. yesterday, at Savannah, Tenn.

“In his death the nation has lost one of its most gallant and most able defenders.

“It was my fortune to have gone through West Point with the general (then captain and commander of cadets) and to have served with him in all his battles in Mexico and in this rebellion, and I can bear honest testimony to his great worth as a soldier and friend. Where an entire nation condoles with you in your bereavement no one can do so with more heartfelt grief than myself.”

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 5, p 83-4

O.R., I, x, part 2, 130

Wrote Capt. McLean, “A note from Maj Gen.l Halleck just received states that his order of the 23d for troops of my command to move on yesterday, has only been complied with in part, and directing that a report be immediately made of those who failed to comply with the order, and that they they be arrested.  There were but three Divisions to move, Genl Wallace having moved his before the last rain; Genl Sherman occupying the position thought best for him to retain, and Genl Davies being directed to remain where he is as a reserve and for the purpose of furnishing such details as may be required inside.  Genl.s McClernand & Hurlbut moved yesterday I know, and supposed Genl McKean did also.

“I will ascertain the facts and report again as soon as one of my Staff can visit the Division Commanders.”

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 5, p 70-1

National Archives, RG 393, USG Hd. Qrs. Correspondence

Apr 25, 1862 Received letter from Gen. Halleck, “My order of the 23d that your Command move forward yesterday was only partially obeyed.  You will immediately report the reason of this neglect, and will arrest any commanding officer who failed to obey the order.”

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 5 p 71

National Archives, RG 393, Dept. of the Miss., Letters Sent

Apr 24, 1862 Received report from Gen. McClernand, “My Cavalry returned last night and Lt Col McCullough commanding them, reports that he went forward eight miles on the road leading from Pittsburg to Purdy.  At that point on the road he found that the bridge on the ‘Shun Pike Road’ had been broken and obstructed by trees felled by the enemy yesterday.  Going a mile and a fourth further, he found that trees had been felled for a reach of half a mile along and across the road, and that the enemy had been foraging in that vicinity.  It was reported that the party destroying the bridge and obstructing the road was from Purdy not Corinth.  Col. McCullough’s party crossed Owl creek at the ‘Ford’ a short distance in front and to the right of my present camp.”

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 5, p 71-2

Library of Congress-USG, V, 83

Apr 23, 1862 Received order from Gen. Halleck, “You will advance with Your Command tomorrow and take position on the right in front of Shiloh Church, your right resting on Owl Creek.  You will guard the Bridge and ford over this Creek and send out Cavalry to reconnoiter the road to Purdy.  Strong Guards will be kept up in front of your position.”

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 5, p 71

O.R., I, x, part 2, 117-18