I wrote Gen. Halleck,

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, City Point, June 28, 1864-10 a. m.

Major-General HALLECK,
Washington, D. C.:

Please telegraph General Sherman that he can move his army independent of the desire which he has expressed of detaining all of Johnston’s army where it is.

I think Lee now would only be weakened by re-enforcements. He has force enough to act defensively behind his intrenchments, and any addition would only consume supplies, which he must find it difficult to transport. Every road leading from Richmond is now destroyed, and the Danville road so badly, I hope, as to take a long time for its repair.  The Weldon road we can keep destroyed.

Is Foster doing anything? I see from the Petersburg papers that Sam. Jones has called upon the citizens far and rear to rally to Augusta, Ga., to protect that place from a formidable array, which now threatens it. I do not know the geography of the South Carolina coast, but it seems to me that Foster has a force to do the enemy great injury in the present hollow condition of the interior of the South.

Has A. J. Smith started yet after Forrest? I am afraid Sherman will have difficulty with his communications it Forrest is not kept busy.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 11, p 141-2

O.R., I, xl, part 2, p 475

I wrote Gen. Halleck,

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff.

CITY POINT, VA., June 27, 1864 – 3 p. m.

All is quiet here now except from our own guns, which fire into the bridge at Petersburg from a distance of about 2,000 yards.

Petersburg papers of the 25th state that Hunter is striking for Jackson River depot, about forty miles north of Salem, and say that if he reached Covington, which they suppose he will of with most of his forces, but with loss of material, he will be safe. The same paper accuses Hunter of destroying a great amount of private property and stealing a large number of wagons, horses, and cattle.

The same paper also states that Wilson destroyed a train of cars loaded with cotton and furniture, burned the depot building, &c., at Burkeville, and destroyed some of the track and was still pushing south. All the railroads leading into Richmond are now destroyed are now destroyed and some of them badly.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 11, p 138

O.R., I, xl, part 1, p 15

Gen. Sheridan’s cavalry is hard pressed as they attempt to return from their aborted link up with Hunter at Lynchburg.  I wrote Gen. Butler to send reinforcements.

CITY POINT, VA., June 25, 1864-1 a.m.

Major-General BUTLER,

Commanding, &c.:

Can you send 1,000 or 1,500 infantry to Douthat’s Wharf before daylight? Sheridan has been attacked this evening, and with great difficulty and with heavy loss of men has saved his train so far. He expects another attack at daylight, and would be much assisted if some infantry could reach him in time.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 11, p 131

O.R., I, xl, part 2, p 419

I wrote Sen. Washburne,

City Point Va. June 23d 1864.
Hon. E. B. Washburn,
Dear Sir.
In answer to your letter of a few days ago asking what “S” stands for in my name I can only state nothing. It was a mistake made by Senator Morris of Ohio when application was first made for my appointment as Cadet to West Point. My mother’s family name is Simpson and having a brother of that name Mr. Morris, who knew both of us as children, got the matter confounded and sent in the application for Cadetship for Ulysses S. Grant. I tried on entering West Point to correct this mistake but failing, after I received my Diploma and Commission, with the “S” inserted, adopted it and have so signed my name ever since.
Every thing is progresses here slowly. The dispatches given by the Sec. of War contains all the news.
Yours Truly
U. S. Grant

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 11, p 122

The fight two days ago that I thought was just a skirmish turned out to be somewhat more.  I wrote Gen. Halleck,

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
June 24, 1864-2.30 p.m.

Major General H. W. HALLECK.

Chief of Staff:

I find the affair of the 22nd was much worse than I had heretofore learned. Our losses (nearly all captures) were not far from 2,000, and four pieces of artillery. The affair was a stampede and surprise to both parties and ought to have been turned in our favor. Richmond paper of yesterday states that Hunter, at last accounts, was at Salem, retiring by the route taken by Averell last fall. Our cavalry (small detachment) is now on the Weldon road destroying it. Wilson, with 7,000 cavalry, started the night of the 22d. Richmond paper announces that he struck the South Side road in Dinwiddie. This morning, about 7 o’clock, the enemy attempted an assault on General W. F. Smith’s front, prisoners say in three lines. None but the skirmish line reached our advance, and most of them were captured.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 11, p 123

O.R., I, xl, part 2, p 372-3

If we can strike a blow against the two main rebel armies in the field, we should be able to bring this war to an end.  However, we will need to concentrate our forces.  I wrote Gen. Halleck,

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: The siege of Richmond bids fair to be tedious, and in consequence of the very extended lines we must have, a much larger force will be necessary than would be required in ordinary sieges against the same force that now opposes us. With my present force I feel perfectly safe against Lee’s army, and, acting defensively, would still feel so against Lee and Johnston combined; but we want to act offensively. In my opinion, to do this effectively, we should concentrate our whole energy against the two principal armies of the enemy. In other words, nothing should be attempted, except in Georgia and here, that is not directly in co-operation with these moves. West of the Mississippi I would not attempt anything until the rebellion east of it is entirely subdued. I would then direct Canby to leave Smith unmolested where he is; to make no move except such as is necessary to protect what he now holds. All the troops he can spare should be sent here at once. In my opinion the white troops of the Nineteenth Corps can all come, together with many of the colored troops. I wish you would place this matter before the Secretary of War and urge that no offensive operations west of the Mississippi be allowed to commence until matters here are settled. Send the Nineteenth Corps and such other troops as you can from the Department of the Gulf to me.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 11, p 111-2

O.R., I, xl, part 2, p 330-1

I wrote Gen. Halleck,

CITY POINT, VA., June 23, 1864-9 a.m.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

Yesterday and this morning have been consumed in extending our lines to the left to envelop Petersburg. The Second and Sixth Corps are now west of the Jerusalem plan road. Yesterday, in moving to this position, two corps became separated. The enemy pushed out between them and caused some confusion in the left of the Second Corps, and captured four pieces of artillery. Order was soon restored and the enemy pushed back. This morning no enemy is found on the left. This will be pushed forward until the enemy is found. The Petersburg papers of yesterday state that Hunter has been routed and already 3,000 of his men have been captured.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 11, p 110

O.R., I, xl, part 2, p 330

It seems we will have to settle into a siege of Petersburg.  If we can keep Lee held in place and sever his railroad communications, we should be able to get him to abandon the city.  I wrote Gen. Butler,

CITY POINT, June 20, 1864-6.45 p. m.

General BUTLER:

I have determined to try to envelop Petersburg so as to have the left of the Army of the Potomac rest on the Appomattox above the city. This will make offensive operations from between the two rivers impracticable until we are fortified in the new position taken up. To release as many of General Meade’s command as possible you may extend your left so as to relieve the Sixth Corps, the right of the Army of the Potomac. Reduce the force kept between the two rivers to the lowest number necessary to hold it and put all the balance, except the force north of the James, south of the Appomattox and between the pontoon bridge and the present left of the Sixth Corps. Make this change as soon as practicable and so as to relieve the Sixth Corps by 12 m. to-morrow.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 11, p 91-2

O.R., I, xl, part 2, p 258

I wrote Julia,

City Point Va. June 19th 1864.
Dear Julia,
I send you three stereoscopic views taken at Mattaponix [Massaponax] Church, near Spotsylvania Court House. Brady’ is along with the Army and is taking a great many views and will send you a copy of each. To see them you will want a Stereoscope. Send to Covington for Buck’s or buy one.
I received a letter from you just after I had mailed one and now forget the questions you asked.—I received two copies of Miss. Photograph
There has been some very hard fighting here the last four days, but now I hope it is over.
There are no buildings here to live in and no place for you and the children to stay or I might send for you. I will however send down to Fortress Monroe and if a suitable place can be found there for you you and the children may spend their vacation there where I can see you occasionally. If you do come won’t Cousin Louisa come with you? I will ascertain about this as soon as possible.
Did I tell you that my horse rail-road stock paid 5 per cent the last quarter? This makes that $5,000 investment pay over $100 00 per month.
Love and kisses for you and the children and love to Aunt Fanny and your father.
Ulys.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 11, p 84-5

I received a report of today’s battle from Gen. Meade.  We have made some progress, but were not able to carry the enemy’s lines.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, June 18, 1864.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

GENERAL: I advised you of the withdrawal of the enemy this morning from the position occupied last night. I immediately ordered an advance of the whole line, which in a short time found the enemy in force in an interior line about one mile from Petersburg. Having taken numerous prisoners, all of whom agreed in the statement that there was no force in our front but Beauregard’s, composed of three divisions, Ransom’s (or Clingman’s), Bushrod Johnson’s, and Hoke’s, I determined to endeavor to force them across the Appomattox. I according directed strong columns of assault to be advanced at 12 m. by Waren, Burnside, Birney, and Martindale, the letter commanding two divisions of the Eighteenth and one of the Sixth Corps. This attack was made punctually by Martindale, with success, he occupying the enemy’s line and taking some 40 prisoners. Birney, who assaulted in Gibbon’s front (his left), was unsuccessful. Warren was not quite ready, and Burnside, whose movements were somewhat connected with Warren, delayed also. About 2 p.m. Warren and Burnside commenced advancing and made considerable progress, without coming in contact with the enemy’s main line. About 4 p.m. Birney made a vigorous assault with mine brigades in columns of regiments, but was not able to carry the enemy’s line. Martindale also failed in an attempt to advance. Both these officers reported the enemy in very strong force, with heavy reserves masked in rear, from which I inferred that Lee has re-enforced Beauregard. These assaults were all well made, and I feel satisfied that all that men could do under the circumstances was done. I directed Birney and Martindale to secure their acquired ground and intrench their positions. At 7 p.m. Willcox, of the Ninth Corps, assaulted, but with no better success than the others. Warren’s assault about the same time was also without result. This terminated operations on our part. Our advanced lines are held and will be intrenched. The result of the last three days’ operations has been the driving the enemy from two lines of intrenchments, the capture of 4 guns, 4 colors severe, thought not more so than would be expected from the numbers engaged. It is a source of great regret that I am not able to report more success, but I believe every effort to command it has been made.

GEO. G. MEADE.

I replied,

CITY POINT, VA., June 18, 1864-10 p.m.

Major-General MEADE:

I am perfectly satisfied that all has been done that could be done, and that the assaults to-day were called for by all the appearances and information that could be obtained. Now we will rest the men and use the spade for their protection until a new vein can be struck. As soon as Wilson’s cavalry is rested we must try and cut the enemy’s lines of communication. In view of a temporary blockade of the river being possible, I think it advisable that supplies in depot should be kept up to full twenty days’, besides ten days’ in wagons and haversacks. If nothing occurs to prevent I shall be absent to-morrow from 10 a.m. to about 3 p.m. up the river near the naval fleet.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 11, p 78-80

O.R., I, xl, part 2, p 156-7