I wrote Julia,

City Point, Va, Oct. 30th 1864.
Dear Julia,
Gen. Rawlins starts for St. Louis this morning bearer of orders to Gen. Rosecrans. He will be in St. Louis several days. If you are prepared to return about the same time he is retuming you might take advantage of that occation to come back with him. I shall be compelled to spend two or three days in Washington about the 10th of November and will endeavor, will go, to Burlington before retuming. I received letters from Mr. Morris and Mrs. Hillyer notifying me that you had started for St Louis. Poor Fred, I am afraid he will never get an uninterrupted quarters schooling.

My love to all at your father’s. I hope you found him much improved. If he recovers sufficiently to travel why not take him to Burlington with you? Love and kisses,
Ulys.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 368

The war in the west seems to be winding down, and as such, there are a great number of troops that could be safely sent east.  These men could provide the final push to break the deadlock around Petersburg.  I am sending Gen. Rawlins to make efforts in this direction.  I wrote him,

CITY POINT, VA., October 29, 1864.

Brigadier General J. A. RAWLINS,

Chief of Staff:

The necessity of re-enforcing the armies actually confronting the principal armies of the enemy – Lee’s and Beauregard’s – is of such vital importance that you are selected to go West as bearer of orders intended to accomplish this end. Your position as chief of staff makes it proper to instruct you with authority to issue orders in the name of the lieutenant-general to further the object of your mission. Now that Price is retreating from Missouri, it is believed that the whole force sent to that State from other departments can be spared at once. The fact, however, that a considerable force is pursuing Price, and may go so far that some time may elapse before they can be returned to Missouri and be distributed for the proper protection of the State, has induced me to make two separate orders, one for the withdrawal only of the command of Major General A. J. Smith, the other embracing also the command of Major-General Mower. You will deliver whichever of these orders you may deem best; or, in case of doubt, telegraph to these headquarters for instruction. The destination of troops withdrawn will depend on circumstances. If it is found that the enemy, under Hood or Beauregard, have actually attempted an invasion of Tennessee, or those under Forrest are approaching the Ohio River, you will send them directly to Major-General Thomas, to confront and frustrate such movement. Under other circumstances, they will be send to join this army. The aim will be to get all the troops possible, especially veterans, with the armies operating against Richmond. General Sherman will be instructed that no force, except that already south of the Tennessee and such as General Canby can send, will be used between the Tennessee River and the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. If he goes south and draws Hood after him, he must take care of himself without the support of a pursuing column. I am satisfied on full and mature reflection that Sherman’s idea of striking across for the sea-coast is the best way to rid Tennessee and Kentucky of threatened danger, and to make the war felt. I do not believe that General Sherman can maintain his communications with Atlanta with his whole force. He can break such an extent of roads that the enemy will be effectually cut in two for several months, by which time Augusta and Savannah can be occupied. Augusta cuts the same line of road that Atlanta does, with the advantage of water communications with the Atlantic. This also has the advantage of cutting the southern line of railroads as well as the central.

You will remain in Missouri until all the troops ordered from there are actually in motion. If in your judgment any other troops than those mentioned in orders can be spared from there you will telegraph the fact here, and orders will be given for their removal.

Being all the time in telegraphic communication with headquarters, you will communicate regularly and ask for such instructions as suggest themselves to you from time to time.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 363-4

O.R., I, xli, part 4, p 305-6

I have received a more complete report of the attack on Gen. Hancock last night, and I have passed it along to Sec. Stanton.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

CITY POINT, VA., October 28, 1864.

The attack on General Hancock, now that a report is received, proved to be a decided success. He repulsed the enemy and remained in his position, holding possession of the field until midnight, when he commenced withdrawing. Orders had been given for the withdrawal of the Second Corps before the attack was made. We lost no prisoners except the usual stragglers who are always picked up. Our captures for the day on the sough side foot up 910. The rebel General Dearing is reported killed. General Meade in his report says:

I am induced to believe the success of the operations, which was most decided, was mainly due to the personal exertions of Major-General Hancock and the conspicuous gallantry of Brigadier-General Egan.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 359

O.R., I, xlii, part 1, p 23

I received a report of heavy fighting on our left involving Gen. Hancock’s troops.  I wrote Sec. Stanton,

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War, Washington.

CITY POINT, VA., October 28, 1864-9 a. m.

The enemy attacked our left (Hancock) last evening with great vigor. I cannot give the results yet, though the fight was sanguinary on both sides and resulted in a considerable number of captured. General Hancock thinks he captured more prisoners than he lost. I will try to give you full particulars during the day.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 358

O.R., I, xlii, part 1, p 23

I sent another message to Gen. Butler,

WARREN’S STATION, October 27, 1864-5.40 p.m.

Major-General BUTLER:

The result on the left has been to find the enemy as far as we have extended to the left. Our troops are now eight miles west of the Weldon railroad, from which point I have just returned. Your dispatch of 3.30 is only just received, too late to direct an attack. Hold on where you are for the present.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 355

O.R., I, xlii, part 3, p 390-1

Map by Hal Jespersen, www.cwmaps.com

So far we have been unable to extend our lines beyond the enemy’s right.  I sent an update to Gen. Butler and requested a status report from him.

CLEMENTS’ HOUSE, October 27, 1864-9 a.m.

Major-General BUTLER,

Aiken’s House:

The movements at this end have not yet resulted in anything more than a little skirmishing and forcing the enemy back toward their lines. The Second Corps and the cavalry have forced the crossing of Hatcher’s Run, and are moving west. The Ninth Corps confront the enemy in their works north of Hatcher’s Run. The Fifth Corps is moving between the Second and Ninth Corps. How are you progressing on the right?

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

He replied,

Darbytown, October 27, 1864.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

We have driven in the pickets of the enemy, by Terry, as far as Charles City road. Weitzel has reached, at 1.40 p.m., the exterior lines on the Williamsburg road, and finds Field’s division in his front. He is going to the right as far as Yorktown [York River] railroad to see where the enemy’s right rests. Field’s right rested this morning near the Darbytown road. He has extended, therefore, four miles. Shall I make a trial on this outstretched line? Casualties few as yet.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 354-5

O.R., I, xlii, part 3, p 390

I am directing our armies to make a move to the left in an attempt to capture the South Side railroad, one of the vital rail links to Petersburg. I wrote Gen. Meade,

HDQRS. ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,

City Point, Va., October 24, 1864.

Major General G. G. MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

GENERAL: Make your preparations to march out at an early hour on the 27th to gain possession of the South Side Railroad, and to hold it and fortify back to your present left. In commencing your advance, move in three columns exactly as proposed by yourself in our conversation of least evening, and with the same force you proposed to take. Parke, who starts out nearest to the enemy,should be instructed that if he finds the enemy intrenched and their works well manned, he is not to attack but confront him, and be prepared to advance promptly when he finds that by the movement of the other two columns to the right and rear of them they begin to give way. Take three days’ rations in haversacks, sixty rounds of ammunition on the person of each soldier, and go as near as possible without wagons or ambulances. It might be well to have, say, twenty rounds of ammunition per man,

with a corresponding amount of artillery ammunition in wagons ready to be taken to the army if required.

All the depots on the line of the road should be cleared of stores, and all wagons, ambulances, and artillery horses not moving with the army sent back to City Point during the night of the 26th.

I will go out to the left at an early hour of the morning your move commences.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 343-4

O.R., I, xlii, part 3, p 317-8

I replied to Sec. Stanton’s message of yesterday.

CITY POINT, VA., October 24, 1864.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

The very significant dispatches sent by private hands and your letter in relation to affairs in New york are received. It is consoling to know that Sheridan defeated the first part of the rebel programme so signally. I am at a loss to know what was expected to be done in the North further than to colonize voters, unless it is to control the polls by violence at stated points where their imported voters are colonized. I had ordered another regiment of regulars to report to General Dix before receiving your letter. I see the absolute necessity of further re-enforcing him, and it must be done. I do not like the idea of sending troops from here, but if they cannot be spared from elsewhere, they must go from here. Cannot two or three of the new regiments now raised in the North be sent there? I would not advise taking New York regiments, but those from Pennsylvania or the New England States would answer. Please telegraph me whether you can send General Dix the necessary re-enforcements in the manner here proposed. Price, I presume, is now about leaving Missouri, having accomplished his mission. If so, Rosecrans can send the required troops to New York.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 339-40

O.R., I, xliii, part 2, p 456-7

Sec. Stanton wrote,

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington city, October 23, 1864.

Lieutenant General U. S. GRANT,

Commanding Armies of United States, City Point, Va.:

GENERAL: The aspect of affairs in New York City and State urgently demands attention, as well for the security of the forts in the harbor of New York, the defense of the lake frontier from invasion, and the preservation of the public peace and from the purity of the ballot-box, from rebels imported from Canada. I have just had a consultation with General Dix, who has called here for conference upon these subjects. He informs me he has already, in a communication to you as general commanding all the forces of the United States, reported the insecure condition of the forts in New York Harbor. You are aware that there are no troops in Washington or elsewhere at the disposal of the Department to meet this necessity. General Dix informs me that during the coming week he will be able to send you 5,000 new recruits, but for want of organization, and also for local reasons, they are not a proper force to place in garrison. Allow me to suggest whether, in view of their accession to you army, you cannot spare 2,000 or 3,000 men, temporarily, to be sent to New York and placed under his command. I see no other way of meeting the emergency. By the 15th of November the necessity will either have passed away, or, by troops from other States, those now to be forwarded can be replaced. Please favor me with your views on this subject at you earliest convenience.

Yours, truly,

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 340

O.R., I, xliii, part 2, p 452-3

I received the following from Sec. Stanton,

WASHINGTON, October 22, 1864 12.30 p. m.
Lieutenant-General GRANT:
There is a strong belief prevailing among the rebel sympathizers here that a large force has been detached against Sheridan, and that while the attack upon him Wednesday was repelled, it was because it had been prematurely made before the re-enforcements reached Early. I have an intercepted cipher dispatch which favors this view. It is so important to the safety of individuals that I am unwilling to run the risk of its getting to the knowledge of any one else but yourself and your cipher operator, and therefore request you to be present when it is translated, and immediately destroy it. We have nothing from Sheridan since 11 a.m. Thursday.
E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.

I do not believe that any substantial amount of troops have been sent from this place. I replied,

CITY POINT, VA., October 22, 1864.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
Your confidential dispatch of 12.30 p. m. this date is received. I do not think it possible that any brigades, or even regiments, have gone from here to re-enforce Early. The number of deserters coming in daily fixes all the commands of Lee. From deserters of to-day I learn that
Early had been re-enforced from men who have been returned to the service from hospitals and by relieving detailed men, but in no other way. Some troops may also have joined him from Lynchburg and Southwest Virginia, but after Sheridan’s splendid victory, it will only
count that much more, if this proves to be so.
U. S. GRANT,
Lt. Gn.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 336

O.R., I, xliii, part 2, p 444