I have learned that Gen. Bragg’s army in North Carolina has been called to Georgia to deal with Sherman.  This gives us a great opportunity for our planned attack on Ft. Fisher, on the coast of North Carolina.  I wrote Adm. Porter,

CITY POINT, VA., November 30, 1864 – 10 p. m.

Admiral D. D. PORTER,

Fort Monroe:

Southern papers show that Bragg with a large part of his force has gone to Georgia. If we can get off during his absence we will stand a good chance, not only to carry Fort Fisher, but to take Wilmington. The troops will be ready to start the moment you are ready.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 13, p 36

O.R., I, xlii, part 3, p 750

I have written again to Gen. Halleck, urging the removal of Gen. Rosecrans.

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, City Point, Va., November 20, 1864.

Major General H. W. HALLECK, Chief of Staff of the Army:

GENERAL: I have just dispatched to you requesting that the Department of the Northwest, Missouri, and Kansas be erected into a military division and that General Pope be assigned to the command. I think it is highly essential that the territory embraced in these three departments should all be under one head. The importance of this change is much increased because of the inefficiency of two of the commanders of departments named, one of whom I suppose cannot well be removed. I do, however, think it of very great importance that General Rosecrans should be removed.

There is no fault with General Canby that induces me to recommend a curtailment of his command, but being at such a distance form Missouri he cannot direct affairs there as well it can be done from Washington. I wish you would lay this matter before the Secretary of War and urge that the change be immediately made. With Pope in command we secure at least two advantages we have not heretofore had, namely, subordination and intelligence of administration.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 13, p 35-6

O.R., I, xli, part 4, p 716

I have returned to City Point and I received a report that the rebels are sending men into Georgia to oppose Sherman.  This should give Gen. Thomas enough of a numerical advantage to take the offensive.  I wrote him,

CITY POINT, VA., November 27, 1864-9 p.m.

Major-General THOMAS, Nashville:

Savannah papers, just received, state that Forrest is expected in rear of Sherman and that Breckenridge is already on his way to Georgia from East Tennessee. If this proves true, it will give you a chance to take the offensive against Hood and to cut the railroads up into Virginia with a small cavalry force.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 13, p 27-8

O.R. xlv, part 1, p 1083

Sherman’s march is apparently causing great consternation in Georgia.  I received a copy of a public proclamation by Gen. Beauregard and passed it along to Gen. Thomas in Tennessee.

CITY POINT, November 24, 1864-4 p.m.

Major General GEORGE H. THOMAS,

Nashville:

Following proclamation of Beauregard just taken from Savannah papers of 21st. Do not let Forrest get off without punishment.

 

CORINTH, November 18.

(Via Selma.)

TO THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA:

Arise for the defense of your native coast! Rally around your gallant soldiers! Obstruct and destroy the roads in Sherman’s front, flanks, and rear, and his army will soon starve in your midst! Be confident and resolute! Trust in our overruling Providence, and success will crown your efforts. I hasten to join you in defense of your homes and firesides.

 

BEAUREGARD.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 13, p 23-4

O.R., I, xlv,  part 1, p 1014

I have employed a Mr. William Bergholz, a civil engineer from South Carolina, as an agent to obtain information in the heartland of the Confederacy. His wife Mary has informed me he has had the misfortune to be arrested by U.S. troops. I have ordered his release and wrote her,

New-York, Nov. 20th 1864
Mrs. May M. Bergholz,
I have just learned from Gen. Dix that your husband has been released and sent to City Point to see me. I at once telegraphed to the Provost Marshal at Baltim[ore] to stop him if it was not to late and to say to him that I would be in Washington on Tuesday.  I fear however my dispatch will reach Baltimore too late to intercept him.
I arrived here with my family last night. Will remain until 2
P. M. to-morrow. So many persons are calling to see me that I can not get out. If you will call at the Astor House, Parlor and send your name to my room I will be glad to see you. Gen. Dix was not aware of the arrest of your husband until he received my letter. Do you not see now that I have been able to befriend you? It afforded me great pleasure though I was sorry you should need friendly aid. I am satisfied there was no reason why Mr. B. should be arrested.
Yours Truly
U. S. Grant

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 13, p 15

I am presently visiting my family in Burlington, NJ.  However, I have received reports that Confederate Gen. Early’s troops have been recalled from the Shenandoah Valley to Richmond.  If that is the case, Gen. Sheridan’s troops can be returned to the Army of the Potomac.  I wrote him,

BURLINGTON, N. J., November 19, 1864-9 a. m.

Major-General SHERIDAN,

Newtown, Va.:

It is reported from Richmond that Early has been recalled from the Valley. If you are satisfied this is so send the Sixth Corps to City Point without delay. If your cavalry can cut the Virginia Central road now is the time to do it.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 13, p 6

O.R., I, xliii, part 2, p 645

With Gen. Sherman making his movement from Atlanta to the sea, we must be alert for any weakening of Lee’s position to take advantage. I wrote Gen. Meade,

CITY POINT, VA., November 15, 1864.

Major General G. G. MEADE,

Commanding Army of the Potomac:

The movements now being made by the army under General Sherman may cause General Lee to detach largely from the force defending Richmond to meet him. Should this occur it will become our duty to follow. In such case the Army of the James will be promptly withdrawn from north of James River and put in the trenches about Petersburg, thus liberating all of your infantry and cavalry and a sufficient amount of artillery. To prepare for such emergency, therefore, I would direct that you hold yourself in readiness to start in the shortest time with twelve days’ rations, six being carried on the person, and forty rounds of ammunition in wagons. Select from your command the best batteries to accompany you, not exceeding one gun to 1,000 men. It is not intended that these preparations shall be made to start at a moment’s notice, but that the articles shall be where they can be reached and loaded, and all preparation made for starting by the time your troops can be relieved by the troops of General Butler after such movement on the part of the enemy is discovered. A copy of this will be forwarded General Butler, with instructions to carry out his part promptly, moving night as well as day, if the contingency should arise.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 423

O.R., I, xlii, part 3, p 620

Since it looks as if there will be a pause in the campaign against Richmond, I would like to take a few days to visit my family in Philadelphia.  I wrote Sec. Stanton,

CITY POINT, VA.,

November 13, 1864-8.30 a. m.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

As soon as troops begin to arrive here rapidly so as to insure against offensive operations on the part of the enemy, I want to run up home for a day or two. I can go and return before troops enough will have arrived for me to take the offensive. I would not if I could just now do anything to force the enemy out of Richmond or Petersburg. It would liberate too much of a force to oppose Sherman with.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 413

O.R., I, xlii, part 3, p 612

I replied to Sec. Stanton’s message concerning information about Gen. Sherman’s movements being reported in the press.

CITY POINT, VA., November 12, 1864.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

The publication referred to in my dispatch seemed to originate in an Indianapolis paper on the authority of army officers direct from Chattanooga. I will send a staff officer WEST in the morning to ascertain who those officers are, and order them here. I think I will send them to the Dry Tortugas for duty without commands for a while, as a warning to the others that they are not to report military movements in advance of their being made.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 410-1

O.R., I, xxxix, part 3, p 749

Today’s copy of the New York Times has laid out the plans of Gen. Sherman in minute detail.  This information will prove to be of great use to the enemy.  I wrote to Sec. Stanton,

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

All the Northern papers of 10th, and especially the New York Times, contain the most contraband news I have seen published during the war. The Times lays out Sherman’s programme exactly and gives his strength. It is impossible to keep these papers from reaching the enemy, and no doubt by to-morrow they will be making the best arrangements they can to meet this move.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

 

He replied,

WAR DEPARTMENT, November 11, 1864-9. 30 p. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

I have seen with indignation the newspaper articles referred to, and others of like kind, but they come from Sherman’s army, and generally from his own officers, and there is reason to believe he has not been very guarded in his own talk. I saw to-day, in a paymaster’s letter to another officer, his plans as stated by himself. Yesterday I was told full details given by a member of his staff to a friend in Washington. Matters not spoken of aloud in the Department are bruited by officers coming from Sherman’s army in every Western printing office and street. If he cannot keep from telling his plans to paymasters, and his staff are permitted to send them broadcast over the land, the Department cannot prevent their publication.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 12, p 403-4

O.R., I, xxxix, part 3, p 740