May 13, 1862 Wrote Julia, “I have just received two letters from you, one written on the 3d and the other on the 4th of this month, both complaining of not receiving letters from me. I write usually twice a week and why in the world you do not get my letters, I can’t tell. You also ask if I won’t send you a remittance soon! It is only a month since I sent you $205 00 and since that I have sent you $250 00 more and wrote to you to draw the $100 you got from Mr. Safford. I have also written two or three times to join me the moment you hear of me being on the Mississippi River. Since that however, I have written to you that I expected to go home after the approaching battle. I I do not however, and you hear of our arrival at Memphis, join me at once. You may draw on Mr. Safford for $200 00 if you like. I shall not probably be able to send any from here at the end of the month as I will use my pay for secret service funds to make up for the money I have of that kind with Mr. Safford and with the Sub Treasurer in New York City. I would just as leave you would draw all I have with Mr. Safford as not however. The amount is between three and four hundred dollars.
“We are now encamped in the state of Mississippi, within hearing of the enemies drums at Corinth. Every day we have more or less skirmishing but nothing that could be magnified into a battle. As I have said before in several of my letters, I regard this as the last great battle to be fought in the valley of the Mississippi. If the War is to be continued I am anxious to go to some other field. I have probably done more hard work than any other General officer and about as much fighting and although I will shrink from no duty, I am perfectly willing that others should have every opportunity for distinguishing themselves. I have had my full share of abuse, too, but I think no harm will come from all that.
“In my last letter I told you that it would probably be my last this side of Corinth. But we move slow, Gen. Halleck being determined to make sure work. Then too, the roads have been so intolerable until within the last few days that it has been very difficult to get up supplies for the army.
“Kiss all the children for me. Give my love to all at home. If you do not get letters don’t blame me with it for I write every three or four days.
“Kisses for yourself.”
“P.S. I never enjoyed better health in my life than for the last month. I must weigh ten or fifteen pounds more now than at any time since leaving California.”
The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 5, p 117-8
Library of Congress – USG