I wrote to Sgt. Thomas McGraw of the 23rd Illinois Volunteers,

HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, Washington, July 22, 1865.

Sergt. THOMAS McGRAW,

Company B, Twenty-third Illinois Volunteers:

The sum of $460 was sent to me by patriotic citizens to be presented as a reward for gallantry to the soldier who should first raise our flag over Richmond. As Richmond was not taken by assault, I have concluded that the donors’ wishes will be best carried out by dividing the sum between three soldiers most conspicuous for gallantry in the final and successful assault on Petersburg. You have been selected by Major General John Gibbon, commanding the Twenty-fourth Army Corps, as entitled to this honor on behalf of that command, and I herewith present to you $153,33 as one-third of the original sum.

It affords me great satisfaction to receive from your commanding general such unqualified testimony of your gallantry and heroism in battle, and to be the medium of transmitting to you this recognition of the worth of your services in defense of your common country.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 282

O.R., I, xlvi, part 1, p 1262-3

I received the following from U.S. Delegate Walter A. Burleigh of the Dakota Territory,

I have the honor to lay before you, herewith, a report which I made to the Com’r. of Indian Affairs on the 18th day of February 1865—with accompanying papers. A copy of this report was laid before Maj. Gen’l. Halleck, who after a careful examination of the same, assured me that the charges therein contained relating to the conduct of Brev. Maj. Gen’l. Sully, should be, thoroughly and impartially investigated, and that if found to be true, he should be removed from his present command.I believe this whole matter was referred to Maj. Gen’l. John Pope, who ordered Col. John N. Du Bois—a member of his Staff—, to inquire into the matter.

These charges against Gen’l. Sully have not been investigated in the manner in which Gen’l. Halleck assured me they should be. The investigation ordered by Genl. Pope was not thorough, but extremely partial and imperfect,—and I have in my possession the means of showing that it was extremely unfair, if not fraudulent. I did not make these charges against Gen’l. Sully from any feelings of personal ill will, but simply because I knew that he had failed to discharge his duty as a commanding officer,— and I now reassert that the charges against this officer, contained in that report are strictly, true, and I can prove them to be so, whenever I can have a fair opportunity.

I ask that this matter may receive at your hands, the attention which it deserves,—and that Gen’l. Sully be removed from his present command, and a suitable officer assigned thereto.

I wrote to Sherman,

WASHINGTON, July 20, 1865-12 m.

Major General W. T. SHERMAN,

Saint Louis, Mo.:

Direct the discharge of all troops that can possibly be dispensed with in Your military division, and especially reduce the cavalry force as much as possible. Now that we have so many officers of known merit, I think it will be well to designate one to relieve General Sully in the Northwest.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 276-8

O.R., I, xlviii, part 2, p 1108

I wrote President Johnson with my views on the Mexican situation.

Washington D. C, July 15th 1865

His Excellency, A. Johnson, President of the United States, Sir:
Looking upon the French occupation of Mexico as part and parcel of the late rebellion in the United States, and a necessary part of it to suppress before entire peace can be assured, I would respectfully recommend that a leave of absence be given to one of our General officers for the purpose of going to Mexico to give direction to such emigration as may go to that country.
I would not advise that emigration be invited or that such officer should go under special instructions. He would probably take service under the Liberal Government of Mexico and by giving head and shape to the foreign and Native element already there would insure the restoration of the Liberal or Republican Government.
Mexico has men enough if she had Arms to defend herself. With the large surplus on hand I do not see why we should not sell her these. I presume there would be no objection raised to sell the English or French Government Arms. I do not see therefore why we should not be aUowed to sell them to the only Government we recognize on Mexican soil.
I write this for instructions because I will not do or authorize anything not receiving the proper sanction. Of the sale of Arms I have nothing to do. I speak therefore in reference to giving leaves of absence for the purpose stated.
I send this direct the Sec. of War being absent from his office to-day.
Very respectfully
your obt. svt.
U. S. Grant
LtGn

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 264-5

I wrote Gen. Sheridan, asking him to take personal control of the situation on the Rio Grande.

WASHINGTON, July 13, 1865-11 a. m.

Major-General SHERIDAN:

I would like You to go to the Rio Grande in person for a few days and manage affairs there according to Your judgment. What You have done seems so well that I desire to change nothing. Do You not think it advisable to relieve Granger from command in Texas? If so, relieve him.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 259

O.R., I, xlviii, part 2, p 1075

The following was sent to Gen. Rawlins from Gen. Sheridan.  I forwarded it to the President, indicating that I agreed with Sheridan’s views.

Personal … I have detained Bvt Brig. Genl Price of the Cavalry Bureau longer perhaps than I should have done but his services were so important to me that I don’t see how I could have done without him. The cavalry here was very much scattered and the regiments were unknown to me but by his admirable system of inspection I was at once enabled to select the best regiments and to collect together two of the handsomest columns of cavalry that have been organized during the present war, one under Genl Merritt which moves from Shreveport. The other under Genl Custer which moves from Alexandria La. I have had many difficulties and delays in getting these cavalry columns together and in their magnificent trim but I am now out of the woods and only hope that I may have the pleasure of crossing the Rio Grande with them with our faces turned towards the city of Mexico. There is no use to beat around the bush in this Mexican matter.  We should give a permanent government to that republic. Our work in crushing the rebellion will not be done until this takes place. The advent of Maximilian was a portion of the rebellion and his fall should belong to its history. Juarez even if he was to be successful tomorrow could not give stability to a government there without our helping hand, most of the Mexican soldiers of Maximilian’s army would throw down their arms the moment we crossed the Rio Grande. The french influence has governed by their impudence.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 259

I received the following from Gen. Thomas,

NASHVILLE, TENN., July 1, 1865.

(Received 1.40 p.m. 3rd.)

Lieutenant General U. S. GRANT,

General-in-Chief:

General C. R. Woods has just reported to me in person. He desires to take with him to Alabama his old division entire. If he cannot take his division he desires to take his staff. I have just learned from General Canby that there will be left in Alabama and Mississippi, after the muster out of those ordered, 7,000. No changes in them till he learns from me what troops I have replace them. I shall send Hatch with his cavalry to Alabama, about 3,000. I have also 6,000 infantry, including regulars, to divide between Steedman and Woods, as soon as I can learn what Steedman has at Augusta and Savannah. If the Fourteenth Corps is to report to me for duty I should prefer leaving it in Kentucky for the present, as the political condition of that States is more critical to-day than either Tennessee, Alabama, or Georgia. With judicious management, I believe there will be but little trouble in restoring perfect order in the three latter-named States.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General.

I replied,

WASHINGTON, July 3, 1865-2.20 p.m.

Major General GEORGE H. THOMAS,

Nashville, Tenn.:

General Woods can take his staff with him. There is no need of sending more troops to Alabama, at least not until he (Woods) gets there and finds he will need them. We want now to discharge all troops that can be dispensed with. All the troops now in Alabama Woods will assume command of on his arrival.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 240-1

O.R., I, xlix, part 2, p 1057-60

The President has given me instructions on how to handle the European forces in Mexico.  I passed them along to Gen. Sheridan.

WASHINGTON, July 1, 1865.

Major-General SHERIDAN,

New Orleans:

Get Your troops on the Rio Grande in readiness for active service should the emergency arise. Caution them, however, against provoking hostilities. Demand the return of all public property carried to the south side of the Rio Grande since Kirby Smith’s surrender, and report the reply received.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 235-6

O.R., I, xlviii, part 2, p 1035

Gen. Rawlins received the following from Sherman.

General JOHN A. RAWLINS,

Chief of Staff to General Grant, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: I arrived here yesterday after a tempestuous visit about Chicago and North Ohio, and now feel desirous to know what is to be my next destination. I have nothing official, and so far as my record goes, I could go into Kentucky and Tennessee and resume command, but from what General Grant told me at Chicago I suppose I am by him destined for Saint Louis, but, as the War Department may interpose, it is prudent on my part to ascertain authoritatively what official orders are in existence or ceontemplation touching me. I want, for economy’s sake, to get my office and headquarters paraphernalia to their destination, and have written to General Townsend for any orders already made or determined on that will enable me to act. I will go next Saturday, July 2, to Louisville to attend the barbecue and celebration of the Fourth of July and will probably run down to Nashville to see Thomas. I would like, before starting, to know all that is proper and ask you to telegraph me by or before next Friday, sooner the better, if the new division has been determined, and where my headquarters are fixed. I can then establish my headquarters, make a single order assiging command, and give some general directions for receiving reports, when I can quietly come back to this village and spend some quiet weeks. It has been suggested to me that I will be quietly left out in the cold. Even if that be resolved on I ought to know it, that I may shape my private affairs accordingly.

I am, with respect, yours, truly,

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General.

I replied,

WASHINGTON, D. C., June 29, 1865 – 8 p. m.

Major-General SHERMAN,

Lancaster, Ohio:

You go to Saint Louis to command the Military Division of the Mississippi. The order is out.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 231-2

O.R., I, xlvii, part 3, p 662

O.R., I, xlviii, part 2, p 1027

I received an invitation from the Governor of New York to attend their 4th of July festivities.  Unfortunately, I am too busy here to attend. I wrote him,

Washington D. C. June 27th 1865

His Excellency, R. E. Fenton,

Governor of New York,

Sir:
As much pleasure as it would afford me to be with the good people of Albany on the 4th of July I fear it will not be possible. The experience of the last few weeks shows me that whilst we are disbanding our Armies and there is so much to do at my “Head Quarters” I should not separate myself from it until the work is done.
I am very desirous of getting a couple of months rest this Summer, as soon as the work is done so that I can absent myself so long, and must stick close at present to accomplish this. In addition to this my Chief of Staff is now absent and will remain so until the latter end of July. When he is here I can be absent for a few days without material detriment to the service.
Hoping that your celebration will prove all that is desired, I remain,
Very Truly
your obt. svt
U. S. Grant
Lt. Gn.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 226

There have been a tremendous number of gambling houses that have sprung up.  I ordered our commanders to close them down.

[CONFIDENTIAL CIRCULAR.] WASHINGTON, June 22, 1865

All department commanders commanding in States where martial law prevails will immediately put detectives upon the watch for gambling houses, especially faro banks, and at the appropriate time make a descent upon them all simultaneously, arresting all disbursing officers of the Government who may be found gambling in them or visitants therein at the time, and who, it can be proven, had previously gambled at such places. The gambling institutions will be completely broken up, and their money and stock confiscated, and the owners or proprietors of such gambling institutions be made to disgorge and refund all money the have won from United States disbursing officers. The officer so taken will be imprisoned and tried immediately.

The same proceeding will be taken by department commanders in the North, within their respective commands in the cities where disbursing officers may be located, except that instead of confiscating the money and stock of the gambling establishments or compelling, by military action, the owners and proprietors of the same to disgorge or refund any moneys they may have won from disbursing officers of the Government, they will be immediately reported to the civil authorities for their action.

This will be kept strictly confidential except so far as it may be necessary to communicate it to those who are to carry it into execution.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 217

O.R., I, xlvi, part 3, p 1289-90