Lot 394
Grant, Ulysses S (1822-1885) 18th President of the United States (1869-1877); Union general. War-date Autograph letter signed ("U.S. Grant") as Major General, 1p, 8½ x 5¼ in., n.p., 21 Apr. 1863. To Major General Sherman, concerning the running of batteries at Vicksburg. Grant writes: "A steam fleet will run the Vicksburg batteries tonight leaving the mouth of the Yazoo about 10½ P.M. they have been directed to round to when opposite Col. Abbots pickets and report to him. Please inform Col. Abbott of this fact and instruct him to put out a signal light soon after he hears the batteries open." Fine. The docket on the verso notes, "Instructions given accordingly." Col. Charles Abbott would be killed during the unsuccessful assault on Vicksburg of 22 May.
Grant's army was marching south through Louisiana when he ordered Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter to run the Vicksburg batteries and rendezvous with Grant on the Louisiana shore south of Vicksburg. On 16 April, Porter succeeded in running 11 boats past the batteries; a 12th boat was sunk. In this letter, five days later, Grant tells Sherman, who commanded the XV Corps, that a fleet would be running the batteries that night. Boatner's reports that "A few nights later" [after the 16th] six transports and 12 barges ran the batteries to bring supplies; one transport and six barges were lost."
The actual siege of Vicksburg lasted from 25 May until 4 July, when the city finally capitulated. The fall of Vicksburg reestablished northern control of the lower Mississippi and split the South in two, severing a vital Confederate supply line. Along with the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, the surrender of Vicksburg sounded the death knell of the Confederacy.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000.
Purchased from the late autograph dealer Doris Harris in 1975. Accompanied by an original letter from the Ulysses S. Grant Association to Mrs. Harris requesting a copy of the letter.
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| Realized $6,325 |
