Lot 14
Grant, Ulysses S (1822-85) 18th President of the United States (1969-77); General-in-Chief of the Union Army during the Civil War. War-date Autograph Letter Signed "U.S. Grant / Lt. Gen.," 1 page, on "Head Quarters Armies of the United States" letterhead, City Point, Va., March 9, 186[5] [the "9" after "March" has been marked through in pencil and "11th" added, as well as "8:30 PM," and "5" has been added after "186". Grant wrote "(Cypher)" at top left, designating that the letter should be sent in code. Addressed to "Maj. Gen. Halleck, Washington," the letter reads: "If Gen. Webster gives no better reason than his simple protest against the removal of troops North from the Dept. of the South I would have the order renewed. There is no necessity for detaining our Brigade until transports are ready for the whole command sent. {An entire line is marked through here: 'The comm. If it is found that Sherman']. Instruct Gilmore that if Sherman strikes the seacoast at any other point than Wilmington before the execution of this transfer of troops then they will join him wherever he may be."
After wreaking havoc in Georgia and South Carolina, Sherman entered North Carolina, causing panic among the citizens, who feared the same fate as their neighbors. When Grant wrote this letter, Quincy Adams Gillmore (1825-1888) was commanding the Army of the South. Major General Henry Wager Halleck (1815-1872) was Grant's chief of staff, and Joseph Dana Webster (1811-1876) was W. T. Sherman's chief of staff. From late June 1864 to May 1865, City Point, Va., located just 20 miles from Richmond, served as General Grant's depot during his siege of Petersburg, VA. The letter is laid to board alongside an 8¾ x 4¾ in. engraving of Grant. Boldly penned and signed.
Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000.
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| Realized $7,931 |
