The Civil War Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

by Grant, Ulysses S.; Thomsen, Brian M.

• ISBN13: 9780765302427
• ISBN10: 076530242X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-03-20
• Publisher: Forge Books

Summary

Highlights Include: General William Tecumseh Sherman on his infamous march through GeorgiaGeneral George B. McClellan on the battle of Antietam and the legendary lost order that should have tipped him off to Lee's plansGeneral George Armstrong Custer's experience of going straight from studying at West Point to the battlefieldGeneral (CSA) James Longstreet on serving under Robert E. LeeGeneral (CSA) G. Moxley Sorrel on serving under James LongstreetMajor (CSA) J.S.Mosby on the South's Guerilla campaignGeneral (CSA) Jubal Earley's memoir of the last year of the war.

Table of Contents

The Coming Crisis	21	(4)
Outbreak of the Rebellion-Presiding At A Union Meeting-Mustering Officer of State Troops-Lyon At Camp Jackson-Services Tendered to the Government	25	(8)
Appointed Colonel of the 21st Illinois-Personnel of the Regiment-General Logan-March To Missouri-Movement Against Harris At Florida, Mo.-General Pope in Command-Stationed at Mexico, Mo.	33	(6)
Commissioned Brigadier-General-Command at Ironton, Mo.-Jefferson City-Cape Girardeau-General Prentiss-Seizure of Paducah-Headquarters at Cairo	39	(8)
General Fremont in Command-Movement Against Belmont-Battle of Belmont-A Narrow Escape-After the Battle	47	(7)
General Halleck in Command-Commanding the District of Cairo-Movement on Fort Henry-Capture of Fort Henry	54	(6)
Investment of Fort Donelson-The Naval Operation-Attack of the Enemy-Assaulting the Works-Surrender of the Fort	60	(12)
Promoted Major-General of Volunteers-Unoccupied Territory-Advance Upon Nashville-Situation of the Command-Restored to the Command-Restored to the Command-General Smith	72	(8)
The Army At Pittsburgh Landing-Injured By A Fall-The Confederate Attack at Shiloh-the first Day's Fight at Shiloh-General Sherman-Condition of the Army Close of the First Day's Fight-The Second Day's Fight-Retreat and Defeat of the Confederates	80	(12)
Struck By A Bullet-Precipitate Retreat of the Confederates-Intrenchments at Shiloh-General Buell-General Johnston-Remarks on Shiloh	92	(10)
Halleck Assumes Command in the Field-The Advance Upon Corinth-Occupation of Corinth-The Army Separated	102	(7)
Headquarters Moved to Memphis-On the Road to Memphis-Escaping Jackson-Complaints-and Requests-Halleck Appointed Commander-in-Chief-Return to Corinth-Movements of Bragg-Surrender of Clarksville-The Advance Upon Chattanooga-Sheridan Colonel of a Michigan Regiment	109	(10)
Advance of Van Dorn and Price-Price Enters Iuka-Battle of Iuka	119	(5)
Van Dorn's Movements-Battle of Corinth-Command of the Department of the Tennessee	124	(4)
The Campaign Against Vickburg-Employing the Freedmen-Occupation of Holly Springs-Sherman Ordered to Memphis-Sherman's Movements Down the Mississippi-Van Dorn Captures Holly Springs-Collecting Forage and Food	128	(9)
Headquarters Moved to Holly Springs-General McClernand in Command-Assuming Command at Young's Point-Operations Above Vicksburg-Fortifications About Vicksburg-The Canal-Lake Providence-Operations at Yazoo Pass	137	(10)
The Bayous West of the Mississippi-Criticisms of the Northern Press-Running the Batteries-Loss of the In-Dianola-Disposition of the Troops	147	(9)
Attack on Grand Gulf-Operations Below Vicksburg	156	(7)
Capture of Port Gibson-Grierson's Raid-Occupation of Grand Gulf-Movement Up the Big Black-Battle of Raymond	163	(7)
Movement Against Jackson-Fall of Jackson-Intercepting the Enemy-Battle of Champion's Hill	170	(12)
Battle of Black River Bridge-Crossing the Big Black-Investment of Vicksburg-Assaulting the Works	182	(5)
Siege of Vicksburg	187	(8)
Johnston's Movements-Fortifications at Haines's Bluff-Explosion of the Mine-Explosion of the Second Mine-Preparing for the Assault-The Flag of Truce-Meeting with Pemberton-Negotiations for Surrender-Accepting the Terms-Surrender of Vicksburg	195	(14)
Retrospect of the Campaign-Sherman's Movements-Proposed Movement Upon Mobile-A Painful Accident-Ordered to Report at Cairo	209	(7)
First Meeting With Secretary Stanton-General Rosecrans-Commanding Military Division of Mississippi-Andrew Johnson's Address-Arrival at Chattanooga	216	(7)
Assuming the Command at Chattanooga-Opening A Line of Supplies-Battle of Wauhatchie-On The Picket Line	223	(6)
Condition of the Army-Rebuilding the Railroad-General Burnside's Situation-Orders for Battle-Plans for the Attack-Hooker's Position-Sherman's Movements	229	(10)
Preparations for Battle-Thomas Carries The First Line of the Enemy-Sherman Carries Missionary Ridge-Battle of Lookout Mountain--General Hooker's Fight	239	(7)
Battle of Chattanooga-A Gallant Charge-Complete Rout of the Enemy-Pursuit of the Confederates-General Bragg-Remarks on Chattanooga	246	(8)
The Relief of Knoxville-Headquarters Moved To Nashville-Visiting Knoxville-Cipher Dispatches-Withholding Orders	254	(9)
Operations In Mississippi-Longstreet in East Tennessee-Commissioned Lieutenant-General-Commanding the Armies of the United States-First Interview with President Lincoln	263	(9)
The Military Situation-Plans for the Campaign-Sheridan Assigned to Command of the Cavalry-Flank Movements-Forrest at Fort Pillow-General Banks's Expedition-Colonel Mosby-An Incident of the Wilderness Campaign	272	(13)
Commencement of the Grand Campaign--General Butler's Position-Sheridan's First Raid	285	(6)
Sherman's Campaign in Georgia-Siege of Atlanta Death of General McPherson-Attempt to Capture An-dersonville-Capture of Atlanta	291	(9)
Grand Movement of the Army of the Potomac-Crossing the Rapidan-Entering the Wilderness-Battle of the Wilderness	300	(16)
After the Battle-Telegraph and Signal Service-Movement by the Left Flank	316	(7)
Battle of Spottsylvania-Hancock's Position-Assault of Warren's and Wright's Corps-Upton Promoted on the Field-Good News from Butler and Sheridan	323	(5)
Hancock's Assault-Losses of the Confederates-Promotions Recommended-Discomfiture of the Enemy-Ewell's Attack-Reducing the Artillery	328	(10)
Movement by the Left Flank-Battle of North Anna-An Incident of the March-Moving on Richmond-South of the Pamunkey-Position of the National Army	338	(11)
Advance on Cold Harbor-An Anecdote of the War-Battle of Cold Harbor-Correspondence with Lee-Retrospective	349	(9)
Left Flank Movement Across the Chickahominy and James-General Lee-Visit to Butler-The Movement on Petersburg-The Investment of Petersburg	358	(13)
Raid on the Virginia Central Railroad-Raid on the Weldon Railroad-Early's Movement Upon Washington-Mining The Works Before Petersburg-Explosion of the Mine Before Petersburg-Campaign in the Shenandoah Valley-Capture of the Weldon Railroad	371	(14)
Sheridan's Advance-Visit to Sheridan-Sheridan's Victory in the Shenandoah-Sheridan's Ride to Winchester-Close of the Campaign for the Winter	385	(9)
The Campaign in Georgia-Sherman's March to the Sea-War Anecdotes-The March on Savannah-Investment of Savannah-Capture of Savannah	394	(19)
The Battle of Franklin-The Battle of Nashville	413	(6)
Expedition Against Fort Fisher-Attack On The Fort-Failure of the Expedition-Second Expedition Against the Fort-Capture of Fort Fisher	419	(7)
Sherman's March North-Sheridan Ordered To Lynch-Burg-Canby Ordered to Move Against Mobile-Movements of Schofield and Thomas-Capture Of Columbia, South Carolina-Sherman in the Carolinas	426	(11)
Arrival of the Peace Commissioners-Lincoln and the Peace Commissioners-An Anecdote of Lincoln-The Winter Before Petersburg-Sheridan Destroys The Railroad-Gordon Carries the Picket Line-Parke Recaptures the Line-The Battle of White Oak Road	437	(8)
Interview With Sheridan--Grand Movement of the Army of the Potomac-Sheridan's Advance on Five Forks-Battle of Five Forks-Parke and Wright Storm the Enemy's Line-Battles Before Petersburg	445	(10)
The Capture of Petersburg-Meeting President Lincoln in Petersburg-The Capture of Richmond-Pursuing the Enemy-to Sheridan and Meade	455	(8)
Battle of Sailor's Creek-Engagement at Farmville-Correspondence with General Lee-Sheridan Intercepts the Enemy	463	(6)
Negotiations at Appomattox-Interview with Lee at McLean's House-The Terms of Surrender-Lee's Surrender-Interview with Lee After the Surrender	469	(9)
Morale of the Two Armies-Relative Conditions of the North and South-President Lincoln Visits Richmond-Arrival at Washington-President Lincoln's Assassination-President Johnson's Policy	478	(8)
Sherman and Johnston-Johnston's Surrender To Sherman-Capture of Mobile-Wilson's Expedition-Capture of Jefferson Davis-General Thomas's Qualities-Estimate of General Canby	486	(7)
The End of the War-The March To Washington-one of Lincoln's Anecdotes-Grand Review at Washington-Characteristics Of Lincoln And Stanton-Estimate of the Different Corps Commanders	493	(10)
Conclusion	503	(8)
Afterword	511
Thomas Fleming

Excerpts

Chapter I
 
THE COMING CRISIS.
 
 
In the case of the war between the States it would have been the exact truth if the South had said,—“We do not want to live with you Northern people any longer; we know our institution of slavery is obnoxious to you, and, as you are growing numerically stronger than we, it may at some time in the future be endangered. So long as you permitted us to control the government, and with the aid of a few friends at the North to enact laws constituting your section a guard against the escape of our property, we were willing to live with you. You have been submissive to our rule heretofore; but it looks now as if you did not intend to continue so, and we will remain in the Union no longer.” Instead of this the seceding States cried lustily,—“Let us alone; you have no constitutional power to interfere with us.” Newspapers and people at the North reiterated the cry. Individuals might ignore the constitution; but the Nation itself must not only obey it, but must enforce the strictest construction of that instrument; the construction put upon it by the Southerners themselves. The fact is the constitution did not apply to any such contingency as the one existing from 1861 to 1865. Its framers never dreamed of such a contingency occurring. If they had foreseen it, the probabilities are they would have sanctioned the right of a State or States to withdraw rather than that there should be war between brothers.
The framers were wise in their generation and wanted to do the very best possible to secure their own liberty and independence, and that also of their descendants to the latest days. It is preposterous to suppose that the people of one generation can lay down the best and only rules of government for all who are to come after them, and under unforeseen contingencies. At the time of the framing of our constitution the only physical forces that had been subdued and made to serve man and do his labor, were the currents in the streams and in the air we breathe. Rude machinery, propelled by water power, had been invented; sails to propel ships upon the waters had been set to catch the passing breeze—but the application of stream to propel vessels against both wind and current, and machinery to do all manner of work had not been thought of. The instantaneous transmission of messages around the world by means of electricity would probably at that day have been attributed to witchcraft or a league with the Devil. Immaterial circumstances had changed as greatly as material ones. We could not and ought not to be rigidly bound by the rules laid down under circumstances so different for emergencies so utterly unanticipated. The fathers themselves would have been the first to declare that their prerogatives were not irrevocable. They would surely have resisted secession could they have lived to see the shape it assumed.
I travelled through the Northwest considerably during the winter of 1860-1. We had customers in all the little towns in south-west Wisconsin, south-east Minnesota and north-east Iowa. These generally knew I had been a captain in the regular army and had served through the Mexican war. Consequently wherever I stopped at night, some of the people would come to the public-house where I was, and sit till a late hour discussing the probabilities of the future. My own views at that time were like those officially expressed by Mr. Seward at a later day, that “the war would be over in ninety days.” I continued to entertain these views until after the battle of Shiloh. I believe now that there would have been no more battles at the West after the capture of Fort Donelson if all the troops in that region had been under a single commander who would have followed up that victory.
There is little doubt in my mind now that the prevailing sentiment of the South would have been opposed to secession in 1860 and 1861, if there had been a fair and calm expression of opinion, unbiased by threats, and if the ballot of one legal voter had counted for as much as that of any other. But there was no calm discussion of the question. Demagogues who were too old to enter the army if there should be a war, others who entertained so high an opinion of their own ability that they did not believe they could be spared from the direction of the affairs of state in such an event, declaimed vehemently and unceasingly against the North; against its aggressions upon the South; its interference with Southern rights, etc., etc. They denounced the Northerners as cowards, poltroons, negro-worshippers; claimed that one Southern man was equal to five Northern men in battle; that if the South would stand up for its rights the North would back down. Mr. Jefferson Davis said in a speech, delivered at La Grange, Mississippi, before the secession of that State, that he would agree to drink all the blood spilled south of Mason and Dixon’s line if there should be a war. The young men who would have the fighting to do in case of war, believed all these statements, both in regard to the aggressiveness of the North and its cowardice. They, too, cried out for a separation from such people. The great bulk of the legal voters of the South were men who owned no slaves; their homes were generally in the hills and poor country; their facilities for educating their children, even up to the point of reading and writing, were very limited; their interest in the contest was very meagre—what there was, if they had been capable of seeing it, was with the North; they too needed emancipation. Under the old régime they were looked down upon by those who controlled all the affairs in the interest of slave-owners, as poor white trash who were allowed the ballot so long as they cast it according to direction.
I am aware that this last statement may be disputed and individual testimony perhaps adduced to show that in ante-bellum days the ballot was as untrammelled in the South as in any section of the country; but in the face of any such contradiction I reassert the statement. The shotgun was not resorted to. Masked men did not ride over the country at night intimidating voters; but there was a firm feeling that a class existed in every State with a sort of divine right to control public affairs. If they could not get this control by one means they must by another. The end justified the means. The coercion, if mild, was complete.
There were two political parties, it is true, in all the States, both strong in numbers and respectability, but both equally loyal to the institution which stood paramount in Southern eyes to all other institutions in state or nation. The slave-owners were the minority, but governed both parties. Had politics ever divided the slave-holders and the non-slave-holders, the majority would have been obliged to yield, or internecine war would have been the consequence. I do not know that the Southern people were to blame for this condition of affairs. There was a time when slavery was not profitable, and the discussion of the merits of the institution was confined almost exclusively to the territory where it existed. The States of Virginia and Kentucky came near abolishing slavery by their own acts, one State defeating the measure by a tie vote and the other only lacking one. But when the institution became profitable, all talk of its abolition ceased where it existed; and naturally, as human nature is constituted, arguments were adduced in its support. The cotton-gin probably had much to do with the justification of slavery.
The winter of 1860—1 will be remembered by middle-aged people of to-day as one of great excitement. South Carolina promptly seceded after the result of the Presidential election was known. Other Southern States proposed to follow. In some of them the Union sentiment was so strong that it had to be suppressed by force. Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky and Missouri, all Slave States, failed to pass ordinances of secession; but they were all represented in the so-called congress of the so-called Confederate States. The Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of Missouri, in 1861, Jackson and Reynolds, were both supporters of the rebellion and took refuge with the enemy. The governor soon died, and the lieutenant-governor assumed his office; issued proclamations as governor of the State; was recognized as such by the Confederate Government, and continued his pretensions until the collapse of the rebellion. The South claimed the sovereignty of States, but claimed the right to coerce into their confederation such States as they wanted, that is, all the States where slavery existed. They did not seem to think this course inconsistent. The fact is, the Southern slave-owners believed that, in some way, the ownership of slaves conferred a sort of patent of nobility—a right to govern independent of the interest or wishes of those who did not hold such property. They convinced themselves, first, of the divine origin of the institution and, next, that that particular institution was not safe in the hands of any body of legislators but themselves.
Meanwhile the Administration of President Buchanan looked helplessly on and proclaimed that the general government had no power to interfere; that the Nation had no power to save its own life. Mr. Buchanan had in his cabinet two members at least, who were as earnest—to use a mild term—in the cause of secession as Mr. Davis or any Southern statesman. One of them, Floyd, the Secretary of War, scattered the army so that much of it could be captured when hostilities should commence, and distributed the cannon and small arms from Northern arsenals throughout the South so as to be on hand when treason wanted them. The navy was scattered in like manner. The President did not prevent his cabinet preparing for war upon their government, either by destroying its resources or storing them in the South until a de facto government was established with Jefferson Davis as its President, and Montgomery, Alabama, as the Capital. The secessionists had then to leave the cabinet. In their own estimation they were aliens in the country which had given them birth. Loyal men were put into their places. Treason in the executive branch of the government was estopped. But the harm had already been done. The stable door was locked after the horse had been stolen.
During all of the trying winter of 1860-1, when the Southerners were so defiant that they would not allow within their borders the expression of a sentiment hostile to their views, it was a brave man indeed who could stand up and proclaim his loyalty to the Union. On the other hand men at the North—prominent men—proclaimed that the government had no power to coerce the South into submission to the laws of the land; that if the North undertook to raise armies to go south, these armies would have to march over the dead bodies of the speakers. A portion of the press of the North was constantly proclaiming similar views. When the time arrived for the President-elect to go to the capital of the Nation to be sworn into office, it was deemed unsafe for him to travel, not only as a President-elect, but as any private citizen should be allowed to do. Instead of going in a special car, receiving the good wishes of his constituents at all the stations along the road, he was obliged to stop on the way and to be smuggled into the capital. He disappeared from public view on his journey, and the next the country knew, his arrival was announced at the capital. There is little doubt that he would have been assassinated if he had attempted to travel openly throughout his journey.
 
Introduction and text selection copyright © 2002 by Brian M. Thomsen

---

Excerpted from The Civil War Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.