August 19, 1862
Ulysses S. grant writes to his sister from Corinth, Mississippi. This letter sheds light on the day-to-day worries of a man with great responsibility, and who would go on to shoulder even more.
Corinth Mississippi
August 19th 1862
Dear Sister,
Julia and the children left here on Saturday last for St. Louise where they will remain on a visit until about the last of the month. At the end of that time they must be some place where the children can go to school. Mrs. Hillyer has a nice house in the city and is all alone whilst her husband is on my staff and it may be that she and Julia will keep house together. If they do she would be very much pleased to have you make her a long visit. Julia says that she is satisfied that the best place for the children is in Covington. But there are as many of them that she sometimes feels as if they were not wanted. Their visit down here in Dixie was very pleasant and they were very loathe to leave. Things however began to look so threatening that I thought it was best for them to leave. I am now in a situation where it is impossible for me to protect my long line of defence. I have the Mississippi to Memphis, the railroad from Columbus and to Corinth, from Jackson to Bolivar, from Corinth to Decatur and the Tennessee & Cumberland rivers to keep open. Guerillas are hovering around in every direction getting whipped every day some place by some my command but keeping as busy. The war is evidently growing oppress-sive to the Southern people. Their insti-tutions [slaves] are beginning to have ideas of their own and every time an expedition goes out more or has of them follow in the wake of the army and come into camp. I am using them as teamsters, Hospital attendants, company cooks etc. thus saving soldiers to carry the musket.
I don’t know what is to become of these poor people in the end but it weakening the enemy to take them.
If the new levies are sent in soon the rebels will have a good time getting in their crops this fall.
I have abandoned all hope of being able to make a visit home ’till the close of the war. A Few weeks recreation would be very greatful however. It is one constant strain now and has been for a year. If I do get through I think I will take a few months of pure and undefiled rest. I stand it well however having gained some fifteen pounds in weight since leaving Cairo. Give my love to all at home.
Ulysses.
Courtesy: http://rosenbach.org/civilwar/?p=2821
The Late Great Unpleasantness 