The New Orleans crescent., 1868-09-18
A Letter from Gen araat 20 hts Father.
The following is worth reading. We may refer
to il hereafter. In the meantime read il:

The following is worth reading. We may reter
to il hereafter. In the meantime read il: !
From the New York Tribune, September l2l
LETTER FROM GEN. GRANT.
The following letter has been placed in our
hands by gentleman who furnishes il from a col
lection of autographs. II was written by MAJOR
Gen. Grant TO his father, from Millikens Bend,
La, during the Vicksburg campaign. We print
it Just as il is, word for word. We have no hesi-
tstion in saying that more remarkable document,
and ono that reflects more credit upon the Illus
trious writer, has not before been given to the
American people:
"MILLIKEN's BEND. La, April, 81, 1868.
Dear Fdtte'-Yoar letter of the 9TH of April
has lust this day reached me. ! hasten to answer
your interrogations. When left Memphis, with
nv past experience, | prohibited trade below
Helena. Trade TO that point had previously been
opened by the treasury department. l give no
permits to buy cotton, and IL find any one en-
gagged in the business, / send them out of the de-
partment and seize their cotton for the govern
ment. have given few families permission TO
leave the country and TO take with them, 30 far as
Memphis their cotton. In doing this have been
deceived by unplincipled speculstors, who have
successfully smugged themselves along with the
army in spite of orders prohibiting them, and
have been compelled to suspend this favor to per-
sons anxious TO get out of Dixie.
81 understand that government has adopted
some plan to regulate getting the cotton out oil
the country. do not know what plan they have
adopted, but am satisfied that any that can be
adopted, except for government to take the cot
| ton themselves, and rule out spectators alto
getLer, will be a bad one. | feel all army foi-
| lowers who are engaged in specializing OF the
| misfortunes Of their country, and reaily AIDING
he enemy more than they possibly could do by
| open treason, should be drafted at once and put
| in the first forlorn hope.
| "I move nv headquarters to North Carthage
| tomorrow. This whole country Is under water,
except strips of land behind the levees along the
| river and bayous, which makes operations almost
/ impossible | struck upon q plan which Thought
| would give me a foothold on the east bank of the
Mississippi before the enemy could oher any great
resistance. But the difficulty OF the last one and
| a half miles next to Carthage makes i. so tedious
| that the enemy can not fail to discover my plans
| am dopg nv best, and am full of hope for com
| plete success. Tine has been consumed, but It II
absolutely impossible TO avoid 1t. An attack upon
| the rebel works at any time since arrived mere
must inevitably have resulted in the loss Of large
portion of my army, II not 10 an entlre oeieat
There ere but two points Of land, Haines Glni
and NIeksbuIg itself, out Of water al an
place from which troops could msrcn
these are ,thoreughly fortified, and it woul'
be follv to attack them long as Their
is a prospect of turning their position.
| never expect TO have sn army under my com
mand whipped, unless il is very badly whlppe
and can, help II. but | have no idea Of being
driven 10 do desperate or foolish act oy IN
| hoylings of the press. Il is painful to me, as
matter of course, to see the course pursued Q
some of the papers. But there Is no one les
disturbed by them than myself ] have neve
sought large command. and have no amoitou
ends to accomplish. Were II not for the yer
natural desire Of proving myself equal TO an
| tbing expected Of me- and the evidence my rem. .
| ysI 1opId afford thai was not thought equal !
, ! il, would gladly accept less responsible pos
tiop. have no desire to be an object OF envy
| jealousy, nor TO have this war continue. 1 wan
and Will DO my part towards it., to put DOM u
| rebellion in the shortest possible time, wltho'
expecting or desiring any other Recognition than
!. quiet approval OF my course.
"I beg that you viii destroy this letter; at lea
DO not show Il.
Julia and the children are here, bat viii go |
by the first good boat. l se1t for her 10 con
down and get instructions about some business
wan. attended to, and see no Immediate prospe
r | OF attending TO myself. ULYSSES