Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-09-25

The following private letter from Gen. Grant,
furnished to the Tribune from a collection of
autographs, was written during the Vicksburg
campaign and while the papers were generally
" pitching into - Grant for his slowness 1t has
special significance in view Of the recent scurril-
Gus attempts to make democratic capital out Of
false assertions that Grant was concerned with
cotton thieves, on the Mississippi
MILLIKES's bend, La, April y, 1863.
Dear Father Your letter Of the 7th of April
has just this day reached me- | hasten 10 an
swer your interrogations When | left Mem
phis, with my past experience, prohibited trade
below Helena Trade to that point had preyl-
ously been opened by the treasury department
give no permits to buy cotton, and if | find any
one engaged in the business | send them out Of
the department and seize their cotton for the
government. | have given a few families per-
mission to leave the country and 10 take with
them so far as Memphis their cotton. In doing
this have been deceived by unprincipled specu-
lators, who have successfully smugged them
selves along with the army in spite Of orders
prohibiting them, and have been compelled to
suspend this favor to persons anxious to get out
Of Dixie. l understand that government has
adopted some plan 10 regulate getting the cotton
out Of the country.
] DO not know what plan they have adopted,
but am satisfied that any that can he adopted
except for government to take the cotton them
selves, and rule out spectators altogether, will
be a bad one feel all army followers who are
engaged in speculating off the misfortuns Of their
country, and really aiding the enemy more than
they possibly could DO by open treason, should
be drafted at once and put in the first torlorn
hope.
move my headquarters o. New Carthage to-
morrow. This whole country is under water
except strips Of land behind the leyees along the
river and bayOus, and makes operations almost
impossible. | struck upon 81 plan which
thought would give me a fo5thoi on the east
bank Of the Mississippi before the enemy could
offer any great resistance. But the J.thcul-
" Of the last one and q half miles next 20 Car
thage makes il 30 tedious that the enemy cannot
fail 70 discover my plans | am doing my best
and am full Of hope for success, Time has been
consumed, hut it was absolutely impossible 90
avoid it, An attack upon. the rebel works at
any time since [ arrived here, must inevitably
have resulted in the loss OF large portion of the
army, il not in an entire de;slt There we're
but two points Of land, tiaiues Bluff and Vcks-
Jury lt7tAl out Nl MAlcl Al any PldCt lluI4 WHICH
troops could march.
These are thoroughly fortified, and il would be
folly 70 attack them as long as there Is prospect
Of turning their position. never expected 70
have an army under my command whipped un-
less 1t is very badly whipped and can help it,
but have no idea Of being driven 10 iesper-
ate or foolish act By the h1wlings Of the press
Il Is painful 10 me, a matter Of course, o. see
the course pursued by some Of the papers. But
there is no one less disturbed by them than my
self / have never s1urhta large command. and
have no ambitious ends 10 accomplish. We're II
not for the very natural desire OF proving myself
equal TO anything expected Of me, and the evi-
dence my removal would atforl that was not
thought equal 20 il, would gisl.y accept a less
responsible position. have no desire To- be an
object Of envy or jealousy, nor to have this war
continue | want, and viii DO my part toward
il, TO put down the rebellion IN the shortest pos
sihle time without expecting or desiring any
other recognition than quiet approval Of my
course.
l leg that you VII. destroy this letter At
least, DO not show II.
Julis and the children are here, but will 20
mp by the first good boat. sent for her TO come
down and get Instructions about some business
| want attended TO, and see no immediate pros
pert Of attending 90 myself ULYSSES.