New-York tribune., 1868-09-12
THE PRESIDENCY.
LETTER FROM GEN. GRANT.


Major Cen. Grant. to his father, from Milhken's
Rend Ia during the Vcksburg campaign.
We nrint il inst as it is, word for word. We
have po hesitation in saying that more re-
marlable document, and one that reflects more
credit upon the illustriOus writer, has not before
been given to the American people.
MmILKENs BEND La, April q, 1863
DEAR FATHER: Your letter of the 9TH of April has
lust this day reached me- hasten to answer your
,nterrogations When left Memphis. with my past
experience prohibited trade below Helena. Trade
10 that point had previously been opened by the
the Treasury Department, give no permits to buy
cotton and If find any engaged in the business
/ send them out of the Department and seize
thcir cotton for the Government. | have given
few families permission TO leave the country and TO
take with them so far as Memphis their cotton. In
doing this | have been deceived by unprncipled
speculators. who have successfully smuggled them
selves along with the army IN spite of orders pro
hibiting them, and have been compelled to suspend
this favor to persons anxious TO get out of Dixie.
Understand that Government has adopted some
plan 10 regulate getting the cotton of the coun
trv do not know what plan they have adopted,
bnt am satisfied that any that be adopted, except
for Government TO take the cotton themselves, and
rule out speculators altogether will be bad one. 1
feel an army followers who are engaged in sDecu-
lainr oil the misforunes 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 forlOrn hope.
/ move my headquarters to New-Carthage tO-mOr-
row This whole country is under water, except
strips of land behind the levees along the river and
bayous and makes operations almost impossible l
struck upon plan which thought would give me
foohold on the east bank of the Mississippi before
rfov,a llff IN
difficulty of the last one and half miles next to
Carthage makes it so tedious that the enemy cannot
fail TO discover my plans. l am doing my
best and am full of hope for complete
success Time has been consumed but il was
absolutely impossible 10 avoid it, An attack
upon the Rebel works at any time since l arrived
here must inevitably have resulted in the loss of a
large portion of my army if not IN entire defeat.
There were but two points of land Haines Bluff and
Vicksburg itself, out of water at any place from
which troops could march. These thoroughly
fortified and il wOuld be folly TO attack them as long
ar there is a prospect of turning their position. l
never expect to have army under my command
whipped unless it is very badly whipped and can't
help it. hut have no idea of being driven to do a
desperate or foolish act by the howlngs of
the press. 1t is painful TO me. as a
matter of course to the course pursued by some
of the papers. But there is less disturbed by
them than myself. have never sought "a large com
inand, and have no ambitious ends 10 accomplish.
Were it not for the very natural desire of proving
myself equal to anything expected of me,
and the evidence my removal would
afford that l was not thought equal
to it. would gladly accept less responsible POSI-
tion. / have desire to be an object of envy or
jealousy nor TO have this continue. want, and
will do my part toward it, 10 put down the rebellion
ia the slortest!possible time, without expecting or
desiring any other recognition than quiet approval
of my course.
beg that yOu will destroy this letter at least do
not show it.
Julia and the children are here, but will 60 up by
the frst good boat. sent for her to come down and
get instructions about some business want attended
TO- and see no immediate prospect of attending to
myself Ulysses.
An Irish Republican Club has been organized
at Erie, Penn.
The charter election in Alton, Illinois, on
Tuesday, resulted in a Democratic gain.
Tile Philadelphia Daily NerS for a long time
The leading representative of my policy" that city
Democratic organ, has taken ground In favor Of
Grant and Cofax.
The Democrats of Syracuse held an indoor
meeting last night which addressed by the Hon
John T. Hoffman. An outdoor meeting addressed
by Ocal speakers.
The largest demonstration ever held in East
Illinois took place Charleston, Coles Co. on the 1s
sIOO Tanners were in procession. Coles Co. viii give
1909 majority in November.
Messrs. Blodgett, Ward, and Steck addressed
The Republicans Of Colorado the 3lst The Far West
appreciates and supports the Union candidates quite
enthusiastically as the East.
In Cincinnati the Republicans have formed a
Grant aud Cofa1 cavalry battalion. The uniform con
ssts Of cavalry Jackets red caps with white top ana ye
low band with a star, body belts red, white and blue
Mr.. s. Castle, esq, of Cleveland addressed the
Grant OF Tifn, Seneca County, the 2sth ut The
Republicans OF Seneca County working in earnest,
and Union Grant Clubs are organized in every township
Grant Clubs are numerous in New Orleans;
nightly meetings held by OF the Ward Clubs and
the spirit Of the campaign high At the meeting Of
the CofaI Guards, on the Sd inst, 10 new members
signed the rolls.
On Wednesday evening, Aug 10, grand
Union torchlight procession and mass-meetng came off
At Virginia Nev and the latter addressed by sen
Htor stewart Judge Baldwin, and several others. John
A Collins presided
A great mass meeting of Republicans was held
on the markethouse lot, Philadelphia, Saturday even.
ing last The Grant and Colfax Clubs uni
form, presenting fine appearance. An eloquent address
made by Mr. T. j. Coffee
Speaking of q recent speech by Robert
TOombs, The Augusta (Ga.) National Republican says
I'VE repeat that Toombs expressed great indignation
that Gov Bullock had been killed, which fact is so
notorious that no Democrat in this city will have the
hardhOod to deny it,"
Arrangements are making in Chicago for the
greatest mass meeting OF the campaign to be held on
FI0 fla gg1 lUUf GaV