![GRANT, Ulysses S. (1822-1885), Lt. General. Autograph letter signed ("U.S. Grant Brig. Gen. Com."), TO GENERAL LEONIDAS POLK, C.S.A. ("Maj. Gen. L. Polk Comdg. Confederate Forces, Columbus, Ky."); Head Quarters, Cairo [Illinois], 5 December 1861. 1¼ pages, 4to, minor soiling along one fold.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2000/NYR/2000_NYR_09364_0042_000(011317).jpg?w=1)
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GRANT, Ulysses S. (1822-1885), Lt. General. Autograph letter signed ("U.S. Grant Brig. Gen. Com."), TO GENERAL LEONIDAS POLK, C.S.A. ("Maj. Gen. L. Polk Comdg. Confederate Forces, Columbus, Ky."); Head Quarters, Cairo [Illinois], 5 December 1861. 1¼ pages, 4to, minor soiling along one fold.
GRANT TO LEONIDAS POLK: "BEING DISPOSED MYSELF TO VISIT A LIGHTLY AS POSSIBLE THE RIGOR OF A STATE OF WAR UPON NON COMBATANTS"
A rare letter between Commanders on opposite sides of the battle lines. Here, early in his command, Brigadier General Grant comments pointedly on the plight of the civilians divided by the war. He agrees to release a Confederate aide-de-camp and sends, under flag of truce, a woman who wishes to see her family behind Confederate lines. "I return to day Lieut. Col. Chappell, Aide-de-Camp to Gen. J. Thompson, who would have been sent yesterday had I been made aware that he desired to go back. I also permit Mrs [blank] of Evansville Indiana to accompany the Flag in the hope that you will permit her daughter, Mrs. Harris of Columbus and her son, a boy of some fourteen years of age, to visit her on the Truce boat. This lady also desires to bring back her son."
"In this behalf I do not intrude knowing nothing of any of the parties. Being disposed myself to visit a lightly as possible the rigor of a state of War upon non combatants I have permitted this lady to go to you to plead her own case. I would prefer however that she be not permitted to go ashore, but allowed to see her family under the Flag of Truce if it be your pleasure to grant her request. I am Gen. with great respect..."
Polk (1806-1913), an Episcopal Bishop before donning his Confederate grey uniform, had established headquarters at Columbus, Kentucky, twenty miles south of Cairo, and was seeking to enlist local residents in the rebel cause. "His troops were a threat to Missouri, Kentucky, and even Illinois" (McFeely, Grant, p.92). Grant, seeking to keep Polk off balance, had mounted an attack on Belmot, opposite Columbus on the Mississippi in early November. "If the action at Belmont was a battle, Grant lost; if a raid, he won" (McFeely, p.93). It was the first offensive action of the Civil War in which Grant had sole responsibility.
GRANT TO LEONIDAS POLK: "BEING DISPOSED MYSELF TO VISIT A LIGHTLY AS POSSIBLE THE RIGOR OF A STATE OF WAR UPON NON COMBATANTS"
A rare letter between Commanders on opposite sides of the battle lines. Here, early in his command, Brigadier General Grant comments pointedly on the plight of the civilians divided by the war. He agrees to release a Confederate aide-de-camp and sends, under flag of truce, a woman who wishes to see her family behind Confederate lines. "I return to day Lieut. Col. Chappell, Aide-de-Camp to Gen. J. Thompson, who would have been sent yesterday had I been made aware that he desired to go back. I also permit Mrs [blank] of Evansville Indiana to accompany the Flag in the hope that you will permit her daughter, Mrs. Harris of Columbus and her son, a boy of some fourteen years of age, to visit her on the Truce boat. This lady also desires to bring back her son."
"In this behalf I do not intrude knowing nothing of any of the parties. Being disposed myself to visit a lightly as possible the rigor of a state of War upon non combatants I have permitted this lady to go to you to plead her own case. I would prefer however that she be not permitted to go ashore, but allowed to see her family under the Flag of Truce if it be your pleasure to grant her request. I am Gen. with great respect..."
Polk (1806-1913), an Episcopal Bishop before donning his Confederate grey uniform, had established headquarters at Columbus, Kentucky, twenty miles south of Cairo, and was seeking to enlist local residents in the rebel cause. "His troops were a threat to Missouri, Kentucky, and even Illinois" (McFeely, Grant, p.92). Grant, seeking to keep Polk off balance, had mounted an attack on Belmot, opposite Columbus on the Mississippi in early November. "If the action at Belmont was a battle, Grant lost; if a raid, he won" (McFeely, p.93). It was the first offensive action of the Civil War in which Grant had sole responsibility.