Campaigning with GrantIn 1863 Horace Porter, then a captain, met Ulysses S. Grant as Grant commenced the campaign that would break the Confederate siege at Chattanooga. After a brief stint in Washington, Porter rejoined Grant, who was now in command of all Union forces, and served with him as a staff aide until the end of the war. Porter was at Appomattox as a brevet brigadier general, and this work, written from notes taken in the field, is his eyewitness account of the great struggle between Lee and Grant that led to the defeat of the Confederacy. As a close-up observer of Grant in the field, Porter was also able to draw a finely detailed, fully realized portrait of this American military hero-his daily acts, his personal traits and habits, and the motives that inspired him in important crises-rendered in the language that Grant used at the time. Porter intended to bring readers into such intimate contact with the Union commander that they could know him as well as those who served by his side. He acquits himself admirably in this undertaking, giving us a moving human document and a remarkable perspective on a crucial chapter of American history. |
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Common terms and phrases
advance afternoon afterward Appomattox rivers arrived artillery assault attack battle brigade Burnside Burnside's Butler camp campaign captured cavalry chief cigar City Point Cold Harbor Colonel command communication Confederate coöperation crossed despatch direction division Early enemy enemy's line eral feel field fight fire flank force Fort Fisher forward front general-in-chief general's ground guns Halleck Hancock Hancock's corps hand headquarters Horace Porter horse infantry instructions intrenchments J. E. B. Stuart James River Lee's army Lincoln looked Meade's miles military morning move movement never night north side o'clock officers orders Petersburg position Potomac present President prisoners Railroad Rawlins reached rear received remarked replied Richmond ride road rode saying Secretary of War Sedgwick sent Sheridan Sherman soldier soon Spottsylvania staff staff-officers started telegraphed tent tion took troops turned Union army vigorous Virginia Virginia Central Railroad Warren Washington wounded
Popular passages
Page 461 - In reply, I would say that, peace being my great desire, there is but one condition I would insist upon, namely: that the men and officers surrendered shall be disqualified for taking up arms again against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged.
Page 459 - GENERAL : — I have received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the opinion you express on the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia...
Page 460 - April 7, 1865. GENERAL RE LEE Commanding CSA The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States army known as the Army of Northern Virginia.
Page 495 - Mr. President, I accept the commission, with gratitude for the high honor conferred. With the aid of the noble armies that have fought in so many fields for our common country, it will be my earnest endeavor not to disappoint your expectations. I feel the full weight of the responsibilities now devolving on me ; and I know that if they are met, it will be due to those armies, and above all, to the favor of that Providence which leads both nations and men.
Page 286 - There are many officers to whom these remarks are applicable to a greater or less degree, proportionate to their ability as soldiers, but what I want is to express my thanks to you and McPherson as the men to whom, above all others, I feel indebted for whatever I have had of success.
Page 286 - I feel all the gratitude this letter would express, giving it the most flattering construction. " The word you I use in the plural, intending it for McPherson also. I should write to him, and will some day, but starting in the morning, I do not know that I will find time just now. " Your friend, "US GRANT,
Page 361 - I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah, with one hundred and fifty heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, and also about twenty-five thousand bales of cotton.
Page 287 - I believe you are as brave, patriotic, and just as the great prototype, Washington ; as unselfish, kind-hearted, and honest as a man should be, but the chief characteristic is the simple faith in success you have always manifested, which I can liken to nothing else than the faith a Christian has in a Savior.
Page 476 - The arms, artillery, and public property to be parked and stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage.
Page 466 - VI. .April 9, 1865. GENERAL : — I received your note of this morning on the picketline, whither I had come to meet you and ascertain definitely what terms were embraced in your proposition of yesterday with reference to the surrender of this army. I now request an interview in accordance with the offer contained in your letter of yesterday for that purpose. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, RE LEE, General To LIEUT.-GEN.