Summary:
In May, 1864, Union General David Hunter advanced in the Shenandoah Valley in
conjunction with Grant's drive toward Richmond. In this letter, Grant writes
Henry Halleck to discuss plans for the Valley. He mentions the importance to
Lee's army of supplies arriving on the branch road from Staunton, and the
consequent need to capture that town.
Maj.-Gen. HALLECK,
Washington, D. C.:
NEAR SPOTSYLVANIA COURT-HOUSE,
May 20, 1864.
In regard to the operations is it better for Gen. Hunter to engage in, with the disposable force at his command, I am a little in doubt. It is evident that he can move south, covering the road he has to guard, with a larger force than he can spare to be removed to re-enforce armies elsewhere. Then, too, under the instructions of Gen. Sigel, Crook was to get through to the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, cut New River bridge, and move eastward to Lynchburg, if he could; if not, to Fincastle, Staunton, and down the Shenandoah Valley. Sigel was to collect what force he could spare from the railroad, and move up the valley with a supply train to meet him. The enemy are evidently relying for supplies greatly on such as are brought over the branch road running through Staunton. On the whole, therefore, I think it would be better for Gen. Hunter to move in that direction; reach Staunton and Gordonsville, or Charlottesville, if he does not meet too much opposition. If he can hold at bay a force equal to his own, he will be doing good service.
In a letter to the Secretary of War, written about one week ago, I recommended Gen.'s Sherman and Meade for promotion to major-generals in the Regular Army, and Hancock for brigadier. I wish you would urge this again. The Secretary replied that there was but one vacancy for major-general. I think this must be a mistake. I was appointed before Gen. Wool was retired, or at least was notified of the fact that an original vacancy existed before his retirement. Gen. Wright is one of the most meritorious officers in the service, and with opportunity will demonstrate his fitness for any position; but at present I doubt whether Sheridan has not most entitled himself to the other vacant brigadier-generally. This, however, I would leave open for a time.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieut.-Gen.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1 , Volume 36, Serial No. 69, Pages 3-4, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
