Page:American Historical Review, Volume 12.djvu/119

 Letter of Grant to His Father IC9 5. Letter of Grant to his Father, on the Capture of ricksbitrg, 186^ The original of this letter is owned by Hon. Curtis Guild, sr., of Boston. It is brought to our attention by Professor Lawrence B. Evans, of Tufts College. Though it may be said to contain no new historical fact, the simplicity and directness with which it treats of great achievements must be thought characteristic and engaging. 'icKSBURG, July 6th 1S63 Dear Father, Vicksburg has at last surrendered after a siege of over forty days. The surrender took place on the morning of the 4th of July. I found I had continuously underestimated the force of the enemy both in men and Artillery. The number of prisoners surrendered was thirty thousand and two hundred. The process of parolling is so tedious however that many who are desirous of getting to their homes will escape before the paroling officers get around to them. The Arms taken is about 180 pieces of Artillery and over 30000 stand of small arms. The enemy still had about four days rations of flour and meat and a large quantity of sugar. The weather now is excessively warm and the roads intolerably dusty. It can not be expected under these circumstances that the health of this connnand can keep up as it has done. My troops were not allowed one hours idle time after the surrender but were at once started after other game. My health has coiuinued very good during the campaign which has just closed. Remember me to all at home. Ulysses [Indorsement :] This is an autograph letter from my son Ulysses S. Grant Lt Gen U. S. .. Tesse R Grant