![[CIVIL WAR]. GRANT, Ulysses S. (1822-1885). Autograph letter signed ("U.S. Grant"), as Lt. General, to E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 1 page, 4to, matted and framed. Marked "Cipher" at top and at bottom. FINE.](https://www.christies.com.cn/img/LotImages/2005/NYR/2005_NYR_01534_0255_000(102121).jpg?w=1)
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[CIVIL WAR]. GRANT, Ulysses S. (1822-1885). Autograph letter signed ("U.S. Grant"), as Lt. General, to E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 1 page, 4to, matted and framed. Marked "Cipher" at top and at bottom. FINE.
GRANT PREPARES TO REPLACE GEORGE THOMAS JUST PRIOR TO THE BATTLE OF NASHVILLE
A fine war date letter, showing Grant's impatience with a slow-moving subordinate. He tells Stanton--in a message to be sent to the Secretary in cipher--that "You probably saw my order to Thomas to attack. If he does not do it promptly I want to recommend superceeding him by Schofield, leaving Thomas subordinate. Steele is an admirable Corps commander and I would say order him to report to Canby until there is an opening to put him in command of a Corps. I would have no objection, would like Steele appointed to command of the 9th Corps and Parke ordered to report to Canby." Thomas, "the Rock of Chickamauga," was one of a handful of Virginia generals to remain loyal to the United States in 1861. He fought at Shiloh and Stone River before his famous stand at Chickamauga in 1863. He led the Army of the Cumberland at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, but Grant lost patience with him during the Atlanta campaign for what he thought was excessive caution or possibly even lingering Southern sympathy. Thomas repeatedly postponed a move against Hood's forces to support Sherman's march to the sea. After rough fighting at Franklin on 30 November, Thomas repaired to Nashville. Grant ordered him to attack Hood immediately, but Thomas said he needed more time to prepare for a decisive battle. On 9 December Grant ordered him relieved, but Thomas -- who outnumbered Hood 2-1 -- said he was now ready to move and the order was suspended. When weather caused another delay, Grant ordered Gen. John Logan to replace him. Before he arrived, however, Thomas launched his attack at Nashville on 15-16 December 1864. Schofield (1831-1906) was still a subordinate, commanding a crucial reserve force. Thomas's "masterly" tactical plan (Boatner, 579) had two Union corps attacking Hood's left, while a weaker, diverting attack hit Hood's right flank. Schofield's force stood ready to support and exploit both these thrusts. The combined Union forces enveloped and demolished Hood's lines, capturing (according to Thomas's figures) over 4,000 troops, and even three generals. Far from being canned, Thomas got promoted to Major General and won an official expression of thanks from the Congress.
GRANT PREPARES TO REPLACE GEORGE THOMAS JUST PRIOR TO THE BATTLE OF NASHVILLE
A fine war date letter, showing Grant's impatience with a slow-moving subordinate. He tells Stanton--in a message to be sent to the Secretary in cipher--that "You probably saw my order to Thomas to attack. If he does not do it promptly I want to recommend superceeding him by Schofield, leaving Thomas subordinate. Steele is an admirable Corps commander and I would say order him to report to Canby until there is an opening to put him in command of a Corps. I would have no objection, would like Steele appointed to command of the 9th Corps and Parke ordered to report to Canby." Thomas, "the Rock of Chickamauga," was one of a handful of Virginia generals to remain loyal to the United States in 1861. He fought at Shiloh and Stone River before his famous stand at Chickamauga in 1863. He led the Army of the Cumberland at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, but Grant lost patience with him during the Atlanta campaign for what he thought was excessive caution or possibly even lingering Southern sympathy. Thomas repeatedly postponed a move against Hood's forces to support Sherman's march to the sea. After rough fighting at Franklin on 30 November, Thomas repaired to Nashville. Grant ordered him to attack Hood immediately, but Thomas said he needed more time to prepare for a decisive battle. On 9 December Grant ordered him relieved, but Thomas -- who outnumbered Hood 2-1 -- said he was now ready to move and the order was suspended. When weather caused another delay, Grant ordered Gen. John Logan to replace him. Before he arrived, however, Thomas launched his attack at Nashville on 15-16 December 1864. Schofield (1831-1906) was still a subordinate, commanding a crucial reserve force. Thomas's "masterly" tactical plan (Boatner, 579) had two Union corps attacking Hood's left, while a weaker, diverting attack hit Hood's right flank. Schofield's force stood ready to support and exploit both these thrusts. The combined Union forces enveloped and demolished Hood's lines, capturing (according to Thomas's figures) over 4,000 troops, and even three generals. Far from being canned, Thomas got promoted to Major General and won an official expression of thanks from the Congress.