I have been stopped so often already in writing this that I have forgotten what I was going to write about.

Are you talking of paying Julia a visit?  I wrote to you and father about it several times but have failed to elicit an answer on that point.  I intended to have Julia, Miss and Jess come down here to pay me a visit but I hardly think it would be prudent at this time.  Hearing artillery within a few miles it might embarrass my movements to have them about.  I am afraid they would make poor soldiers.

Write to me again soon.

Good night.

ULYS.

[Simpson:  the brother next in age to General Grant.  To his sister Mary.]

Cairo,
September 25th, 1861.

Dear sister: 

I have just received your last letter, also another written by you about one month ago, which has followed me around until at length it reached this place.  I am very well, but have no news to communicate.

I had extended my lines nearly half way to Columbus and made reconnoissances frequently to within sight of the rebel camps, but my force has to be so reduced that it would be imprudent to make an attack now until I am reinforced.

I hope some day, if I am allowed to retain this command, to give a good account of ourselves.  Simpson’s death, though looked for for the last two years, causes me a great deal of sadness.  The day I heard of it, I received a number of letters from Galena.  In two or three of them his arrival at St. Paul was noted, and it was stated that he was no better.  Our family has been peculiarly blessed up to this time.  But few families of the same number have gone so many years without the loss of a single member.

I expect Father here as soon as Orvil returns to Galena.

Brother ULYS.

[Grant felt sure that Columbus could easily have been taken soon after the occupation of Paducah, and had asked more than once to be allowed to move against it.  As time went on it was so strongly fortified that it would have required a large force and a long siege to capture it.  General Fremont was in charge of the Department of Missouri.]

Cairo,
October 25th, 1861.

Dear sister: 

Have gone longer this time without writing to you than I intended and have no good excuse for it.  I have received two letters, at least, from you and father since my last, one of which wanted special answer.  As I have not that letter before me I may fail to answer some points.

As to my not taking Columbus there are several reasons for it which I understand perfectly and could make plain to any one else, but do not feel disposed to commit the reasons to paper.  As to the needlessness of the movements of troops I am a better judge than the newspaper reporters who write about it.  My whole administration of affairs seems to have given entire satisfaction to those who have the right to