I expect to hold it and have never had any other feeling either here or elsewhere but that of success.  I would write you many particulars but you are so imprudent that I dare not trust you with them; and while on this subject let me say a word.  I have not an enemy in the world who has done me so much injury as you in your efforts in my defence.  I require no defenders and for my sake let me alone.  I have heard this from various sources and persons who have returned to this Army and did not know that I had parents living near Cincinnati have said that they found the best feeling existing towards me in every place except there.

You are constantly denouncing other general officers and the inference with people naturally is that you get your impressions from me.  Do nothing to correct what you have already done but for the future keep quiet on this subject.

Mary wrote to me about an appointment for Mr. Nixon.  I have nothing in the world to do with any appointments, no power to make and nothing to do with recommending except for my own staff.  That is now already full.

If I can do anything in the shape of lending any influence I may possess in Mr. Nixon’s behalf I will be most happy to do so on the strength of what Mary says in commendation, and should be most happy if it could so be that our lot would cast us near each other.

I do not know what Julia is going to do.  I want her to go to Detroit and board.  She has many pleasant acquaintances there and she would find good schools for the children.

I have no time for writing and scarcely any for looking over the telegraphic columns of the newspapers.

My love to all at home.

ULYS.

[In late September, Grant went from Corinth to Jackson, Tennessee, “to superintend the movements of the troops to whatever point a threatened attack upon Bolivia might be made.”  Bolivia was then their most advanced position on the Mississippi Central Railroad.  The troops from Corinth were brought up in time to repel the threatened movement without a battle.

Iuka was a town twenty miles east of Corinth.  It was entered by General Price of the Confederate army on September 13th.  On the 19th he was defeated by Generals Rosecrans and Ord.  The battle of Corinth was won October 4th; Van Dorn was the leader of the Confederate forces, while Rosecrans commanded the Union troops.  Grant was now assured as to the safety of the territory that he had won.

To his sister Mary.]

Jackson, Tenn.,
October 16th, 1862.

DEAR SISTER: