Your suspicions as to my being neglected are entirely unfounded, for I know it was the intention to give me a brigade if I had not been promoted. Application would have been made to have me assigned arbitrarily as senior colonel from Illinois for the purpose.
I want to hear from you or Mary often. I sent you the Daily Democrat, thinking that would keep you better posted in this section than I could, and it is a cheap correspondent.
I wrote to you that I should like to have Mary go out to Galena and stay some time. I do not want Julia to leave Galena, being anxious to retain my residence after the many kindnesses received from the people there.
I only arrived at this place last night and cannot tell you much about things here. The people however are generally reported to be secessionists.
ULYS.
[September 4th, Grant had removed headquarters from Cape Girardeau to Cairo, Ill. Hearing that the Confederates were about to seize Paducah, Ky., he went there immediately, arriving there a few hours before the enemy, who returned to Columbus. Before leaving Grant addressed a short proclamation to the citizens promising them protection. Troops were left to guard the city.
To his sister Mary.]
Cairo,
September 11th, 1861.
DEAR SISTER: