Grant Grant's Orders

[Cavalry Charger]

"On the 2d of August I was ordered from Washington to live upon the country, on the resources of citizens hostile to the government, so far as practicable. I was also directed to 'handle rebels within our lines without gloves', to imprison them, or to expel them from their homes and from our lines. I do not recollect having arrested and confined a citizen (not a soldier) during the entire rebellion. I am aware that a great many were sent to northern prisons, particularly to Joliet, Illinois, by some of my subordinates with the statement that it was my order. I had all such released the moment I learned of their arrest; and finally sent a staff officer north to release every prisoner who was said to be confined by my order. There were many citizens at home who deserved punishment because they were soldiers when an opportunity was afforded to inflict an injury to the National cause. This class was not of the kind that were apt to get arrested, and I deemd it better that a few guilty men should escape than that a great many innocent ones should suffer."

The Complete Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant - p.141

The notion of living off the land had come earlier to Grant, according to my reading, but in this extract he states he was 'ordered from Washington' to do this. I am wondering if anyone knows anymore about the order at the time it was issued?

Also, it seems civilians, as well as soldiers, were captured and imprisoned during the war, but not by Grant's orders. He saw some as culpable, but preferred the innocent should not suffer. These were Grant's thoughts mid 1862 according to his memoirs. I recall hearing only once of civilian capture, but am wondering what others know about these occurrences.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

OK. Resurrecting this thread in case there may be any interest in discussing the OP.

It relates both to orders Grant states he received, and orders which he states he did not give.

Orders being a vital aspect of the military, of course.

 

[alan polk]

Great thread! I don't know the answer but am anxious to see what others have to say.

My initial reaction was that Grant learned from his failed advance down the Centeal MS Railroad in 1862 (his supply base at Holly Springs destroyed by Confederate cavalry forcing him to withdraw into Memphis) and not so much from Washington.

Naturally, I had suspected it was a decision he made from experience and implemented it through his department, but I now see it may have involved a wider Federal policy in addition to his own.

I look forward to what more knowledgeable folks have to say!

 

[Bee]

"
The notion of living off the land had come earlier to Grant, according to my reading, but in this extract he states he was 'ordered from Washington' to do this. I am wondering if anyone knows anymore about the order at the time it was issued?

Got something, here: I happen to be toting around The Annotated Edition of the Memoirs (no small feat on the rail), so here is the footnote that immediately follows the passage in your OP:

30 Halleck issued this order, which included the following directive; "If necessary, take up all active sympathizers and either hold them as prisoner or put them behind our lines. Handle all that class without gloves and take their property for public use" PUSG, 5:244n

The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant: The Complete Annotated Edition, Edited by John F Marszalek, Savid S Nolen, Louie P Gallo​

 

[cash]

OR Series I, Vol 17, Part 2, p. 150:

 

[alan polk]

OR Series I, Vol 17, Part 2, p. 150:

View attachment 182192

Is Grant's "letter of the 28th just received" available? It would be interesting to see what sparked this reply.

 

[cash]

Is Grant's "letter of the 28th just received" available? It would be interesting to see what sparked this reply.

The annotation at the bottom of the page says, "Not found."

 

[cash]

Is Grant's "letter of the 28th just received" available? It would be interesting to see what sparked this reply.

PUSG Vol 5, p. 243:

 

[alan polk]

PUSG Vol 5, p. 243:

View attachment 182194

Thanks for that! The date is cut off in the post but I'm assuming that is July 28, 1862?

 

[Cavalry Charger]

OR Series I, Vol 17, Part 2, p. 150:

View attachment 182192

Thanks for reposting here @cash . I was going to ask you, and it's very helpful here in the context of the OP

 

[cash]

Thanks for that! The date is cut off in the post but I'm assuming that is July 28, 1862?

Yes. To get the date I would have to have the image smaller, and thus not quite as easy to read.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

OR Series I, Vol 17, Part 2, p. 150:

View attachment 182192

Interesting that in this order Halleck states Grant is to have all active sympathizers held prisoner or put beyond Union army's lines, which I assume also means turned out from their homes. Yet, Grant seems to disagree with the idea of holding them prisoner in his memoirs, stating that he did not give an order for civilians to be held, and

deemd it better that a few guilty men should escape than that a great many innocent ones should suffer."

Did Grant disagree with Halleck on this finer point? And prefer to follow the suggestion to turn sympathizers out rather than capture and imprison them?

 

[alan polk]

Thanks for those posts cash. It seems the '62 directives centered on civilians sympathetic to guerrillas. Those could be arrested or displaced and property taken for public use. It appears that a portion of that policy (excluding arrest or displacement) would be expanded in '63 to include civilians living in Confederate occupied or contested areas so that any civilian's property could be taken or destroyed but not necessarily arrested.