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[489] But I called at his house soon after—within a day or two—and found that he was living in the country about six hours, by rail, from Paris. I am to meet him at dinner on the 23d when he comes in for the night.

Very Truly Yours,


Letter no. Twenty-six.

This extremely interesting and important historical letter was written in reply to one from me, asking for information in regard to General Grant's visit to the North in August, 1864, when he relieved Hunter, and placed Sheridan in command in the Valley of Virginia. When I made the inquiry I was preparing the account of Sheridan's Campaign.

A large number of boxes, presents, addresses, freedoms of cities, etc., had been left by General Grant at my house when he quitted England, and I had inquired what disposition he wished made of them.

Hotel Bristol, Paris, Nov. 17th 1877.
Dear General,—Your letter of yesterday reminds me that I neglected to answer yours about Sheridan. As you may remember—or have data to show—I ordered first one then the second Div. of Sheridan's Cavalry Corps to the department commanded by Gen. Hunter. About the time the second division was going I visited General Hunter at Monocacy, where I found his army encamped promiscuously around over the fields in the neighborhood, and a very large amount of railroad rolling-stock concentrated about there. I asked Gen. Hunter where the enemy was. He said he did not know, his orders kept coming so rapidly from Washington directing him to move here and there to keep between the enemy and the National Capital that he could do nothing towards locating or pursuing the enemy. I told him that I would find out where he was, and put the whole army, railroad trains and all, in motion for the Valley of Va. knowing full-well—no matter where the enemy might be at the time—that when the rich storehouse


S. S. Scranton and Co., Hartford, 1887.

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