is daily business and retire to a quiet
home without a feeling of responsibility for the morrow. Taking my
whole department, there are an immense number of lives staked upon my
judgment and acts. I am extended now like a peninsula into an enemy's
country, with a large army depending for their daily bread upon
keeping open a line of railroad running one hundred and ninety miles
through an enemy's country, or, at least, through territory occupied
by a people terribly embittered and hostile to us. With all this I
suffer the mortification of seeing myself attacked right and left by
people at home professing patriotism and love of country, who never
heard the whistle of a hostile bullet. I pity them and a nation
dependent upon such for its existence. I am thankful however that,
although such people make a great noise, the masses are not like them.

To all the other trials that I have to contend against, is added that
of speculators whose patriotism is measured by dollars and cents.
Country has no value with them compared with money. To elucidate this
would take quires of paper. So I will reserve this for an evening's
conversation, if I should be so fortunate as to again get home where I
can have a day to myself.

Tell the children to learn their lessons, mind their Grandma and be
good children. I should like very much to see them. To me they are all
obedient and good. I may be partial but they seem to me to be children
to be proud of.

Remember me to all at home,

Your brother

ULYS.

[Walnut Hills is a little north of Vicksburg. The position of
Vicksburg on high bluffs overlooking the river was inaccessible. After
five months of exposure and labor Grant at last attained his
preliminary object, getting his troops to the rear of the city. During
this time he would not communicate his plans to the public--this
movement to a point below Vicksburg from which to operate. The North
was much discouraged over the situation; voluntary enlistment ceased.
It was important to gain a decisive victory. In January, he assumed
command himself of the expedition. The siege lasted from May 10th to
July 4th. Johnston was the commander-in-chief of the Confederate
forces and was east of the troops besieging Vicksburg. Pemberton was
in command at Vicksburg.]

Walnut Hills, Miss.,
June 15th, 1863.

DEAR FATHER:

I have received several letters from Mary and yourself, but as I have
to deal with nineteen-twentieths of those receiv