had surrendered and the Civil War was
over.]

HEAD-QUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES

City Point, Va.,
March 19th, 1865.

DEAR FATHER:

I received your two letters announcing the death of Clara. Although I
had known for some time that she was in a decline, yet I was not
expecting to bear of her death at this time.--I have had no heart to
write earlier. Your last letter made me feel very bad. I will not state
the reason and hope I may be wrong in my judgment of its meaning.

We are now having fine weather and I think will be able to wind up
matters about Richmond soon. I am anxious to have Lee hold on where he
is a short time longer so that I can get him in a position where he
must lose a great portion of his army. The rebellion has lost its
vitality and if I am not much mistaken there will be no rebel army of
any great dimensions in a few weeks hence. Any great catastrophe to any
one of our armies would of course revive the enemy for a short time.
But I expect no such thing to happen.

I do not know what I can do either for Will. Griffith's son or for
Belville Simpson. I sent orders last fall for John Simpson to come to
these Head-Quarters to run between here and Washington as a mail
messenger, but he has not come. I hope this service to end now soon.

I am in excellent health but would enjoy a little respite from duty
wonderfully. I hope it will come soon.

My kindest regards to all at home. I shall expect to make you a visit
the coming summer.

Yours truly,

ULYSSES.

[On the 7th of January, 1865, a number of the principal
citizens of Philadelphia presented General Grant with a
house.]

HEAD-QUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES

Washington, D.C.,
May 6th, 1865.

>DEAR FATHER:

I have ordered a sixty days' furlough for Samuel A. He can be
discharged at any time after his return home. It will take probably
three weeks for my directions to reach him and for him to return.

I have just returned from Philadelphia leaving Mr. Cramer there. He can
describe our new house to you when he returns. My health is good but I
find so much to do that I can scarcely keep up with public business,
let alone answering all the private letters I receive. My going to
Philadelphia and spending half my time there as I hope to do, will give
me some leisure. I attend to public business there by telegraph and
avoid numerous calls taking up much time, or hope to do so.

My kind regards to all at home. I hope to h