, and other border states, have no such excuse
and are therefore traitors at heart as well as in act. I should like
very much to see the letter Aunt Rachel wrote Clara! or a copy of it.
Can't you send it?

When I left Galena, Julia and the children were very well. Jesse had
been very sick for a few days but was getting much better. I have been
very anxious that you should spend the summer with us. You have never
visited us and I don't see why you can't. Two of you often travel
together, and you might do so again, and come out with Clara. I do not
like to urge anything of the kind, lest you should think that I
ignored entirely the question of economy, but I do not do so. The fact
is I have had my doubts whether or not it would not be more prudent
for all of you to lock up and leave, until the present excitement
subsides. If father were younger and Simpson strong and healthy, I
would not advise such a course. On the contrary, I would like to see
every Union man in the border slave states remain firm at his post.
Every such man is equal to an armed volunteer at this time in defence
of his country. There is very little that I can tell you that you do
not get from the papers. Remember me to all at home and write to me at
once, to this place.

BROTHER ULYSSES.

[Grant is now assisting in the adjutant-general's office, as requested
by Governor Yates. In connection with the call for troops and the
enthusiastic response, he says elsewhere, "There was not a State in
the North of a million inhabitants that would not have furnished the
entire number faster than arms would have been supplied to them, if it
had been necessary."]

GENERAL HEAD-QUARTERS, STATE OF ILLINOIS,
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE

Springfield,
May 2nd, 1861.

DEAR FATHER:

Your letter of the 24th inst was received the same evening one I had
written to Mary was mailed. I would have answered earlier but for the
fact I had just written.

I am not a volunteer, and indeed could not be, now that I did not go
into the first Company raised in Galena. The call of the President was
so promptly responded to that only those companies that organized at
once, and telegraphed their application to come in, were received. All
other applications were filed, and there are enough of them to furnish
Illinois quota if the Army should be raised to 300,000 men. I am
serving on the Governor's staff at present at his request, but suppose
I shall not be here long.

I shoul