probably be but a short time that she can stay, but so long as I
remain here this will be a pleasant place for her.--If the children
have not already been sent to Covington I told her to bring them with
her. In the last letter I received she said she was about sending them
to Covington.

I believe you have now got it all quiet on the Ohio. I hope it will
soon be so every place else. It does look to me that we now have such
an advantage over the rebels that there should be but little more hard
fighting.

Give my love to all at home. Write often and without expecting either
very prompt or very long replies.

ULYS.

[October 25th, Grant was placed in command of the Department of the
Tennessee and headquarters were established at Oxford, Miss.
Reinforcements continued to come from the North, and by November 2d,
he was prepared to take the initiative. This, he said, was a great
relief after two and a half months of continued defence over a large
district where every citizen was an enemy. On November 3d, Grant left
Jackson for the campaign against Vicksburg, which did not end until
July 4, 1863.

Vicksburg was very important to the enemy on account of its position.
It was the only link connecting the parts of the Confederacy separated
by the Mississippi. While held by the enemy, free navigation of the
river was impossible. During the winter of '62 to '63 there were
exceptionally heavy rains and continuous high water on the
Mississippi.

To his sister Mary.]

Oxford, Mississippi,
Dec. 15th, 1862.

DEAR SISTER:

Yesterday I received a letter from you and the children and one from
Uncle Samuel. To day I learned by telegraph that Father is at Holly
Springs, thirty miles north of here. Julia is there and as I expect
the railroad to be completed to this point by to-morrow I look for them
down. I shall only remain here to-morrow, or next day at farthest; so
that Julia will go immediately back to Holly Springs. It is a pleasant
place and she may as well stay there as elsewhere.

We are now having wet weather. I have a big army in front of me as
well as bad roads. I shall probably give a good account of myself
however notwithstanding all obstacles. My plans are all complete for
weeks to come and I hope to have them all work out just as planned.

For a conscientious person, and I profess to be one, this is a most
slavish life. I may be envied by ambitious persons, but I in turn envy
the person who can transact h