value.

I am interrupted so often while writing that my letters must
necessarily be very meagre and disconnected.

I hope you will let Mary go to Galena when Mother returns home. She
has never paid us a visit and I would like to have her make a long
one. I think it doubtful whether I will go home at all.

ULYSSES.

[The special instructions which Grant came from Jefferson City to
receive, assigned him to the command of southeastern Missouri and
southern Illinois. He was to have temporary headquarters at Cape
Girardeau during an expedition ordered for the capture of Colonel Jeff
Thompson, who was disputing with them the possession of southeastern
Missouri. This expedition was broken up on account of General Prentiss
leaving his command at Jackson and returning to St. Louis, offended at
being placed under a brigadier-general whom he believed to be his
junior. Grant says Prentiss' action was a great mistake. "He was a
very brave and earnest soldier," he writes long after. "No man in the
service was more sincere in his devotion to the cause for which we
were battling, none more ready to make sacrifices or risk life in
it."]

Cape Girardeau, Mo.,
August 31st, 1861.

DEAR FATHER:

Your letter of the 26th is just received. As to the relative rank of
officers (brigadiers) you are right but in all the rest you are
laboring under an erroneous impression. There has been no move made
affecting me which has not been complimentary rather than otherwise,
though calculated to keep me laboriously employed. I was sent to
Ironton when the place was weak and threatened with a superior force,
and as soon as it was rendered secure I was ordered to Jefferson
City, another point threatened. I was left there but a week when
orders were sent ordering me to this point, putting me in command
of all the forces in S.E. Missouri, South Illinois and everything
that can operate here. All I fear is that too much may be expected
of me. My duties will absorb my entire attention, and I shall try
not to disappoint the good people of Illinois, who, I learn from
every quarter, express an enthusiasm for me that was wholly
unexpected.--General Prentiss is not a particular favorite as you
suspect, nor is there a prejudice against him.

I think all the brigadiers are satisfied with the rank assigned them
by the President.

The brigadiers are not all up north as you suspect. I know of but one,
Hurlbut, who is there. General McClernand is at Ca