iro, Prentiss at
Ironton, and I presume Curtis will be with the command under me.

General Hunter is at Chicago, but I look upon that as temporary. I
have not heard of any command being assigned him as yet, and do not
know that he has sufficiently recovered from wounds received in the
late engagements in Virginia to take the field. Hunter will prove
himself a fine officer.

The letters spoken of by you have not all been received. One sent to
Galena I got and answered. My promise to write to you every two weeks
has been complied with, and however busy I may be I shall continue to
write if it is but a line.

I am now probably done shifting commands so often, this being the
fourth in as many weeks.

Your suspicions as to my being neglected are entirely unfounded, for I
know it was the intention to give me a brigade if I had not been
promoted. Application would have been made to have me assigned
arbitrarily as senior colonel from Illinois for the purpose.

I want to hear from you or Mary often. I sent you the _Daily
Democrat_, thinking that would keep you better posted in this section
than I could, and it is a cheap correspondent.

I wrote to you that I should like to have Mary go out to Galena and
stay some time. I do not want Julia to leave Galena, being anxious to
retain my residence after the many kindnesses received from the people
there.

I only arrived at this place last night and cannot tell you much about
things here. The people however are generally reported to be
secessionists.

ULYS.

[September 4th, Grant had removed headquarters from Cape Girardeau to
Cairo, Ill. Hearing that the Confederates were about to seize Paducah,
Ky., he went there immediately, arriving there a few hours before the
enemy, who returned to Columbus. Before leaving Grant addressed a
short proclamation to the citizens promising them protection. Troops
were left to guard the city.

To his sister Mary.]

Cairo,
September 11th, 1861.

DEAR SISTER:

Your letter with a short one from Father was received yesterday, and
having a little time I answer it.

The troops under me and the rebel forces are getting so close together
however that I have to watch all points. Since taking command I have
taken possession of the Kentucky bank opposite here, fortified it and
placed four large pieces in position. Have occupied Norfolk, Missouri,
and taken possession of Paducah. My troops are so close to the enemy
as to occasionally ex