Grant: An Address Delivered at the 23d Annual Reunion of the Old Soldiers and Sailors Association of Jo Daviess County, Turner Hall, Galena, August 15, 1905 #223148

I write this now as a grateful acknowledgment for the almostinestimable service you have done the country. When you first reached the vicinity of Vicksburg, I thought you should do what you finally did, march the troops across the neck, run the batteries with the transports, and thus go below; and I never had any faith, except a general hope that you knew better than I, that the Yazoo Pass expedition and the like could succeed. When you got below and took Port Gibson, Grand Gulf and vicinity, I thought you should go down the river and join General Banks, and when you turned northward, east. Of the Big Black, I feared it was a mistake. I now wish to make a personal acknowledgment that vou were right and I was ong. Much other evidence might. Be presented of the soldierly qualities of our commander were it necessary, but I will content myself with a brief reference to one or two.