The enigma of U.S. Grant is an ongoing puzzle to me and many other people. It’s hard to reconcile the failed farmer with the man who became the most successful general of the Civil War and afterward, the president of the United States.

I found this letter in the National Archives concerning a water tank constructed near General Grant’s headquarters at City Point. I think it sheds a little light into how Grant expected his soldiers to perform and perhaps a hint at why he was so successful as a general.

    March 24th 1865
Mr McAlpine,
 Dear Sir.
  The General commanding directs me to inform you that the tank ordered placed by the well in front of these HeadQuarters, by Lieut. Genl. Grant is utterly worthless and a discredit to the mechanics engaged upon it and the person who superintended its erection.

He wishes you would send someone to look to as soon as possible to prevent its coming to pieces

Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
S M Schummaker
Captain — —-

Note that I’m not sure about the spelling of this captains name or his position at HQ. I also find the letterhead kind of interesting. There were so many different letterheads found in those few archives that I perused that I have contemplated trying to make a list of the varieties.