Lot 313

U.S. Grant ALS: Final Push of the Civil War, 16 Days Before Surrender

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U.S. Grant ALS: Final Push of the Civil War, 16 Days Before Surrender

Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000

Current Bid: $5,500

(5 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Ulysses Grant
City Point, VA, March 24, 1865
U.S. Grant ALS: Final Push of the Civil War, 16 Days Before Surrender
ALS

Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885). Autograph letter signed, "U.S. Grant," 2pp, on bifold "Head Quarters Armies of the United States" stationery, 7.75" x 9.75", City Point, Virginia, March 24, 1865. Right inner page blank. Docketing in pencil at verso. Expected transmittal folds with minor separation at edges and tiny loss at fold intersections, not affecting text. Light toning and scattered soiling. In near fine condition.

Provenance: From the collection of Larry Berra, son of baseball legend Yogi Berra.

On March 24, 1865, the day he penned this letter, Grant welcomed President Abraham Lincoln to his City Point, Virginia, headquarters. This visit, arranged by Julia Grant to provide a restful respite, allowed Lincoln to meet with Grant and General William T. Sherman to plan the final stages of the Civil War. This day marked a critical turning point, as Grant simultaneously issued general orders for his final offensive to break the Confederate lines around Petersburg and Richmond, utilizing Union General Philip Sheridan's cavalry, with the campaign scheduled to begin on March 29th.

Here, Grant writes to Major General Edward Otho Cresap Ord (1818-1883) in preparation for a swift, coordinated movement to destroy Robert E. Lee's army, just sixteen days before Lee's surrender.

In full:

"Maj. Gen. E.O.C. Ord,
Comdg. Dept. of Va.
General,

A dispatch from Gen. Sheridan of Tuesday said that he would be able to start from "White House" on Saturday and that he would come by James Bridge if practicable. He had sent an officer to examine the route and would report to me. If he comes by that route he thought he would require no cooperation from your troops. I have not heard from him since and have deferred giving you orders in consequence.

In the absence of further instructions you may move out to-morrow and open the route by Long Bridge in the manner proposed in your note of this date. As there is no instruction of using Bottom's Bridge there is no necessity of risking detachments of troops there.

Very respectfully your obt. svt.
U.S. Grant
Lt. Gen."

It was during this time that Ord's career peaked. Assigned command of the Army of the James during the Appomattox Campaign, Ord led a forced march to Appomattox Court House to relieve Sheridan's cavalry and force Lee's surrender. General Sherman said that he had always understood that Ord's "skillful, hard march the night before was one of the chief causes of Lee's surrender."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 9.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000