Description:

Gen. Grant authorizes the creation of a commission to investigate the methods by which Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army received supplies from Union Gen. Benjamin F. Butler's Department – Lincoln would engage on the subject just three days before his assassination!

Only weeks before Robert E. Lee's surrender, General Grant tells Major General Ord "to be extra watchful during the continuance of present high water..." – Grant was concerned that the rebels would take advantage of high water on the James and Appomattox rivers and attack with ram warships

ULYSSES S. GRANT (1822-1885) Autograph Letter Signed “U.S. Grant / Lt. Gen.,” 1.5p, 5” x 8”, separate sheets. On stationery headed “Headquarters Armies of the United States,” City Point, Va, January 19, 1865. To Major General Edward O.C. Ord, Commanding Dept. of Va. & N.C. On verso, mounting remnants including a strip across bottom of first page and top of second page, light show-through. Fine condition.

In full, “Your private note of this date is rec'd. I think your suggestion to appoint a Commission to investigate into the Norfolk trade matter a good one. I could not suggest better names for the Commission than those named by you. Go on with it and lose no time in having the Commission commence its work.”

On January 23, 1865, Ord wrote to Brig. Gen. John A. Rawlins, Grant’s Chief of Staff, enclosing “a letter from Major Read Recorder of the Commission now sitting at Norfolk for the investigation of frauds committed in this Department…” Brig. Gen. George H. Gordon was President of the Military Commission.

The Military Commission was created to investigate the methods by which Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's army received supplies from Union Gen. Benjamin F. Butler's Department. On February 13, 1865, the committees on commerce of both Houses of Congress, acting as a joint committee, directed to investigate the subject of trade with the rebellious States, held its first session. Gen. Gordon testified “I have been engaged here as president of a Military Commission ordered on the 19th of January, 1865 [the date of this letter], from headquarters Department of Virginia and North Carolina. The object of this commission was to investigate the extent and nature of the trade carried on through and from the port of Norfolk with the interior of Virginia.

On March 20, 1865, Gen. Grant sent to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, the proceedings of the Military Commission “held at Norfolk, Va., for the purpose of investigating and inquiring into the subject of alleged contraband trade, and abuses, under the Treasury, Trade, regulations. This Commission was ordered in pursuance of a telegram from the war Dept, of date Jan’y 16th, 1865.” In his Papers, Gen. Grant notes that the “commission recommended that eleven persons, including George W. Lane and U.S. Asst. Treasury Agent Benjamin H. Morse, be held for trial.”

Coincidently, on that same day, March 20, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln telegraphed Major General Ord, in full, “Is it true that George W. Lane is detained at Norfolk without any charge against him? And if so, why is it done?” Ord replied to Pres. Lincoln the next day: “It is not true that Geo W Lane is detained at Norfolk without any charges against him. Charges of a very serious nature are before the Secy of War against Lane of which [one] is that he made use of your name to cover flagrant violations of law thereby betraying the confidence bestowed in him.”

George W. Lane of Baltimore had procured a permit to bring out cotton from the Chowan River in North Carolina. His cargo and ship were seized at Norfolk, Virginia, where he was imprisoned by order of the Military Commission.

On March 31, 1865, Lane, Charles Whitlock, Ezra Baker, J.M. Renshaw and associates petitioned Pres. Lincoln for return of goods seized by military authorities, release from arrest, and trial before a civil tribunal. All had been accused of trading with the enemy. On April 11, 1865, Pres. Lincoln wrote to Brig. Gen. George H. Gordon, Norfolk. In full, “Send to me at once a full statement as to the cause or causes for which, and by authority of what tribunal, George W. Lane, Charles Whitlock, Ezra Baker, J. M. Renshaw, & others, are restrained of their liberty. Do this promptly & fully.” Three days later, Lincoln was assassinated. No reply from Gen. Gordon has been found.

In 2009, this letter was offered for sale at Bonhams with a presale estimate of $7,000-$9000 (catalogue description is included).

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