Doc. 22. letter of General Grant:
Dear sir: I state to all citizens who visit me, that all we want now to insure an early restoration of the Union is a determined unity of sentiment North.
The rebels have now in their ranks their last men. The little boys and old men are guarding prisoners, guarding railroad bridges, and forming a good part of their garrisons or intrenched positions.
A man lost by them cannot be replaced.
They have robbed the cradle and the grave equally to get their present force.
Besides what they lose in frequent skirmishes and battles, they are now losing from desertions and other causes at least one regiment per day. With this drain upon them, the end is not far distant, if we will only be true to ourselves.
Their only hope now is in a divided North.
This might give them reinforcements from Tennessee, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri, while
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it would weaken us. With the draft quietly enforced, the enemy would become despondent, and would make but little resistance.
I have no doubt but the enemy are exceedingly anxious to hold out until after the Presidential election.
They have many hopes from its effects.
They hope a counter revolution.
They hope the election of a peace candidate.
In fact, like Micawber, they hope for something to “turn up.”
Our peace friends, if they expect peace from separation, are much mistaken.
It would be but the beginning of war, with thousands of Northern men joining the South because of our disgrace in allowing separation.
To have “peace on any terms,” the South would demand the restoration of their slaves already freed; they would demand indemnity for losses sustained, and they would demand a treaty which would make the North slave-hunters for the South; they would demand pay for the restoration of every slave escaped to the North.
Yours truly,
