To Ambrose E. Burnside1Jump to section
Cincinnati, O July 27 1863
Let me explain. In Gen. Grant's first despatch after the fall of Vicksburg, he said, among other things, he would send the Ninth Corps to you. Thinking it would be pleasant to you, I asked the Secretary of War to telegraph you the news. For some reason, never mentioned to us by Gen. Grant, they have not been sent, though we have seen out-side intimations that they took part in the expedition against Jackson. Gen. Grant is a copious worker, and fighter, but a very meagre writer, or telegrapher. No doubt he changed his purpose in regard to the Ninth Corps, for some sufficient reason, but has forgotten to notify us of it. A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, RPB. On June 4, the Ninth Corps was sent to reinforce Grant at Vicksburg, and after Vicksburg the corps took part in the campaign against Jackson, Mississippi. Halleck notified Burnside, 11:20 A.M., July 25, that ``whether the Ninth Corps will be returned to your department or sent to General Rosecrans will depend upon the enemy's movements.'' (OR, I, XXIII, II, 558). On July 31, Grant ordered the corps returned to its former command at Cincinnati.