War-dated brief ALS, in pencil, signed “U. S. Grant, Lt. Gen,” one page, 5 x 3, April 2, 1865. An urgent military query to General George Meade, in full: “6:40 am, April 2d, 1865, Maj Gen Meade, Is Humphrey engaged yet? U. S. Grant, Lt. Gen.” In very good condition, with some scattered light soiling, a couple of small stains touching the date, a crease below the signature, a few wrinkles, and mounting remnants on reverse.
Grant’s brief yet incredibly historic question dates to practically the very moment Grant’s army broke through Confederate lines at the Fall of Petersburg. Grant had almost encircled Robert E. Lee’s army a day early and began a frontal assault shortly after midnight. After battling through the night, the general checked with his fellow officers, like Meade, whether all Northern forces were engaged. Some twenty minutes later, a Rebel retreat had begun. By the time Major General Andrew A. Humphreys received the order to attack, Confederate troops had already begun to fall back, but his Union troops still pushed forward engaging with a few Confederate pickets. On April 3, Richmond, now uncovered by Lee's army, fell to Union forces, completing a major objective of the war and leading to the South’s surrender a few days later at Appomattox Court House. A simple question with underlying historical importance! Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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