AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM GENERAL GRANT--SHERMAN LIVING IN NEW YORK--HIS IMMENSE POPULARITY WITH ALL AMERICANS--LETTERS FROM HIM--EXHIBITED LIKE A CIRCUS--NO UNION MAN LEFT IN FOREIGN SERVICE BY CLEVELAND--HE WRITES FOR THE MAGAZINES-- MAGAZINES AGAIN--APPROVES MY ARTICLE IN THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW ON THE MARCH TO THE SEA--HUMBLEST UNION MAN BETTER PATRIOT THAN THE PROUDEST SOUTH CAROLINA REBEL--SHERIDAN DYING--CONGRESS SHOULD MAKE RANK OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL PERMANENT--HIS RECEPTION AT COLUMBUS--DEATH OF MRS. SHERMAN-- ABOUT HIS MEMOIRS--NO PROFIT--THE ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE AT CINCINNATI--MY POEM THERE--AN ODD INTERVIEW AT THE WHITE HOUSE--CONVERSATIONS WITH SECRETARY BLAINE--DEATH OF THE GREAT GENERAL--SPEECHES ABOUT HIM IN THE SENATE--I AM AGAIN APPOINTED TO SWITZERLAND. I was now in the West working on my “Iowa in War Times” and sometimes writing an article for the magazines. Many documents and important autograph letters were put in my hands from all over the country. One of the most interesting of these was from General Grant. It has never been printed and I give it here because it was possibly the only letter he ever wrote during a battle. It was at Black River bridge, Grant was sitting on his horse, Lawler’s brigade had just made a successful charge on the intrenchments. An officer from the Headquarters at Washington rides up to the General with an important order. It is for him to abandon his Vicksburg campaign, and join Banks with his army. “Do you see that charge?” said the General. “You are too late.” He wrote this letter sitting there on his saddle, and the Vicksburg battles and successes followed. Had Grant gone to Banks, the latter would have been chief in command. Grant’s great career would not have had even a beginning. This very minute was the great crisis in General Grant’s life! May 17th, 10:30 A. M. DEAR GEN.: Lawler’s brigade stormed the enemy’s works a few minutes since, carried it, capturing from 2,000 to 3,000 prisoners, 10 guns so far as heard from, and probably more will be found. The enemy have fired both bridges. A. J. Smith captured 10 guns this morning, with teams, men and ammunition. I send you a note from Col. Wright. Yours, U. S. GRANT, _Maj. Gen_. Maj. Gen. Sherman, Com’d’g 17th Army Corps. I still received an occasional letter from General Sherman. As these were often strong, characteristic and interesting, I copy a number.