General Grant Koepke

Dear Journal,                                                                                                                 January 1, 1864 1863 has been quite a year. I miss my family all the time. President Lincoln is suffering in office and I am surprised he has not yet quit. In January, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This document frees all slaves from bondage. Although this does grant the freedom of so many, none of the southern slaves were freed, because the south believes it doesn't apply to them. In May, Lee won a victory at Chancellorsville. Despite the toll he took on our troops, he lost his trophy horse. His General Jackson was shot by one of his own men. I imagine a ...

Dear Journal,                                                                                                              December 23, 1862 This has been quite the year, I feel as though the war has really picked up. We really needed to gain c ontrol of rivers and supply lines west of the Appalachians , so my troops, Commodore Foote, and my self, launched an attack on Fort Henry . The Confederates eventually surrendered . But the Confederate Brigadier General, led his troops to  Fort Donelson,which we captured .  When the Confederate general in charge of the fort asked us to surrender I told him, n o terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted . Then in March the Iron G...

See link for 1861 Ulysses S. Grant Rap:  https://youtu.be/3YhOUvvX5d0 Lyrics: 1861 you know we had fun I started in the infantry And now I'm on a run July was pretty great, we didn’t procrastinate They gave me brigadier general which was pretty literal Then came commander of the southeast, Missouri was a bit of a beast But that's to say the least, next comes ‘62 And you know i'll be rocking blue, I'm dedicated to the union and my men too

Dear Journal, I have not had a lot of time to write this year, but for future historians this is important. Every waking moment I think about my family and how I can not wait to kiss my dear Julia's face and hug my dear children. I have been promoted multiple times. I had originally enlisted and became colonel of the 21st Illinois Infantry . In July I was given the position of brigadier general which I had been expecting. Soon after I was promoted to be command of the District of Southeast Missouri. Ev erything around here moves so quickly. I had hoped this war would be over soon, but from the looks of things it wont be. The union has also decided to to start an income tax in order to pay for war supplies. They must be serious about this war. George B. McClellan was given the position of General in September. He is quite a spectacle. What a mysterious young man. I keep thinking about my family and how much I want to leave, but then I remember what I am fighting for. "We F...

My Dearest, Julia, President Lincoln has called for 75,000 military volunteers . We discussed this and I know you do not support my decision to enlist, but I regret to inform you that I did. I have pride for my country and I refuse to just sit here and watch our country fall apart. Our country needed me. My love for you only grows stronger everyday. Just know, I am doing this for you and our children. Tell Jesse, Fred, Nellie, and Buck that their father loves them . I know it is going to be hard to manage my father while I am gone, but you and I both know in our hearts that slavery is awful, despite what my father believes about your family . I have a feeling that my promotion to Colonel is coming soon . The food here is truly awful and I already miss your cooking. We have to eat these crackers called "Hartack Crackers" and I almost broke my tooth. They are horrible, yet they are what is available. I just kept thinking about your delicious apple pie. The war should be ove...