Friday, 11th–The Iowa Brigade turned over their tents and camp equippage to the general quartermaster, preparatory to going up the river. General Grant is now at the head of all the armies of the United States, just where we have wanted him ever since the surrender of Vicksburg.[1]
[1] After Vicksburg, General Grant was sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and succeeded in raising the siege there, and then at Knoxville, defeating two Confederate armies all in the space of a few days. That covered Grant with glory in the estimation of us Western men, and we then declared that he was the man to send to Washington, D. C, and to take command of the Eastern as well as the Western army.—A. G. D.