Head Quarters, Mil. Div. of the Miss.

                                                                        Chattanooga Ten.            Nov. 20^th 1863

J. Waters, Esq.

 

                        Dear Sir;

                                                Your letter of the 11^th inst. asking my opinion of the relative merits of the various arms used in service is just received.

 

            Between the various kinds now in service I see no great difference. Infantry however, in my opinion, should never be armed with “Breach Loading” weapons. With such arms they fire away all the ammunition that can be carried on a soldiers person too rapidly. In the hurry of loading, during an engagement, there is also danger of inserting the cartridge wrong and foremost.—For Cavalry however the “Breach Loading” gun, particularly those carrying seven or more charges, are infinitely to be prefered.

 

                                                                                    Very respectfully

                                                                                    your obt. svt.

                                                                                    U. S. Grant

                                                                                    Maj. Gen. U.S.A.

SOURCES