Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Character

Henry W. Halleck

The cautious general-in-chief who becomes Grant's chief of staff, and whose single well-timed suggestion — 'How would Sheridan do?' — changes the cavalry's fortunes.

supporting

Also known as Halleck, General Halleck, Major-General H. W. Halleck, Major-General Halleck, General H. W. Halleck

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, Henry W. Halleck is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Supersedes Fremont as commander of the Department of the Missouri; initially dismissive of Grant's plan but later authorizes the move on Fort Henry.

In the storyGeneral Halleck in Command—Commanding the District of Cairo—Movement on Fort Henry—Capture of Fort HenryOpen this moment free

Halleck occupies the awkward position of a senior commander whose caution Grant finds frustrating, yet whose institutional knowledge and quiet competence make him useful once Grant takes overall command. He sits in on Grant's interviews with Lincoln and, almost offhandedly, supplies the name that solves the cavalry problem. His presence in the memoir is a study in how the war's machinery depended on men who were neither heroes nor villains but simply useful at the right moment.

See Henry W. Halleck in General Halleck in Command—Commanding the District of Cairo—Movement on Fort Henry—Capture of Fort Henry Book page

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Character groups

High Command & Cavalry
Protagonist
Diverse Figures
Army of the Potomac
Grant's Inner Circle

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Grant’s severe sick headache—a physical manifestation of immense psychological strain—reaches its peak just as…

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In the story

Henry W. Halleck appears across 23 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Resignation—Private Life—Life at Galena—The Coming Crisis
Not mentioned in excerpts.
General Halleck in Command—Commanding the District of Cairo—Movement on Fort Henry—Capture of Fort Henry
Supersedes Fremont as commander of the Department of the Missouri; initially dismissive of Grant's plan but later authorizes the move on Fort Henry.
Investment of Fort Donelson
Department commander; does not approve or disapprove of Grant's move on Donelson but sends reinforcements and intrenching tools.
XXIII
Department commander; telegraphed misleading reports about Grant; ordered Grant to turn over command; later exonerated Grant.
XXV
Grant's superior; assumed command at Pittsburg Landing after Shiloh and ignored Grant.
Halleck Assumes Command in the Field—The Advance Upon Corinth—Occupation of Corinth—The Army Separated
Assumes command in the field at Pittsburg Landing, reorganizes the army into wings, and directs the cautious siege of Corinth. He ignores Grant's authority and orders slow, entrenched advances.
Chapter XXVII
Appointed general-in-chief and ordered to Washington; uncommunicative with Grant before departing.
The Campaign Against Vicksburg
General-in-chief; sends a dispatch confirming Grant's command over all troops in his department.
The Vicksburg Campaign: Running the Batteries
General-in-Chief; Grant acknowledges Halleck's support during the campaign.
Capture of Port Gibson — Grierson's Raid — Occupation of Grand Gulf — Movement Up the Big Black — Battle of Raymond
Grant anticipates Halleck's caution would disapprove of the independent campaign.
Movement Against Jackson—Fall of Jackson—Intercepting the Enemy—Battle of Champion's Hill
Grant's superior; Grant informs him of the plan to attack Jackson.
Battle of Black River Bridge—Crossing the Big Black—Investment of Vicksburg—Assaulting the Works
Union general-in-chief; his order to Grant to return to Grand Gulf arrives too late.
Siege of Vicksburg
General-in-chief who appreciates the situation and forwards reinforcements without being asked.
Retrospect of the Campaign
Sends dispatches regarding prisoners and orders for troop movements; expresses concern over Chattanooga.
XLIII
Chief of Staff who telegraphed congratulations and expressed concern for Burnside.
XLVI
Cautions Grant against sharing his plans with the President.
Commencement of the Grand Campaign—General Butler’s Position—Sheridan’s First Raid
Reports Sigel's retreat to Grant.
LII
Chief of Staff, recipient of Grant's letter.
Chapter LVII
Informs Grant of draft resistance scheme and suggests drawing troops from the field; involved in command disputes.
LVIII
Mentioned as someone whose caution might interfere with Grant's orders to Sheridan.
The End of the War — The March to Washington — One of Lincoln’s Anecdotes — Grand Review at Washington — Characteristics of Lincoln and Stanton — Estimate of the Different Corps Commanders
Sent to command Virginia; issues orders countermanding Sherman's authority, causing indignation.
Maps
Halleck is mentioned in the context of map-based strategic planning, particularly during the early stages of the war when he commanded in the West.
Endnotes
Recipient of several dispatches from Grant regarding the progress of the campaign.

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See Henry W. Halleck in i

See Henry W. Halleck in General Halleck in Command—Commanding the District of Cairo—Movement on Fort Henry—Capture of Fort Henry