FrankHowe。IfoundNewOrleansmachchangedsinceIhadbeenfamiliarwithitin1853andin1860—’61。Itwasfullofofficersandsoldiers。AmongtheformerwereGeneralT。W。Sherman，whohadlostalegatPortHudson，andGeneralCharlesP:Stone，whomI
knewsowellinCalifornia，andwhoisnowintheEgyptianserviceaschiefofstaff。ThebulkofGeneralBanks’sarmywasaboutOpelousas，undercommandofGeneralFranklin，readytomoveonAlexandria。GeneralBanksseemedtobeallready，butintendedtodelayhisdepartureafewdaystoassistintheinaugurationofacivilgovernmentforLouisiana，underGovernorHahn。InLafayetteSquareIsawthearrangementsofscaffoldingforthefireworksandbenchesfortheaudience。GeneralBanksurgedmetoremainoverthe4thofMarch，toparticipateintheceremonies，whichheexplainedwouldincludetheperformanceofthe\"AnvilChorus\"byallthebandsofhisarmy，andduringtheperformancethechurch—bellsweretoberung，andcannonsweretobefiredbyelectricity。Iregardedallsuchceremoniesasoutofplaceatatimewhenitseemedtomeeveryhourandeveryminutewereduetothewar。GeneralBanks’smovement，however，contemplatedmysendingaforceoftenthousandmeninboatsupRedRiverfromVicksburg，andthatajunctionshouldoccuratAlexandriabyMarch17th。Ithereforehadnotimetowaitforthegrandpageantofthe4thofMarch，buttookmydeparturefromNewOrleansintheDianatheeveningofMarch3d。
Onthenextday，March4th，IwrotetoGeneralBanksaletter，whichwasextremelyminuteinconveyingtohimhowfarIfeltauthorizedtogoundermyordersfromGeneralGrant。AtthattimeGeneralGrantcommandedtheMilitaryDivisionoftheMississippi，embracingmyownDepartmentoftheTennesseeandthatofGeneralSteeleinArkansas，butnotthatofGeneralBanksinLouisiana。
GeneralBankswasactingonhisownpowers，orundertheinstructionsofGeneralHalleckinWashington，andour，assistancetohimwasdesignedasaloanoftenthousandmenforaperiodofthirtydays。TheinstructionsofMarch6thtoGeneralA。J。Smith，whocommandedthisdetachment，werefullandexplicitonthispoint。TheDianareachedVicksburgonthe6th，whereIfoundthattheexpeditionaryarmyhadcomeinfromCanton。OnedivisionoffivethousandmenwasmadeupoutofHurlbut’scommand，andplacedunderBrigadier—GeneralT。KilbySmith;andasimilardivisionwasmadeoutofMcPherson’sandHurlbut’stroops，andplacedunderBrigadier—GeneralJosephA。Mower;thewholecommandedbyBrigadier—GeneralA。J。Smith。GeneralHurlbut，withtherestofhiscommand，returnedtoMemphis，andGeneralMcPhersonremainedatVicksburg。GeneralA。J。Smith’scommandwasindueseasonembarked，andproceededtoRedRiver，whichitascended，convoyedbyAdmiralPorter’sfleet。GeneralMower’sdivisionwaslandedneartheoutletoftheAtchafalaya，marchedupbylandandcapturedthefortbelowAlexandriaknownasFortDeRussy，andthewholefleetthenproceededuptoAlexandria，reachingitonthedayappointed，viz。，March17th，whereitwaitedforthearrivalofGeneralBanks，who，however，didnotcometillsomedaysafter。
ThesetwodivisionsparticipatedinthewholeofGeneralBanks’sunfortunateRedRiverexpedition，andweredelayedsolongupRedRiver，andsubsequentlyontheMississippi，thattheydidnotsharewiththeircomradesthesuccessesandgloriesoftheAtlantacampaign，forwhichIhaddesignedthem;and，indeed，they，didnotjoinourarmytilljestintimetoassistGeneralGeorgeH。ThomastodefeatGeneralHoodbeforeNashville，onthe15thand16thofDecember，1864。
GeneralGrant’sletterofinstructions，whichwasbroughtmebyGeneralButterfield，whohadfollowedmetoNewOrleans，enjoinedonme，afterconcludingwithGeneralBanksthedetailsforhisRedRiverexpedition，tomakeallnecessaryarrangementsforfurloughingthemenentitledtothatprivilege，andtohurrybacktothearmyatHuntsville，Alabama。IaccordinglygavethenecessaryorderstoGeneralMcPherson，atVicksburg，andcontinueduptherivertowardMemphis。OnourwaywemetCaptainBadeau，ofGeneralGrant’sstaff，bearingthefollowingletter，ofMarch4th，whichIansweredonthe10th，andsenttheanswerbyGeneralButterfield，whohadaccompaniedmeupfromNewOrleans。CopiesofbothwerealsosenttoGeneralMcPherson，atVicksburg:
[Private。]
NASHVILLE，TENNESEE，March4，1864
DEARSHERMAN:Thebillrevivingthegradeoflieutenant—generalinthearmyhasbecomealaw，andmynamehasbeensenttotheSenatefortheplace。
InowreceiveorderstoreportatWashingtonimmediately，inperson，whichindicateseitheraconfirmationoralikelihoodofconfirmation。Istartinthemorningtocomplywiththeorder，butIshallsayverydistinctlyonmyarrivaltherethatIshallacceptnoappointmentwhichwillrequiremetomakethatcitymyheadquarters。This，however，isnotwhatIstartedouttowriteabout。
WhileIhavebeeneminentlysuccessfulinthiswar，inatleastgainingtheconfidenceofthepublic，noonefeelsmorethanIhowmuchofthissuccessisduetotheenergy，skill，andtheharmoniousputtingforthofthatenergyandskill，ofthosewhomithasbeenmygoodfortunetohaveoccupyingsubordinatepositionsunderme。
Therearemanyofficerstowhomtheseremarksareapplicabletoagreaterorlessdegree，proportionatetotheirabilityassoldiers;
butwhatIwantistoexpressmythankstoyouandMcPherson，asthementowhom，aboveallothers，IfeelindebtedforwhateverI
havehadofsuccess。Howfaryouradviceandsuggestionshavebeenofassistance，youknow。HowfaryourexecutionofwhateverhasbeengivenyoutodoentitlesyoutotherewardIamreceiving，youcannotknowaswellasIdo。Ifeelallthegratitudethisletterwouldexpress，givingitthemostflatteringconstruction。
ThewordyouIuseintheplural，intendingitforMcPhersonalso。
Ishouldwritetohim，andwillsomeday，but，startinginthemorning，IdonotknowthatIwillfindtimejustnow。Yourfriend，U。S。GRANT，Major—General。
[PRIVATEANDCONFIDENTIAL]
NEARMEMPHIS，March10，1864
GeneralGRANT。
DEARGENERAL:Ihaveyourmorethankindandcharacteristicletterofthe4th，andwillsendacopyofittoGeneralMcPhersonatonce。
Youdoyourselfinjusticeandustoomuchhonorinassigningtoussolargeashareofthemeritswhichhaveledtoyourhighadvancement。IknowyouapprovethefriendshipIhaveeverprofessedtoyou，andwillpermitmetocontinueasheretoforetomanifestitonallproperoccasions。
YouarenowWashington’slegitimatesuccessor，andoccupyapositionofalmostdangerouselevation;butifyoucancontinueasheretoforetobeyourself，simple，honest，andunpretending，youwillenjoythroughlifetherespectandloveoffriends，andthehomageofmillionsofhumanbeingswhowillawardtoyoualargeshareforsecuringtothemandtheirdescendantsagovernmentoflawandstability。
Irepeat，youdoGeneralMcPhersonandmyselftoomuchhonor。AtBelmontyoumanifestedyourtraits，neitherofusbeingnear;atDonelsonalsoyouillustratedyourwholecharacter。Iwasnotnear，andGeneralMcPhersonintoosubordinateacapacitytoinfluenceyou。
UntilyouhadwonDonelson，IconfessIwasalmostcowedbytheterriblearrayofanarchicalelementsthatpresentedthemselvesateverypoint;butthatvictoryadmittedtherayoflightwhichI
havefollowedeversince。
Ibelieveyouareasbrave，patriotic，andjust，asthegreatprototypeWashington;asunselfish，kind—hearted，andhonest，asamanshouldbe;butthechiefcharacteristicinyournatureisthesimplefaithinsuccessyouhavealwaysmanifested，whichIcanlikentonothingelsethanthefaithaChristianhasinhisSaviour。
ThisfaithgaveyouvictoryatShilohandVicksburg。Also，whenyouhavecompletedyourbestpreparations，yougointobattlewithouthesitation，asatChattanooga——nodoubts，noreserve;andI
tellyouthatitwasthisthatmadeusactwithconfidence。IknewwhereverIwasthatyouthoughtofme，andifIgotinatightplaceyouwouldcome——ifalive。
Myonlypointsofdoubtwereastoyourknowledgeofgrandstrategy，andofbooksofscienceandhistory;butIconfessyourcommon—senseseemstohavesuppliedallthis。
Nowastothefuture。DonotstayinWashington。Halleckisbetterqualifiedthanyouaretostandthebuffetsofintrigueandpolicy。ComeoutWest;taketoyourselfthewholeMississippiValley;letusmakeitdead—sure，andItellyoutheAtlanticslopeandPacificshoreswillfollowitsdestinyassureasthelimbsofatreeliveordiewiththemaintrunk！Wehavedonemuch;stillmuchremainstobedone。Timeandtime’sinfluencesareallwithus;wecouldalmostaffordtositstillandlettheseinfluenceswork。EveninthesecededStatesyourwordnowwouldgofurtherthanaPresident’sproclamation，oranactofCongress。
ForGod’ssakeandforyourcountry’ssake，comeoutofWashington！
IforetoldtoGeneralHalleck，beforeheleftCorinth，theinevitableresulttohim，andInowexhortyoutocomeoutWest。
Hereliestheseatofthecomingempire;andfromtheWest，whenourtaskisdone，wewillmakeshortworkofCharlestonandRichmond，andtheimpoverishedcoastoftheAtlantic。Yoursincerefriend，W。T。SHERMAN
WereachedMemphisonthe13th，whereIremainedsomedays，butonthe14thofMarchreceivedfromGeneralGrantadispatchtohurrytoNashvilleinpersonbythe17th，ifpossible。Disposingofallmattersthenpending，ItookasteamboattoCairo，thecarsthencetoLouisvilleandNashville，reachingthatplaceonthe17thofMarch，1864。
IfoundGeneralGrantthere。HehadbeentoWashingtonandback，andwasorderedtoreturnEasttocommandallthearmiesoftheUnitedStates，andpersonallytheArmyofthePotomac。IwastosucceedhimincommandoftheMilitaryDivisionoftheMississippi，embracingtheDepartmentsoftheOhio，Cumberland，Tennessee，andArkansas。GeneralGrantwasofcourseverybusyinwindingupallmattersofbusiness，intransferringhiscommandtome，andinpreparingforwhatwasmanifestwouldbethegreatandclosingcampaignofourcivilwar。Mrs。Grantandsomeoftheirchildrenwerewithhim，andoccupiedalargehouseinNashville，whichwasusedasanoffice，dwelling，andeverythingcombined。
Onthe18thofMarchIhadissuedordersassumingcommandoftheMilitaryDivisionoftheMississippi，andwasseatedintheoffice，whenthegeneralcameinandsaidtheywereabouttopresenthimasword，invitingmetocomeandseetheceremony。Iwentbackintowhatwasthedining—roomofthehouse;onthetablelayarose—woodbox，containingasword，sash，spurs，etc。，androundaboutthetableweregroupedMrs。Grant，Nelly，andoneortwooftheboys。
Iwasintroducedtoalarge，corpulentgentleman，asthemayor，andanothercitizen，whohadcomedownfromGalenatomakethispresentationofaswordtotheirfellow—townsman。IthinkthatRawlins，Bowers，Badeau，andoneormoreofGeneralGrant’spersonalstaff，werepresent。ThemayorroseandinthemostdignifiedwayreadafinishedspeechtoGeneralGrant，whostood，asusual，veryawkwardly;andthemayorclosedhisspeechbyhandinghimtheresolutionsoftheCityCouncilengrossedonparchment，withabroadribbonandlargesealattached。Afterthemayorhadfulfilledhisofficesowell，GeneralGrantsaid:\"Mr。
Mayor，asIknewthatthisceremonywastooccur，andasIamnotusedtospeaking，Ihavewrittensomethinginreply。\"Hethenbegantofumbleinhispockets，firsthisbreast—coatpocket，thenhispants，vest;etc。，andafterconsiderabledelayhepulledoutacrumpledpieceofcommonyellowcartridge—paper，whichhehandedtothemayor。Hiswholemannerwasawkwardintheextreme，yetperfectlycharacteristic，andinstrongcontrastwiththeelegantparchmentandspeechofthemayor。Whenread，however，thesubstanceofhisanswerwasmostexcellent，short，concise，and，ifithadbeendeliveredbywordofmouth，wouldhavebeenallthattheoccasionrequired。
Icouldnothelplaughingatascenesocharacteristicofthemanwhothenstoodprominentbeforethecountry;andtowhomallhadturnedastheonlyonequalifiedtoguidethenationinawarthathadbecomepainfullycritical。Withcopiesofthefewlettersreferredto，andwhichseemnecessarytoillustratethesubject—matter，Iclosethischapter:
HEADQUARTERSDEPARTMENTOFTHETENNESSEE
STEAMERDIANA（UNDERWEIGH），March4，1864
Major—GeneralN。P。BANKS，commandingDepartmentoftheGulf，NewOrleans。
GENERAL:Ihadthehonortoreceiveyourletterofthe2dinstantyesterdayatNewOrleans，butwasenabletoanswer，exceptverbally，andInowreduceittowriting。
IwillarriveatVicksburgthe6thinstant，andIexpecttomeettheremycommandfromCanton，outofwhichIwillselecttwodivisionsofabouttenthousandmen，embarkthemunderagoodcommander，andorderhim:
1st。TorendezvousatthemonthofRedRiver，and，inconcertwithAdmiralPorter（ifheagree），tostrikeHarrisonburgahardblow。
2d。ToreturntoRedRiverandascendit，aimingtoreachAlexandriaonthe17thofMarch，toreporttoyou。
3d。That，asthiscommandisdesignedtooperatebywater，itwillnotbeencumberedwithmuchlandtransportation，saytwowagonstoaregiment，butwithanamplesupplyofstores，includingmortarsandheavyrifledguns，tobeusedagainstfortifiedplaces。
4th。ThatIhavecalculated，andsoreportedtoGeneralGrant，thatthisdetachmentofhisforcesinnoeventistogobeyondShreveport，andthatyouwillsparethemthemomentyoucan，tryingtogetthembacktotheMississippiRiverinthirtydaysfromthetimetheyactuallyenterRedRiver。
Theyeariswearingawayfast，andIwouldliketocarrytoGeneralGrantatHuntsville，Alabama，everymanofhismilitarydivision，asearlyinAprilaspossible，forIamsureweoughttomovefromthebaseoftheTennesseeRivertothesouthbeforetheseasonistoofaradvanced，sayasearlyasApril15thnext。
Ifeelcertainofyourcompletesuccess，providedyoumaketheconcentrationintime，toassurewhichIwillseeinpersontotheembarkationanddispatchofmyquota，andIwillwritetoGeneralSteele，conveyingtohimmypersonalandprofessionalopinionthatthepresentopportunityisthemostperfectonethatwilleverofferitselftohimtocleanouthisenemiesinArkansas。
Wishingyouallhonorandsuccess，Iam，withrespect，yourfriendandservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
HEADQUARTERSDEPARTMENTOFTHETENNESSEE
VICKSBURG，March6，1864
Brigadier—GeneralA。J。SMITH，commandingExpeditionupRedRiver，Vicksburg，Mississippi。
GENERAL:Byanorderthisdayissued，youaretocommandastrong，well—appointeddetachmentoftheArmyoftheTennessee，senttoreinforceamovementupRedRiver，butmoreespeciallyagainstthefortifiedpositionatShreveport。
Youwillembarkyourcommandassoonaspossible，littleencumberedwithwagonsorwheeledvehicles，butwellsuppliedwithfuel，provisions，andammunition。Takewithyouthetwelvemortars，withtheirammunition，andallthethirty—poundParrottstheordnance—
officerwillsupply。ProceedtothemonthofRedRiverandconferwithAdmiralPorter。Consultwithhim，andinalltheexpeditionrelyonhimimplicitly，asheistheapprovedfriendoftheArmyoftheTennessee，andhasbeenassociatedwithusfromthebeginning。
IhaveundertakenwithGeneralBanksthatyouwillbeatAlexandria，Louisiana，onorbeforethe17thdayofMarch;andyouwill，iftimeallows，cooperatewiththenavyindestroyingHarrisonburg，upBlackRiver;butasIpassedRedRiveryesterdayI
sawAdmiralPorter，andhetoldmehehadalreadysentanexpeditiontoHarrisonburg，sothatIsupposethatpartoftheplanwillbeaccomplishedbeforeyoureachRedRiver;but，inanyevent，becarefultoreachAlexandriaaboutthe17thofMarch。
GeneralBankswillstartbylandfromFranklin，intheTechecountry，eitherthe6thor7th，andwillmarchviaOpelousastoAlexandria。Youwillmeethimthere，reporttohim，andactunderhisorders。Myunderstandingwithhimisthathisforceswillmovebyland，viaNatchitoches，toShreveport，whilethegunboat—fleetistoascendtheriverwithyourtransportsincompany。RedRiverisverylowfortheseason，andIdoubtifanyoftheboatscanpassthefallsorrapidsatAlexandria。WhatGeneralBanksproposestodointhateventIdonotknow;butmyownjudgmentisthatShreveportoughtnottobeattackeduntilthegunboatscanreachit。Notthataforcemarchingbylandcannotdoitalone，butitwouldbebadeconomyinwartoinvesttheplacewithanarmysofarfromheavyguns，mortars，ammunition，andprovisions，whichcanalonereachShreveportbywater。Still，IdonotknowaboutGeneralBanks’splansinthatevent;andwhatevertheymaybe，yourdutywillbetoconform，inthemostheartymanner。
MyunderstandingwithGeneralBanksisthathewillnotneedthecooperationofyourforcebeyoudthirtydaysfromthedateyoureachRedRiver。AssoonashehastakenShreveport，orassoonasbecanspareyou，returntoVicksburgwithalldispatch，gatherupyourdetachments，wagons，tents，transportation，andallpropertypertainingtosomuchofthecommandasbelongstotheSixteenthArmyCorps，andconductittoMemphis，whereorderswillawaityou。
Mypresentbeliefisyourdivision，entire，willbeneededwiththeArmyoftheTennessee，aboutHuntsvilleorBridgeport。Still，I
willleaveorderswithGeneral，Hurlbut，atMemphis，foryouonyourreturn。
IbelieveifwaterwillenablethegunboatstocrosstherapidsatAlexandria，youwillbeabletomakeaquick，strong，andeffectiveblowatourenemyintheWest，thuswideningthebeltofourterritory，andmakingthebreachbetweentheConfederateGovernmentanditsoutlyingtrans—MississippiDepartmentmoreperfect。
ItisunderstoodthatGeneralSteelsmakesasimultaneousmovefromLittleRock，onShreveportorNatchitoches，withaforceofabouttenthousandmen。Bankswillhaveseventeenthousand，andyoutenthousand。Ifthesecanactconcentricallyandsimultaneously，youwillmakeshortworkofit，andthenGeneralBankswillhaveenoughforcetoholdasmuchoftheRedRivercountryashedeemswise，leavingyoutobringtoGeneralGrant’smainarmytheseventhousandfivehundredmenoftheSixteenthCorpsnowwithyou。
Havingfaithinyoursoundjudgmentandexperience，Iconfidethisimportantanddelicatecommandtoyou，withcertaintythatyouwillharmonizeperfectlywithAdmiralPorterandGeneralBanks，withwhomyouaretoact，andtherebyinsuresuccess。
Iam，withrespect，yourobedientservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—Generalcommanding。
HEADQUARTERSDEPARTMENTOFTHETENNESSEE
MEMPHIS，March14，1864
MajorGeneralMcPHERSON，commanding，etc，Vicksburg，MississippiDEARGENERAL:Iwroteyouatlengthonthe11th，byaspecialbearerofdispatches，andnowmakespecialorderstocoverthemovementsthereinindicated。Itwasmypurposetoawaityouranswer，butIamsummonedbyGeneralGranttobeinNashvilleonthe17th，anditwillkeepmemovingnightanddaytogettherebythatdate。Imustrelyonyou，foryouunderstandthatwemustreenforcethegreatarmyatthecentre（Chattanooga）asmuchaspossible，atthesametimenotriskingthesafetyofanypointontheMississippiwhichisfortifiedandarmedwithheavyguns。I
wantyoutopushmattersasrapidlyaspossible，andtodoallyoucantoputtwohandsomedivisionsofyourowncorpsatCairo，readytoembarkuptheTennesseeRiverbythe20thor30thofAprilattheveryfurthest。Iwishitcouldbedonequicker;butthepromiseofthosethirty—daysfurloughsintheStatesofenlistment，thoughpolitic，isveryunmilitary。Itdeprivesusofourabilitytocalculateastotime;butdothebestyoucan。HurlbutcandonothingtillA。J。SmithreturnsfromRedRiver。IwillthenorderhimtooccupyGrenadatemporarily，andtotryandgetthoselocomotivesthatweneedhere。ImayalsoorderhimwithcavalryandinfantrytomarchtowardTuscaloosa，atthesametimethatwemovefromtheTennesseeRiveraboutChattanooga。
Idon’tknowasyetthegrandstrategyofthenextcampaign，butonarrivalatNashvilleIwillsooncatchthemainpoints，andwilladviseyouofthem……
StealafurloughandruntoBaltimoreincog。;butgetbackintimetotakepartinthenextgrandmove。
Writemefullyandfrequentlyofyourprogress。Ihaveorderedthequartermastertosenddownasmanyboatsashecanget，tofacilitateyourmovements。Mules，wagons，etc。，cancomeupafterwardbytransientboats。Iamtrulyyourfriend，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—Generalcommanding。
[SpecialFieldOrderNo。28。]
HEADQUARTERSDEPARTMENTOFTHETENNESSEE
MEMPHIS，March14，1864
1。Major—GeneralMcPhersonwillorganizetwogooddivisionsofhiscorps（Seventeenth）ofaboutfivethousandmen，eachembracinginpartthereenlistedveteransofhiscorpswhosefurloughswillexpireinApril，whichhewillcommandinperson，andwillrendezvousatCairo，Illinois，andreportbytelegraphandlettertothegeneralcommandingatdepartmentheadquarters，wherevertheymaybe。Thesedivisionswillbeprovidedwithnewarmsandaccoutrements，andlandtransportation（wagonsandmules）outofthesuppliesnowatVicksburg，whichwillbeconveyedtoCairobyorbeforeApril15th。
4。DuringtheabsenceofGeneralMcPhersonfromthedistrictofVicksburg，Major—GeneralHurlbutwillexercisecommandoverallthetroopsintheDepartmentoftheTennesseefromCairotoNatchez，inclusive，andwillreceivespecialinstructionsfromdepartmentheadquarters。
ByorderofMajor—GeneralW。T。Sherman:
L。M。DAYTON，Aide—de—Camp。
APPENDIXTOVOLUMEI。
CHICKASAWBAYOU。
ReportofBrigadier—GeneralG。W。Morgan。
HEADQUARTERSTHIRDDIVISION，RIGHTWING，THIRTEENTHARMYCORPS，STEAMEREMPRESS，January8，1868。
MajorJ。H。HAMMOND，ChiefofStaff:
SIR:Onthe1stinstant，whilepressedbymanyarduousduties，I
wasrequestedtoreporttothecommandinggeneraltheoperationsofmydivisionduringtheaffairofthe27th，theactionofthe28th，andthebattleofthe29thult。
Ihadnotreceivedthereportofsubordinatecommanders，norhadI
timetoreviewthereportIhavethehonortosubmit。
HerewithIhavethehonortoforwardthesereports，connectedwithwhichIwillsubmitafewremarks。
Brigadier—GeneralBlairspeaksofhavingdiscovered，whileonhisretreatfromtheenemy’sworks，abroadandeasyroadrunningfromtheleftofmypositiontotheenemy’slines。Theroadisneitherbroadnoreasy，andwasadvancedoverbyDeCourceywhenleadinghisbrigadetothecharge。TheroadGeneralBlairspeaksofistheonerunningfromLake’sLandingandintersectingwiththeVicksburgroadontheChickasawBluffs。Itsexistencewasknowntomeonthe28thult。，butitwasleftopenintentionallybytheenemy，andwascommandedbyadirectandcrossfirefrombatteriesandrifle—pits。
ThewithdrawalofhisbrigadefromtheassaultbyColonelDeCourceywasjustifiedbythefailureofthecorpsofA。J。Smith，andthecommandofColonelLindsey，toadvancesimultaneouslytotheassault。Bothhadthesamedifficultiestoencounter——
impassablebayous。Theenemy’slineofbattlewasconcave，andDeCourceyadvancedagainsthiscentre——hencehesustainedaconcentricfire，andthewithdrawalofSteelefromthefrontoftheenemy’srightonthe28thult。enabledtheenemyonthefollowingdaytoconcentratehisrightuponhiscentre。
Iregrettofind，fromthereportofBrigadier—GeneralThayer，someoneregimentskulked;thisIdidnotobserve，norisitmentionedbyGeneralBlair，thoughhiswerethetroopswhichoccupiedthatportionofthefield。Asfarasmyobservationextended，thetroopsborethemselvesnobly;buttheSixteenthOhioInfantrywaspeerlessonthefield，asithadeverbeenincamporonthemarch。
Lieutenant—ColonelKershner，commanding，waswoundedandtakenprisoner。Heisanofficerofraremerit，anddeservestocommandabrigade。Lieutenant—ColonelDieter，commandingtheFifty—eighthOhio，waskilledwithintheenemy’sworks;andLieutenant—ColonelMonroe，Twenty—secondKentucky，wasstruckdownattheheadofhisregiment。
IagainexpressmyprofoundacknowledgmentstoBrigadier—GeneralsBlairandThayer，andColonelsDeConrcey，Lindsey，andSheldon，brigadecommanders。AlsotoMajorM。C。Garber，assistantquartermaster;CaptainS。S。Lyon，actingtopographicalengineer;
LieutenantBurdick，actingordnanceofficer;LieutenantHutchins，actingchiefofstaff;LieutenantsH。G。FisherandSmith，ofSignalCorps;LieutenantE。D。Saunders，myactingassistantadjutant—general;andLieutenantsEnglishandMontgomery，actingaides—de—camp，fortheefficientservicesrenderedme。
NorcanIclosethisreportwithoutspeakingintermsofhighpraiseofthemeritoriousandgallantservicesofCaptainsFosterandLamphier。Theirbatteriessilencedseveraloftheenemy’sworks，andthroughouttheoperationsrenderedgoodservice。MysincereacknowledgmentsarealsoduetoCaptainGriffith，commandingFirstIowaBattery，andCaptainHoffman，commandingFourthOhioBattery。
Iam，sir，veryrespectfully，yourobedientservant，GEORGEW。MORGAN，Brigadier—GeneralVolunteers。
CINCINNATI，February8，1876。
MYDEARGENERAL:RegardingtheattackatChickasawBayou，myrecordshowsthepositionofSteeleontheleft;Morgantohisright;
MorganL。Smithtohisright，andA。J。Smithontheextremeright;
thelatternotexpectedtoaccomplishmuchmorethanadiversion，theresulttocomefromthethreeotherdivisions，Morganhavingthebestopportunity。Saturdaynighttheywereinposition;youwereatLake’splantation，rightandrearofMorgan。
TheattackforlodgmentonthehillswasorderedforSundaymorning，December28th。IwassenttoA。J。Smithbeforedaylight，andreturnedtoyousoonafter。YouwerewithMorgan。Youhadfullyexplainedtohimtheimportanceofhissuccess，andthatheshouldbepresentwiththeattackingcolumn，whichwastobeapartofhisdivision，supportedbytheremainder，andbyBlair’sbrigadeofSteele’sdivisioncooperating。Theattackwastobesimultaneous，bythefourdivisions，onasignal。
Morgan’sanswertoyouwasthat，whenthesignalwasgiven，hewouldleadhisattack，andwithhislifehewouldbeonthebluffsinfifteenminutes。Heseemedofpositiveknowledge，andassureofsuccess。Youthenretiredtoacentralpoint，tobeineasycommunicationwithSteeleandMorganL。Smith。Theattackwasmade，anddeveloped，inthecaseofSteele，M。L。Smith，andA。J。
Smith，thattocrossthebayouwasimpossible，ifopposedbyanyforce，andineachtheywerebysstrongone。Morgan’sattackingforcesucceededingettingacrossthecausewayandmarsh，buthedidnotgowithit，norsupportitwithmoremen，andalargenumberwerecapturedfromBlair’sbrigadeaftergainingtheenemy’slastlineofworkscoveringthebayou。AtthetimeeverybodyblamedandcriticisedMorganwiththefailure。Youfeltfromtheadvanceofhisattackitmustbesuccessful，and，asitpushedforward，yousentmetourgeonM。L。Smith，asMorganwasover，andhe，Smith，mustaidbypersistentattack，andgiveMorganasgoodachanceascouldbetomakehislodgment……
Iam，etc。，L。M。DAYTON
LateColoneloftheStaff，nowofCincinnati，OhioGeneralW。T。SHERMAN，St。Louis，Missouri[COPY。]
\"……Theexpeditionwaswonderfullywellprovidedwithprovisions，transportation，andmonitions，andevenaxes，picks，andshovels，somuchinuselaterinthewar，evidencedtheforethoughtthatgovernedthisforce。Theboats，fromtheiropenlowerdeckconstruction，provedadmirablefortransports，buttheirtinder—boxconstructionmadefire—trapsofthem，requiringunremittingvigilance。Thesepointswerewellunderstood，andthereadinesswithwhichthetroopsadaptedthemselvestocircumstanceswasaconstantsourceofwonderandcongratulations。
\"ThefleetcollectedatFriar’sPointforfinalorders，andtheretheorderofsailingwaslaiddownwithgreatminuteness，andprivateinstructionsissuedtocommandersofdivisions，allofwhomhadpersonalinterviewswiththecommandinggeneral，andreceivedpersonalexplanationsonprettymucheverypointinvolved。Ourheadquartersboat，theForestQueen，wasnotverycomfortable，norwellprovided，butGeneralShermansubmittedcheerfully，onthegroundsofduty，andthoughtConwayafinefellow。Iwasonlyabletoconcedethathewasagoodsteamboatcaptain……
\"OurcampappointmentswereSpartanintheextreme，andintheirsimplicitywouldhavemetthedemandsofanydemagogueintheland。
Thenightswerecoldanddamp，andGeneralShermanuncomfortablyactiveinhispreparations，sothattheassistantadjutant—generalhadnoveryluxuriouspostjustthen。Weweresurroundedwithsloughs。Thegroundwaswet，andthewater，althoughinwinter，wasveryunwholesome。Manyofourmen，tothisday，haveremindersoftheYazooinague，fevers，anddiseasesofthebowels。Cavalrywasuseless。OnebattalionofIllinoiscavalrywasstronglysuspectedofcampinginthetimber，untiltimepassedenoughtojustifythesuspicionofhavingbeensomewhere。ReallythestrengthofVicksburgwasinbeingoutofreachofattack……
\"Myordersweretolearnandreportwhatwasgoingonontheright，particularlytotryandformanideaoftheenemy’sforceinfrontofM。L。Smith’sdivision，andatthesand—bar。LeavingmyhorsecloseintherearoftheSixthMissouri，whenthefirebecametooheavyforriding，Isucceeded，bytakingfrequentcover，inreachingunhurtthevergeofthebayouamongthedrift—logs。
There，byconcertofactionwithLieutenant—ColonelBlood，oftheSixthMissouri，hisregiment，andtheThirteenthRegularInfantry，keptupaheavyfireoneverythingthatshowedalongtheleveeandearthworksinfront。Theenemywerebehindtheembankment，notoveronehundredandfiftyyardsacrossthebayou。Severalofficers，includingColonelBlood，ColonelKilbySmith，andmyself，managed，bygettingonthepilesofdrift，toseeovertheleveethroughtheclearedfieldsbeyond，eventothefootofthebluff。
Thechipsandtwigsflewaroundlivelyenough，butwestaiduplongenoughtomakesurethattheenemyhadasmanymenbehindtheleveeascouldgetcover。Wesaw，also，alineofrifle—pitsintherear，commandingtherearofthelevee，andstillbeyond，windingalongthefootofthebluff，aroadwornbylongusedeepintotheside—hill，andwiththesidenextusstrengthenedwithagoodearthwork，affordingacoveredlineofcommunicationintherear。
Thefireofourmenwassowellmaintainedthatwewereabletoseeallthesethings，sayaminuteormore。Someofthosewhoventuredwerewounded，butthosementionedandmyselfescapedunhurt。I
advisedthatmenenoughtoholdtheposition，onceacross——saythreehundred——shouldmakearush（protectedasourlookouthadbeenbyaheavyfire）acrossthesand—bar，andgetafootingundertheotherbankofthebayou，asthenucleusofanattackingforce，ifGeneralShermandecidedtoattackthere，ortomakeastrongdiversioniftheattackwasmadeattheheadofChickasawBayou，infrontofMorgan。GeneralA。J。Smith，commandingFirstandSecondDivisions，approvedofthis。WhilereturningtoGeneralSherman，I
passedalongtheSecondandpartoftheThirdDivision。OntheleftoftheSecondIfoundanewIllinoisregiment，highupinnumbers，workingitswayintoposition。Thecolonel，abravebutinexperiencedofficer，wastryingtoleadhismenaccordingtothepopularpictorialidea，viz。，ridinginadvancewavinghissword。
Iwasleadingmyhorse，andtakingadvantageofsuchcoverasI
couldfindonmycourse，butthismanactedsobravelythatItriedtosavehim。Hedidnotacceptmyexpostulationswithverygoodgrace，butwasnotroughaboutit。WhileIwasbegginghimtodismount，hewavedhisswordandadvanced。Inasecondhewasshot，throughthechest，anddroppedfromhishorse，pluckytothelast。Hedied，Iwastold，withinthehour。Manyoftheregimentswerenewandinexperienced，butasarulebehavedwell。Thefirealongthebayouwassevere，butnotveryfatal，onaccountofthecover。IwasconstantlyaskedwhatnewsfromGrant，forfromthemomentofourarrivalintheYazoowewereinexpectationofeitherhearinghisgunsintherear，orofhavingcommunicationwithhim。
Thisencouragedthemengreatly，butthelongwaitingwasdisappointing，astheenemywasevidentlyinlargeforceintheplentyofworks，andaverystrongposition。Carefulestimatesandavailableinformationplacedtheirforceatfifteentotwentythousandmen。Ireturnedtoheadquartersaboutthemiddleoftheafternoon，andmademyreporttothegeneral。Wewerebusytillaftermidnight，andagainearlyinthemorningofthe29th，inpreparingordersfortheattack。Thesewereunusuallyminuteindetail。Itseemedasthoughnocontingencywasleftunprovidedfor。Urgentordersandcautionsastorationsandammunitionweregiven。Drawingsofthelineofattack，ordersforsupports，allandeverythingwasforeseenandgiveninwriting，withpersonalexplanationstocommandersofdivisions，brigades，andevencommandersofregiments。Indeed，thecommandinggeneral，alwayscarefulastodetail，leftnothingtochance，andwithexperiencedandordinateofficerswewouldhavesucceeded，forthetroopsweregood。ThegeneralplaninvolvedafeintonourlefttowardHaines’sBluff，bythenavy，underAdmiralPorter，withwhomwewereinconstantcommunication，whilebetweenhimandGeneralShermanperfectharmonyexisted。OntherightademonstrationbyA。J。Smithwastobemade。TheSecondDivision（Stuart’s）wastocrossthesand—bar，andtheThird（GeneralMorgan’s）wastocrossonasmallbridgeoverthedoughattheheadofChickasawBayou，and，supportedbySteele，wastopushstraightfortheBluffatthenearestspurwheretherewasabatteryinposition，andtoeffectaalodgmentthereandintheearthworks。GeneralShermangavehisordersinpersontoMorganandSteele。IunderstoodMorgantopromisethathewouldleadhisdivisioninperson，andbeseemedtoexpectaneasyvictory，andexpressedhimselffreelytothateffect。Theaidesweresentout，untilIwasleftalonewiththegeneralandacoupleoforderlies。Helocatedhimselfinapositioneasyofaccess，andthemostconvenientaffordedtothepointofattack。