HedirectedmetoseewhatIcould，andreportifImetanythingthatheshouldknow。Igallopedasfastaspossibletotheright，andfoundpartoftheSixthMissouripushingoverthesand—barcoveredbytheThirteenthRegularswithaheavyfire。Wesupposed，ifonceacross，theycouldgetupthebankandturntheleveeagainsttheenemy，andleftwiththatimpression。Beinginheavytimber，Iwasnotquitesureofmywaybacktothegeneral，hislocationbeingnew，andthereforepushedfullgallopforMorgan’sfront，catchingagoodmanystrayshotsfromthesharpshootersbehindthelevee，asIwascompelledtokeepinsightofthebayoutoholddirection。Somethingoverhalf—wayalongMorgan’sdivisionfront，thecommanderofaKentuckyregimenthailedmeandsaidhemusthavesupport，ashewasthreatenedbyamaskedbattery，andtheenemywasinforceinhisfront，andmightcrossanymoment。Ianswered，rathershortly，’Howthedevildoyouknowthereisamaskedbattery？Ifyoucan’tgetover，howcantherebelsgetatyou？’Heinsistedonthebattery，anddanger。I
finallytoldhimthebayouwasutterlyimpassablethere，but，ifheinsistedtheenemycouldcross，Iwouldinsistonanadvanceonoursideatthatpoint。Hurryingontomakeuplosttime，IsoonreachedMorgan。Hewasmakingencouragingspeechesinageneralway，butstoppedtoaskmequestionsastoSteele’srank，dateofcommission，etc。Iwasverymuchdisturbedatthis，fearingwantofharmony，androdeontoSteele，whomIfoundcursingMorgansofiercelythatIcouldnotexactlymakeoutthesourceofthetrouble，orreasonwhy;butsawwantofconcertclearlyenough。I
hastenedbacktoGeneralSherman，andendeavoredtoimpressmyideasonhimandmyfears;but，whileheadmittedthefacts，hecouldnotbemadetobelievethatanyjealousyorpersonalquarrelcouldleadtoafailuretosupporteachother，andaneglectofduty。Thesignalforattackhadalreadybeengiven，andtheartilleryhadopened，whenIlefthimagainforMorgan’sfront。I
foundMorganwhereIlefthim，andthetroopsadvancing。Ihadunderstoodthathewastoleadhisdivision，andaskedaboutit，but，gettingnosatisfaction，pushedforthefront，crossingthesloughatthelittlebridgeattheheadofthebayou。Ifoundthewillowscutoffeighteeninchesortwofeetlong，withsharppointsabovethemud，makingitslowanddifficulttopass，saveatthebridge。Iovertooktherearoftheadvanceabouttwoorthreehundredfeetupthegentleslope，andwasastonishedtofindhowsmallaforcewasmakingtheattack。IwasalsosurprisedtofindthattheywereSteele’smeninsteadofMorgan’s。Ialsosawseveralregimentsacrossthebayou，butnotadvancing;theywerenearthelevee。Aheavyartilleryandinfantryfirewasgoingonallthistime。Whilemakingmywayalongthecolumn，fromwhichtherewereveryfewfallingback，ashellburstnearme，andtheconcussionconfusedmeatthetimeandleftmewithaheadacheforseveralmonths。WhenIgotmywitsaboutmeagainIfoundagoodmanycomingback，butthemainpartoftheforcewascompactandkeepingupthefight。Ididnotgetclosertothewoodsthanaboutfivehundredfeet，andfoundthatalargenumberhadpenetratedintotheenemy’sworks。Whenourmenfellback，veryfewran，butcameslowlyandsullenly，farmoreangrythanfrightened。IfoundGeneralFrankBlaironfoot，andwithhimColonelSea，ofSouthwestMissouri，andlearnedthatColonelThomasFletcher，afterwardGovernorofMissouri，wascapturedwithmanyofhismen。Theybothinsistedthereonthespot，withthosearoundus，thatifallthemenordereduphadgoneup，orevenallthatcrossedthebayouhadmovedforward，wecouldhavereadilyestablishedourselvesintheenemy’sworks。Iwasfirmlyofthesameopinionatthetimeontheground;and，anentranceeffected，wecouldhavebroughtthewholeforceondryground，andhadabaseofoperationsagainstVicksburg——thoughprobably，inviewoflaterevents，wewouldhavehadtostandasiegefromPemberton’sarmy。AfterexplanationswithBlair，Irodetowherethemenwere，whohadcrossedthebayou，buthadnotadvancedwiththeothers。IfoundthemtobeDeCourcey’sbrigade;ofMorgan’sdivision，whichGeneralShermansupposedtobeinadvance。Infact，itwastheintendedsupportthatmadetheattack。AcorrespondenceandcontroversyfollowedbetweenGeneralBlairandColonelDeCourcey，mostofwhichIhave，butnothingcameofit。Onreachingthebayou，IfoundthatThayer’sbrigade，ofSteele’sdivision，hadinsomewaylostitsdirectionandfiledofftotheright。Rememberingthemaskedbattery，Isuspectedthathadsomethingtodowiththematter，and，onfollowingitup，IlearnedthattheKentuckycolonelbeforementionedhadappealedforaidagainstthemaskedbatteryandinvisibleforceofrebels，andthataregimenthadbeenorderedtohim。Thisregiment，filingoffintothetimber，hadbeenfollowedbyThayer’sbrigade，supposingittobeadvancingtothefront，andthusleftasinglebrigadetoattackasuperiorforceoftheenemyinanintrenchedandnaturallystrongposition。Bythetimethemistakecouldberectified，itwastoolate。Ourlosswasfromonehundredandfiftytotwohundredkilled，andaboutelevenhundredprisonersandwounded。DuringtheafternoonIwentwithaflagoftruce，withreferencetoburyingthedead。Isawbetweeneightyandonehundredofourmendead，allstripped。Therewereotherscloserintotheenemy’sworksthanIwasallowedtogo。OngoinglatertowheretheSixthMissouricrossed，Ifoundthattheywereunderthebank，andhadduginwiththeirhandsandbayonets，oranythinginreach，toprotectthemselvesfromaverticalfirefromtheenemyoverhead，whohadaheavyforcethere。Withgreatdifficultytheywerewithdrawnatnight。NextdayarrangementsweremadetoattemptalodgmentbelowHaines’sBluff:ThiswastobedonebySteele’scommand，whiletherestoftheforceattackedagainwherewehadalreadytried。Duringthedaylocomotiveswhistled，andagreatnoiseandfusswentoninourfront，andwesupposedthatGrantwasdrivinginPemberton，andexpectedfiringanymomentuptheYazooorintherearofVicksburg。Nothearingthis，weconcludedthatPembertonwasthrowinghisforcesintoVicksburg。AheavyfogpreventedSteelefrommakinghismovement。
Rainbegantofall，andourlocationwasnotgoodtobeinafteraheavyrain，orwiththeriverrising。Duringthenight（Ithink）
ofJanuary，1，1863，ourtroopswereembarked，materialandprovisionshavingbeenloadedduringtheday。Ashorttimebeforedaylightofthe2d，Iwentbyorderofthegeneralcommanding，toourpicketlinesandcarefullyexaminedtheenemy’slines，whereveracamp—fireindicatedtheirpresence。Theywerenotveryvigilant，andIoncegotcloseenoughtohearthemtalk，butcouldunderstandnothing。EarlyinthemorningIcameinwiththerear—guard，theenemyadvancinghispicketsandmainguardsonly，andmakingnoeffortatalltopressus。OnceIcouldn’tresistthetemptationtofireintoasquadthatcamebolderthantherest，andthetwoshotsweregoodones。Wereceivedavolleyinreturnthatdidcomeverycloseamongus，buthurtnoneofmyparty。Verysoonafterourrear—guardwasaboard，GeneralShermanlearnedfromAdmiralPorterthatMcClernandhadarrivedatthemonthoftheYazoo。Hewent，takingmeandoneotherstaff—officer，toseeMcClernand，andfoundthat，underanorderfromthePresident，hehadtakencommandoftheArmyoftheMississippi。Heandhisstaff，ofwhomIonlyremembertwo—ColonelsScatesandBraham，assistantadjutant—generalandaide—de—camp——seemedtothinktheyhadabigthing，and，sofarasIcouldjudge，theyhadjustthat。AllhandsthoughtthecountryexpectedthemtocuttheirwaytotheGulf;andtous，whohadjustcomeoutoftheswamp，thecuttingdidn’tseemsuchaneasyjobastothenew—comers。Makingdueallowancefortheelevationtheyseemedtofeelinviewoftheirjob，everythingpassedoffpleasantly，andwelearnedthatGeneralGrant’scommunicationshadbeencutatHollySpringsbythecaptureofMurphyandhisforce（atHollySprings），andthathewaseitherinMemphisbythattimeorwouldsoonbe。Sothat，everythingconsidered，itwasaboutaswellthatwedidnotgetourforcesonthebluff’sofWalnutHill。\"
TheabovestatementwassenttoGeneralShermaninaletterdated\"Chicago，February5，1876，\"andsigned\"JohnH。Hammond。\"HammondwasGeneralSherman’sassistantadjutant—generalattheChickasawBayou。
J。E。TOURTELOTTE，ColonelandAide—de—Camp。
On29thDecember，1862，atChickasawBayou，IwasincommandoftheThirty—firstMissouriVolunteerInfantry，FirstBrigade，FirstDivision，FifteenthArmyCorps（Blair’sbrigade）。ColonelWyman，oftheThirteenthIllinoisVolunteerInfantry，havingbeenkilled，Iwastheseniorcolonelofthebrigade。GeneralBlairrodeuptowheremyregimentlay，andsaidtome:
\"Wearetomakeachargehere;wewillchargeintwolines;yourregimentwillbeinthefirstline，andtheTwenty—ninth（Cavender’s）willsupportyou。Formhereinthetimber，andmoveoutacrossthebayouonadouble—quick，andgorightontothetopoftheheightsinyourfront。\"Hethentoldmetoawaitasignal。
Ithenattemptedtomakeareconnaissanceofthegroundoverwhichwewouldhavetocharge，androdeouttotheopengroundinmyfront，andsawthattherewaswaterandsoftmudinthebayou，andwasfireduponbythesharp—shootersoftheenemy，andturnedandwentbackintothewoodswheremycommandlay。SoonafterthatGeneralBlaircamenearme，andItoldhimtherewaswaterandmudinthebayou，andIdoubtedifwecouldgetacross。HeansweredmethatGeneralMorgantoldhimtherewasnowaternormudtohinderus。IremarkedthatIhadseenitmyself，andGeneralMorgan，oranyoneelse，couldseeitifheworldriskbeingshotatprettylively。IthentoldGeneralBlairthatitwascertaindestructiontousifwepassedovertheabatisupontheopengroundwheretherehadoncebeenacorn—field;thatwecouldneverreachthebaseofthehill。Heturnedtomeandsaid，\"Can’tyoutakeyourregimentupthere？\"Itoldhim，\"Yes，Icantakemyregimentanywhere，becausethemendonotknowanybetterthantogo，\"butremarkedthatoldsoldierscouldnotbegottogoupthere。GeneralBlairthensaid，\"Tom，ifwesucceed，thiswillbeagrandthing;youwillhavethegloryofleadingtheassault。\"HethenwentontosaythatGeneralMorgan’sdivisionwouldsupportus，andtheywereheroesofmanybattles，andpointedtotheFifty—eighthOhio，thenformingintherearoftheThirteenthIllinoisonmyright，andsaid:\"Seethesemen？TheyareapartofMorgan’sdivision，andareheroesofmanybattles。\"Ilaughinglysaidthattheymightbeheroes，buttheregimentdidnotnumberasmanyasoneofmycompanies。HeagainassuredmewewouldbesupportedbyMorgan’sdivision，andallIhadtodowastokeeprightonand\"keepgoingtillyougetintoVicksburg。\"Itookmypositioninadvanceofmyregimentandawaitedthesignal。Whenweheardit，weraisedashout，andstartedatadouble—quick，theThirteenthIllinoisonmyright。Isawnotroopsonmyleft。Whenweemergedfromthewoods，theenemyopeneduponus;crossingthebayouunderfire，andmanyofthemensinkinginthemudandwater，ourlinewasverymuchdisordered，butweprettywellrestoreditbeforereachingtheabatis。Hereweweregreatlydisordered，butsomewhatrestoredthelineonreachingtheplateauorcorn—field。TheTwenty—ninthMissouricameon，gallantlysupportingus。TheThirteenthIllinoiscameoutuponthecorn—field，andtheFifty—eighthOhiofollowedcloseuponit。Therewasfiringtomyleft，andasIafterwardlearnedwasfromtheFourthIowaofThayer’sbrigade（andIbelieveofSteele’sdivision）。Iwasstruckandfell，andmyregimentwentbackingreatdisorder。Thefirewasterrific。IsawbeyondtheThirteenthIllinois，tomyright，adisorderedline，andlearnedafterwarditwastheSixteenthOhio。WhenIwastakenfromthefieldbytheenemyandtakenintoVicksburg，IfoundamongthewoundedandprisonersmenandofficersoftheSixteenthandFifty—eighthOhio，andoftheTwenty—ninthandThirty—firstMissouri，andThirteenthIllinois。AfterIwasexchangedandjoinedmycommand，GeneralBlairlaughinglyremarkedtomethatI
hadliterallyobeyedhisorderandgone\"straightontoVicksburg。\"
Helamentedthecuttingtopiecesofourforceonthatday。WetalkedthewholematteroverathisheadquartersduringthesiegeofVicksburg。Hesaidthatifthechargehadbeenmadealongourwholelinewiththesamevigorofattackmadebyhisbrigade，andifwehadbeensupportedasMorganpromisedtodo，wemighthavesucceeded。Idissentedfromtheopinionthatwecouldeventhenhavesucceeded。IaskedhimwhatexcuseMorgangaveforfailingtosupportus，andhesaidthatColonelorGeneralDeCourceywasinsomemannertoblameforthat，buthesaidMorganwasmistakenastothenatureofthegroundandgenerallyastothefeasibilityofthewholething，andwasresponsibleforthefailuretoaffordusthesupporthehadpromised;thatheandGeneralShermanandallofthemweremisledbythestatementsandopinionsofMorganastothesituationinourfront，andMorganwas，onhispart，deceivedbythereportsofhisscoutsaboutothermattersaswellasthematterofthewaterinthebayou。
THOMASC。FLETCHER
ARKANSASPOST。
ExtractsfromAdmiralPorter’sJournal。
ShermanandIhadmadearrangementstocaptureArkansasPost。
Onthe31stofDecember，whilepreparingtogooutoftheYazoo，anarmyofficercalledtoseeme，andsaidthathebelongedtoGeneralMeClernand’sstaff，andthatthegeneralwasatthemouthoftheYazooRiver，anddesiredtoseemeatonce。Isentwordtothegeneralthatifhewishedtoseemehecouldhaveanopportunitybycallingonboardmyflag—ship。
AfewmomentsafterIhadheardthenewsofMcClernand’aarrival，I
sawShermanpullingaboutinaboat，andhailedhim，informinghimthatMcClernandwasatthemouthoftheYazoo。Shermanthencameonboard，and，inconsequenceofthisunexpectednews，determinedtopostponethemovementoutoftheYazooRiver，andletMcClernandtakethatuponhimself。
GeneralMcClernandtookmyhintandcameonboardtheflag—ship，butIsoondiscoveredthatanyadmiral，Grant，Sherman，orallthegeneralsinthearmy，werenobodyinhisestimation。ShermanhadbeenatMcClernand’sheadquarterstoseehimandstatetheconditionofaffairs，andhethensuggestedtothelattertheplanofgoingtoArkansawPost。
Ihadanumberoffinemapshangingupinmycabin，andwhenMcClernandcameonboardheexaminedthemallwiththeeyeofaconnoisseur。Hethenstatedtomeasanewthingtheplanheproposed！！！ofgoingtoArkansasPostandstirringupourtroops，whichhadbeen\"demoralizedbythelatedefeat\"（Shermanwaspresent，lookingdaggersathim）。Ianswered，\"Yes，GeneralShermanandmyselfhavealreadyarrangedforgoingtoArkansasPost。\"Shermanthenmadesomeremarkaboutthedispositionofthetroopsinthecomingexpedition，whenMcClernandgavehimratheracurtanswer。McClernandthenremarked，\"Ifyouwillletmehavethreegunboats，Iwillgoandtaketheplace。\"NowGeneralMcClernandhadaboutasmuchideaofwhatagunboatwas，orcoulddo，asthemaninthemoon。Hedidnotknow，thedifferencebetweenanironcladanda\"tin—clad。\"HehadheardthatgunboatshadtakenFortHenry，andthatwasallbeknewaboutthem。Isaidtohim:\"I’lltellyouwhatIwilldo，GeneralMoClernand。IfGeneralShermangoesincommandofthetroops，Iwillgomyselfincommandofaproperforce，andwillinsurethecaptureofthepost。\"McClernandwincedunderthis，andShermanquietlywalkedoffintotheafter—cabin。Hebeckonedmetocomethere，whileMcClernandwasapparentlydeeplyengagedinstudyingoutachart，makingbelievehewasinterested，inordertoconcealhistemper。
Shermansaidtome:\"Admiral，howcouldyoumakesucharemarktoMcClernand？Hehatesmealready，andyouhavemadehimanenemyforlife。\"
\"Idon’tcare，\"saidI;\"heshallnottreatyourudelyinmycabin，andIwasgladoftheopportunityoflettinghimknowmysentiments。\"Bythistime，GeneralMcClernandhavingbottleduphiswrath，orcooleddown，Iwentintohimandwediscussedthematter。HeconsentedthatShermanshouldgoincommandofthetroops，andtheinterviewendedpleasantlyenough。
TheaboveextractsfromAdmiralPorter’sjournalweresentbytheadmiraltoGeneralSherman，inclosedinaletterdated\"Washington，May29，1875，\"andsigned\"DavidD。Porter。\"
J。E。TOURTELOTTE。
AfterleavingtheYazoo，theArmyoftheMississippirendezvouswasatMilliken’sBend。DuringthenightofJanuary4thor5th，GeneralMcClernandcameonboardtheForestQueen，andwithGeneralShermanwenttotheBlackHawkflag—boat。Thereaninterviewtookplace，duringwhichtheexpeditiontoArkansasPoettookshape。
GeneralShermanhavingaskedleavetotakethepost，andAdmiralPorterhavingdecidedtogoalong，McClernandthoughtbesttogowithhisentirearmy，althoughtheenemyweresupposedtohaveonlyaboutfourorfivethousandmen，andthefortwaslittlemorethanalargeearthworkcommandingtheriver。
GeneralSherman’scommandwasthenentitledtheSecondCorps，ArmyoftheMississippi，andwascomprisedoftheFirstDivision，Blair’s，Hovey’s，andThayer’sbrigades，commandedbySteele;andtheSecondDivision，commandedbyDavidStuart，withColonelsGilesA。andKilbySmithcommandingbrigades。
Ourfleetwasconvoyedbythreeironcladsandseveralothergunboats。Theweatherwasbitterlycoldforthatlatitude;wewerefourdaysgettingintotheArkansasRiver，whichweenteredbytheWhiteRivercut—off;andmyrecollectionis，thatourpassingthemouthofthemainriverdeceivedtheenemyastoourdestination。
Theentrancethroughthecut—offwasfeasiblebyreasonofhighwater，andIthinkmadeourappearanceasurprisetotheforceatthepost。Wedisembarkedonthemorningofthe10thofJanuary。
Stuart’sdivisionfirstencounteredtheenemybehindanearthworkaboutfourmilesfromthefort，runningacrossthesolidgroundfromtherivertoaswamp。GeneralShermaninpersontookSteele’sdivision，andfollowedaroadleadingtotherearoftheearthworkjustmentioned。Wehadgotfairlyunderwaywhentherebelsfellbacktothefort，andMcClernand，comingup，orderedustofallback，andmarchuptheriver。Itseemedtomethen，andafterward，thatitwouldhavebeenbettertohavemarchedstraighttotherearofthefort，aswestartedtodo。WesoonovertookStuartandclosedin，GeneralShermanontheright，Morgan’sforceontheleft，reachingtotheriver，wherethegunboatswere，whileShermanreachedfromtheroadwhichconnectedthepostwiththebackcountry，towardwheretheearthworksreachedtheriverabovethefort，andthreatenedtheircommunicationswithLittleRock。Thenightwascoldandcloudy，withsomesnow。Therewereagoodmanyabandonedhutstoourrear，butourforcesinpositionlayonthefrozenground，shelteredasbesttheycould，amongthebushesandtimber。Weweresoclosethattheycouldhavereachedusanytimeduringthenightwithlightartillery。Thegun—boatsthrewheavyshellsintothefortandbehindtheearthworksallnight，keepingtheenemyawakeandanxious。Theheavyboomoftheartillerywasfollowedbythesqueak，squeakofAdmiralPorter’slittletug，ashemovedaroundmakinghisarrangementsforthemorrow。Thesoundswereridiculousbycomparison。GeneralShermanandstafflayontherootsofanoldoak—tree，thatkeptthempartlyclearofmud。
Thecoldwassharp，myrightbootbeingfrozensolidinapuddleinthemorning。Abouthalf—pasttwoorthreeo’clock，GeneralSherman，withanotherandmyself，creptinascloseaspossibleandreconnoitredtheposition。Thegeneralmanagedtocreepinmuchcloserthantherestofus——infact，socloseastocauseusanxiety。Theenemyworkedhardallnightontheirabatisandintrenchments，andinthemorningwefoundaditchandparapetrunningclearacrossthepointonwhichthepostwassituated。
Thispointwascutbyaroadfromthebackcountry，acrosswhichwasaheavyearthworkandabattery。Thisroadwasattheextremityofourleft。GeneralMcClernandkepthishead—quartersonhisboat，theTigress。Hecameupinthemorningtoaplaceinthewoodsinourrear。Oneofhisstaff，acavalry—officer，climbedatreetoreportmovements;butfromthatpointtherewasverylittletobeseen。Betweentenandeleveno’clockthefireopenedfromthefleet，andweopenedalongthewholelinefrominfantryandfield—guns。Ourmensoonworkedincloseenoughtokeepdownthefireoftheenemytoaverymarkeddegree。
AfterreportingtoGeneralSherman，andwhileexplainingthepositionofthefleet，thesmoke—stacksandflagsappearedabovethefort。Whatfiringwasgoingoninourimmediatefrontceased。
Agoodmanyrebelswereinplainsight，runningawayfromthefortandscattering。Whilewewerestillsurprised，thecrywasraisedthatawhiteflagwashungout。Ididnotseeit，butinafewminutessawothersalongtheline，andjustasthegeneralstartedforthefortIsawtheflagnotfarfromthewhitehouse，neartheparapet。Ordersweregiventoceasefiring。CaptainDaytonwassenttothefortwherethefirstflagwasraised。Someshotswerefiredandsomemenhurtafterthis。ThefirstrebelofficerweencounteredwasColonelorGeneralGarland，commandingbrigade，whowasorderedtoputhismeninlineandstackarms，whichwasdone。
Iwasdirectedtopassalongthelinetotheright，andcausetheprisonerstostackarmsandformourmeninline，justoutsidethework。ThisIdidtillIreachedDeshler’sbrigade，onourextremeright，ornearlyso，andwhowasopposedtotherightofSteele’sforce。Steele’smenhadrusheduptotheveryfootoftheparapet，andsomewereonit，thoughtheydidnotfire。Thecommanderoftheenemy（Deshler）refusedtoobeymyorderstostackarms，andaskedagoodmanyquestionsasto\"howithappened;\"saidhewasnotwhipped，butheldusincheck，etc。Itoldhimtherewereeightorninethousandmenrightthere，thatashotfromme，oracall，wouldbringdownonhim，andthatwehadentirepossessionoftheplace。AftersendingtwoofficersfromthenearesttroopstoexplaintheconditiontoSteele，andtowarneveryofficertheymettopassthewordforeverybodytobeonthesharplookout，I
arrangedwithDeshlertokeepquietuntilIcouldbringhisowncommander，orordersfromhim。ReturningtoGeneralSherman，I
foundapartyofyoungrebelofficers，includingRobertJohnston’sson（rebelSenate）andCaptainWolf，quartermaster，ofNewOrleans，whodeclinedtosurrenderexcepttogentlemen。SomeGermanMissourisoldiersdidn’trelishthedistinction，andwereaboutclubbingthemoverthehead，whenIinterferedandreceivedtheirsurrender。Hurryingbacktothegeneral，Ireportedthedangerousconditionofthings。HeandGeneralChurchill，commandingofficeroftheenemy，startedforDeshler’sbrigade;meetingGarland，aquarrelandsomerecriminationfollowedbetweenhimandChurchill，astowherethefaultofthesurrenderbelonged，whichwasratherpromptlysilencedbyGeneralSherman，whohurriedtothesceneoftrouble。There，aftersomeill—naturedtalk，Deshlerorderedhismentolaydowntheirarms。Irodeintothefort，andfoundtheparapetbadlytornupbythefirefromthefleet。OngoingtotheembrasurewhereIhadseenthegunwhileontheriver—banktalkingtoCaptainShirk，thepiecewasfoundsplitbackabouteighteeninches，andthelowerhalfofthemuzzledroppedout。Abatteredbutunexplodedshelllyingwiththepieceexplainedthatitmusthavestrucktheguninthemuzz1e，almostsquarely。OnpassingalongtheinsideIsawfromthetornconditionoftheearthworkshowtremendousourfirewas，andhowthefireoftheenemywaskeptdown。Thefireofthenavyhadpartlytorndownthesideofthefortnexttheriver。Agoodmanysailorswereinthefort。
GeneralA。J。Smith，AdmiralPorter，andGeneralBurbridgewerethere——allinhighspirits，butinsomecontentionastowhogotinfirst。Towarddark，ornearlyso，anArkansasregimentcameinasreenforcements，butsurrenderedwithoutanytrouble。AboutthesametimeGeneralShermanreceivedorderstoputGeneralA。J。
Smithinchargeofthefort，andstayoutsidewithhismen。Ashistroopswerenearlyallinside，andhadfour—fifthsoftheprisonersincharge，theseorderswerenotveryclear，andthegeneralleftforheadquarterstofindoutwhatwasmeant。Iwentoncollectingarms，andasourmenwerescatteringagooddealandweregreatlyexcited，Itooktheprecautiontopassalongthelineandmarchtheprisonersfarenoughfromthestackedarmstobeoutoftemptation。
Iwasespeciallyurgedtothisbyhearingseveralrebelofficersspeakoftheirgunsbeingstillloaded。Itwasdarkbeforealltheprisonerswerecollectedandunderguard，includingtheregimentthatarrivedafterthefight。IamconfidentthatalltheprisonerswereunderguardbyGeneralSherman’stroops。
Everythingbeingsecure，thestaff—officers，allofwhomhadbeenbusilyengaged，scatteredtocomparenotesandenjoythevictory。
IfoundmywayonboardtheTigress，whereeveryonewasgreatlyexcited，andinhighfeatherregardingourvictory，thebiggestthingsinceDonelson。Ialsoobtainedsomefoodandsmallcomfortsforafewrebelofficers，includingyoungJohnston，Wolfe，andtheColonelDeshleralreadymentioned。ThenhuntedupGeneralSherman，whomIfoundsittingonacracker—boainthewhitehousealreadymentioned，nearwherethewhiteflagfirstappeared。Garlandwaswithhim，andsleptwithhimthatnight，whiletherestofuslaidaroundwhereverwecould。Itwasagloomy，bloodyhouse，andsuggestiveofwar。GarlandwasblamedbytheotherConfederateofficersforthewhiteflag，andremainedwithusforsafety。Nextdaywasverycold。Weworkedhardatthelistsofprisoners——
nearlyfivethousandinnumber——allofwhomweresenttoSt。Louis，inchargeofourinspector—general，MajorSanger。Ourlosswaslessthanonehundred。Theenemy，althoughbehindintrenchments，lostmorethandoublewhatwedid。Theirwoundedweremuchworsehurtthanours，whoweremostlyhitaroundtheheadandarms。
ThelosseswerenearlyallinGeneralSherman’swingofthearmy。
Thelossinthefleetamountedtolittle，buttheirservicewasveryvaluable，anddeservedgreatcredit，thoughtheyreceivedlittle。Therewasagooddealofsympathybetweenourpartoftheforcesandthefleetpeople，andIthenthought，andstillthink，ifwehadbeenontheleftnexttheriver，thatinconnectionwiththetremendousfirefromthenavy，wecouldhavecarriedtheworkinanhourafterweopenedonit。Theirmissilestraversedthewholefortification，clearthroughtothehospitalsattheupperend，andIstoodfiveminutesinrifle—rangeofthefortnexttheriver——nothit，andbutseldomshotat，andnoonehitnearme。
Onthe18thweembarked，inasnow—storm;collectedatNapoleon，whichseemedtobewashingaway;andsteamedtoMilliken’sBend，werewearrivedonJanuary21st，andsoonafterwenttoYoung’splantation，nearVicksburg。
TheabovestatementfromGeneralHammondwasreceivedbyGeneralSherman，inclosedinaletterdated\"Chicago，February5，1876\"andsigned\"JohnH。Hammond，whowasadjutant—generaltoGeneralShermanduringthewinterof1862—’83。
J。E。TOURTELLOTTE
CINCINNATI，February3，1876
MYDEARGENERAL:AtArkansasPostthetroopsdebarkedfromsteamerJanuary9th，fromoneo’clocktodark，inthevicinityofNotrib’sfarm，andonthe10thmovedouttogetposition;Steeletotheright，crossingthelowgroundtothenorth，togotahigherground，avoidcrowdingthemovingcolumns，andgaintheleft（ourright）andrearofthe\"post，\"andtheriver—bankabovethepost。
Stuarttooktheriver—roadthemovementcommencingat11o’clocka。m……Aftercrossingthelowgroundcoveredwithwater，youwerecalledbackwithSteele，asStuarthaddrivenouttheenemy’srifle—trenchpickets，thisgivingmoreandfeasibleroomformoving。Stuartwaspushedforward，andbydarkheandSteelewerewelluptotheirexpectedpositions。Beforedaylightonthe11thyoudirectedmetoaccompanyyouforapersonalinspectionofthegroundtoyourfront，whichwemadeonfoot，goingsofarforwardthatwecouldeasilyheartheenemyatworkandmovingabout。
Discoveringtheopenfields，youatoncedirectedSteeletomovetotherightandfront，andpushedStuartoutsoastofullycommandthemandthefield—workoftheenemyextendingfromthefort，topreventfartherstrengthening，asitwasevidenttheseworksweretheproductofarecentthought。StuartandSteelewerepromptintakingposition，butMorgan’scommand（notunderyourcontrol）didnotseemtoworkup，orkeepinjunctionwithyon。Atteno’clockyousentmetoMcClernandtoascertainwhythedelayofattack。HeattributedittoAdmiralPorter，whichwasreallyunjust。Theattackbeganat1p。m。，byAdmiralPorter，andthesoundofhisfirstgunhadnotdiedtillyourmenwereengaged——Wood’s，Barrett’s，andtheParrottbatteriesandinfantry。Itwaslivelyforatime，andStuartpushedclearuptotheenemy’srifle—
trenches，andforcedthemtokeepsheltered。HammondwasmostlywithSteele;SangersenttoMcClernand，andMcCoy，myself，andJohnTaylorwerewithyouandStuart。Atabouthalf—pastthreeIgotyourpermissiontogotoGilesSmith’sskirmish—line，and，thinkingIsawevidenceoftheenemyweakening，Ihurriedbacktoyouandreportedmyobservations。Iwassoconfidentthatademandforitwouldbringasurrender，thatIaskedpermissiontomakeit，and，asyougrantedme，butrefusedtoletanothermemberofyourstaff，athisrequest，gowithme，Irodedirectlydowntheroadwithonlyanorderly。ColonelGarland，commandingabrigade，wasthefirstofficerIsaw，towhom，foryou，Imadethedemand。Allfiringceasedatonce，orinafewmoments。Isenttheorderlybacktoyou，andyourodeforward。Itwasthenfouro’clock。
Duringtheattack，nobodyseemedtothinkMcClernandhadanyclearideaofwhatorhowitwastobedone。Duringthedayhegaveyounodirections，norcamewhereyouwere;hewaswelltotherear，withhis\"manupatree，\"whointhecapacityofalookoutgaveMcClernandinformation，fromwhichhebasedsuchinstructionsashemadetohissubordinates。Hewasfreetoexpresshimselfasbeingamanof\"destiny，\"andhis\"star\"wasintheascendance。Iam，etc。，L。M。DAYTON，lateColoneloftheStaff，nowofCincinnati，Ohio。
GeneralW。T。SHERMAN。
MERIDIANCAMPAIGN。
[SpecialFieldOrders，No。11。]
HEADQUARTERSDEPARTMENTOFTHETENNESSEE
MEMPHIS，January27，1864
V。Theexpeditionisoneofcelerity，andallthingsmusttendtothat。Corpscommandersandstaff—officerswillseethatourmovementsarenotencumberedbywheeledvehiclesimproperlyloaded。
Notatent，fromthecommander—in—chiefdown，willbecarried。Thesickwillbeleftbehind，andthesurgeonscanfindhousesandshedsforallhospitalpurposes。
VI。AllthecavalryinthisdepartmentisplacedundertheordersandcommandofBrigadier—GeneralW。S。Smith，whowillreceivespecialinstructions。
ByorderofMajor—GeneralW。T。SHERMAN
L。M。DAYTON，Aide—de—Camp。
NOTE。—ThatsameeveningIstartedinasteamboatforVicksburg。
W。T。S。
St。Louis，1885。
HEADQUARTERSDEPARTMENTOFTHETENNESSEE
MEMPHIS，January27，1864
Brigadier—GeneralW。S。SMITH，commandingCavalry，etc。，present。
DEARGENERAL:ByanorderissuedthisdayIhaveplacedallthecavalryofthisdepartmentsubjecttoyourcommand。Iestimateyoucanmakeaforceoffullseventhousandmen，whichIbelievetobesuperiorandbetterinallrespectsthanthecombinedcavalrywhichtheenemyhasinalltheStateofMississippi。IwillinpersonstartforVicksburgto—day，andwithfourdivisionsofinfantry，artillery，andcavalrymoveoutforJackson，Brandon，andMeridian，aimingtoreachthelatterplacebyFebruary10th。GeneralBankswillfeignonPascagoulaandGeneralLoganonRome。IwantyouwithyourcavalrytomovefromColliersvilleonPontotocandOkolona;thencesweepingdownneartheMobile&OhioRailroad，disablethatroadasmuchaspossible，consumeordestroytheresourcesoftheenemyalongthatroad，breakuptheconnectionwithColumbus，Mississippi，andfinallyreachmeatornearMeridianasnearthedateIhavementionedaspossible。Thiswillcallforgreatenergyofactiononyourpart，butIbelieveyouareequaltoit，andyouhavethebestandmostexperiencedtroopsintheservice，andtheywilldoanythingthatispossible。GeneralGriersoniswithyou，andisfamiliarwiththewholecountry。I
willsendupfromHaines’sBluffanexpeditionofgunboatsandtransportscombined，tofeeluptheYazooasfarasthepresentwaterwillpermit。Thiswilldisconcerttheenemy。MymovementonJacksonwillalsodividetheenemy，sothatbynocombinationcanhereachyouwithbutapartofhisforce。Iwishyoutoattackanyforceofcavalryyoumeetandfollowthemsouthward，butinnoeventbedrawnintotheforksofthestreamsthatmakeuptheYazoonoroverintoAlabama。Donotlettheenemydrawyouintominoraffairs，butlooksolelytothegreaterobjecttodestroyhiscommunicationfromOkolonatoMeridian，andthenceeastwardtoSelma。FromOkolonasouthyouwillfindabundanceofforagecollectedalongtherailroad，andthefarmershavecornstandinginthefields。Takeliberallyofallthese，aswellashorses，mules，cattle，etc。Asarule，respectdwellingsandfamiliesassomethingtoosacredtobedisturbedbysoldiers，butmills，barns，sheds，stables，andsuchlikethingsuseforthebenefitorconvenienceofyourcommand。Ifconvenient，sendintoColumbus，Mississippi，anddestroyallmachinerythere，andthebridgeacrosstheTombigbee，whichenablestheenemytodrawtheresourcesoftheeastsideofthevalley，butthisisnotofsufficientimportancetodelayyourmovement。TryandcommunicatewithmebyscoutsandspiesfromthetimeyoureachPontotoc。Avoidanylargeforceofinfantry，leavingthemtome。Wehavetalkedoverthismattersomuchthattheabovecoversallpointsnotprovidedforinmypublishedordersofto—day。Iam，etc。，W。T。SHERMAN，Mayor—General，commanding。
MEMPHIS，TENNESSEE，January27，1864。
Brigadier—GeneralJ。P。HATCH，inchargeofCavalryBureau，St。
Louis，Missouri。