IN REAR OF VICKSBURG,
MISS., May 31, 1863.
(Received June 3 – 4 p.m.)
Maj. Gen. N. P.
BANKS, Comdg. Dept. of the Gulf:
GENERAL: Your letters of the 28th and 29th instant, by
Colonel Riggin, have just been received: While I regret the situation in which
they left you, and clearly see the necessity of your being re-enforced in order
to be immediately successful, the circumstances by which I am surrounded will
prevent my making any detachments at this time. Concentration is essential to
the success of the general campaign in the West, but Vicksburg is the vital
point. Our situation is for the first time during the entire Western campaign what
it should be. We have, after great labor and extraordinary risk, secured a
position which should not be jeopardized by any detachments whatever. On the
contrary, I am now and shall continue to exert myself to the utmost to
concentrate. The enemy clearly perceive the importance of dislodging me at all
hazards. General Joe Johnston is now at Canton, organizing his forces and
making his dispositions to attack me. His present strength is estimated at
40,000, and is known to be at least 20,000. The force he took from Jackson was
8,000; [W. W.] Loring's division, which has joined him since the battle of
Champion's Hill, 3,000; General [S. R.] Gist, from South Carolina, 6,000;
stragglers from Pemberton, 2,000; troops from Mobile, number not known. Besides
this, Major-General Hurlbut writes me he is reliably informed that Bragg has
detached three divisions from his army to report to Johnston. Pemberton has
himself 18,000 effective men.
I have ample means to defend my present position, and effect
the reduction of Vicksburg within twenty days, if the relation of affairs which
now obtains remains unchanged. But detach 10,000 men from my command and I
cannot answer for the result. With activity on the part of the enemy and any
increase of his present force, it will become necessary for me to press my
operations with all possible dispatch. I need not describe the severity of the
labor to which my command must necessarily be subjected in an operation of such
magnitude as that in which it is now engaged. Weakened by the detachment of
10,000 men, or even half that number, with the circumstances entirely changed,
I should be crippled beyond redemption. My arrangements for supplies are ample,
and can be expanded to meet any exigency. All I want now are men.
I am, Sir, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
U.S. GRANT.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24,
Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 367
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