Headquarters Dept. Of The Tenn.,
Vicksburg, Sept. 15, 1863.
My visit to New Orleans and the forts some one hundred miles
further south has been fraught with much interest. I do not remember in all my
life to have had so much hilarity and joy crowded into so brief a space of
time.
It has literally been a triumphal march. The only alloy
being the unfortunate accident to General Grant, who, I am happy to say, is
safely at these headquarters, though I fear his accident will confine him to
his bed for a good while.
The New Orleans papers have been filled with allusions to us
in various terms of compliment. General Banks has been most assiduous in
attention.
Of all this I will write you more at length the moment I
find leisure. I have been assigned to active duty in the field and to command
the Second Brigade, Sixth Division, Army of the Tennessee, reporting for duty
to Major-Gen. J. B. McPherson, who, I am happy to say, is my personal friend.
Of this matter I will write more anon. Suffice it now to say that the command
is a very fine one, an eminently fighting brigade, and one that distinguished
itself on my left in the assault on Vicksburg.
SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of
Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 336
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