VlCKSBURG, July 11,
1863.
My Dear Mother:
I have just debarked on my return from Port Hudson and
finished my report to General Grant. I am ordered back to Natchez, for which
point I shall start at eight o'clock in the morning, so have brief time for
communication with you. On the 1st inst., by order of General Grant, I reported
to Admiral Porter for transportation to Port Hudson, whither I was going as
bearer of despatches and oral communication from General Grant to General
Banks. You are probably not aware of what a flagship is or the sort of style
they preserve on board of one. The Black Hawk, Admiral Porter's, is
probably behind none of them in point of elegance, and the Admiral, who is a
special friend of mine, always receives me with all the honors.
From the flagship I reported to General Dennis at Young's
Point, and then procured an ambulance to take us around by land to where the
gunboat Arizona was lying, the vessel that had been assigned to me. I
have had command before of a good many steamboats, but never of a vessel of
war. The Arizona is a beautiful little craft, a yacht, elegantly fitted
up, trim built, with everything ship-shape in real man-of-war style. She was
formerly of the Southern Steamship Line between New Orleans and Galveston,
seized by the rebels in 1861, ran the blockade to Havana with a cargo of
cotton, recaptured by Admiral Farragut's squadron in 1862 off Mobile—at this
time running under Confederate colors and called the Carolina, and
commanded by Captain Forbes. On seeing the Admiral, Captain Forbes claimed to
be bound to Matamoras, but the Admiral remarked to him, “I do not take you for
running the blockade, but for your damned poor navigation. Any man bound to
Matamoras from Havana and coming within twelve miles of Mobile light has no
business to have a steamer.” Accordingly, she was sent to Philadelphia as a
prize, being purchased by the government for 86,000 dollars. She was speedily
altered into a gunboat and early in 1863 was put in commission. Leaving
Philadelphia she captured a prize of about $140,000 in value on the fourth day
out. Arrived at New Orleans on April 1st, she sailed for Brashear City on the
6th, took two regiments of Major-General Banks on board and landed them at
Grand Lakes, the next morning fought and destroyed the Queen of the West, and
the day after proceeded to the wreck and recovered all the guns, two fine
Parrott rifles, and three twelve-pounder Porterfield pieces, brass. On April
20th attacked, in company with the Clifton, the fortifications at Butte
La Rose, silenced the battery in twelve minutes, capturing the guns,
ammunition, 114 prisoners, and the small arms. On the . . . day of . . .,
attacked, in company with the Albatross, and repulsed the enemy's
gunboats at Fort de Russy, but owing to some misunderstanding of orders was not
permitted to remain and destroy them. The day after proceeded upon the
expedition with Admiral Porter towards Alexandria, and on the . . . day of . .
., the city surrendered to Captain Upton, a very wealthy citizen and one of
influence there, and a grandson of Putnam of revolutionary memory; he who killed
the wolf in the cave, and about that anecdote the boys may read. I have been
somewhat prolix in describing the boat and her commander, because my relations
with both have been very intimate the last ten days, and because she is again
assigned to me to go to Natchez. I lay on her with the fleet under the guns of
Vicksburg till the 22d inst.; early in the morning weighed anchor and down
stream, destroying all river transportation as we passed along — all boats,
skiffs, flats, etc. Met the gunboat Louisville at Grand Gulf, got some
news from below, most favorable, touched at St. Joseph, and put off Mrs.
Rodgers. Her meeting with her daughter and under such circumstances, was a
scene affecting in the extreme. They had not seen each other for more than four
years — are ladies of the greatest refinement. Taking advantage of
circumstances while the scene was transpiring, ordered the men to load the boat
with vegetables, meats and poultry; in other words, foraged extensively. Such
is war. Got under weigh, and steamed down to the next plantation, where we
stopped all night, it being too dark to move. Here we called at the house and
found a pretty and interesting young lady, much chit chat and quarrelling about
the war, and while we quarrelled, my men drove brisk trade with the negroes for
honey, tomatoes, melons, fowl, etc. Under weigh at eight o'clock, steaming
down, still destroying as we go. Touched at Mrs. Duncan's plantation,
abandoned, and in the hands of negroes; will endeavor to send with this some
memento of the occasion. As we reached Natchez, discovered cattle in large
numbers that had just crossed the river; ordered shell from twelve-pound
howitzer thrown among them; cattle scattered and drivers fled. Ordered the boat
to round to and sent a missive to the civil authorities that if they permitted
the transit of cattle or other munitions of war for the use of the enemy, I
would burn and destroy the city. To that missive I received the following
reply:
Mayor's Office, Natchez, July 3, 1863.
Sir:
Your communication of this date is duly
at hand. The city authorities regret that you conceive it necessary to inflict
such a penalty as you name upon the defenceless inhabitants of this city for
acts of which they are innocent and over which the city authorities have no control.
To avert the calamity, however, we will represent your demand to the military
authorities without delay. At the same time we would observe with due
deference, that we are at a loss to understand how the destruction of the city
will accomplish the object you have in view.
Respectfully,
your obt. Servant,
W. Dix, Mayor.
Thos.
Kilby Smith,
Colonel . . .
Not liking the tone of the above despatch, I proceeded to
carry my threat into execution, when down came the marshal and begged like a
dog. I gave my opinion and ipse dixit in no very measured terms, and
taking a promise, wended my way, destroying, however, some sixty skiffs and
fleets at that point. Anchored in stream at nine o'clock, July 4th; under way
at twelve o'clock; touched at plantation for wood and forage, vegetables, etc.
Nine o'clock reached Port Hudson and reported to Commodore Palmer on board
sloop-of-war Hartford, anchored off stream. Commodore stiff old salt of
the old school — about as stiff I suppose as Uncle Hunter was on board ship.
Took on, however, in behalf of the army, about the same quantity of airs as he
took for the navy, and imagine he did not make much by the interview in the way
of airs. Next day, July 5th, reported to steamer Albatross, the captain
of which sent ashore for horses for me, and about ten o'clock got mounted, with
my orderly, on a sorry jade said to have belonged to a Secesh colonel who had
been taken prisoner. Set off for General Banks's headquarters, about twenty
miles distant. Sun blazing hot, waded swamp, passed by bayou, and lagoon, and
through dense forests, heard the alligators barking like young puppies. Saw
sugar cane growing for the first time, passed sugar mills, close to enemy's
pickets, and just enough of danger to make the jaunt spicy and interesting. Sun
broiling; wore cloth cap and felt it; should have been sunstruck, but adopted
my old precaution of stuffing the crown with fresh green leaves every now and
then — a most cooling application to the head. Glad enough to reach General
Banks’s headquarters at two o’clock, after a ride of four hours; dismounted
thirsty and exhausted. General met me with great courtesy — bottle of champagne
and plenty of ice, cool goblet; oh, how refreshing! . . . felt sufficiently better to take a nap
of an hour, and then the General, by way of amusement, invited me to ride with
him and staff over the left of his lines; gave me a good mount, and off we
started for a thirty miles’ ride and about five miles’ walk through the saps
and mines of his approaches upon the fortifications, back at eleven o'clock,
supped and laid down at twelve. Clothes wet through with sweat, did not sleep
well, rose, however, early in the morning, July 6th. . . . Breakfast over, General invited me to
ride on the right, horses saddled and off at seven. Rode far and walked through
more miles of sap and made close investigation of mines; two men shot through
the head by rifle balls close by my side; sharpshooters on both sides vigilant
and alert. Called upon one or two generals, back to camp and dinner by two
o'clock. Admiral Farragut made his appearance before dinner was through. . . .
I imagine rather a clever man and a fine officer. . . .
July 7th received despatches of the fall of Vicksburg, per
telegraph, despatch boat Price having got aground on her way down; much
enthusiasm. Army fired salutes of an hundred guns; also navy; drank General
Grant's health; took good care to have a despatch intercepted by the enemy, and
devoted the afternoon to close investigation of saps, mines, and approaches on
the right of our lines, in company with General Banks; back to camp, and late
to bed; hardly asleep before General Banks made his appearance at my bedside in
shirt and drawers to advise me that General Gardner had sent flag of truce, and
to ask if what he had heard in reference to the fall of Vicksburg was true.
Symptomatic; immediately volunteered to go with flag of truce myself and make
proper reply. Rode out at one o'clock, nine miles; passed our pickets, sounded
bugle call, and shortly afterwards was met by enemy's flag with lanthorn. Their
party consisted of two colonels and their aides-de-camp; had with them much
parley; flag returned, to consult with General Gardner; agreed to wait for them
two hours. Flag again appeared with despatches for General Banks and overtures
for surrender. Back to headquarters at great speed. General Gardiner writes
that he has defended his post as long as he considers his duty and offers terms
and to appoint commissioners to meet outside of breastworks to arrange
conditions. Accordingly, General Banks appointed Brigadier-General Stone,
Brigadier-General Dwight, and Colonel Burge commissioners, with instructions to
demand unconditional surrender. They were met by Colonel Miles, Col. Marshall
Smith, and Colonel Steadman, on behalf of the enemy. All the day passed
tediously, waiting the action of the commissioners. Finally, at nightfall, they
made their report. Garrison to be surrendered at seven o'clock the following
morning, and a rough estimate of results of the Port Hudson capture is as
follows:
- Upwards of five thousand prisoners, including one major-general, one brigadier-general, four colonels, and large number of field and company officers.
- Thirty-one field cannon;
- Twenty S. C. and siege cannon;
- Major-Gen. Frank Gardner, formerly U. S. A.;
- Brigadier-General William Beale;
- Colonel Miles;
- Col. Marshall Smith, formerly U. S. Navy;
- Colonel Steadman;
- Major A. Marchent, formerly U. S. Artillery.
Despatches were at once prepared for me, and at nine
o'clock, with escort, I set off to ride over the same road. I came to place of
hail of gunboats. It was intensely dark and raining hard; some miles of road
through dense and muddy swamp; had to search for pathway by aid of lantern;
guide at fault and way lost; outside of picket lines, and great danger of
capture; found way and reached Mississippi shore at three o'clock in morning.
Hailed Hartford, and got aboard; reported to Commodore Palmer; had Arizona
assigned me; got aboard of her by the light of the wild-eyed dawn, and at
four o'clock laid down with intense headache to court sleep, which had been a
stranger to me for two days and two nights. I had been much exposed to sun and
feared sickness. I lay still for one hour and am then called upon by naval
officers anxious for news; a thousand questions about Port Hudson; no rest;
under weigh at eight o'clock, and shortly afterwards breakfast. . . . The
captain has a pet, a beautiful doe, with whom I made friends coming down, and
as I returned, with her large black dreamy eyes, she was apparently glad to see
me and gave me welcome by licking my hand. She walks all over the ship
perfectly tame, and it seems strange to me that an animal so wild and timid by
nature should become so fond and gentle. The day is calm and perfectly
beautiful, the bright blue sky dappled with fleecy clouds, the rapid motion of
the boat stirs the atmosphere till it fans the cheek with voluptuous freshness.
Fatigue passes away. I am the bearer of glad tidings of great joy, and with
heart elate sail triumphant. For the time being, brief as it may seem, I govern
on the quarterdeck of the yacht, and save for the presence of Cleopatra, rival
Antony. The day wears on, and at six I am invited to dinner. The captain and I
mess alone, but with the strictest formality. . . .
Anchored in the stream at eleven o'clock; too dark to run.
Friday, July 10th, weigh anchor, and steam up at four o' clock; pass Natchez at
9 A.m. Many cattle on the bank — evidently have been crossed for the use of the
rebel army — some two thousand head. Heave a dozen shell and send some rifle
balls among them. Crowds of men and women gather on the bluffs of Natchez to
see us pass. We take on negroes from point to point as they rush to the river
side, stalwart men seeking liberty under the folds of the American flag. We
hail a skiff containing six parolled prisoners from Vicksburg; they have
floated down the river and are seeking their homes at Natchez and up the river.
Much cannon practice from our vessel I propose, to prevent all crossing of the
river, and to dismay the inhabitants. I find my hearing much affected by close
proximity the past two or three months to heavy guns while being rapidly
discharged. We meet many vessels from Vicksburg, seven gunboats; the
Mississippi is open.
I hold to-day conversation with captain's Calcutta servant,
an Hindostanee; speaks and writes Arabic, is a follower of Mahomet. If my
memory serves me right, the first Mussulman I have made acquaintance with,
tall, not quite black, straight nose, thin lips, handsome. I hear the Arabic
language spoken in its purity, I believe, for he is educated, and also the
Hindostanee. He has travelled throughout China; perfectly familiar with Canton,
Calcutta, Paris, London, Boston, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Australia,
the South Sea and Pacific Islands, San Francisco, and the Havannah, and for the
most part North America; was a follower of Nana Sahib, and is not twenty years
old.
Saturday, July 11th, anchor at four o'clock, having moved
all night opposite Mrs. Fanars, at the town of St. Joseph; called upon the
ladies, who are in great distress, husbands and fathers being all under arrest
at Alton . . . Comfort the poor women all I can, and here I may say to-night I
have got an order from General Grant to release their poor devils of
husbands—so that must be set to my credit, if I am a fiend and a " damned
Yank." To-day meet more gunboats, more parolled prisoners in skiffs. Day
cool and pleasant.
Abner Read was shot and mortally wounded the day I left Port
Hudson; he was badly shot, and could not possibly recover. He was commander and
a good deal thought of by the navy. Wife will remember him; he was a brother of
the judge.
Well, we arrived at Vicksburg about four o'clock this
afternoon; reported to the Admiral and to General Grant; both glad to see me
back and hear my news, and on the strength of my report am ordered to take some
transports and some troops and garrison Natchez. I shall set sail for that
point in the morning at eight o'clock, and am writing for dear life to-night in
order to get ready.
SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of
Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 315-23
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