General-in-Chief:
GENERAL: On the 4th instant I personally delivered the original of the accompanying paper, marked A, to Major-General Grant, upon the perusal of which he remarked in substance that he had underrated the obstacles frustrating the assault upon Vicksburg's defenses, and that he would answer my note in writing, and, as I understood him, satisfactorily. It has not yet been answered. The original of the accompanying paper, marked B,† was received by me on the evening of the 18th instant. The paper marked C‡ is a copy of my answer, and paper marked D is a copy of General Grant's reply.§ Paper marked E is a copy of my protest.
In compliance with General Grant's order, I have the honor to report to Headquarters of the Army by letter for orders.
Having opened the way from Milliken's Bend above to Perkins' plantation, 40 miles below, Vicksburg; having led the advanced corps to Port Gibson and to Champion's Hill, and borne the brunt of both of these battles, as statistics will prove; having fought the battle of Big Black unassisted by any other corps; having made the first and perhaps only lodgments in the enemy's works at Vicksburg on the 22d ultimo, and demonstrated the vigor and persistency of my assault by the greatest loss, I ask, in justice, that I may be restored to my command at least until Vicksburg shall have fallen. Only two days before my banishment from the Department of the Tennessee, General Grant had increased my command by the positive addition of one division and by the contingent addition of two others, making it larger than the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps combined, and therefore cannot consistently object upon the score of distrust of my fidelity or ability.
† See Inclosure No. 1, p. 159
‡ See Inclosure No. 3, p. 162
§ See Inclosure No. 6, p. 164
