Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Nathaniel P. Banks, July 4, 1863

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,        

Near Vicksburg, July 4, 1863.

Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, Comdg. Department of the Gulf:

GENERAL: The garrison of Vicksburg surrendered this morning. Number of prisoners, as given by the officers, is 27,000; field artillery, one hundred and twenty-eight pieces, and a large number of siege guns, probably not less than eighty. The other stores will probably not amount to any great deal. I held all my surplus troops out on Big Black River and between there and Haynes' Bluff, intending to assault in a few days. I directed that they be kept in readiness to move on the shortest notice to attack Johnston. The moment the surrender of Vicksburg was agreed upon, the order was given, and troops are now in motion. General Sherman goes in command of this expedition. His force is so large I think it cannot fail. This move will have the effect of keeping Johnston from detaching a portion of his force for the relief of Port Hudson. Although I had the garrison of Vicksburg completely in my power, I gave them the privilege of being paroled at this place, the officers to retain their side-arms and private baggage, and field, staff, and cavalry officers to take with them one horse each. I regard the terms really more favorably than an unconditional surrender. It leaves the transports and troops for immediate use. At the present junction of affairs in the East and on the river above here, this may prove of vast importance. I hope, general, and from what, Admiral Porter tells me, this probably will find you in possession of Port Hudson.

I am, general, 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. 470-1

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant: Special Orders No. 141, May 26 1863

SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 141.}

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE TENNESSEE,    

In Field, near Vicksburg, Miss., May 26, 1863.

I. Three brigades will be immediately detached from the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps, each, including the brigade at Haynes' Bluff. The whole will be under the temporary command of Maj. Gen. F. P. Blair.

The troops from the Fifteenth Army Corps will proceed immediately to Haynes' Bluff.† Those from the Seventeenth Army Corps will move by the Oak Ridge road to Sulphur Springs. At or near the latter place a junction will be formed between all the forces, when they will move upon and drive out the enemy now collecting between the Black and Yazoo Rivers.

The expedition will carry in haversacks and wagons seven days' rations of bread, salt and coffee, and 150 rounds of ammunition, including that in cartridge-boxes.

The commanding officer of the expedition will report at these headquarters for special instructions.

 

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By order of Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant:

[JOHN A. RAWLINS,]    

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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† The First Brigade, First Division, and Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, and First Brigade, Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, designated for this service.

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. 352