Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, August 17, 1862

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION,                 

Memphis, August 17, 1862.

Major-General GRANT, Corinth:

DEAR SIR: A letter from you of August 4, asking me to write more freely and fully on all matters of public interest, did not reach me till yesterday.

I think since the date of that letter you have received from me official reports and copies of orders telling almost everything of interest hereabouts; but I will with pleasure take every occasion to advise you of everything that occurs here.

Your order of arrest of newspaper correspondent is executed, and he will be sent to Alton by the first opportunity. He sends you by mail to-day a long appeal and has asked me to stay proceedings till you can be heard from. I have informed him I would not do so; that persons writing over false names were always suspected by honorable men, and that all I could hold out to him was that you might release him if the dishonest editor who had substituted his newspaper name to the protection of another would place himself in prison in his place. I regard all these newspaper harpies as spies and think they could be punished as such.

I have approved the arrest of the captain and seizure of the steamboat Saline for carrying salt down the river without permit and changing it off for cotton. I will have the captain tried by a military commission for aiding and abetting the public enemy by furnishing them salt wherewith to cure bacon, a contraband article; also for trafficking on the river without license or permit. I hope the court will adopt my views and stop this nefarious practice. What use in carrying on war while our people are supplying arms and the sinews of war? We have succeeded in seizing a good deal of Confederate clothing, percussion caps, &c., some mails, &c.

At our last regular muster I caused all absentees to be reported “deserted,” whereby they got no pay; but inasmuch as the order for the muster for to-morrow, August 18, is universal, I will have the muster to-morrow and all absent then will be treated as deserters, and I will remit the former penalties as they are incurred under my orders.

I have sent out several infantry parties, as also cavalry, and am certain there is nothing but guerrillas between this and Senatobia and Tallahatchie. All the people are now guerrillas, and they have a perfect understanding. When a small body gets out they hastily assemble and attack, but when a large body moves out they scatter and go home.

Colonel Jackson commands at Senatobia, Jeff. Thompson having been ordered away. Villepigue is at Abbeville Station, 18 miles south of Holly Springs. They have guards all along the railroad to Grenada and cavalry everywhere. I think their purpose is to hold us and Curtis here while they mass against you and Buell or New Orleans. Price has been reported coming here, but of this we know nothing. If he comes he can and will take care that we know nothing of it till the last moment. I feel certain that no force save guerrillas have thus far passed north toward McClernand.

All the people here were on the qui vive for Baton Rouge and Nashville, but there seems to be a lull in their talk. I find them much more resigned and less presumptuous than at first. Your orders about property and mine about "niggers" make them feel that they can be hurt, and they are about as sensitive about their property as Yankees. I believe in universal confiscation and colonization. Some Union people have been expelled from Raleigh. I have taken some of the richest rebels and will compel them to buy and pay for all the land, horses, cattle, and effects, as well as damages, and let the Union owner deed the property to one or more of them. This they don't like at all. I do not exact the oath universally, but assume the ground that all within our lines are American citizens, and if they do any act or fail in any duty required of them as such then they can and will be punished as spies.

Instead of furnishing a permanent provost guard I give Colonel Anthony two good officers to assist him and change the regiment weekly. All are in tents and have their transportation ready to move. I am also in tents. I think 4,000 men could land opposite Helena, march rapidly to Panola, destroy that bridge, then to Oxford and Abbeville and destroy that, thus making the Tallahatchie the northern limits of their railroad. Afterward, Grenada, Jackson, and Meridian must be attacked. Break up absolutely and effectually the railroad bridges, mills, and everything going to provide their armies and they must feel it. The maintenance of this vast army must soon reduce their strength.

The lines of the Mississippi must be under one command. As it is, Curtis and I are perfectly independent of each other. He was here the other day. I know him well; he is very jealous of interference and will do nothing at another's suggestion. If you want him to do anything you must get Halleck to order it. Fort progresses too slow; 1,300 negroes at work on it. One installment of guns received; balance expected every hour. Weather heretofore unbearably hot, but now pretty cool.

Yours, truly,

W. T. SHERMAN,                

Major-general.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 17, Part 2 (Serial No. 25), p. 178-9

From Fort Pillow

Special to the Chicago Times.

FORT PILLOW, April 28.

Deserters from the rebel lines bring the gratifying intelligence that New Orleans has surrendered to our forces, under command of Com. Porter, and that city is now in our possession.

On Thursday last the Federal fleet passed Fort Jackson, after a desperate naval engagement, in which one vessel was sunk and several badly damaged.  It is supposed that the Federal loss was very heavy.  The rebel loss was 60 killed and 184 wounded.

The engagement lasted a part of two days.  The Federals took possession of New Orleans without a struggle on Friday.

The rebel force had all evacuated, destroying such steamers as they had no use for, and taking with them the greater part of military stores on deposit in the city.

There is supposed to be a large amount of cotton stored in New Orleans, which will fall into our possession, notwithstanding the efforts of the rebel authorities to destroy the entire stock.

The union citizens of New Orleans were jubilant over the result of their long waiting.

The strength of Fort Pillow is stated by deserters, at 8,000, under command of Gen. Villipigue, who has not been superseded as reported.  They have seven batteries mounting an aggregate of 26 guns.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 1, 1862, p. 1

Cairo Budget

CAIRO, April 28. – our army at Pittsburg is still gradually advancing, but everything is quiet. Reconnoissance on Friday discovered a camp of the enemy at Pea Ridge, some 72 miles beyond our line of pickets, but they did not advance to attack them.

There is no news from Fort Pillow. The mortars fire occasionally, our gunboats being some distance above.

Refugees from Memphis report a strong Union feeling existing there, and a majority of the people anxiously waiting the arrival of our forces to take possession. It was not believed that the city would be burned, but all cotton sugar and molasses would be destroyed.

Van Dorn, Price, and Jeff Thompson were at Memphis with about 6,000 miserably clad troops. They seemed there to awe people into submission to the conscription act, which was being enforced. Hundreds of inhabitants were leaving daily to avoid impressment.

Most of the twelve months men whose term of service is about to expire, refuse to re-enlist under any circumstances and are deserting in large numbers.

All passes to citizens to go up the Tennessee river are refused.

The river is rising slowly.

CAIRO, April 28. – Six refugees from Memphis arrived here this morning. They left on Sunday, the 20th, in a skiff, and reached our fleet, opposite Fort Pillow, on Friday. Five of them are natives of Connecticut, the other from Freeport, Illinois. They crossed the Mississippi 6 miles below Randolph, making the rest of the way to Ozark, on the Arkansas shore, being often compelled to carry their skiff over bluffs and through fields. They represent that a strong Union feeling exists in Memphis. Several Union clubs met nightly and were constantly increasing in members.

General Prentiss and Federal prisoners taken at Pittsburg were in Memphis two hours, and were taken to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They received marked attention from Union citizens while in the city, who are becoming bolder daily. Gen. Prentiss made a speech from the platform of the cars, assuring the people that they would all cheer for the Stars and Stripes in two or three weeks. Our prisoners united in singing the “Star Spangled Banner,” and were loudly applauded by the people.

The refugees left Memphis to avoid being impressed, as the conscript act recently passed by the rebel Congress was being enforced. All male inhabitants between the age of 18 and 35 are compelled to take up arms. Large numbers were daily leaving the city and making their way towards our fleet.

Van Dorn, Price and Jeff. Thompson were at Memphis with about 6,000 troops, poorly equipped, most of their clothing in rags. Gov. Harris is at Corinth.

Twenty-nine deserters, from Fort Pillow, arrived yesterday.

Some 6,000 hogsheads of sugar and between 10,000 and 15,000 barrels of molasses were piled on the bluff, ready to be thrown into the river on the approach of the Federal fleet, which was daily expected, as it was generally conceded by the rebels that our fleet would compel them to evacuate Fort Pillow. Gen. Villipgue [sic] was still in command.

It was reported that Gen. Curtis’s scouts had reached the mouth of White River, and that his advance was within one day’s march.

All ideas of burning Memphis had been given up. The gunboat Mallory had been in the course of construction for some time and was rapidly approaching completion. She is plated with railroad iron. Rebel gunboats were continually plying between Memphis and Fort Pillow.

The Fortifications near Memphis have been abandoned, there being no guns mounted on any of them. All rebel stores and machinery had been removed to Columbus, Mississippi.

Negroes had recently advanced considerably in value. At an auction sale, two weeks ago, several were sold at prices ranging from $500 from to $1100. Coffee retailed at 80 cents, rice 7 [¼] cents, bacon 25 cents, chickens $1 each, eggs 40 cents per dozen.

Boats from below report nothing new. Mortars fire occasionally, but with what effect is not [known].

Gen. Halleck is moving forward slowly.

Reconnoissances in force, commanded by Gen. Garfield, went out on Friday and discovered the enemy’s advance about three miles beyond our out posts, encamped on Pea Ridge. Pickets are continually firing on each other.

Our heavy siege guns are being moved to the front as fast as the condition of the roads will permit.

The river continues to rise. Rain has set in, accompanied by strong wind, which may send water over the levee.

Rebel Cavalry have appeared in considerable force upon the river, about 20 miles below Savannah, near Clifton. One of the gunboats had been sent down the river to watch movements.

All boats leaving this point for above have brass pieces on board each side, besides armed guards upon hurricane deck, to return fire from guerrillas on shore.

CAIRO, April 29. – The river has risen an inch since morning.

Intelligence from Pittsburgh indicates an immediate forward movement of our whole army.

Gen. Pope, on Sunday, advanced his division over four miles into the interior from Pittsburg.

A battle was daily expected.

Generals Halleck and Grant have moved head quarters to front and are personally superintending the details of preparations.

Steamer Desoto arrived from gunboat flotilla, but brings no further news.

Deserters from the rebel army confirms the reports of the taking of New Orleans, but gave no particulars.

The Desoto brought 54 bales of cotton and a lot of hides from Osceola, Arkansas.

Gov. Yates has charted the steamer Champion, and is fitting her up as a hospital boat for wounded soldiers. She leaves for St. Louis on Wednesday night, with a fully corps of surgeons and nurses, and will proceed thence up the Tennessee river to await the coming battle.

Later arrivals report the gradual advance of our army from Pittsburgh.

Rumors of the evacuation of Corinth were reiterated by deserters who had arrived at Gen Halleck’s headquarters.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 4

Further from New Orleans

Severe Engagement at the Forts

HEAVY LOSS.

OCCUPATION OF NEW ORLEANS.


FORT PILLOW, April 28. – Despatches from the rebel lines bring the gratifying intelligence that New Orleans has surrendered to our forces under command of Commodore Porter, and that the city is now in quiet possession of Porter.

On Thursday last the Federal fleet passed Ft. Jackson after a desperate naval engagement in which one vessel was sunk and several badly damaged.

It is supposed the Federal loss is very heavy. The rebel loss is 60 killed and 184 wounded.

The engagement lasted part of two days.

The Federals took possession of New Orleans without a struggle on Friday. The rebel force evacuated destroying such steamers as they had no use for, and taking with them the greater amount of military stores on deposit in that city. There is supposed to be a large amount of cotton stored in New Orleans which will fall into our hands notwithstanding the rebel authorities attempted to destroy the entire stock.

The union citizens of New Orleans were very jubilant over the result of their long waiting.

The strength of Fort Pillow is stated by intelligent deserters at 8,000 under Gen. Villipigue, who has not been superceded [sic], as reported. They have seven batteries mounting an aggregate of 26 guns. Matters between our fleet and the fort were very quiet.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 3, 1862, p. 3

From Tennessee

CAIRO, April 28.

Six refugees from Memphis arrived here this morning. They left on Sunday afternoon the 20th in a [skiff] and reached our fleet opposite Fort Pillow on Friday. Five of them are natives of Tennessee, and the other from Freeport, Ill. They crossed the Mississippi six miles below Rondo, making the rest of the way to Osceola through the backwater on the Arkansas shore. They represent the strongest union feeling existing in Memphis. Several union clubs meet nightly and are constantly increasing in numbers.

Gen. Prentiss and the federal prisoners taken at the Pittsburg landing were in Memphis 24 hours and taken to Tuscaloosa, Ala. They received marked attentions from Union citizens while in the city, who are becoming bolder daily.

Gen. Prentiss made a speech from the platform of a car, assuring the people they would all cheer for the stars and stripes in two or three weeks. Our prisoners united in singing the “Star Spangled Banner” and were loudly applauded by the people!

The refugees left Memphis to avoid being impressed, as the conscript act, recently passed by the rebel congress, was being enforced. Large numbers were daily leaving the city and making their way towards our fleet.

Van Dorn, Price and Jeff. Thompson are at Memphis with about 6,000 troops, partly equipped and most of their clothing in rags.

Gov. Harris is at Corinth.

Some 6,000 hhds. of sugar and between 10,000 & 15,000 bbls. of molasses were piled up below the city ready to be thrown into the river on the approach of the federal fleet, which was daily expected. It was generally conceded by rebels that our fleet would compel them to evacuate Fort Pillow, where Gen. Villippegue was still in command.

It was reported that Gen. Curtis’ scouts had reached the mouth of white river and that his advance was within a day’s march.

The gunboat Mallory has been in course of construction for some time, and was rapidly approaching completion. She is plated with railroad iron.

Rebel gunboats were continually plying between Memphis and Fort Pillow.

The fortifications near Memphis have been abandoned, there being no mounted guns on them.

Negroes had recently advanced considerably in value. At an auction sale two weeks ago, several were sold at prices ranging from $500 to $1,000.

Coffee 80c; rice 7 ½; butter 50c; bacon 25c; chickens $1 each; eggs 40c per dozen.

Boats from below report nothing new.

The mortars fire occasionally, but with what effect is not known.

Gen. Halleck is moving forward slowly.

A reconnoisance in force, commanded by Gen. Garfield, went out Friday and discovered the enemy’s advance some miles beyond our outposts, encamped on Pea Ridge.

The pickets are continually firing on each other.

Our heavy siege guns are being moved to the front as fast as the condition of the roads will permit.

Our army at Pittsburg is still gradually advancing, but everything is quite. A reconnaissance on Friday discovered the enemy in camp at Pea Ridge, some 12 miles beyond our lines of pickets, but we did not advance to attack them.

There is no news from Fort Pillow. The mortars fire occasionally.


CHICAGO, April 29.

The Tribune’s special from Cairo says that rebel cavalry have recently appeared in considerable force on the Tennessee river 20 below Savannah, and one of the gunboats had been sent down to watch their movements.

All boats leaving this point for above carry two brass pieces on the bow, one on each side, besides a guard on the hurricane deck.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 1

From Fort Pillow

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

OFF FORT PILLOW,
CAIRO, April 19, 1862.

The Enemy’s gunboats have laid behind Criaghead Point for two or three nights past, fearing an attempt on our part to run the blockade.

The firing upon both sides on Thursday, was very heavy. The mortars opens at noon, four being in operation. The enemy replied immediately and briskly from the land batteries, throwing shell clear over us, and nearly across the river to the Tennessee shore.

Their firing was very accurate and from very heavy guns.

The St. Louis, Carondelet and Cairo, stationed as picket stops near the extremity of the point, where obliged to move up the river several times to get out of range.

A skiff attached to a mortar raft was hit by a shell and dashed to pieces. The shells flew thick and all about our gunboats, but none were hit.

On Thursday night the mortars commenced firing at 8 o’clock, the enemy replying immediately, and the fire was kept up until midnight.

A rebel shell exploded directly above the stern awnings of the St. Louis, slightly injuring one man in the wrist, another shell struck the broadside casemate of the Cairo, but did no damage. The firing ceased at midnight.

Yesterday but little was done except a few shots fired by the mortars. In the morning the mortars were shifted form the Arkansas to the Tennessee shore for the greater protection. In their past locality they have been in great danger from bands of rebel scouts prowling through the woods. These scouts have already cut the levee in two or three places, to embarrass the operations of the mortars.

Deserters are being rapidly taken both from the rebel gunboats and from their batteries. They say that nearly all of the crews of the gunboats have been impressed, and so great is the fear of the officers lest they desert that they frequently muster them every hour in the day.

The batteries now mount about forty very heavy guns. They have sixty more guns which they are rapidly putting in position. Within the past few days Bragg has arrived and succeeds Gen. Villipage, hitherto in command. There are about 6,000 troops there. Both troops and guns are from Pensacola.

There are but four gunboats in the river – the Mariposa [sic], Macray [sic], Ponchartrain and Livingston, mounting a total of twenty-four guns. The Ivy has gone to New Orleans with Hollins on board. The Gen. Polk is at Memphis repairing. Capt. Engee is acting Commodore in Hollin’s absence.

An independent company at Memphis has five boats below Fort Pillow, intended to grapple on our fleet and take it down to Dixie.

There are four rams at New Orleans, among them the Manassas. Active preparations are not expected at present.

Commodore Foot suffers severely from his wound received at Donelson.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 22, 1862, p. 1

Bombardment of Fort Pillow

OFF FT. PILLOW, April 19. – Enemy’s gunboats have laid behind Crag Head point for two or three nights past, fearing an attempt on our part to run the blockade. Firing upon both sides on Thursday was very heavy, mortars opened at noon, four being in operation. The enemy replied immediately and briskly from the land batteries, throwing shell clear over us and nearly across the river to the Tennessee shore, their firing was very accurate and from very heavy guns. The St. Louis, Carondolet [sic], and Cairo, stationed as picket ships near the extremity of the point were obliged to move up the river several times to get out of range. A skiff attached to a mortar raft was hit by a shell and dashed to pieces.

The shells flew thick and fast all about the gunboats, but none were hit. Thursday night the mortars commenced firing at 8 o’clock, the enemy replying immediately, and the fire was kept up until midnight. A rebel shell exploded directly above the stern awnings of the St. Louis, slightly injuring one man in the wrist; another shell struck the broadside casemate of the Cairo, but did no damage. The firing ceased at midnight. Yesterday but little was done except a few shots fired by the mortars in the morning. In the afternoon the mortars were shifted from the Arkansas to the Tennessee shore for greater protection; in their past locality they have been in great danger from bands of rebels scouting and prowling through the woods, these scouts have already cut the levee in two or three places to embarrass the operations of the mortars.

Desertions are very rapidly made both from the rebel gunboats and from their batteries. – They say that nearly all the crews of the gunboats have been impressed, and so great is the fear of the officers lest they desert that they frequently muster them every hour in the day. The batteries now muster about 40 guns very heavy. They have 60 more guns which they are rapidly putting in position.

Within the past few days Bragg has arrived and succeeds Gen. Villthige [sic], hitherto in command.

There are about 6,000 troops there. Both troops and guns are from Pensacola. There are but four gunboats in the river – the Malipa, [Macrov], Ponchartrain [sic] and Livingston, mounting a total of twenty four guns.

The Ivey has gone to New Orleans with Hollins on board. The Gen. Polk is at Memphis repairing. Capt. [Sug c] is Acting Commodore in Hollins’s absence.

An independent company at Memphis has five boats below Pillow intended to grapple into our fleet and take it down to Dixie.

There are four rams at New Orleans – among them the Manassas.

Com. Foote suffers severely from his wound received at Donelson.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 4