Near Vicksburg, June 19th 1863
Gen. Ord:
The island referred
to by Contraband must be where Jeff and Joe Davis' plantations are. Of course
no such rumor as a large force being there can be true. You had better send
your Cavalry to Hankersons Ferry to Scout down Black River, from there to the
Miss and up by Warrenton to see if they can discover anything. Hines County is
beyond Black River. Get batteries as well advanced as possible during the day
and night. We want a general cannonading tomorrow. Gen. Lauman you know is
attached to your corps.
U. S. Grant
Maj Gen'l.
SOURCE: John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume
8, p. 397
