Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General William T. Sherman, July 11, 1863

VICKSBURG, MISS., July 11, 1863.        

Maj. Gen. WILLIAM T. SHERMAN, Comdg. Expedition:

DEAR GENERAL: Dispatches just received from General Banks announces the good news of the surrender of Port Hudson, with 5,000 prisoners and all the armament of the place. News came from the East of the defeat of Lee and his precipitate retreat, with Meade in full pursuit. I have nothing definite from you since the morning of the 9th, but, not hearing, suppose all is right. Is there any probability that Johnston may be receiving re-enforcements and intends standing? I have just learned from Yazoo City that all the steamers from above have just come down there, and that Johnston sent orders to press all the negroes that can be got, to prosecute the work of fortifying with all vigor. More than 1,000 negroes are said to be at work now. I immediately ordered a division from here to break them up. The well prisoners have been paroled and about out of town. The number reached near 25,000. There are still those in hospital, near 6,000, yet to parole, besides many escaped without paroling.

Hoping to hear of your giving Johnston a good thrashing and driving him beyond Pearl River, with the loss of artillery, transportation, and munitions of war, I remain, yours truly,

U.S. GRANT.

SOURCES: 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. 501

Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 14, 1863—8 p.m.

HEADQUARTERS,        

Army before Jackson, July 14, 1863—8 p.m.

GENERAL: All is well with us. I think I have troops enough. Johnston is still in Jackson, and our skirmishers are engaged all round the lines, and but little execution done by either party. Our lines of investment are well covered by rifle trenches. We are now firing every five minutes from four different batteries day and night, and, as soon as the ammunition train is up, will increase the fire. We now reach Pearl River above and below the town. I do not think Johnston is receiving re-enforcements; at all events, he has manifested no intention to rally, and has permitted us to surround him with parapets. A brigade is breaking railroad both ways, and as soon as I know our ammunition train is coming I will send a good brigade and artillery and cavalry to complete the destruction at Canton and Big Black River Bridge; also a cavalry party to Brookhaven, south.

W. T. SHERMAN,        

Major General, Commanding Army.

Maj. Gen. 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 2 (Serial No. 37), p. 524-5

Major-General William T. Sherman to Lieutenant Colonel John A. Rawlins, July 14, 1863

BEFORE JACKSON, July 14, 1863.

Good for Richmond. I never attached much importance to the place, but tell me the fate of Lee's army the moment you hear. If that can be broken up and destroyed, with our successes out West, it will make an impression on rebeldom and the world. Tell the general I have heard of his appointment as major-general in Regular Army. Of course I congratulate him, and hope he may live long to enjoy the ease and luxury of the position.

I think we are doing well out here, but won't brag till Johnston clears out and stops shooting his big rifle guns at us. If he moves across Pearl River and makes good speed, I will let him go. By a flag of truce to-day I sent him our newspapers of 7th and 8th; that, with our cannon to-night, will disturb his slumbers.

W. T. SHERMAN,        

Major-General.

Lieut. Col. Joan A. RAWLINS.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 2 (Serial No. 37), p. 527

Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 15, 1863—8:30 p.m.

HEADQUARTERS,        

Army before Jackson, July 15, 1863—8.30 p.m.

GENERAL: Have sent a brigade to Clinton to protect our trains on the road. Colonel Woods' brigade and Bussey's cavalry will move up Pearl River at daylight to reach the point where this cavalry has crossed, and will push Up to Canton and Big Black River Bridge. Colonel Woods is notified that Herron is moving out from Yazoo City. If Johnston is going to make a retrograde movement I hope to detect it promptly, although the wooded nature of the outskirts covering the interior of the city, also the camp-fires and burning of railroad ties have so filled the air with smoke, that we can see but little; still, I will have the pickets notified to watch closely and report any changes. All their heavy guns are still in position.

W. T SHERMAN,        

Major-General, Commanding,

Maj. Gen. U. S. GRANT,
        Comdg. Dept. of the Tennessee,

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 2 (Serial No. 37), p. 527