Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Edward O. C. Ord, June 25, 1863

NEAR VICKSBURG, June 25, 1863.

General ORD:

McPherson secured the crater made by the explosion. The cavity made was sufficiently large to shelter two regiments. The enemy made an effort to drive our troops away. Our loss about 30 killed and wounded, some ten of them officers, and 3 field officers. Guns will be in the crater by morning, with rifle-pits to the left to defend it. If we can hold the position until morning it will evidently give us possession of a long line of rifle-pits to the right, and a fair way of advancing to enfilade to the left.

U.S. GRANT.

(Same to General Herron.)

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. 441

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Henry W. Halleck, June 26, 1863

NEAR VICKSBURG, MISS., June 26, 1863.

H. W. HALLECK,
        General-in- Chief:

Yesterday a mine was sprung under the enemy's most commanding fort, producing a crater sufficient to hold two regiments of infantry. Our men took immediate possession, and still hold it. The fight for it has been incessant, and thus far we have not been able to establish batteries in the breach. Expect to succeed. Joe Johnston has removed east of the Big Black. His movements are mysterious, and may be intended to cover a movement from his rear into East or West Tennessee, or upon Banks. I have General Sherman out near his front on the Big Black with a large force watching him. I will use every effort to learn any move Johnston may make, and send troops from here to counteract any change he may make, if I can.

U.S. GRANT,        

Major-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 1 (Serial No. 36), p. 43

Major-General James B. McPherson to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 1, 1863

MCPHERSON'S, July 1, 1863.

Major-General GRANT:

The mine on Logan's front is ready, and the enemy appear to be digging in toward it. Shall I explode it? And what disposition do you desire me to make of my troops; anything more than having the rifle-pits filled with sharpshooters?

JAS. B. McPHERSON.

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. 456

Major-General James B. McPherson to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 1, 1863

SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS, [July 1,] 1863.

Major-General GRANT:

The mine will be exploded about 3 p.m. to-day.

JAS. B. McPHERSON.

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. 456

Major-General James B. McPherson to Major-General John A. Logan, July 1, 1863—11 a.m.

BEFORE VICKSBURG, July 1, 1863—11 a.m.

Major-General LOGAN, Commanding Third Division.

GENERAL: The mine in your front will be exploded as soon as the proper disposition of the troops can be made. It is not intended to make any assault, but simply to have the rifle-pits lined with sharpshooters, and the command under arms, ready to take advantage of any chance in our favor or repel any sortie of the enemy.

Yours, truly,

JAS. B. McPHERSON.

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. 456

Major-General James B. McPherson to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 1, 1863

[July 1, 1863.]

The mine was successfully Exploded today damaging the enemy's works considerably & killing & wounding a number of their men Six men were blown out on our side of the defensive four of them killed one mortally wounded & one a negro slightly hurt the seige guns a portion of Logans & Ransoms arty opened on them with good effect as well as Ransoms Sharp shooters Ransom who was in a position to see the inside of the works says the rebels must have lost a good many men it has just been reported to me by Lt Branigan 1st infy in chg of 30 pdr parrotts that three rebel regts were seen crossing the bottom running towards our right Shermans Command beyond the range of any of our guns except the 30 pdrs from which he fired as long as they could be seen . . .

P. S. The explosion today evidently took the rebels by Surprise

SOURCE: John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 8, p. 448-9