December 30, 1862: William T. Sherman to David Porter

Transcript:

Camp. Dec 30 1862.

Admiral D. D. Porter

Dear Sir,

I am satisfied had our troops been a little more experienced we should have secured possession of the Hill opposite the Head of Chickasaw Creek which appears to be strongly connected with the Ridge leading to Vicksburg. After a close reconnaissance in person today I am satisfied to cross the Bayou through the narrow path & attack will be fatal to a large proportion of my Command. Of course Vicksburg is the principle object but the Yazoo River is equally important looking to [connection?] with General Grant whom I expected to be near enough on our arrival to influence the fate of this movement. After a dark & stormy night the sky is again clear and the Bayou are but little changed. I think there must be a point of disembarkation for troops this side of Haines Bluff from which that Battery could be stormed with out the exposure that marks all the crossing places here. If you concur and permit all the iron clads to ascend and engage the Battery, I will order 10 000 of my best troops to embark by night and as secretly as possible proceed to attack that Battery by assault. At the same time opening all my Battery here at the opposite Bank and if possible make a new attempt. Haines Bluff in our possession we have a second footing on terra firma which we have not here. Unless Grant be near at hand I cannot promise success in a direct assault on Vicksburg. My troops are all up to the Bayou with guns covering the crossings only two which are practicables, but I have not succeeded so in making a [illeg.] . My pickets on the right reach the Mississippi River near the Bend from which they have a plain view of all the Forts. [illeg.] &c but the intervening span is one mingled web of fallen trees of giant size filled with sharpshooters with whom we are constantly skirmishing. The enemy has thrown some shells but manifestly spares his ammunition. We do the same.

I would solicit a speedy answer, as we must act with great expedition, if unsupported in this move by either Grant or Banks, both of whom should now be heard from.

I am with great respect

W. T. Sherman

Citation: William T. Sherman (1820-1891), autograph letter signed to David D. Porter. 30 December 1862. AMs 360/9