May 3, 1863: U.S. Grant to William T. Sherman

Transcript:

Head Quarters, Dept. of the Tenn.

Grand Gulf, Miss.

May 3,^rd 1863

Maj. Genl. W. T. Sherman,

Comdg. 15^th Army Corps.

Gen’l.

My base is now at this point, and in executing your orders for joining me, you will govern yourself according-ly.

I wish you to collect a train of one hundred and twenty (120) wagons, from those now in use between Milliken’s Bend, and Perkin’s Place, send them to Grand Gulf and there load them with rations as follows: One hundred thousand pounds of bacon, the balance, coffee, sugar, salt and hard bread. For your own use on the march from Grand Gulf, you will draw three days rations and see that they last five days.

It’s unnecessary for me to remind you of the overwhelming importance of celerity in your movements.

On the 1^st instant at 2 am I’ve met the rebels 11000 or 12000 men, under Bowen, with Green, Baldwin, and Tracey, in a very strong position near port Gibson, four miles south, and engaged them hotly all day, driving them constantly. One victory was complete; we cap-tured 300 prisoners, 1000 guns, killed General Tracey, and a large number of the enemy. Our own lost will not exceed 100 killed and 500 wounded.

The country is extremely broken and therefore very difficult to operate in.

Yesterday we pushed into Port Gibson, by 8 o’clock to find the enemy gone, and all the bridges across Bayou Pierre destroyed. The bridge has rebuilt, and our troops pushed into Willow Springs – Formed the fine bridge even the North Frank of Bayou Pierre destroyed –repaired it, and by 5 o’clock this morning, were in motion again; by 9 o’ clock this morning, we were at Willow Springs having met the enemy’s skirmishes just beyond the bayou. Logan is now on the main road from here to Jackson and McPhearson closely followed by McClernand is pursuing on the branch of the same road from Willow Springs.

The enemy is badly beaten, greatly, de-moralized and exhausted of ammunition. The road to Vicksburg is open; all we want now are men, ammunition and hard bread. We can subsist our horses in the country, and obtain considerable supplies for our troops.

Very Respectfully,

U. S. Grant

Maj. Gen. Cmndg.

Citation:  Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), letter signed to William T. Sherman. Grand Gulf, Miss, 3 May 1863. AMs 357/13