Details
GRANT, ULYSSES S., Lieutenant General. Autograph letter signed ("U.S. Grant Maj. Gen.") TO MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN, "Comdg. 15th Army Corps," Head Quarters, Dept. of the Ten[nessee], Jackson, Miss., 14 May 1863. One page, 4to, on blue lined paper, light stain at top corner, tiny fold separations, verso with contemporary endorsements.
GRANT INSTRUCTS SHERMAN AT VICKSBURG TO BURN THE CONFEDERATE'S BRIDGES, RAILROADS AND COTTON
An important letter containing military orders from the Commander of the Army of the Tennessee to Sherman, who commanded one of the three Union army corps. Written at the height of the Vicksburg campaign, it is dated the day the Union seized Jackson, Mississippi from the Confederates. Jackson, an key rail depot, lay some 40 miles to the east of the citadel of Vicksburg and constituted Grant's army's easternmost position. Confederate general Joseph E. Johnston had at the last moment sent troops to defend Jackson but in fierce fighting on the 10th the superior Union forces under McPherson and Sherman drove the rebels from the city. At this point, confident that his army was secure from any Confederate counterattack from the east, Grant marched his army west to surround Vicksburg, beginning the seige of Vicksburg which finally terminated with the surrender of that stronghold and its garrison on 4 July 1863. Here, in his typical terse, unambiguous fashion, Grant gives orders for Sherman to post a rearguard at Jackson and destroy rebel stores and railroads.
"Designate a brigade from your command to guard the City, collect stores & forage and collect all public property of the enemy. The Division from which such Brigade may be selected will be the last to leave the City. You will direct them therefore to commence immediately the effectual destruction of Pearl River rail-road bridge and the road as far East as practicable. Also destroy roads North & South."
"The 4th Iowa, and a brigade of Infantry, should be sent East of the [Pearl?] River with instructions for the Cavalry to go on East as far as possible. Troops going East of the river should burn alll C.S.A. [Confederate States of America] cotton and stores they find...." Published (from retained copies) in U.S. Grant, Papers, ed. John Y. Simon, 8:218, and in O.R. I, xxiv, part 3, 312.
Provenance:
Same as lot .
GRANT INSTRUCTS SHERMAN AT VICKSBURG TO BURN THE CONFEDERATE'S BRIDGES, RAILROADS AND COTTON
An important letter containing military orders from the Commander of the Army of the Tennessee to Sherman, who commanded one of the three Union army corps. Written at the height of the Vicksburg campaign, it is dated the day the Union seized Jackson, Mississippi from the Confederates. Jackson, an key rail depot, lay some 40 miles to the east of the citadel of Vicksburg and constituted Grant's army's easternmost position. Confederate general Joseph E. Johnston had at the last moment sent troops to defend Jackson but in fierce fighting on the 10th the superior Union forces under McPherson and Sherman drove the rebels from the city. At this point, confident that his army was secure from any Confederate counterattack from the east, Grant marched his army west to surround Vicksburg, beginning the seige of Vicksburg which finally terminated with the surrender of that stronghold and its garrison on 4 July 1863. Here, in his typical terse, unambiguous fashion, Grant gives orders for Sherman to post a rearguard at Jackson and destroy rebel stores and railroads.
"Designate a brigade from your command to guard the City, collect stores & forage and collect all public property of the enemy. The Division from which such Brigade may be selected will be the last to leave the City. You will direct them therefore to commence immediately the effectual destruction of Pearl River rail-road bridge and the road as far East as practicable. Also destroy roads North & South."
"The 4th Iowa, and a brigade of Infantry, should be sent East of the [Pearl?] River with instructions for the Cavalry to go on East as far as possible. Troops going East of the river should burn alll C.S.A. [Confederate States of America] cotton and stores they find...." Published (from retained copies) in U.S. Grant, Papers, ed. John Y. Simon, 8:218, and in O.R. I, xxiv, part 3, 312.
Provenance:
Same as lot .