June 22, 1863

June 22, 1863

---Siege of Vicksburg, Day 31

---Siege of Port Hudson, Day 26

---The Richmond Daily Dispatch reports that Vicksburg repulsed a massive assault by Federal troops on the Confederate fortifications.  There seems to  be no record of a Federal assault on Vicksburg for that date, other than a massive artillery duel.  False alarms and inflated reports of rumors of fights is apparently stock-in-trade for the newspapers of the day.

---The Bermuda Royal Gazette reports today that Clement Vallandigham, the recalcitrant former Ohio congressman exiled by the U.S. Government, arrives in Bermuda via the blockade runner Lady Davis.  It is reported that the Copperhead celebrity intends on traveling to Canada.

---Osborn Oldroyd of the 20^th Ohio Infantry, just outside of Vicksburg, writes in his journal about being issued rations, and holds forth on the subject of hardtack---the infamous, hard, unleavened cracker issued by the Army as the bread ration to soldiers:

When hard tack was first issued there was but one way to eat it, and that was dry, just as it reached us. Practice, however, taught us to prepare a variety of dishes from it. The most palatable way to dispose of hard tack, to my taste, is to pulverize, then soak over night, and fry for breakfast as batter-cakes. Another good way is to soak whole, and then fry; and still another is to soak a little, then lay it by the fire and let grease drop on it from toasted meat, held to the fire on a pointed stick. This latter is the most common way on a march. Sometimes the tack is very hard indeed by the time it reaches us, and it requires some knack to break it. I have frequently seen boys break it over their knees. Just raise your foot up so as to bring the bent knee handy, and then fetch your hard tack down on it with your right hand, with all the force you can spare, and, if not too tough, you may break it in two. But one poor fellow I saw was completely exhausted trying to break a hard tack, and after resorting to all the devices he could think of, finally accomplished it by dropping on it a 12-pound shell. The objection to that plan was, however, that the fellow could hardly find his hard tack afterward.

The Gettysburg Campaign

---Louis Lėon, of the 53^rd North Carolina Infantry, marching with Ewell’s Corps, notes the events of the march in his journal, as they pass Greencastle, Pennsylvania:

June 22—Left this morning at 8 o’clock, got to Middleburg, Pa., at11, passed through it, and got to Green Castle at half past one. Eleven miles to-day. The people seemed downhearted, and showed their hatred to us by their glum looks and silence, and I am willing to swear that no prayers will be offered in this town for us poor, ragged rebels.

Routes of march on the Gettysburg Campaign.  Click to enlarge.

---Lt. Col. Arthur Fremantle, of Her Majesty’s Coldstream Guards, has attached himself to the Army of Northern Virginia for the purpose of observation.  He writes in his diary about his ride this day with Pender’s division of A. P. Hill’s Corps:

22d June (Monday).—We started without food or corn at 6.30 a.m., and soon became entangled with Pender's Division on its line of march, which delayed us a good deal. My poor brute of a horse also took this opportunity of throwing two more shoes, which we found it impossible to replace, all the blacksmiths' shops having been pressed by the troops.

The soldiers of this Division are a remarkably fine body of men, and look quite seasoned and ready for any work. Their clothing is serviceable, so also are their boots; but there is the usual utter absence of uniformity as to colour and shape of their garments and hats: grey of all shades, and brown clothing, with felt hats, predominate. The Confederate troops are now entirely armed with excellent rifles, mostly Enfields. When they first turned out, they were in the habit of wearing numerous revolvers and bowie-knives. General Lee is said to have mildly remarked, "Gentlemen, I think you will find an Enfield rifle, a bayonet, and sixty rounds of ammunition, as much as you can conveniently carry in the way of arms." They laughed, and thought they knew better; but the six-shooters and bowie-knives gradually disappeared; and now none are to be seen among the infantry. . . .

I saw no stragglers during the time I was with Pender's Division; but although the Virginian army certainly does get over a deal of ground, yet they move at a slow dragging pace, and are evidently not good marchers naturally. As Mr Norris observed to me, "Before this war we were a lazy set of devils; our niggers worked for us, and none of us ever dreamt of walking, though we all rode a great deal."

---A Democrat newspaper in Seneca County, New York, publishes this editorial that takes it rather ill that the Lincoln government is apparently concealing bad news from the Northern public:

The new from Virginia is startling. The Confederate army under LEE has abandoned Fredericksburg, crossed the Rappahannock, and, appearances indicate that they have determined on an invasion of the North. – In the absence of all intelligence from Washington it is difficult to tell what is going on. It is certain, however, that a part of LEE’s forces appeared in the Shenandoah Valley during the latter part of last week, and that on Friday last they attacked Gen. MILROY at Winchester, defeating and driving him from that place with great loss of life. Gen. MILROY admits a loss of 2,000 killed and wounded. His force was 10,000 strong. All his artillery was captured by the enemy. . . .

During all these disasters to our armies, we have heard nothing from “Fighting Joe Hooker,” though it is stated that his army has fallen back upon Washington. Gen LEE seems to be doing pretty much as he pleases, having out-generaled Hooker at all points. The refusal of the Washington authorities to permit anything to come over the wires has filled the public mind with alarm.

June 21, 1863

June 21, 1863



The Gettysburg Campaign


Route of march for Hooker and Lee
Map courtesy of Civil War Trust

—General Lee issues orders on the march to the effect that soldiers are not to molest the people or their property, nor seize any goods, fodder, food, or other material without authorization or payment in Confederate scrip. Quartermaster, commisary, medical and ordnance troops were the designated foragers. However---Lee also gives orders that if any Pennsylvanian deliberately tries to put his goods beyond the reach of the Confederates, that their property would be summarily seized.


—There is heavy skirmishing between Lee’s troops and those of Hooker near Upperville and Haymarket, Virginia. There is also a clash between Southern troops and Union troops near Frederick, Maryland.


—Eldredge B. Pratt, an artilleryman in the 2^nd Connecticut Light Artillery, writes home from Virginia to his sister Adelah (whose pet name is apparently Emogene). It is interesting to note the non-standard grammar and phonetic spelling (not to mention syntax). And, from this we also see the stir and bustle of the Army of the Potomac finally moving out in pursuit of Lee and his Rebel army, far to the north and west. But we also note a brother’s heart-felt anxiety about what is happening back home, and a soldier’s powerlessness to do anything about it:

Wolfun Shoals
Sunday June 21st 1863
Dear Sister Adelah.
As it is Sunday and got the day to my self I will write a few lines to you I got your leter of the 14th last Wednesday 17th glad to hear from you and hear that our folks are well and I hope they will remain so but I hope Fathers sholdier is beter. Wee still enjoy good health. Wee have changed our Camp a bout a mile north of our old one in a very pleasant place but we hant got such good quaters we didant have bunks to sleep in last night nor such a good stockade but we will have in to or three dais if we are going to stay hear long but we may move in 2 or 3 days again we cant tell one day what is going to be done the next sence Hokers army has moved if you wanted to see an army move you had ought to ben hear. I have seen a bagage train nearly 50 miles long and a string of infantry a bout 10 miles long and 32 baterys and they all pased clost by our camp I tell you it was a sight to look at. I tell you they is a fight going on somwhare in the diretion of bullrun we hurd it some this morning but we thought it was only a skirmish but it grow heavyer and faster and I tell you the way they are going it now is not slow they is a stedy roar of canon all the while you will probly hear of it in the papers in a day or to I hope that the rebs will get enough out there this time but I cant write much more a bout that. I have hurd news that I am surprised at. I have hurd that you thought of geting mared to a man a bout 40 years old. now Emogene they is one thing I want to have you do that is to take an advice from your Father and Mother and not go to geting mared without your Fathers and Mothers concent you dont know what feelings it will make I hurd that it wored our folks awfully a bout it nowif you think any think of your folks dont get mared yet you are to young you have not seen as many years as Father and Mother has and therefore I want to have you mind them now Emogene take my advice and dont mary without thear concent. I cant write any more this time so good by From your true friend and Brother
E. B. Platt.
Write soon:
yours Truly
from The Civil War Day by Day, Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, http://www.lib.unc.edu/blogs/civilwar/


　
—Osborn H. Oldroyd, serving in the 20^th Ohio Infantry, currently laying siege to Vicksburg, notes in his journal the effect of letters from home, especially from sweethearts and wives:
When notice of this inspection was given, or rather an order to prepare for it, one of our boys remarked, "This must be Sunday;" and he added, "I guess I won’t wait for this inspection,—I’ll take my girl to church." If his girl had been here the whole company would doubtless have wanted to go to church, too. "Though lost to sight, to memory dear." We can talk to the sweet creatures only through the dear letters exchanged; but a love letter brings a very bright smile to a warrior’s face, and the sunshine that prevails in camp after the reading of the mail from home, is quite noticeable. Dear girls, do not stop writing ; write letters that are still longer, for they are the sweetest of war’s amenities, and are the only medicine that has kept life in the veins of many a homesick soldier. When the mail comes I cannot help wishing everybody may get a letter; but alas! some must miss hearing their names read, and oh! the sadness that creeps over them when the last name has been called and the last letter handed out to some one else. They are sadder than if wounded by a bullet. If wounded, a surgeon may prescribe; but what prescription for the failure of a letter from home?*
　
—William Raleigh Clack, a Rebel soldier in the 43^rd Tennessee Volunteers, writes glumly in his journal about the prospects of Vicksburg being relieved by an attack by Gen. Joe Johnston and his army:
June 21 — Another Sabbath morning has rolled around and found us still confined to the neighboring hill of Vicksburg without any better prospects of our deliverance. It is reported that Johns[t]on has attacked the enemy but I doubt it. Sharp shooters are pecking away as usual this morning. Warm firing was kept up all day. WRC*
　
—Dora Richards Miller, a pseudonym for a Unionist woman in Vicksburg, writes in her diary of the harrowing effects on civilians living in a war zone like Vicksburg:
June 21st, 1863.—I had gone upstairs to-day during the interregnum to enjoy a rest on my bed and read the reliable items in the "Citizen," when a shell burst right outside the window in front of me. Pieces flew in, striking all round me, tearing down masses of plaster that came tumbling over me. When H. rushed in I was crawling out of the plaster, digging it out of my eyes and hair. When he picked up beside my pillow a piece as large as a saucer, I realized my narrow escape. The window-frame began to smoke, and we saw the house was on fire. H. ran for a hatchet and I for water, and we put it out. Another (shell) came crashing near, and I snatched up my comb and brush and ran down here. It has taken all the afternoon to get the plaster out of my hair, for my hands were rather shaky.*
　
—Confederate troops are moving toward La Forche Crossing in southern Louisiana, and engage the Yankees in skirmished for two days.

　

—In the developing campaign in central Tennessee, Rosecrans’ Army of the Cumberland spars with Bragg’s Confederates in the area of Tullahoma, which has been Bragg’s main base for several months.

　
(* from Daily Observations from the Civil War, http://dotcw.com/)

June 20, 1863

June 20, 1863

---Siege of Vicksburg, Day 29

---Siege of Port Hudson, Day 24

---Jenkin Lloyd Jones, a Wisconsin artilleryman in the trenches before Vicksburg, writes in his journal of the artillery duel there on this date:

Before Vicksburg, Saturday, June 20. Awakened this morning by lively reveille from the muzzle of the 9-inch columbiads which opened at 9 A. M., followed by the 30-pound Parrott, then light battery, and a continued crash from all points for six hours, when, at 10 A. M. firing ceased. Whether the stronghold was weakened or not by the process is not known. Our piece alone threw two hundred rounds. The two regiments of infantry were posted in the rear during the fighting. Logan’s men on the enemy’s works digging. Three horses wounded and one negro in the evening from sharp-shooters.

---Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles, writes in his journal of Sen. Charles Sumner of Massachusetts haranguing against Gen. Joseph Hooker, and why the Army ought to be rid of him:

Sumner’s opinion and estimate of men does not agree with Chase’s. Sumner expresses an absolute want of confidence in Hooker; says he knows him to be a blasphemous wretch; that after crossing the Rappahannock and reaching Centerville, Hooker exultingly exclaimed, “The enemy is in my power, and God Almighty cannot deprive me of them.” I have heard before of this, but not so direct and positive. The sudden paralysis that followed, when the army in the midst of a successful career was suddenly checked and commenced its retreat, has never been explained. Whiskey is said by Sumner to have done the work. The President said if Hooker had been killed by the shot which knocked over the pillar that stunned him, we should have been successful.

---Stephen Minot Weld, a young officer in the XI Corps of the Army of the Potomac, writes home while he is on the march in northern Virginia, as the Federal army begins to pursue Gen. Lee:

I am perfectly well, and was never better in my life. In regard to the position of our Army, I shall say but little, as this letter might be captured. The corps are mostly round about this country, however.

I have not heard from home for some eight or nine days. We have not been able to get our mails, on account of our frequent marches.

A correspondent of the New York Tribune has been arrested this morning for publishing the movements of the different corps. . . .

June 19, 1863

June 19, 1863

---Siege of Vicksburg, Day 28

---Siege of Port Hudson, Day 23

---Battle of Middleburg, Virginia:  For the last three days, Gen. Pleasonton, commander of Hooker’s cavalry, has probed the Rebel cavalry screen so ably wielded by Jeb Stuart, and in a three-day series of sharp skirmishes near this town (starting with the rather bloody battle at Aldie), finally fails to penetrate that screen.  As of this date, Gen. Hooker still has no clear idea of where Lee’s army is.  In the heavy skirmishing today, Col. Gregg’s Union brigade is sent forward, dismounted, and they engage the Rebel troopers with competence, driving them back.  Another Rebel brigade shows up, charges Gregg’s men, and more Union reinforcements are moved up.  Finally, Gen. Stuart calls off the fight, and moves his troopers further west.  This fight is a Union victory, but Gen. Pleasonton has not gained any useful intelligence for Hooker.

Dismounted Federal troopers skirmish with Stuart's riders

---Captain Charles Francis Adams, Jr., of the 1^st Massachusetts Cavalry, writes in his journal of the ghastly losses his troopers suffered at the Battle of Aldie:

Middleburg, Va., 10 A.M. Friday, June 19, 1863

We were engaged at Aldie’s Gap day before yesterday and very roughly used. I went into action with ninety four men in my squadron and fifty seven in my Company and came out with between thirty and forty in my squadron and just twenty five in my Company. My Company lost thirty two out of fifty seven — nine killed, twelve wounded and eleven missing; the squadron loss was sixty one out of ninety four. All the killed were of my Company. My poor men were just slaughtered and all we could do was to stand still and be shot down, while the other squadrons rallied behind us. The men fell right and left and the horses were shot through and through, and no man turned his back, but they only called on me to charge. I could n’t charge, except across a ditch, up a hill and over two high stone walls, from behind which the enemy were slaying us; so I held my men there until, what with men shot down and horses wounded and plunging, my ranks were disordered and then I fell slowly back to some woods. Here I was ordered to dismount my men to fight on foot in the woods. I gave the order and the men were just off their horses and all in confusion, when the 4th N.Y. on our right gave way without a fight or an instant’s resistance, and in a second the rebs were riding yelling and slashing among us. Of course, resistance was impossible and I had just dismounted my squadron and given it to the enemy. For an instant I felt desperate and did n’t care whether I was captured or escaped, but finally I turned my horse and followed Curtis and Chamberlain in a stampede to the rear. Here I lost my missing men, for almost all my men were captured, though some afterwards escaped. In twenty minutes and without fault on our part I lost thirty two as good men and horses as can be found in the cavalry corps. They seemed to pick out my best and truest men, my pets and favorites. How and why I escaped I can’t say, for my men fell all around me; but neither I nor my horses was touched, nor were any of my officers or their horses. . . .

---On this date, the U.S. Congress admits West Virginia officially to the Union as the 35^th state, ratifying Pres. Lincoln’s proclamation.

---John Lockwood writes of the departure of the 23^rd New York State Militia (The Brooklyn 23^rd), called up for duty in the emergency brought about by Lee’s invasion of the North.  He offers a delightful and humorously tolerant vision of the pandemonium and spectacle surrounding the departure of troops (in their gray uniforms---common for militia units, even in the North) for what may become the battle front:

Thursday, 18th.—The Brooklyn Twenty-Third are ordered to assemble at their armory, corner of Fulton and Orange streets, at 7 o’clock, a.m., fully armed and equipped, and with two days’ cooked rations in their haversacks, to march at 8 o’clock precisely. The gallant fellows are up with the larks: a hundred last things are done with nervous haste; father and brother give and receive the parting brave hand-grip; mother and sister and sweetheart receive and give the last warm kiss; and with wet eyes, but in good heart, we set out for the rendezvous. There is remarkable promptitude in our departure. At the instant of 8 o’clock,—the advertised hour of starting,—the column is moving down Fulton street toward the ferry. . . . From the armory all the way down to the river it is a procession of Fairy-Land. The windows flutter with cambric; the streets are thronged with jostling crowds of people, hand-clapping and cheering the departing patriots; while up and down the curving street as far as you can see, the gleaming line of bayonets winds through the crowding masses—the men neatly uniformed and stepping steadily as one. Bosom friends dodge through the crowd to keep along near the dear one, now and then getting to his side to say some last word of counsel, or to receive commission to attend to some forgotten item of business, or say good-bye to some absent friend. As we make our first halt on the ferry-boat the exuberant vitality of the boys breaks out in song—every good fellow swearing tremendously, (but piously) to himself, from time to time, that he is going to give the rebels pandemonium, alternating the resolution with another equally fervid and sincere that he means to “drink” himself “stone-blind” on “hair-oil”. What connection there is in this sandwich of resolutions may be perhaps clear to the old campaigner. To passing vessels and spectators on either shore the scene must be inspiriting—a steamboat glittering with bayonets and packed with a grey-suited crowd plunging out from a hidden slip into the stream, and a mighty voice of song bursting from the mass and flowing far over the water. To us who are magna pars of the event, the moment is grand. Up Fulton street, New York, and down Broadway amid the usual crowds of those great thoroughfares, who waved us and cheered us generously on our patriotic way, and we are soon at the Battery where without halting we proceed on board the steamboat “John Potter” and stack arms. There is running to and fro of friends in pursuit of oranges and lemons—so cool and refreshing on the hot march—and a dozen little trifles with which haversacks are soon stuffed. One public-spirited individual in the crowd seizes the basket of an ancient orange-woman, making good his title in a very satisfactory way, and tosses the glowing fruit indiscriminately among the troops, who give him back their best “Bully Boy!” with a “Tiger!” added. Happy little incidents on every side serve to wile away a half hour, then the “all a-shore!” is sounded, the final good-bye spoken, the plank hauled in, and away we sail.  (from Blue Gray Review: www.bluegrayreview.com)

---On this date, command of the XIII Corps, part of Grant’s army---what used to be McClernand’s corps---is given to Maj. Gen. Edward O.C. Ord.

---Luman Harris Tenney, a young officer in the 2^nd Ohio Cavalry
Regiment, serving in Kentucky, writes in his journal:

19th. Felt miserable in the morning. Hospital moved to the brick church. Col. Dod and Bob worked at the old wagon. Thede and Mike went for cherries for a cherry pie tomorrow. Byerley came over. Read some in “Barnaby Rudge.” In the evening got a letter from Lucy Randall. Wrote a letter to Fannie.

June 18, 1863

June 18, 1863

---Siege of Vicksburg, Day 27

---Siege of Port Hudson, Day 22

---Gen. Halleck sends this note to Gen. Hooker, who is moving slowly in pursuit of where Lee is going---or has been, or is supposed to have been or is heading for.  We may detect the distinct note of anxiety in Halleck’s tone here:

WASHINGTON, D. C.,

June 18, 1863 - 11 a. m.

Major-General HOOKER,

Army of the Potomac:

     I can get no information of the enemy other than that sent to you.

     Rumors from Pennsylvania are too confused and contradictory to be relied on. Officers and citizens are on a big stampede. They are asking me why does not General Hooker tell where Lee's army is; he is nearest to it. There are numerous suppositions and theories, but all is yet mere conjecture. I only hope for positive information from your front. General Heintzelman has a signal line to Sugar Loaf Mountain, and is directed to send you all the information heobtains. General Kelly is observing the passes west of the Shenandoah, and will give you, through General Schenck, all information he can get. He is very reliable.

    H. W. HALLECK,

    General-in-Chief.

The Gettysburg Campaign:

---With a muted tone of mockery, the Richmond Daily Dispatch, published in the Confederacy’s capital, editorializes on the furor and turmoil that Lee’s northward invasion is causing in the North:

The Philadelphia Inquirer, of the 18th, gives a description of the excitement caused there the day before by the rumors of the rebel advance. The greatest activity in military matters prevailed. . . . The recruiting was lively, and large accessions were made to the ranks of the various regiments. In the morning, a company of colored men, under the following officers: Capt. Wm. Babe, 1st Lt. Wm. Elliott, 2d Lt. Thos. Moore, received orders for army equipments and transportation. They left in the afternoon. . . .

At the custom-house the most active preparations were being made. A table for recruiting purposes was placed in the middle of the spacious hall, also on the front portico, and recruits were enrolling with commendable rapidity. The employees and collector of the port, Col. W. B. Thomas, all appeared, in military caps, as though ready at any moment. . . . At the Mayor’s office . . . . There was one company of men belonging to the police department, composed of one hundred, that were ready for marching orders early in the day; they expect to leave the depot of the Reading railroad this morning. . . .

Perhaps there is no more stirring recruiting rendezvous in the city than is to be found in the marble structure on Chesnut street, above 4th, known as the Custom House. A strange contrast do the uniformed volunteers, reclining upon the steps, the flaming placards posted upon the corinthian columns, and the recruiting handbills adoring the walls, present to the peaceful avocations which are usually transacted within the marble walls. Recruiting officers are in attendance upon the outside and inside of the building. Blue jacketed sons of Uncle Sam blockade the entrance to the interior, and if a citizen steps within the precincts formerly dedicated to the reception of revenue duties and tariffs, he is instantly taken in charge by a file of sergeants, while the superior advantages of their respective companies are glowingly portrayed to the astonished civilian. The pursuits of the employees of the Custom House have been wonderfully changed within the past two or three days. Instead of the office coat and the long pen-handle projecting from the clustering hair which covers the ears of busy clerks, the bright blue uniforms of the United States volunteer forces are everywhere to be seen. . . .

---The New York Times reports on the same phenomenon in New York City:

Maj.-Gen. SANDFORD has detailed the Seventh, Eighth, Eleventh, Twenty-second, and Thirty-seventh regiments, under Brig.-Gen. HALL, and the Fifth, Sixth, Twelfth, Sixty-ninth, and Seventy-first regiments, under Brig.-Gen. YATES, to proceed forth-with to Harrisburgh, to report there to Maj.-Gen. COUCH, commanding the Department. He also proposes to send 500 artillerists of the Fourth regiment. . . . Early yesterday morning, the Armory of the Seventh Regiment N.Y.S.M., N.G., was the scene of much excitement and enthusiasm. This arose from the fact that this crack corps was to leave that morning at 7 o’clock for Harrisburgh, to report to Gen. COUCH. The large rooms of the building were crowded to suffocation with friends and relatives of the members. When on parade before marching, the appearance of Col. LEFFERTS among his men was the occasion for much enthusiasm, and he was warmly and enthusiastically greeted. . . .

The crack Seventh Regiment of New York State Militia was a sort of elite “gentleman's club” regiment, whose ranks were filled with the wealthy blue-bloods and aristocracy of the city.  It is said that their meals were catered by Delmonico’s, and their uniforms tailored by Brooks Brothers.  The Seventh is a milita outfit and, by custom, was clothed in gray, with kepis and natty cross-belts.

 

Men of the elite Seventh New York State Militia

---Maj. Gen. James McPherson, commanding the XVII Corps in Grant’s Army of the Tennessee, in a letter to Gen. Grant, answers his colleague Gen. John McClernand for the latter’s now-infamous Order that boasted of his accomplishments at the expense of McPherson’s and Sherman’s corps, implying that if McClernand’s troops had not advanced farther than they did, and broken through the Rebel works, if was because of inadequacies in the other troops.  McPherson delivers a stinging rebuke:

HDQRS. 17TH ARMY CORPS, DEPT. OF THE TENNESSEE, near Vicksburg, MISS, June 18, 1863.

Major-General GRANT,

Comdg. Dept. of the Tennessee:

GENERAL: My attention has just been called to an order published in the Missouri Democrat of the 10th instant, purporting to be a congratulatory order from Major General John A. McClernand to his command.

The whole tenor of the order is so ungenerous, and the insinuations and criminations against the other corps of your army are so manifestly at variance with the facts, that a sense of duty to my command, as well as the verbal protest of every one of my DIVISION and brigade commanders against allowing such and order to go forth to the public unanswered, require that I should call your attention to it. After a careful perusal of the order, I cannot help arriving at the conclusion that it was written more to influence public sentiment at the North and impress the public mind with the magnificent strategy, superior tactics, and brilliant deeds of the major-general commanding the Thirteenth Army Corps than to congratulate his troops upon their well-merited successes. There is a vain-gloriousness about the order, an ingenious attempt to write himself down the hero, the master-mind, giving life and direction to military operations in this quarter, inconsistent with the high toned principles of the soldier, sans peur et sans reproche. . . .

It little becomes Major-General McClernand to complain of want of co-operation on the part of other corps in the assault on the enemy’s works on the 22nd ultimo, when 1,218 men of my command were placed hors de combat in their resolute and daring attempt to carry the positions assigned to them, and fully one-THIRD of these . . . who fell in front of his own lines, where they were left [after being sent 2 miles to support him] to sustain the whole brunt of the battle from 5 p. m. until after dark, his own men being recalled. . . .

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAS. B. McPHERSON,

Major-General.

---As a result of McPherson’s note to Grant, Grant sends to McClernand to verify that McClernand issued such a statement.  McClernand affirms that he did.  Grant then relieves McClernand of command, effective immediately.