MAP ROOM (Vicksburg 03/31/63)

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Apr 12 1863 (Sunday)

As the veteran divisions of John Bell Hood and George Pickett probe the outer defenses of Suffolk, Virginia, General Henry Wise launches a diversionary attack towards Williamsburg and Fort Magruder. General Rufus King reports, "Wise...has 4,000 infantry, 500 or 600 cavalry, and 6 or 8 pieces of artillery...; his orders...are to take and hold Williamsburg and Fort Magruder." King is instructed that the "line between Williamsburg and Yorktown must be held at all hazards." In Suffolk, General John J. Peck calls in all his detachments and prepares his 21,000 man force to "fight to the last man." Peck reports, "Longstreet is now before me with a very heavy force. The attack is on my front...Prisoners say 30,000 and more." It is not long before James Longstreet realizes that Suffolk is "thoroughly fortified. Too much as to make it pay to attack." Accordingly, "Old Pete" begins preparations to besiege the heavily fortified town.

NORFOLK, April 12, 1863--5.30 p.m. - Lieut. Col. SOUTHARD HOFFMAN, Assistant Adjutant-General: - COLONEL: The enemy are now in large force this side of the Blackwater, under General Longstreet; are making an attack upon Suffolk. They occupy the country between Suffolk and Gatesville. An attack is also making by them upon Williamsburg. Intelligence from deserters indicate a simultaneous movement upon the part of the enemy on all the lines in this department. Twenty thousand additional troops are needed here. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. H. LUDLOW, Lieut. Col. and Asst. Inspector-General, Seventh Army Corps.

U.S. Grant and Admiral Farragut continue preparations for the river squadron's run past the Vicksburg batteries. Grant, commenting that "the embarrassments I have had to contend against...cannot be appreciated by any one not present to witness it," discloses his intentions to Henry Halleck "In about three nights...Admiral Porter will run the Vicksburg batteries with such of his fleet as he desires to take below, and I will send four steamers, the machinery protected from shot by hay-bales and sand-bags, to be used in transporting troops and in towing barges." Unaware of the feverish Union activity, General Pemberton finally relents to the pressure to send reinforcements to Bragg's command in Tennessee. "Furnish transportation at once for 8,000 men to Tullahoma, Tenn. All cars needed must be supplied without delay. The movement must be made promptly, as the enemy is evidently re-enforcing Rosecrans from the army here." A relieved General Johnston replies, "Send the troops...immediately....Telegraph Major Barbour, at Montgomery, to prepare for the movement..., and prepare more troops for movement."

JACKSON, April 12, 1863. - General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON,Tullahoma: Will forward troops to you as fast as transportation can be furnished-about 8,000 men. Am satisfied Rosecrans will be re-enforced from Grant's army. Shall I order troops to Tullahoma? J. C. PEMBERTON.

As part of his efforts to increase the efficiency of the Army of the Potomac, General Hooker places Captain of Engineers Cyrus Comstock in charge of Thaddeus Lowe's "balloon establishment." Comstock, after inspecting Lowe's operation, reduces the aeronaut's pay to six dollars a day and establishes new rules of operation. "No absences from duty without my permission will be allowed....Ascensions should be made at morning, noon, and night..., and reports made to me in writing of all that is observed during the day....You will...be held responsible that the apparatus is kept in good order; that the aeronauts attend to their duty; that the necessary requisitions are sent in for supplies, and generally for the efficiency and usefulness of the establishment, as well as its economical management." An irate Lowe appeals to General Hooker.

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., April 12, 1863. - Maj. Gen. D. BUTTERFIELD, Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac: - GENERAL: At the breaking out of the rebellion I was urged to offer my services to the Government as an aeronaut. I did so, at the sacrifice of my long-cherished enterprise in which I had expended large sums of money and many years hard labor....I was offered $30 per day for each day I would keep one balloon inflated in the field ready for officers to ascend....I declined this offer and offered my services for $10 per day, as I desired to continue during the war and add to my reputation....Ever since then I have labored incessantly for the interest of the Government....For nearly two years...I have made frequent personal reconnaissances and have attended to the management of several balloons....General, I feel aggrieved that my services should not have been better appreciated. As it is, I cannot honorably serve for the sum named by Captain Comstock without first refunding to the Government the excess of that amount which I have been receiving ever since I have been in the service. This my very limited means will not allow, for it requires full the salary I have received to support myself in the field and my family at home; therefore, out of respect to myself and the duty I owe my family, it will be impossible for me to serve upon any other conditions than those with which I entered the service....I remain, general, with great respect, T. S. C. LOWE, Aeronaut.

General Michael Corcoran has been chomping at the bit to see some action ever since his brigade of New York Irishmen was shipped to Suffolk last December. Corcoran made a name for himself in 1861 when, as colonel of the 69th Militia, he refused to order his Irishmen to march in a parade to honor the visiting Prince of Wales. According to Corcoran, serving as garrison troops is no way for Irish soldiers to spend the war and he has spared to effort to get his men reassigned to the Army of the Potomac. Thus, it is an excited Corcoran who reports, "It being reported that the enemy was advancing against this place, I immediately repaired to my front and had all the troops placed under arms and ready for action." At 3 a.m., Corcoran heads to the front to inspect his lines when he is accosted by "an officer, whose rank I could not recognize." The officer in question is Lieutenant-Colonel Edgar Kimball, commander of Hawkins' Zouaves, who insists that Corcoran give the countersign before he will be allowed to pass. The confrontation escalates until the drunken Kimball begins to wave his sword and Corcoran shoots him in the neck and kills him. Corcoran describes the incident, "He...put himself in a determined attitude to prevent my progress, and brandishing his sword in one hand, and having his other on a pistol, as I then supposed, made a movement toward me with the evident design of using them, making an impolite statement that I should not pass. It was at this point that I used my weapon."

April 12.--Lieut. Col. Edgar A. Kimball. Ninth New York Volunteers; killed by Brig. Gen. M. Corcoran while on duty. - SUFFOLK. - Major-General DIX: Have ordered a court of inquiry in the Corcoran-Kimball affair....JOHN J. PECK, Major-General.



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Apr 13 1863 (Monday)

General Beauregard remains busy strengthening the defenses in and around Charleston. He even turns down an invitation to attend a party held by Governor Pickens. "I thank you for your kind invitation...but, although much in need of rest, I shall take none until we shall have got through with whipping the Abolitionists and driving them off of the soil of the Confederacy." Although he has come to the conclusion that the "monitors are great humbugs; more terrible in imagination than in reality," Beauregard's hopes of striking a blow at the Federal fleet are dashed when the "spar-torpedo row-boats" sent on "a secret expedition which will shake Abolitiondom to foundation" discover that the Union ships have slipped out of the harbor. However, the Union withdrawal is halted when Admiral DuPont receives an urgent message from the President. Lincoln explains the change of thinking, "We still hope that...you can take the batteries on Morris Island and Sullivan's Island and Fort Sumter. But whether you can or not, we wish the demonstration kept up for a time for a collateral and very important object."

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, April 13, 1863. - Admiral DuPONT: Hold your position inside the bar near Charleston, or if you shall have left it, return to it, and hold it till further orders. Do not allow the enemy to erect new batteries or defenses on Morris Island. If he has begun it, drive him out. I do not herein order you to renew the general attack. That is to depend on your own discretion or a further order. A. LINCOLN.

Beginning his attempt to outflank Port Hudson by advancing up Bayou Teche, Nathaniel Banks launches a two-pronged attack on General Richard Taylor's outmanned army at Fort Bisland. Banks' reports, "I crossed Berwick Bay...and marched on the morning of the 12th upon the enemy, strongly intrenched at Fort Bisland, about 4 miles beyond Pattersonville....We met the enemy..., and after a brisk engagement drove him back until his line of defense was revealed, and took up a position which enabled us to reconnoiter his works to advantage." With Taylor's men locked into position, Banks sends Cuvier Grover's division across Grand Lake with orders to land behind the Rebels and secure the only Confederate line of retreat. Anticipating Banks' move, General Taylor orders his men to evacuate their positions and prepare to retreat.

IN THE FIELD, NIBLETT'S BLUFF. - Maj. E. SURGET, Assistant Adjutant-General. - MAJOR: The enemy threatening to storm our works, our men fixed bayonets and resolutely prepared to meet and dispute with them to the death the possession of the intrenchments. They, however, although they could easily have borne us down by superiority of numbers, dared not expose themselves to a hand-to-hand conflict. At midnight orders were received to evacuate my position and I confided to my adjutant the direction of the retrograde movement, which was executed with all the dispatch and promptness possible....Everything was saved except a caisson, which had to be abandoned in a disabled condition from the lack of horses. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ALF. MOUTON, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Despite outnumbering the Washington, North Carolina, garrison 9,000 to 1,200, General D.H. Hill is having serious doubts about his chances to successfully taking the town. General Foster's stubborn defense is given a boost when the U.S.S. Escort successfully runs past Hill's batteries crowning the bluffs below the town, bringing reinforcements and badly needed supplies. Foster reports, "The steam-transport Escort, with hay bales placed on her guards and decks as a protection, ran the batteries....The Escort had on board the Fifth Rhode Island Volunteers..., a plentiful supply of ammunition and commissary stores. She had 60 shots fired at her from the batteries but was not struck."

ROANOKE ISLAND. - GENERAL: I determined that men and supplies could be sent through the blockade, and I placed one regiment, with a quantity of provisions and ammunition, on board a river steamer and went with them myself. After some little delay on account of weather and the fears of the pilot I succeeded by threatening, promising pecuniary reward, &C, to push the boat through. The navy gunboats ran up to the blockade to assist in case of accident. The steamer went through safely, I think. She was lying safely at the wharf in Washington....There are more troops and supplies near the blockade ready to be pushed in if General Foster wishes them....I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, I. N. PALMER, Brigadier-General.


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Apr 14 1863 (Tuesday)

Joe Hooker gets the go ahead from President Lincoln and unleashes General Stoneman's cavalry on it's mission to cut Robert E. Lee's supply line. Hooker gives Stoneman his instructions. "You will march...with all your available force...for the purpose of turning the enemy's position on his left, and of throwing your command between him and Richmond, and isolating him from his supplies....Let your watchword be fight, and let all your orders be fight, fight, fight, bearing in mind that time is as valuable to the general as the rebel carcasses." In a bit of subterfuge, General Butterfield, knowing that the Rebels have cracked the Union signal flag code system, sends a message alerting his field commanders that the cavalry has been sent away. "A large portion of General Stoneman's cavalry force have gone in the direction of the Shenandoah Valley, and will be absent some days." The message is intercepted and Robert E. Lee redeploys his cavalry to intercept the phantom Union cavalry column. This creates a fifty mile gap in Lee's lines and clears an uncovered path for George Stoneman's cavalrymen once they cross the Rappahannock River.

FREDERICKSBURG, April 14, 1863. - General W. E. JONES, Commanding: I learn enemy's cavalry are moving against you in Shenandoah Valley; will attack Fitz. Lee in passing. They have crossed at Rappahannock Station. General Stuart, with two brigades, will attend them. Collect your forces and be on your guard. R. E. LEE, General.

Frustrated in his attempts to find a crack in the fortifications surrounding Suffolk, General Longstreet begins probing the Union defenses along the Nansemond River. If troops could be gotten across, "Old Pete" would be able to cut the railroad lines to Portsmouth and Norfolk and completely isolate the garrison. In a report to General Lee, Longstreet writes, "If I find it practicable I shall get around the enemy's position...and endeavor to cut off re-enforcements by batteries on the river, etc." General Peck is aware of the danger to his position. "The only fear is that the enemy may cross the Nansemond. To prevent that, gunboats must be freely used." General Hood's men are given the task of hunting Yankee gunboats, but soon learn that Enfield rifles are no match for the small river gunboats. Accordingly, earthworks are prepared at Norfleet's landing and Hill's Point, and field pieces are dragged into position. General Peck reports, "Anderson's division has been engaged on the water front with our gunboats and batteries." When the U.S.S. Mount Washington becomes stuck on a sand bar, she is mercilessly pummeled by the new Rebel batteries. Several other ships are also damaged trying to rescue the stranded ship infuriating Rear-Admiral Samuel Lee. "You must not rely upon these few frail and open ferryboats and river steamers, which you call gunboats, to keep the rebels from crossing the Upper Nansemond....These craft are effective only from the gallantry with which they are fought, with their boilers, steam-pipes, and magazines all exposed to the concentrated fire of the rebel batteries, while the sharpshooters pick off with facility our unprotected gunners."

FORT MONROE, VA., April 14, 1863--11.30 p.m. - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief: I have just returned from Suffolk after going through the lines. General Peck is strong, but the danger of interception of his communications with Norfolk is imminent, as the gunboats are nearly all crippled. With two small divisions, say 5,000 each, we could repel the enemy. If we could have that number of men from the Army of the Potomac we could send them back in two weeks. General Peck has rations for twenty days and forage for ten....He must be relieved within twelve days at farthest. JOHN A. DIX, Major-General.

Nathaniel Banks has his men moving at dawn. "[General] Weitzel taking the advance, will move on the cut-off road. Emory will follow the march of Weitzel. Grover will move on the bayou road. The whole command will move in the direction of New Iberia." General Taylor reacts quickly to Banks' advance. Leaving a small force behind, he launches a bold attack on Grover's isolated force. Grover reports, "Immediate advantage was taken...by the enemy, who..., made a dashing charge in line of battle upon the right and rear of the reserve regiments. A sharp conflict here ensued, which lasted until the boxes of the greater part of the regiments were exhausted, when, much overborne by numbers they fell back ." Although unsuccessful in his attempt to drive Grover's men back into Grand Lake, General Taylor withdraws his battered command from between the two advancing Union pincers. According to Grover, "I prepared to receive rather than to make an attack, for the reasons that the advantages of position were very greatly against an attacking party....But as the enemy, after some delay, showed no further disposition to attack, I ordered an advance on both fronts, whereupon the enemy immediately retired." After tasting nothing but the bitter dregs of defeat last year at the hands of "Stonewall" Jackson, old "Commissary" Banks savors the battlefield triumph.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN LOUISIANA, Alexandria. - Brigadier-General BOGGS, Chief of Staff. - GENERAL: With great coolness and steadiness Colonel Green retired slowly before the heavy advance guard of the enemy, opening upon him with his artillery whenever he came within range and charging and driving him back when the nature of the ground permitted such movements....Brigadier-General Mouton with his command then retired, the general and his staff crossing the bridge while it was burning....At about 9.30 o'clock a.m. all the wagons and troops had passed through the town of Franklin, and as the rear of General Mouton's command left the upper portion of the town the advance guard of the enemy entered the lower portion....Our troops and train then proceeded, en-camping on Tuesday night just above Jeanerette, Colonel Green, in command of the rear guard, covering the retreat and keeping up almost constant skirmishing with the enemy's advance....I am, general, your obedient servant, R. TAYLOR, Major-General.

Casualties at Fort Bisland and Bethel Place, Louisiana: Union 234 Confederate 450


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Apr 15 1863 (Wednesday)

Under gray skies, General Stoneman carefully prepares to cross his 10,000 horsemen over the Rappahannock River as Joe Hooker informs the President of the successful move. "Stoneman...informs me that his command will be across the river before daylight this morning. It was his intention to cross at three points, all above the Rappahannock Station....Up to late last night the enemy appeared to have no suspicions of our designs." As the weather worsens, Stoneman relays his worries about getting his twenty-one cannons across the river. Hooker responds, "If your artillery is your only hindrance to your advance..., order it to return, and proceed to the execution of your orders without it." However, it soon becomes clear that the river is rising much faster than expected. Colonel Buschbeck, commanding the infantry covering force at Kelly's Ford, sends back the bad news. "On account of the bad weather, no crossing has been attempted." Despite his disappointment, Hooker tries to soften the blow as he reports the days events to President Lincoln. "Just heard from General Stoneman. His artillery has been brought to a halt by the mud, one division only having crossed the river. If practicable, he will proceed without it. All the streams are swimming." As the rain continues in a torrent and the river continues to rise, Hooker is forced call a halt to the crossing. Says Hooker, "The elements seem to have conspired to prevent the accomplishment of a brilliant cavalry operation." Lincoln is not amused with the delay.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., April 15, 1863. - Major-General HOOKER: The rain and mud, of course, were to be calculated upon. General S. is not moving rapidly enough to make the expedition come to anything. He has now been out three days, two of which were unusually fair weather, and all three without hinderance from the enemy, and yet he is not 25 miles from where he started. To reach his point he still has 60 to go, another river (the Rapidan) to cross, and will be hindered by the enemy. By arithmetic, how many days will it take him to do it? I do not know that any better can be done, but I greatly fear it is another failure already....Yours, truly, A. LINCOLN.

With his corps firmly in control of all the ground between Richmond and New Carthage, General McClernand requests further instructions from General Grant. "Whether my forces should...[advance to] the Mississippi shore near Grand Gulf, is a question upon which I am not advised....I have ordered the Ninth and Fourteenth Divisions of my corps to hold themselves in readiness for concentration here." Colonel Cockrell, commanding the only Confederate forces on the west bank of the Mississippi River, reports on the recent Federal advances. "Their intention is to get below Warrenton and cut off all supplies, and then starve us out....They can very easily establish a strong line from Milliken's Bend to Richmond, and thence to Carthage, and not be very much exposed at any point." General Pemberton also receives disquieting information from "travelers out of Memphis" that "the retrograde movement from Vicksburg [is] a ruse." General Stevenson, in Vicksburg, is warned, "You must be on the lookout," but is still told to get "Vaughn's brigade ready to move" as soon as transportation to Tennessee is available.

HEADQUARTERS, Grand Gulf, April 15, 1863. - Maj. R. W. MEMMINGER, Assistant Adjutant-General: - SIR: From all the information I can gather from the other side of the river in regard to the position and movements of the enemy, I am induced to believe that they intend keeping up a cordon of small garrisons extending from Milliken's Bend to James' Plantation, below New Carthage, and around by Richmond, in Madison Parish. The road being a good one, with what they can pillage they can readily supply themselves. By establishing a battery at James', they expect to cut Vicksburg off from supplies, and if they should succeed in running two or three gunboats by the Vicksburg batteries they could effectually cut me off from the landing at Hard Times....And add to this the boats below, now at Red River, our ferriage of the Mississippi would be rendered very insecure at any point....Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. S. BOWEN.



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Apr 16 1863 (Thursday)

When he learns that Union troops from Newbern have been sent to reinforce Suffolk, James Longstreet is upset. He tells D.H. Hill, "I wish you would keep your Yankees to yourself." Worried about the growing Union strength, "Old Pete" orders Hill to send him Richard Garnett's brigade. "We cannot afford to keep the large force that you have watching the garrison at Washington. It would seem that you could...keep the garrison securely inside with 3,000 men." Unwilling to continue the siege with a depleted force and convinced that he has stripped the surrounding countryside of all available supplies, Hill orders a withdrawal. Garnett reports, "[General Ferebee]...left his position near Washington between 8 and 9 o'clock this morning...; their cavalry and a body of infantry followed them some distance....I shall try to get my stores up by wagons, but it will take some days to do so." Near Williamsburg, General Wise also begins an orderly withdrawal from his advanced position. "I shall begin to fall back...this evening. This is the fifth day after our attack upon the enemy, and they have shown no disposition to advance. We have all the forage and provisions that can be obtained in the neighborhood and sent them behind us."

HDQRS. DEPT. OF NORTH CAROLINA, 18TH ARMY CORPS, New Berne, N.C. - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in Chief, U. S. Army, Washington, D C. - GENERAL: At daylight 5 deserters...reported that the enemy had retired from our front and were retreating on Greenville....The...fact that after fourteen days of close siege of Washington General Hill had failed to obtain a single advantage or to advance one step nearer his object, in all probability caused him to retreat....I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. G. FOSTER, Major-General, Commanding.

Charles Dana reports that Farragut's ships are ready. "Vicksburg batteries will be run to-night about 9 o'clock. Fleet will consist of six iron-clad turtles, viz: Benton, Mound City, Carondelet, Louisville, Pittsburg, and DeKalb, besides Lafayette, iron-clad, and General Price, heavy armed ram....Transports consist of Henry Clay and Forest Queen, side-wheel steamers, and Silver Wave, stern-wheel....The gunboats and transports are protected in vulnerable parts by bulwarks of hay, cotton, and sand-bags." U.S. Grant, his wife Julia, and their two sons Ulysses jr. and Fred, watch as Porter's strangely silent and completely darkened ships slip into the river channel and head downstream. At 11:16 p.m., a dazzling light illuminates the scene as alert Rebel pickets set fire to several prepared buildings along the shore. Just as suddenly the city's thirty-four heavy guns open fire on the Union flotilla. One officer describes his view through the porthole. "The rebel batteries...flashed like a thunder-storm along the river as far as the eye could see." Dana counts 525 shots fired in the ninety minute engagement until the batteries fall into silence and the riverside fires burn out. General M.L. Smith informs Pendleton of the night's activities. "Eight of enemy's most formidable gunboats, and three transports..., started past batteries. The gunboats, Admiral Porter in command, passed down; damage unknown. Two transports were destroyed; the third..., apparently a wreck. Believed two gunboats badly injured."

MILLIKEN'S BEND, LA. - Hon. E. M. STANTON: I ran down to Young's Point and took a position in full view of Vicksburg...to witness the passage of Admiral Porter's fleet of seven vessels....The entire naval fleet passed with but little damage and small loss. One shot penetrated the Benton, on which vessel 1 man was killed and 3 slightly wounded. The Forest Queen...received a shot in the hull and one in the steam-drum. The Henry Clay, to avoid collision with her, changed direction, and received shot in the stern. The captain very soon took his men in his boats, leaving the pilot, who would not desert his post. She caught fire, and being then helpless, the pilot took a plank and drifted by the burning mass nearly four hours, when he was picked up. The boat had on board 50,000 rations. General Sherman, who had taken a position below the city in a small skiff, boarded the Benton and saw the admiral. A full half hour passed before the second battery made its appearance, and to the general's hail the answer was, "All well." The Tuscumbia was sent back, and towed the disabled Forest Queen. The rebels burned several houses in Vicksburg and one near the point opposite which lighted up the whole river. The firing from the rebels was not near so heavy as I anticipated....No communication received as yet from the admiral. It is a great success....L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General.

Casualties during the siege of Washington, North Carolina: Approximately 100 total.


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Apr 17 1863 (Friday)

Realizing that if Richard Taylor's small 5,000 man army is unable to halt Banks' advance up Bayou Teche, the entire fertile region is in danger of being lost to the enemy, Kirby Smith calls for help. "General Taylor has been driven back by overwhelming numbers, and indications are that the enemy intend moving upon Opelousas and Alexandria....Unless we are re-enforced or some counter-movement is made on the other side of the river the enemy must succeed in their occupation of West Louisiana." Meanwhile, Taylor's retreating column reaches the Vermillion Bayou. Taylor reports, "I was much surprised to find...that General Sibley was not with the command...and that [his] men were straggling without order over the whole line of march and adjacent country....Nearly the whole of Lieutenant-Colonel Fournet's battalion...deserted with their arms, remaining at their homes....As soon as the whole train and all our forces had crossed...I had the bridges burned, and...the troops and teams, which were much exhausted, were allowed to rest." With his advance halted temporarily to repair the burned bridge, an exultant Nathaniel Banks pauses to report on his achievements.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, 19TH ARMY CORPS, Bouligny's, beyond New Iberia, La., April 17, 1863. - Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. - GENERAL: We have pursued the enemy closely more than 50 miles; we have destroyed the Queen of the West, and have compelled him to destroy the gunboats Diana and Hart, with supplies of subsistence and ammunition; we have taken eleven guns, one steamer, over a thousand prisoners, and large quantities of ammunition, camp equipage, and quartermaster's stores; we have captured and destroyed his salt-works below New Iberia; his infantry has dispersed over the prairies and in the woods..., and there is no thought among the prisoners or inhabitants that he will make any stand this side of Alexandria....The country abounds in supplies of all kinds, which I shall apply to the utmost to the purposes of the Government. Our loss is small, but as we have made hard marches every day and only halted at night it has been impracticable to get exact figures. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding.

After the Rebel attacks on his gunboats earlier in the week, General Peck works hard to consolidate his river line and to prevent any crossing of the Nansemond River. He reports, "It gives me great pleasure to say that I hold everything. The enemy maneuvered to throw me off my guard on the river below, which had the effect opposite to his wishes. Instead of withdrawing I re-enforced considerably....I hold the line of the river and am satisfied nothing has passed over yet." Robert E. Lee reminds General Longstreet that time is fast running out for his Suffolk operation. "The enemy's cavalry are again on our left....Their attempts to cross the river have been so far repulsed....Nothing, however, has been ascertained." Reacting to concerns that he has lost the strategic initiative, Longstreet concentrates on extracting the available supplies from the area. Secretary of War Seddon concurs with "Old Pete's" logic. "Your proceedings in regard to Suffolk are deemed judicious and fully approved. I concur in thinking the object not worth the sacrifice to be entailed by an attack....The main object of your expedition is...being fully accomplished."

HEADQUARTERS, Near Suffolk, Va., April 17, 1863. - Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War: - SIR: From the reports in newspapers I fear that some anxiety may be felt for us at Suffolk. We have not fired again at the enemy's stronghold nor do I expect to do so. I am very well convinced that we could reduce it in two or three days, but doubt if we can afford to expend the powder and ball....The principal object of the expedition was to draw out supplies for our army. I shall confine myself to this Unless I find a fair opportunity for something more. The reports of bacon and corn are very favorable thus for. In some instances I have heard of bacon being bought at 12½ cents per pound....I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES LONGSTREET, Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

It is readily apparent to General Pemberton that, with the Union fleet now below Vicksburg, the operational situation has drastically changed. "I regard the navigation of the Mississippi River shut out from us now. No more supplies can be gotten from the Trans. Mississippi Department." Pemberton calls on the hard pressed General Taylor for assistance. "Without cooperation it is impossible to oppose [Grant]." Pemberton's own troops on the west bank of the river, now in an untenable position, are withdrawn. "Cockrell's command safe at Hard Times...Our transports crossing to bring him over." In addition, Pemberton issues a call for more heavy guns for the Vicksburg batteries. "The passage of batteries at Vicksburg by...[the] enemy's vessels...shows conclusively that we have an insufficient number of guns." Finally, Pemberton halts the transfer of troops to Tennessee and requests General Johnston to return those already sent. Johnston agrees, "Under the altered condition of your command and the state of things in your department, your views are concurred in, in respect to recalling the troops you may have sent."

JACKSON, April 17, 1863. General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Tullahoma: Enemy has now nine boats between Vicksburg and Port Hudson. He has land forces at New Carthage from Grant's army, and can re-enforce them to any extent. He can use his nine boats to cross his troops to this side....I ought to have back Buford's brigade; certainly no more troops should leave this department....J. C. PEMBERTON.

Henry Halleck, pleased with the turn of events in Vicksburg, urges Nathaniel Banks to assist General Grant. "Last advices from General Grant state that he was in possession of New Carthage, and hoped soon...to attack Grand Gulf, and perhaps co-operate with you against Port Hudson." Grant orders General McPherson to bring his corps forward, "Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson, commanding Seventeenth Army Corps, will move forward at once two regiments of his command to Richmond," and General McClernand is given instructions to advance to a position opposite Grand Gulf. "Once there, no risk should be taken in following the enemy until our forces are concentrated....General McPherson will be closing upon you as rapidly as your troops can be gotten away and rations supplied....I will be over...in a few days..., and hope it will be my good fortune to find you in safe possession of Grand Gulf."

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, In the Field, near New Carthage, La., April 17, 1863. - Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT: - GENERAL: At 7 o'clock this morning the wreck of the steamer Henry Clay was seen floating past New Carthage, on fire. At the same time three barges were seen passing....I sent these into the stream, and succeeded in bringing to shore two of the largest, one partially laden with coal, the other laden with camp equipage....About 12 p.m., eight gunboats, which had also run the blockade at Vicksburg, came to....Soon after, Rear-Admiral Porter arrived on the Benton. I immediately called on him...I...informed the admiral that a vessel, supposed to be a hostile one, was seen at Perkins' plantation the evening before, and that it would be advisable to cruise the river for a distance below Carthage; and; pointing out to him the hulk of the Indianola, I suggested to him the importance of an examination, to ascertain whether she could not be raised and made seaworthy. Your obedient servant, JOHN A. McCLERNAND.



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Apr 18 1863 (Saturday)

Lieutenant Roswell Lamson, commanding the gunboats in the upper Nansemond, is convinced that he can no longer keeps his ships in that part of the river as long as the Rebel battery at Fort Huger, on the bluffs of Hill's Point, continues to hamper his communications with the fleet below. Lamson blames the army for his predicament. "The army seem to be lying perfectly at ease, expecting us to take care of them." Hearing the complaints of his young officer, Admiral Lee decides to act and issues orders for his ships to withdraw from the upper Nansemond. "I have directed Lieutenant Lamson not to remain in the Upper Nansemond any longer than his communications remain open, nor so long as to risk his ability to rejoin Lieutenant Cushing in the Lower Nansemond." General Peck is livid when he hears of Lee's new orders. "This is fatal. It must be stopped from Washington or elsewhere." Peck also attempts to convince Lamson to keep his boats in the river, but the lieutenant's condition for remaining is firm. "[The] Western Branch battery [Fort Huger] should be taken or silenced."

SUFFOLK, VA., April 19, 1863. - Admiral S. P. LEE, Newport News. The withdrawal of all the boats above West Branch of the Nansemond at this crisis will be attended with great risk and may result in the enemy crossing. It will require me to detach many more regiments and guns, which I cannot afford. Earnest and continued cooperation of navy and army will beat General Longstreet in this campaign, and I beg you to reconsider the proposition....JOHN J. PECK, Major-General.

General Blunt orders Colonel William Phillips to start moving the loyal refugee Indians back to their homes in the Indian Territory. To accomplish this, Phillips orders his 3,000 man Indian Brigade to Fort Smith. "We have swept this side of the Arkansas River clean. A considerable portion of my force holds Fort Gibson. I shall move the whole command there....The refugees have arrived, and are greatly rejoiced." Phillips' position, far in advance of any other Union force is threatened when Colonel Cabell's Arkansas troops strike at his precarious supply line at Fayetteville. Colonel LaRue, the post commander, reports, "The enemy...made a forced march from the Boston Mountains during the night....Their cavalry charged up a deep ravine on the east side of the city, and attacked my headquarters....At about 9 a.m...Colonel Monroe led a gallant and desperate cavalry charge upon our right wing, which was met by a galling cross-fire from our right and center, piling rebel men and horses in heaps in front of our ordnance office, and causing the enemy to retreat in disorder to the woods....The enemy's center...made a desperate resistance for nearly an hour after both wings had partially given way....At 12 m. their whole force was in full retreat for Ozark."

APRIL 18, 1863. - Maj. Gen. SAMUEL R. CURTIS: Arkansas is triumphant. The rebels, 2,000 strong, with two 6-pounder guns, attacked Fayetteville at daylight this morning, and, after two hours' desperate fighting, they were completely routed, and retreated in disorder toward Ozark. General Cabell commanded in person, assisted by Colonel Scott, of the Virginia Black Horse Cavalry....Their artillery was silenced at 9 p.m. by two companies of the First Arkansas Cavalry, and a brilliant cavalry charge under Colonel Monroe was repulsed in the center of the town by our cavalry and infantry. Our stores are all safe; not a thing burned or taken from us....Every officer and man in my command was a hero; no one flinched. M. LA RUE HARRISON, Colonel, Commanding Fayetteville.

Colonel Abel Streight's expedition gets off to a slow start when the transports which are to take his men to Eastport, Mississippi do not arrive at Fort Henry. With Streight's location unknown, General Hurlbut's attempts to coordinate General Dodge's screening force with the raiders from General Rosecrans' army are frustrated. "Nothing has yet been heard of Rosecrans' expedition....Dodge moves to-morrow with 5,000 men and good artillery, with instructions to proceed to Iuka, and await Rosecrans arriving at Eastport." Colonel Grierson, embarking on his own raid, suffers no such difficulties as he heads towards Mississippi. "I left [La Grange, Tenn.]...with the effective force of my command, 1,700 strong. We moved southward without material interruption, crossing the Tallahatchee River on the afternoon of the 18th at three different points." When Grierson departs, Hurlbut remarks, "God speed him, for he has started gallantly on a long and perilous ride."

HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL BRIGADE, Savannah, Tenn., April 18, 1863. - Brig. Gen. GRENVILLE M. DODGE: I will move up the river at daylight to-morrow morning. We have 130,000 rations on board for you. Will halt at Hamburg for messenger from you, and if I do not hear from you there, I will proceed to Eastport, where I shall endeavor to open communication with you. Ellet's Marine Brigade and four gunboats are with us. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, A.D. STREIGHT, Colonel, Commanding.

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