MAP ROOM (Vicksburg 03/31/63)

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Apr 19 1863 (Sunday)

When Battery Huger was originally built in early 1862, the Confederates had possession of Norfolk and Suffolk. As a result, there was no need for building earthworks to protect the battery's landward side. Moxley Sorrel describes the battery which is currently occupied by Captain Stribling's five guns. "Stribling's occupied an old uninclosed work on Hill's Point, a tongue of land a little above the confluence of Western Branch and Nansemond [Rivers]." The battery's weakness is spotted by Lieutenant Lamson, the Union naval commander on the upper Nansemond. Lamson makes arrangements with General Peck to have 200 soldiers ready to storm the battery after he bombards the fort for several hours. An unsuspecting Captain Stribling reports, "The enemy has shelled us steadily for about three hours from gunboats lying up the river....There are no casualties, and we will be prepared to give them a warm reception should any attempt to run down." General French, the commander of the Confederate batteries along the river, is too ill to personally investigate the shelling. "Let me know what is the result of the heavy cannonade now going on. Show this to Colonel Connally and have him post his regiment to repel any landing of infantry against the batteries." Despite French's instructions, and addition orders from General Longstreet, Connally's men are too far away to support the battery when the Union infantrymen come ashore and successfully storm the battery. An angry Longstreet orders a swift counterattack, "The enemy is on this side [and] he should be driven into the river," but the ensuing darkness and confusion gives the Federals time to secure their hold on the position. Longstreet reports, "General Hood has moved a brigade down to where the battery was. It will be better not to move any more troops in the darkness."

HDQRS. EIGHTH REGIMENT CONNECTICUT VOLS., Suffolk, Va. - Brig. Gen. J. D. WILLIAMS, Adjutant-General State of Connecticut. - GENERAL: We were landed at Hill's Point, in the rear of Fort Huger, a little before sunset, immediately charged upon the works, and after a very short struggle captured the fort, with five pieces of artillery, a large quantity of ammunition, and about 130 prisoners....Having taken possession we immediately proceeded to place the captured guns in position to resist any attempt of the enemy to retake the Point, and commenced intrenching ourselves as well as possible with the means at our disposal....At about 10 o'clock our pickets stationed...outside the fort were attacked and driven in, but were immediately reposted and held their position....Very respectfully, yours, J. EDWARD WARD, Colonel Eighth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.

Nathaniel Banks reports on his victory over General Taylor's Confederate army in Eastern Louisiana. "Our success is complete. The enemy resisted our passage of Bayou Vermillion..., but were promptly dislodged from their position, and we now occupy the north side of the bayou, ready to resume our march....We shall probably occupy Opelousas in two days....Our success has so crippled the enemy, amounting almost to the annihilation of his Army and Navy." As he prepares to advance to Opelousas, the temporary home of the Louisiana State government, Banks sends out Lieutenant-Commander Cook and several gunboats to capture the small Rebel battery at Butte-a-la-Rose which commands the junction of the Red and Atchafalaya Rivers. To bolster Taylor's swiftly retreating army, Kirby Smith renews his request for reinforcements from Pemberton's Vicksburg forces.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT TRANS-MISSISSIPPI, Alexandria, La., April 19, 1863. - Lieut. Gen. J. C. PEMBERTON, Jackson, Miss.: - GENERAL: General Taylor has been forced by overwhelming numbers of the enemy, now supposed to be Banks' whole army, to fall back to Opelousas. He will endeavor to hold them in check near that place, but unless promptly re-enforced cannot prevent their advance upon Alexandria. As Port Hudson is no longer threatened, cannot you order troops from that point to Taylor's aid? It is necessary that this re-enforcement to be effectual should be promptly made. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. KIRBY SMITH, Lieutenant-General, Commanding.


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Apr 20 1863 (Monday)

U.S. Grant reports Admiral Porter's successful passage of the Vicksburg batteries to Henry Halleck. "Our experiment of running the batteries at Vicksburg...has demonstrated the entire practicability of doing so with but little risk....Our vessels went down even slower than the current, using their wheels principally for backing." Buoyed by Porter's accomplishment, Grant decides to send down some transport steamers which, if they are also able run past Vicksburg without sustaining too much damage, will aide immeasurably when it is time to transport his infantrymen across the Mississippi River. "I shall send six more steamers by the batteries as soon as they can possibly be got ready." Grant also informs General McClernand of his plan to get additional transports down the river. "Six steamers I hope will be ready to run the enemy's batteries....The cotton and hay for barricading a greater number is not on hand at present."

MILLIKEN'S BEND, April 20, 1863. (Received April 24.) - Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. - Six transport steamers are being repaired to run Vicksburg batteries, viz, Tigress (side-wheeler), Anglo-Saxon, Cheeseman, Moderator, Horizon, and Empire City, all stern-wheelers; none of them less than 500 tons. Each will carry one hundred thousand rations in her hold and forty days' coal. They will hardly be ready before to-morrow night. As soon as they have gone down, General Grant will move his headquarters to New Carthage, and the attack on Grand Gulf will be made as soon as 8,000 troops can be embarked....C. A. DANA.

General Ruggles reports that a Union cavalry force has penetrated eighty miles behind Confederate lines to Pontotoc, Mississippi. "The enemy were at Pontotoc last night. My cavalry, with three guns, are moving against him....Everything rendered possible by my limited resources will be done." Ever since Earl Van Dorn and his men were transferred to Tennessee, General Pemberton has pleaded for more horsemen. Now, with reports of several Union cavalry raids operating simultaneously, his concerns about his supply and communication lines are growing. "Enemy are advancing from Memphis, via Hernando; from Grand Junction and La Grange, via Holly Springs and Salem; from Corinth, via New Albany....I have but feeble cavalry force.....I have virtually no cavalry from Grand Gulf to Yazoo City, while the enemy is threatening to cross river between Vicksburg and Grand Gulf." Ex-bandmaster Benjamin Grierson is leading the largest Union raiding force which is threatening both the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and the Mississippi Central Railroad. Knowing that Rebel detachments have been alerted in his front and rear, Grierson culls 175 of his weakest raiders, suffering from dysentery, chills, and fever, and dubbed "the Quinine Brigade," and sends them back with instructions to "pass through Pontotoc in the night, marching by fours, obliterating our tracks, and producing the impression that we have all returned." Grierson also detaches Colonel Hatch's regiment on a strike to the east with instructions to inflict as much damage they can before heading back north to LaGrange, Tennessee.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY BRIGADE, Baton Rouge, La. - Brig. Gen. W. S. SMITH, Commanding United States Forces at La Grange. - COLONEL: We reached Pontotoc about 5 p.m. The advance dashed into the town, came upon some guerrillas, killed 1, and wounded and captured several more. Here we also captured a large mill, about 400 bushels of salt, and camp equipage, books, papers, &c....At 3 o'clock the next morning, April 20, I detached 175 of the least effective portion of the command, with one gun of the battery and all the prisoners, led horses, and captured property, under the command of Major Love, of the Second Iowa, to proceed back to La Grange..., and thus leaving the impression that the whole command had returned. Major Love had orders also to send off a single scout to cut the telegraph wires south of Oxford....At 5 a.m. I proceeded southward with the main force on the Houston road, passing around Houston about 4 p.m., and halting at dark on the plantation of Benjamin Kilgore..., on the road toward Starkville....Respectfully, your obedient servant, B. H. GRIERSON, Colonel, Commanding Cavalry Brigade.

In an attempt to repeat his successful raid of last January, General John Marmaduke leads 5,000 troopers, the largest cavalry force ever assembled in the Trans-Mississippi, back into Missouri. General Curtis reports, "A formidable [move] is made by Marmaduke in the southeastern corner of the State, which I find it very difficult to find a competent force to repel....It is very difficult to supply a mass of troops anywhere except on some of our railroads." The first Union outpost they fall upon, Patterson, is commanded by Colonel Edwin Smart. He reports, "The attack began about 12 o'clock on Reeves' Station road....Before I left the town I destroyed what stores I could not bring away... After fighting hand to hand at Big Creek, they...attempted to cut off my retreat, but I forced my way and formed on this side the creek....The enemy did not renew." News of Smart's defeat is quickly transmitted to the other outposts in the Saint Louis District by General Blunt. "The enemy drove Smart's regiment out of Patterson....The worst of it is, Smart has lost Marmaduke's whereabouts." However, it is not long before Marmaduke reappears near Bloomfield and heading east towards Cape Giradeau, a well stocked military depot on the west bank of the Mississippi River. A worried Curtis asks Henry Halleck for help, "General McNeil telegraphs from Cape Girardeau that he expects an attack....Is approached by two forces--one from the east and one from the south....I wish you could send some re-enforcements from other departments."

HEADQUARTERS MARMADUKE'S DIVISION, Jacksonport, Ark. - Maj. W. B. BLAIR Assistant Adjutant-General. - MAJOR: My command consisted of the following brigades: Shelby's Missouri cavalry brigade, Greene's Missouri cavalry brigade, Carter's Texas cavalry brigade, and Burbridge's brigade, composed of Burbridge's Missouri cavalry regiment and Newton's Arkansas cavalry regiment. My whole strength was about 5,000 men, eight pieces of field artillery, and two light mountain pieces. Of this force about 1,200 were unarmed and 900 dismounted....I concentrated my division on Eleven Points River, and intended marching in the direction of Rolla, but found it impossible to do so. The country for at least 100 miles was without forage or subsistence....I then determined to march to the east of Ironton, capture the outpost at Patterson, and strike...at Bloomfield....If successful..., I anticipated that my whole command could be well armed and finely mounted for vigorous action....When 12 miles from Patterson, about daylight, Colonel Giddings surprised and handsomely captured the whole Federal picket from Patterson....I ordered Carter's column to march against McNeil in the direction of Bloomfield, and Shelby's column to march on Fredericktown, supposing that McNeil would attempt to make his escape to Ironton. If he remained...Carter would whip him, and if he attempted to get to Ironton, Shelby would capture him....Very respectfully, J. S. MARMADUKE, Brigadier-General, Commanding.


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Apr 21 1863 (Tuesday)

After Union forces captured battery Huger and regained control over the Upper Nansemond River, Admiral Stephen Lee retracted his order to pull his gunboats from the river. However, when General Peck decides that the small force holding the battery is too isolated and in danger of being cut off he orders its withdrawal. When Lee learns that the battery is to be evacuated, he quickly re-issues his order to Lieutenant Lamson to withdraw all the gunboats from the upper branch of the river. "I am informed that the captured rebel battery at West Branch will be abandoned to-night....Our little gunboats, so much called for and relied on by the army, are not a suitable defense for that stream." General Dix, commander of Fortress Monroe, complains to Lee about the gunboat withdrawal. "I regret exceedingly the withdrawal of the gunboats. If, as we have reason to believe, the enemy is very strong it will be difficult without their aid to prevent his crossing." In Suffolk, General Peck reassures Dix about his defenses near the river. "I am employing all possible means to strengthen the river line. The boats of the Navy are below the Branch. Have sent troops into the swamp along the canal to watch the left flank."

UNITED STATES FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA, Newport News, Va., April 21, 1863. - Actg. Rear. Admiral S. P. LEE, Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron: - SIR: After the capture of the battery I received orders...to remain in the Upper Nansemond with the flotilla under my command....The next morning...General Getty showed me his orders from General Peck to withdraw from the captured point....I told him repeatedly that I would remain in the Upper Nansemond as long as he held the point, but that if he evacuated it I should be obliged to go below it. My communications were perfectly safe as long as he held this key to the river. The position was an exceedingly strong one....Their movement made it absolutely necessary for me to move below. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. H. LAMSON, Lieutenant, U. S. Navy, Commanding Flotilla.

With the date of the first national draft drawing nearer, the War Department announces the regulations under which the Provost Marshals will operate. It will be the Provost Marshals and their assistants who will be responsible for compiling the lists of men who will be eligible for the July draft. Also, the "diseases and infirmities" which will provide an exemption from the draft are enumerated. These include the following: insanity, epilepsy, paralysis, confirmed consumption, decided feebleness of constitution, constitutional syphilis, total loss of sight or loss of sight of right eye, complete deafness, dumbness, total loss of tongue, stammering if excessive and confirmed, loss of a sufficient number of teeth to prevent tearing the cartridge, incurable deformities of part of either jaw which hinder biting of the cartridge, old and ulcerated internal hemorrhoids, total loss of index finger of right hand, loss of the first and second phalanges of the fingers of right hand, and club or splay feet. Medical conditions which will not effect eligibility include: chronic rheumatism, pain simulating headache, external hemorrhoids, incontinence of urine, and ordinary large, ill-shaped, or flat feet.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, April 21, 1863. - The following regulations for the government of the Bureau of the Provost-Marshal-General of the United States having been approved by the President of the United States, he commands...they be strictly observed. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. Regulations for the government of the Bureau of the Provost-Marshal-General of the United States.....The officer detailed in each State...shall keep himself well informed as to the condition of the department throughout the State....The enrolling officer for each district or sub-district shall...proceed to enroll all persons subject to military duty under the provisions of the act for enrolling and calling out the national forces. He shall note their respective places of residence, their ages, as they will be upon the 1st day of July, 1863, their color, whether white or black, and their occupations, respectively. This enrollment must include: (1) All able-bodied male citizens of the United States, between the ages of twenty and forty-five years, not exempt from military service by law. (2) All persons of foreign birth, not so exempted, who shall have declared, on oath, their intention to become citizens of the United States under and in pursuance of the laws thereof.

After waiting almost a week for transports to take his men to Eastport, Mississippi, Able Streight is faced with another delay after discovering that a large proportion of his quartermaster mules suffer from distemper. General Hurlbut reports, "The delay in Streight's coming up compelled Dodge to attack. He did so, and drove them from Bear Creek to Caney Creek....Streight is now in Eastport, in communication with Dodge." The original plan was for Grenville Dodge's 7,500 men to serve as a screen for Streight's raiders. However, Dodge's efforts to dislodge the Rebel force near Tuscumbia, Alabama, to create an opening for Streight has drawn the attention of Joe Johnston. Feeling the pressure from Dodge's advance, Johnston orders Nathan Bedford Forrest into the disputed territory. "Colonel Roddey has been pressed back from Tuscumbia by a Federal force of about four brigades....Forrest was ordered...to join him"

CORINTH, April 21, 1863--12 m. - Major-General HURLBUT: Received dispatch from Dodge this morning....It will take Streight two days to get ready. Only half of his forces are mounted; will have to be mounted in the country....Dodge will move Wednesday morning, to strike the enemy at Tuscumbia on Friday. Streight is to move on this right, and go on his work if Dodge will not require his support. Dodge will have to remain there two weeks, to cover Streight's operations....R. J. OGLESBY, Major-general.

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Apr 22 1863 (Wednesday)

With the rain continuing to fall in Northern Virginia, even the best laid plans of Joe Hooker have to be placed on hold. "We have had another severe storm to-day, and it is not over yet. I am thankful that the army is not on the road, for in no direction could I advance 3 miles a day in the present condition of the country." General Stoneman reports, "The command is now separated by impassable streams..., owing to the small streams being swimming." Hooker advises him, "Mature your plans for an advance when the signal is given. Determine at what ford you will cross, at what hour, and the lines you will advance on to accomplish your mission." Of increasing concern to "Fighting Joe" is the large number of nine-months' and two years' regiments who's term of service will soon expire. He reports, Few, if any, will re-enlist at this time....The large bounties...paid by the State and Federal Governments seem to be uppermost in their minds....At all events, they are unwilling to re-enlist now." Hooker is also distracted when a copy of Ambrose Burnside's infamous General Orders #8 is leaked to the press. "In his order relinquishing command of this army, three days after the date of General Orders, No. 8, [Burnside] speaks of me in terms of unusual praise..., and yet behind my back, assassin-like, [he] is trying to stab....He must swallow his words..., or I will hunt him to the ends of the earth." With his army poised to move as soon as the weather breaks, General Hooker tightens his security procedures to prevent General Lee from gaining advanced knowledge of his plans. However, he is dismayed to learn that his pickets have been fraternizing with their Rebel counterparts.

OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL, April 22, 1863. - Brig. Gen. S. WILLIAMS, Assistant Adjutant General, Army of the Potomac: - GENERAL: I made an examination in person of the picket lines....I find...that communications are kept up between the pickets across the river much of the time....From April 9 to the 12th, Lieutenant Castle, Sixty-second New York Volunteers, had command of the pickets, and during that time both he and his men had frequent conversations with the enemy's pickets by means of small sail-boats....On the night of the 15th, a conversation was carried on near Dr. Morrison's house...between the pickets...and the rebels. The first part of the conversation was about rations. Secesh then asked, "Any signs of a move?" Reply, "Yes, we have got eight days rations, and expect to move in a few days. We have three days rations in our haversacks and five in our knapsacks." Secesh then asked, "Where is the move to be?" Reply, "Up to the right." Secesh then asked how we were going to get transportation....Our picket replied that he thought the trains would be kept up by pack-mules. This ended the conversation....The above is from a statement made me by Private Collins, Eighth Regulars, one of my own men on duty....Very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. R. PATRICK, Provost-Marshal. General.

After waiting an extra day to prepare the transports for their run past Vicksburg, U.S. Grant gives the final go-ahead for the risky maneuver. "It is evident that our boats cannot run the blockade without the river being lit up to expose every steamer to full view. Under the circumstances we may meet with a heavy loss." Since the entire endeavor involves army transports, manned by volunteer army crews, Grant determines the running order of the vessels and gives final instructions to the men. "At 9 p.m. to-night all the boats designated will steam down the river to the mouth of the Yazoo River...where they will remain in the channel until signaled to leave....No steam will be used unless absolutely necessary...until arriving near the upper batteries of Vicksburg. From that point all steam will be put on until the last battery is run." Captain Kennard describes the passage of the steamer Horizon. "In passing the first battery she received two shots, one through her derrick and one through her smoke-stack, larboard side. At the second battery she received two shots through her bulkhead. At the next battery she received two shots on hurricane deck, and, in all, while under fire passing Vicksburg batteries, about fifteen or sixteen shots, all forward and above boiler deck, except one through her cabin midships." Despite incurring considerable damage at the hands of the Rebel gunners, only one on the transports is sunk. General Stevenson informs Pemberton of the bad news at 2:30 a.m. "Six boats have passed down. I think one was a gunboat and five were transports [loaded] to the guards...; two were disabled. Some twenty vessels of different descriptions are now between Vicksburg and Port Hudson."

HEADQUARTERS RIVER BATTERIES, Vicksburg. - Capt. J. G. DEVEREUX, Assistant Adjutant-General. - CAPTAIN: The alarm was given at 11.30 p.m., and, soon after, a boat appeared rounding the point above, and was followed by five others at short intervals....Fire was opened upon each in succession as she came in view, and continued with spirit and accuracy until they were out of range. All the transports were riddled, and the escape of any seemed miraculous, considering the number of large projectiles sent crushing through them....The atmosphere was hazy and close, and the smoke settled down over the river, often completely concealing and obscuring the boats, and rendering it almost impossible to fire with accuracy. This was, however, in a measure obviated while houses across the river were burning....The friction-tubes were, as usual, a great source of annoyance, and caused much delay in firing almost every shell, frequently five, six, and eight failing in succession. There were three hundred and ninety-one shots fired in all. Very respectfully, A. JACKSON, JR., Colonel, Commanding.


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Apr 23 1863 (Thursday)

Nathaniel Banks proudly announces, "We occupy Opelousas.... The enemy took the road to Alexandria." Banks' expeditionary force has also captured the Rebel battery at Butte-à-la-Rose. "This was handsomely done...by Lieutenant-Commander Cooke, U. S. Navy, with his gunboats and four companies of infantry. We captured here the garrison of 60 men and its commander, two heavy guns in position..., a large quantity of ammunition, and the key of the Atchafalaya." Kirby Smith is well aware of the weakened condition of his defenses in Eastern Louisiana. "The fall of the battery at Butte-à-la-Rose, the opening of the Atchafalaya, and the concentration of a large fleet of boats below Vicksburg make the occupation of this country by General Banks an easy and certain operation." Banks assures Henry Halleck that he will not "lose a moment in improving the decisive advantages gained in this section." Banks continues, "We have destroyed the enemy's army and navy, and made their reorganization impossible by destroying or removing the material. We hold the key of the position." As he pauses to determine his next move, Banks rests his army and reopens communications with General Grant. "Until we can hear from you I shall make Washington, on the Courtableau, my base of operations. We can co-operate with you in any manner you suggest, by a junction on the Red River or by an attack from Baton Rouge, joining your forces on the Bayou Sara."

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE GULF, NINETEENTH ARMY CORPS, Opelousas, La., April 23, 1863. - Admiral FARRAGUT, Flag-Ship Hartford: - MY DEAR ADMIRAL: We have now achieved the freedom of the Atchafalaya....The gunboats under command of Lieutenant Cooke captured Butte-à-la-Rose...This gives us the entire control of the Atchafalaya and the Red River....We compelled them to destroy the Diana and Hart, and the fleet commanded by Lieutenant Cooke sunk the Queen of the West in the contest for the possession of Butte-à-la-Rose, on Grand Lake....Now that we have achieved the freedom of the Atchafalaya my belief is that [Grant] should join his forces to us by that river, crossing the Grand River and the Plaquemine to Baton Rouge. This is the most feasible point of junction of our forces, and can be accomplished with the least danger and in the least time....I beg you will forward the communication to General Grant as speedily as possible, and communicate the substance of his answer by telegraph....I am, very truly, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major-General, Commanding.

Robert E. Lee has been closely monitoring the activity of Stoneman's cavalrymen as they approach the Rappahannock River, but refrain from engaging the Rebel detachments guarding the fords. "I have been able as yet to learn nothing which goes to show the real intention of the enemy....It appears to me that [Hooker] is rather fearful of an attack from us than preparing to attack." Although Lee is puzzled by the actions of the Union cavalry, he has learned that it has grown in strength and firepower. He alerts Jeb Stuart, "I wish very much I could send you more cavalry....I am aware that from the superior strength of the enemy he will be able to overpower you at any one point, but believe, by your good management, boldness, and discretion, you will be able to baffle his designs." Lee also informs Jefferson Davis about "the insufficiency of cavalry in this army." Lee continues, "The enemy has greatly re-enforced that arm of the service....I learn from our scouts...that the enemy's cavalry consists of six brigades, organized into three divisions, under General Stoneman. To oppose this force at present on the Upper Rappahannock we have two small brigades (the two Lees), under General Stuart....General Fitz. Lee states that the enemy outnumbers him 4 to 1, and ride over him by sheer force of numbers. I fear some great evil will befall us if this state of things continues." Lee's attention to his deficient cavalry is diverted when General Dorsey Pender informs his that large numbers of North Carolina infantrymen are deserting and returning to their native state.

HEADQUARTERS PENDER'S BRIGADE, April 23, 1863. - [Maj. W. H. TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of Northern Virginia:] - MAJOR: I think I am safe in saying that at least 200 men have deserted from the Twenty-fourth North Carolina Regiment in this corps within the last thirty days....Unless some prompt measures be taken to arrest those already deserted, and severe punishment be inflicted after they shall be caught, the matter will grow from bad to worse. In my humble opinion, the whole trouble lies in the fact that they believe when they get into North Carolina they will not be molested, and their belief is based upon the dictum of Judge Pearson, chief justice of the State, in a recent trial of persons who killed some militia officers while in the discharge of their duties....Our men are of the opinion that he held that the conscript law was unconstitutional, and hence they draw the conclusion that enrolled conscripts will not only be justified in resisting the law, but that those who have been held in service by the law will not be arrested when they desert. This conclusion is borne out by the facts. I have heard from a reliable gentleman that the conscripts and deserters go unmolested in Yadkin County, North Carolina....Letters are received by the men, urging them to leave; that they will not be troubled when they get home....I would suggest that a regiment be sent to that section of the State to arrest deserters....Unless something be done, and quickly, serious will be the result. Our regiments will waste away more rapidly than they ever have by battle....I am, sir, very respectfully, W. D. PENDER, Brigadier-General.

General Cabell defends his decision to attack the Union forces holding Fayetteville, Arkansas. "I made an honest effort to take [Fayetteville], and have given them a severe blow, and one that will prove to be a good one in the end, as it will curb their utter lawlessness and will put a stop to [Colonel] Phillips' farther progress in the Indian country, at least for the present." Phillips responds by ordering Colonel Harrison out of Fayetteville to a position closer to Fort Gibson. "I ordered Colonel Harrison to proceed toward the [Indian] Nation..., where there will be grass for his stock, and where I can support him.....We have so far driven them back both in Western Arkansas and the Indian Territory....If I get Colonel Harrison's command with mine, we can take care of Cabell, Steele, Cooper, and all." However, the threat posed by Marmaduke's raid into Missouri causes departmental commander General Curtis to order the withdrawal of both Phillips and Harrison from Arkansas. "We have too much to bear from organized, armed, and equipped rebel forces...to allow our forces to range far from central positions....Phillips must come back, and...Harrison also, at least until they can be more fully equipped, and a reserve force massed in a central location."

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK., April 23, 1863. - General CURTIS: Last night I was positive that Cabell and the Fort Smith Indians had combined to attack me at daylight. My men stood under arms from midnight until after sunrise. Such an attack is brewing, and will come in force in a few days. We have no stores here; we have nothing to eat, and cannot get our trains...Must we starve, and then have all the conscripts surrender to an overwhelming force, that will shoot them as deserters? We haul forage 45 miles, and weaken our command by large escorts. We can make no reconnaissances nor scouts for want of horses, and could not protect our rear and flanks in a retreat....Colonel Phillips is about 90 miles from here, and of no use to us in case of an attack from Fort Smith....M. LA RUE HARRISON, Colonel, Commanding Post.


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Apr 24 1863 (Friday)

After months of bickering, and driven by the necessity of finding a way to finance the war effort, the Confederate Congress passes a comprehensive tax act. Constitutionally precluded from levying a direct tax until an accurate census is taken, an impossibility during the war, the tax act instead seeks to tap every other revenue source imaginable. Included are an ad valorem tax of 8 percent on all farm products, an exhaustive series of occupational and license taxes, a 10 percent flat tax on all retail profits earned in 1862, and a unique tax-in-kind in which farmers must turn over one-tenth of their produce to the Confederate government. The tax is both confusing and complicated and Georgia Congressman Robert Toombs complains that it "will gather an abundant harvest of frauds and perjuries."

AN ACT to lay taxes for the common defense and carry on the Government of the Confederate States. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That there shall be levied and collected upon the value of all naval stores, salt, wines and spirituous liquors, tobacco, manufactured or unmanufactured, cotton, wool, flour, sugar, molasses, syrup, rice, and other agricultural products, held or owned on the first day of July next, and not necessary for family consumption..., a tax of eight per centum; and on all moneys, bank notes or other currency on hand, or on deposit, on the first day of July next; and on the value of all credits on which the interest has not been paid..., there shall be levied and collected a tax of one per cent....XVIII. Cattle brokers shall pay the sum of fifty dollars, and two and a half per centum on the gross amount of sales made. Any person whose business it is to buy and sell and deal in cattle, horses, hogs or sheep, shall be considered a cattle broker. XIX. Butchers and bakers shall pay the sum of fifty dollars, and one per centum on the gross amount of sales made. Any person whose business it is to butcher and sell, or offer for sale in open market or otherwise, the flesh of cattle, hogs, or sheep, shall be deemed a butcher under this act; and any person whose business it is to bake and sell, or offer for sale, bread, shall be deemed a baker under this act....SEC. 11. Each farmer and planter in the Confederate States, after reserving for his own use fifty bushels of sweet potatoes, and fifty bushels of Irish potatoes, one hundred bushels of the corn, or fifty bushels of the wheat produced in the present year, shall pay and deliver to the Confederate Government..., one-tenth of the wheat, corn, oats, rye, buckwheat or rice, sweet and Irish potatoes, and of the cured hay and fodder; also one-tenth of the sugar, molasses made of cane, cotton, wool and tobacco; the cotton ginned and packed in some secure manner, and tobacco shipped and packed in boxes, to be delivered by him on or before the first day of March in the next year. Approved April 24, 1863.

After studying his maps of the sparsely populated area along the eastern bank of the Mississippi River below Vicksburg, U.S. Grant decides that Grand Gulf is the most logical point for his army to cross the river. General John Bowen, fearing just such an assault, pleads for additional guns and men to bolster the Grand Gulf defenses. Bowen's fortifications include Fort Cobun, on a bluff forty feet above the river and protected by forty foot thick earthen parapets, and Fort Wade, positioned to provide enfilade fire in the event of an enemy attack. Bowen reports, "Re-enforcements all here. Disposition will be nearly perfected by 12 m. to-morrow." Admiral Porter, unsure of the magnitude of the Rebel defenses in the area, conducts his own reconnaissance. "I found a preacher (half Union man), who was just from Grand Gulf. He told me all about the fortifications and the number of troops....There are four forts in all, well placed, and mounting twelve large guns. They have been preparing this place six weeks, and have known all about this move; expected it sooner. I would have attacked had there been but two forts. I...considered it unwise to put myself in a position where I might be separated from the army." Porter relays his incorrect information to Grant who decides to make his own reconnaissance of the fortifications. Grant reports, "My impressions are, that if an attack can be made within the next two days, the place will easily fall." General McClernand is also remains eager to commence the attack on Grand Gulf and reports that his corps is "on the Mississippi levee," and ready for embarkation.

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Smith's Plantation, April 24, 1863. - Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT, Comdg. Dept. of the Tennessee: - GENERAL: Admiral Porter advised me that he had just returned from the Gulf, and that he had...discovered two more forts..., and a land force estimated at 12,000, and that he had concluded to delay the attack upon the place....I determined at once to make a reconnaissance of the Gulf....I saw no great activity of any kind displayed by the enemy, nor did I see any formidable display of batteries or forts. Indeed, it was questionable in my mind whether the enemy had any intrenchments....I am satisfied...that there are no extensive or very strong works, although the position in itself is one of the strongest I ever saw....The enemy should be at once driven away from the crest and river slope of the bluffs, and I believe the gunboats can easily do it....Your obedient servant, JOHN A. McCLERNAND.


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Apr 25 1863 (Saturday)

Benjamin Grierson's outriders seize the Pearl River bridge, six miles north of Philadelphia, Mississippi, and push on to Newton Station, a small town on the Southern Railroad. Upon arriving the raiders begin destroying all the locomotives, railroad cars, and public property they can find. One detachment is sent east to Chunky Creek, destroying the railroad as it advances, and another is sent to tear up tracks to the west. General Pemberton, stung by the boldness of the Union cavalrymen, issues orders to his field commanders to block all potential avenues of escape for Grierson's men. Frustrated by a lack of cavalry, Pemberton urges Governor Pettus to "seize and impress...587 [horses] with trappings" so he can mount one of his infantry regiments. When General Adams reports that Grierson is heading towards Enterprise, a few miles south of Meridian, Mississippi, General William Loring and his two regiments are swiftly dispatched. Loring reports, "Enemy appeared here at 1 o'clock and demanded the town....I am now on the road pursuing them....I telegraphed to send forces to guard the DeSoto and Quiltman bridges. If they get there in time...it will force them...in the direction of Baton Rouge. Please order more cavalry....I have no hope of catching them on foot." The force Loring is pursuing is yet another detachment, sent out by Grierson, to confuse and delay Confederate pursuers.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY BRIGADE, Baton Rouge, La. - Lieut. Col. JOHN A. RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant-General. - COLONEL: Company B, of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, under Captain Forbes, was detached to proceed to Macon, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad; if possible take the town, destroy the railroad and telegraph, and rejoin us. Upon approaching the place, he found it had been re-enforced, and the bridge over the Okanoxubee River destroyed, so that the railroad and telegraph could not be reached. He came back to our trail, crossed the Southern Railroad at Newton, took a southeast course to Enterprise, where, although his force numbered only 35 men, he entered with a flag of truce and demanded the surrender of the place. The commanding officer at that point asked an hour to consider the matter, which Captain Forbes (having ascertained that a large force occupied the place) granted, and improved in getting away. He immediately followed us, and succeeded in joining the column while it was...at Georgetown. In order to catch us, he was obliged to march 60 miles per day for several consecutive days. B. H. GRIERSON, Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Kirby Smith sends an update to General Pemberton detailing the rapidly deteriorating condition of affairs in Eastern Louisiana. "The enemy are advancing rapidly upon Alexandria, [General] Taylor is left with but a handful of men, and I have no hope of re-enforcing him in time....We are consequently without means of preventing his occupation of this district." Fearing that Banks' juggernaut will continue its advance up the Red River, Smith evacuates his headquarters in Alexandria to Shreveport. Smith reports, "The enemy, with his whole force, is now within a day's march....The Red River is in his possession....I myself am on my way to Shreveport."

ALEXANDRIA, April 25, 1863. (Received April 29.) - General S. COOPER, Richmond, Va. - GENERAL: The Federal army under General Banks is within one day's march of Alexandria. General Taylor is falling back toward Natchitoches, and the Red River below Alexandria will soon be in possession of the enemy. E. KIRBY SMITH, Lieutenant-General.

U.S. Grant issues orders aiding General Lorenzo Thomas' mission to organize and recruit black regiments in the occupied territory along the Mississippi River. "Corps, division, and post commanders will afford all facilities for the completion of the negro regiments now organizing in this department....It is expected that all commanders will especially exert themselves in carrying out the policy of the Administration, not only in organizing colored regiments..., but also in removing prejudice against them." Even as the Federal government pushes for more black troops, a controversy is brewing about how much they will be paid. When Edwin Stanton authorized the acceptance of "volunteers of African descent," he stipulated that they were "entitled to receive the same pay and rations" as white volunteers. However, the only legal edict passed by Congress empowering Stanton in his endeavor, the Militia Act of July 17, 1862, established the pay of black volunteers at ten dollars per month, three dollars less than the pay for white soldiers. It is Stanton's chief attorney, William Whiting, who brings this to the attention of the Secretary of War.

In regard to the employment of persons of African descent in the military service, their pay, and emoluments. By the eleventh section of the act of July 17, 1862, entitled "An act to define the pay and emoluments," &c., the President was authorized to employ as many persons of African descent as he should deem necessary and proper for the suppression of this rebellion, and to organize and use them in such manner as he judged for public welfare....All persons enrolled under that act are entitled to receive (by section 15) the pay and rations now allowed by law to soldiers, according to their respective grades: Provided, That persons of African descent who should be employed under the law should receive $10 per month and one ration each per day, of which $3 might be paid in clothing....It seems, therefore, that in accordance with the foregoing acts persons of African descent received into the service of the United States as volunteers under said act are entitled to receive as pay $10 per month and one ration daily, of which monthly pay $3 per month may be in clothing. WILLIAM WHITING, Solicitor of the War Department. APRIL 25, 1863.

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