Unknown, December 22, 1862

December 22, 1862.

No. 2. } Humboldt, Tenn., December 22, 1862—10 p. m. The undersigned having been relieved by Brig. Gen. Isham N. Haynie from the command of the United States troops now at this place, de878 WEST TENN. AND NORTHERN MISS. Cnar. XXIR

sires to officially express his thanks to the officers and men of Companies B, OC, G, H, and I, of the One hundred and twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry, Lieut. Col. E. M. Beardsley commanding ; Companies H, I, and K, of the One hundred and sixth Illinois Infantry, Capt. P. W. Harts commanding; “about 600 men” of the Seventh Tennessee [ntantry, Col. John A. Rogers commanding, and Compan’es A and B (dismounted), of the Second Tennessee Cavalry, Captain Thompson commanding, for the alacrity, cheerfulness, and fearlessness with which all his orders, with one exception, were obeyed, in the trying situation in which we were placed.

To Col. A. G. Malloy, Seventeenth Wisconsin Infantry; Reverend Father [Napolean] Mignault, of the same regiment, and Mr. Miles Sells, of Saint Louis, Mo. (passengers), he tenders his appreciation of their ‘ proffered services.

To Capt. George A. Williams, First U. S. Infantry, adjutant; First Lieut. Henry C. Whittemore, Second Illinois Artillery, aide-de-camp, and Dr. 8. L. Hamlen, of Cincinnati, Ohio, subsistence officer (passengers), he acknowledges with gratification their faithful and prompt discharge of onerous duties.

The facts of having saved two large railroad trains, and all and everything on board, from capture and probable destruction by the enemy, and having then driven them out and recaptured the town of Humboldt, Tenn., under very adverse circumstances, is glory enough for one day, and conclusively proves the absolute necessity, for military success, that colonels of regiments should be men selected and appointed for their military knowledge, and not for political and social reasons.

GEORGE P. IHRIE, Colonel and Additional Aide-de-Camp on General Grant’s Staff.

Hpgrs. RiGHT WING, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Forest Queen, December 27, 1862. Admiral Davin D. PoRTER, Flag-Ship Black Hawk :

DEAR SiR: The commencement of rain and non-arrival of General A. J. Smith’s division makes a modification of my plan necessary. I will move the three columns as before indicated, but will send Steele, with two brigades, to Blake’s levee, at the mouth of Chickasaw Creek—

1st. To enfilade and threaten the levee along the Yazoo, behind which the enemy works his torpedoes.

2d. To follow the levee along Chickasaw Bayou, back to the hills, to secure a lodgment.

The gunboats could then threaten Haines’ Bluff battery. It may become necessary for us to use-Chickasaw Bayou to boat up stores to its head. Please cause an examination of its mouth when our forces are in possession of both shores.

Lam, &c., W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding.

Hpgrs. RIGHT WING, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Forest Queen, December 27, 1862. General STEELE, Commanding Fourth Division : DEAR Siz: The commencement of raia and appearance of a great fall of water, and the non-arrival of General A. J. Smith’s division, makes a modification of my plan of yesterday [necessary]. There isa high, good levee back from the Yazoo River, along the Chickasaw Bayou, to the high land. This levee reaches the river about half a mile up the Yazoo, and runs back to the high land, while the other follows the Yazoo up to the blaff on which the enemy has a battery. Leave Blair where he is, and send him instructions to follow the directions in the order of yesterday, viz, to advance on Morgan’s right and act with him. You will come together at the main bluff, where Blair can join you. Embark your other two brigades, without the wagons or other incumbrances, run up to the mouth of the bayou and disembark under the cover of the gunboats, and operate back along that levee toward the bluff, keeping as near as you can abreast of Morgan, and effect a junction with him as soon as youcan. While you are thus moving, a part of your forces may operate along the levee up toward Haines’ Bluff, to drive off the men who work the torpedoes. Instead of being the center, you thus become the left flank. Morgan will be notified of it, and act accordingly. Admiral Porter is also advised, and will dispatch the Benton up in advance of you. Captain Gwin, of the Benton, will give you full information of the levees which he has reconnoitered. Iam, &c., W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding.

Camp, December 30, 1862. Admiral DAVID D. PoRTER:

DEAR Sim: I am satisfied, had our troops been a little more experienced, we should have secured possession of the hill opposite the head of Chickasaw Creek, which appears to be strongly connected with the ridge leading to Vicksburg. After a close personal reconnaissance in person to-day, I am satisfied te cross the bayou through the narrow paths and abatis will be fatal to a large proportion of my command. Of course, Vicksburg is the prime object, but the Yazoo River is equally important, looking to connection with General Grant, whom expected to be near enough on our arrival to influence the fate of this movement.

After a dark and rainy night the sky is again clear, and the bayous are littlechanged. I think there must be a point of disembarkation for troops this side of Haines’ Bluff, from which that battery could be stormed without the exposure that marks all the crossing places here. If you concur, and permit all the iron-clads to ascend and engage the battery, I will order 10,000 of my best troops to embark by night, and, as secretly as possible, proceed to atiack that battery by assault, at the gaine time opening all my batteries here on the opposite bank, and, if possible, make a new attempt. Haines’ Bluffin our possession, we have a firm footing on terra firma, which we have not here. Unless Grant be near at hand, I cannot promise success in a direct assault on Vicksburg. My troops are all up to the bayou, with guns covering the crossings, only two of which are passable, but I have not succeeded in making alodgment. My pickets on the right reach the Mississippi River near the bend, from which they have a plain view of all the forts, courthouse, &c., but the intervening space is one mingled web of fallen timber of great size, filled with sharpshooters, with whom ours are constantly skirmishing. The enemy has thrown some shell, but manifestly spares his ammunition; we do the same. I would solicit a speedy an880 WEST ‘fTENN. AND NORTHERN MISS. [Cuar. XX{X.

swer, and we must act with great expedition if unsupported in this move by either Grant or Banks, both of whom should now be héard from. Lam, &c., W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding.

Camp, January 1, 1863. Admiral DAvipD D. PORTER:

DEAR Sir: I was, of course, greatly disappointed af our luck this morning, when General Steele reported the fog too heavy to admit of the execution of our plan of attack on the bluff.

As we are forced to lie by to-day, I would suggest that a small gunboat ascend Steele’s Bayou to reconnoiter. On my maps Steele’s Bayou enters the Mississippi at Eagle Landing, and it is called Cypress Bayou opposite our landing. I would like to ascertain if they connect. General Steele will send on board a party of infantry, if you wish it.

I am, with respect, yours, &c., W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding.