Unknown to Ulysses S. Grant, December 23, 1862
Saint Lows, Mo., December 23, 1862.
GENERAL: Yours of the 12th was duly received, and I have cordially done all I could to start your command as well and fast as possible. In this I only do my duty to a soldier who has in the commencement of the war done enough to deserve the position he holds and the special favors the honorable Secretary of War and His Excellency the President have sought to confer on him. I am sorry to be obliged to hurry forward your command or hold you for an interior move. I had to correspond with headquarters to procure permission to make certain prescribed moves and now work somewhat to an agreed programme. Prompt action is necessary to success at Vicksburg, for the enemy has railroad facilities for massing troops there which may be used to great advantage to the rebels. My hope is that Grant has diverted that force; if so, Vicksburg must be struck before it can be re-enforced, and the Jackson Railroad must be destroyed. Success must depend more on action than strength. Strategy is better than force, but not such strategy as confines evolutions to a single line of operation. If you do not arrive at Vicksburg before the rebels mass a great army there you
* Bee Rawlins to Commanding Officer Memphis, December 25 p 480.
should fall back and make a strike across the country at Yazoo City or do something else to draw off the rebel force from Vicksburg and again come to the cree. pela ee : I am, general, ve y, your obedient servan Aceon i SAML. B. CURTIS, Major-General.