William T. Sherman to David D. Porter, November 12, 1862

Memphis, November 12, 1862.

Admiral] DAavip D. PoRTER, Commanding United States Naval Forces, Cairo:

DEAR Sim: Yours of the 7th instant was duly received.

I regret that we cannot prevent the erection of a fort at the mouth of Yazoo, as it will force us to fight across the Yazoo above its mouth, unless we can land troops on its east bank. Still, as you say, we must fight it out, and we must take the Mississippi and Yazoo this winter. I have been studying the condition of things hence to Grenada. Now, the roads are good and practicable, but as soon as rain falls the black alluvion is terrible with heavy trains of wagons. General Grant is at La Grange and Grand Junction, 50 or 53 miles due east of Memphis. The Coldwater and Tallahatchie form the Yazoo, and both must be crossed by usinan advance. The enemy now lies behind the Coldwater, but every indication is that he will fall behind the Tallahatchie, and possibly behind the Yalabusha, near Grenada, before he fights. A demonstration on the Yazoo, opposite the railroad below Grenada, would have a magnificent effect, which I know you are fully aware, and that when you make it, it will be well done. Now, my information is that eleven large, fine steamboats are in the Yazoo below Honey Island; nine in one group and two a little farther down. A1l there are the large elegant packets formerly used as the New Orleans, Mobile, and Vicksburg lines—Magenta, Natchez, General Quitman, &c. I will send you a full list of their names and location as soon as I can inquire of a person not now present. A person living on the Yazoo tells me there are 4 feet of water on the bars below Yazoo City, and that several of the smaller Red River packets have been got out and are now running in a regular line from Vicksburg to the mouth of Red River and back, bringing sugar, cattle, and produce from Louisiana. My informant, whose name I withhold for the present, assures me that many planters along Yazoo are tired of war, and are actually praying for the coming of your fleet, but of this I do not profess to have much faith. At the same time it is not

Omar, XXIX.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION. 863

impossible, for their deprivation of the usual necessities of families is felt all over the country, and they are getting tired of the burning of their cotton and the consumption of their corn, potatoes, cattle, &c.

My fort here is well constructed, and I have twenty-eight heavy guns well mounted, besides nine good field batteries; but, as I will soon take the field, I will leave the heavy guns—24-pounders, 32-pounders, and 8-inch columbiads—with a garrison to hold it. I expect to have here some twenty-four regiments of infantry, three or four of cavalry, and about ten batteries of field guns. In going, I would probably leave five regiments of infantry and one field battery.

I hope you are in correspondence with General Grant, and that you will be able to be at the Yazoo by the time he approaches Grenada. Of course, we must expect heavy blows before we can reach Jackson and appear behind Vicksburg. The Helena affairs are doubtless well reported to you. I willina day or two give you the names of the boats in the Yazoo, with a sketch of their positions. We could easily reach them by a march across from the main river, but I suppose the destruction of this fleet is reserved to you.

with great respect, your obedient servant,

Major-General.