William T. Sherman to Eee Hpqrs. Army Of The Mississippi, January 17, 1863

HEADQUARTERS I’IFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

On board Forest Queen, January 17, 1863.

Sir: Pursuant to your orders, this 4 p. m. I went in person to direct the extinguishment of the fire in Napoleon. It was impossible to extinguish it. I first tried to limit it to the middle of the block but failed, put by the destruction of a store and barn at the end of the block limited the fire to one block.

It is impossible to find out the incendiary ; not a clue can now be found. In some future time the actor will boast of it, when it can be fixed on him. In the mean time the only way to apply a remedy will be to assess the damages upon the whole army, officers included. No man in the army has labored harder than I have to check this spirit in our soldiers, and am free to admit we all deserve to be killed unless we can produce a state of discipline when such disgraceful acts cannot be committed unpunished.

In consequence of the order to start at 12 m. I had called in my provost guard and pickets, and most of my boats are below gathering wood, but I have ordered a guard to patrol the town.

I am, with respect,

your obedient servant, .

Major-General, Commanding Corps.

GENERAL eee Hpqrs. ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

No. 11. Steamer Tigress, January 17, 1863.

I. The entire fleet will be in readiness to start from Napoleon by

o’clock m. to-morrow, January 18, and will not land until arrival at Milliken’s Bend, except for necessary fuel or other imperative cause.

II. Each transport of the fleet will, by the hour named, provide itself

with sufficient fuel to run it to Milliken’s Bend.