William T. Sherman to Orders, Hpqrs. Dept. Of The Tennessee, February 4, 1863
Before Vicksburg, February 4, 1863.
Admiral DavipD D. PorRTER, Commanding Mississippi Squadron :
DEAR Sie: I thank you most heartily for your kind and considerate letter, February 3, received this day, and am more obliged than you can understand, as it covers many points I had neglected to guard against. Before Vicksburg, my mind was more intent on the enemy intrenched behind those hills than on the spies and intriguers in my own camp and ” at home.”
The spirit of anarchy seems deep at work at the North, more alarming than the batteries that shell at us from the opposite shore. I am going to have the correspondent of the New York Herald tried by a court-martial as a spy, not that I want the fellow shot, but because I want to establish the principle that such people cannot attend our armies, in violation of orders, and defy us, publishing their garbled statements and defaming officers who are doing their best. Youof the Navy can control all who sail under your flag, whilst we are almost compelled to carry along in our midst a class of men who on Government transports usurp the best state-rooms and accommodations of the boats, pick up the drop conversations of officers, and report their limited and tainted observations as the history of events they neither see nor comprehend. This should not be, and must not be. We cannot prosper iu military operations if we submit to it, and, as some one must begin the attack, I must assume the ungracious task. I shall always account myself fortunate to be near the officers of the old Navy, and would be most happy if I could think it possible the Navy and the Army of our country could ever again enjoy the high tone of honor and honesty that characterized them in the days of our youth.
With sentiments of profound respect for you and the officers of your fleet,
I am, truly, yours,
Major-General of Volunteers.
GENERAL ORDERS, Hpqrs. DEPT. OF THE TENNESSEE,
No. 13. Young’s Point, La., February 19, 1863.
I. Before a general court-martial, which convened at Young’s Point,
La.. February 5, 1863, pursuant to Special Orders, No. 34, dated Head890 WEST TENN. AND NORTHERN MISS. {Cuar. XXTX.
quarters Department of the Tennessee, February 3, 1863, and of which