William T. Sherman to Ulysses S. Grant, August 15, 1863
Major-General GRANT, Commanding Department of the Tennessee, Vicksburg:
DEAR GENERAL: I had the satisfaction to receive, last night, the appointment as brigadier-general in the Regular Army, with a letter from General Halleck, very friendly and complimentary in its terms. I know that I owe this to your favor, and beg to acknowledge it, and to add that I value the commission far less than the fact that this will associate my name with yours and McPherson’s in opening the Mississippi, an achievement the importance of which cannot be overestimated. I beg to assure you of my deep personal attachment, and to express the hope that the chances of war will leave me to serve near and under you till the dawn of that peace for which we are contending, with the only purpose that it be honorable and lasting.
With great respect,
Major-General of Volunteers.
SPECIAL ORDERS, Hpgrs. 4TH Div., 17TH ARMY CORPS,
No. 135. Vicksburg, Miss., August 15, 1863.
embark for Natchez, Miss., to-day at 12 m., with camp and garrison
equipage. Capt. A. G. Burr, assistant quartermaster, will ascertain
and report to Colonel Johnson the names of the boats for transporting his brigade.