The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-01-21
SHERMAN'S MEMOIRS.
Inued from first paEe.l

OI1Ek MAN > MEMOINO.
Continued from first paEe.l
write to Gen. Steele. conveying to him my per-
sonai and professional opinion that the present
opportunity is the most perfect one that will
ever offer itself TO him to clean out his enemies
in Arkansas
Wishing you all honor and success, / am,
with respect your friend and servant,
w. I. SHERMAN, Major General.
ORDERS TO GEN. SMITH.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TEN
NEssEE, FIcKsBURG, March 6, 1864.
Brig-Gen. A. j. SMITH, commanding expedi-
ton up Red River. Vicksburg, Miss.
GESEKAL: By an order this day issued. you
are to command strong. well-appointed de-
tachment of the Army Of tha Tennessee sent
to reinforce movement mp Red River, but
moro especially against the fortified position ut
Shreveport.
You will embark your command as soon as
possible, little eneumbered with wagons or
wheeled vehicles. but we'll supplied with fuel.
provisions. and ammunition. Take with you the
12 mortars, with their ammunition, and all the
80 pound PARROTS the Ordnance officer will
supply. Proceed to the mouth of Red River
and confer with Admiral Porter. Consult with
him, and in all the expedition rely on him
implicitly, as he is the approved friend Of the
army Oh inc 10un6S0ee, anu has Deeu A5SOciateu
with us from the beginning. i have under
taken with Gen. Banks that yen will be at
Alexandria. La, on or before the 18th day of
March and you will. il time allows, CO. operate
with the navy in destroying Harrisonburg, up
Black River; but as passed Red River yes-
terday / saw Admiral Porter. and he told me
he bad already sent an expedition to Harrison
burg, SO that suppose that part Of the plan
will be accomplished before you reach Red
kiVer huf in ho rof,h IN roach
Alexandria about the 18th of March.
Gen. Banks will start by land from Franklin,
in the Teche country, either the 5th or 7th,
and will march via Opelousas to Alexandria.
Yon will meet him there, report TO him, and
act under his orders. Ny understanding with
him is that his forces will move by land, via
Natchit0ches, to Shreveport. while the gunboat
feet is to ascend the river with your transports
in company. Red River is very low for the
season. and doubt if any OF the boats can pass
the falls rapids at Alexandria. What Gen.
Banks proposes to do in that event do not
know, but my own Judgment is that Shreve-
port ought not to be attacked until the gun
boats can reach it. Not that q force marching
by land cannot do it alone bat it would be bad
economy in war to invest the place with an
army so far from heavy guns, mortars, ammu-
milton and provisions, which can alone reach
Shreveport by water. STILL do not know
about Gen. Banks's plans in that event, and
whatever they may be, your duty will be to
con form. in the most hearty manner.
Ny understanding with Gen. Banks is that
he will not need the CO. operation Of your force
beyond 30 days from the date yon reach Red
River. AS soon as he has taken Shreveport. or
as soon as he can spare you return to Vicks-
burg with all dispatch, gather mp your detach-
ments. wagons. tents, transportation. and all
property pertaining 20 so much OF the command
as belongs to the Sixteenth Corps. and conduct
it to Memphis, where orders will await yon.
Ny present belief is your division, entire. will
be needed with the Army of the Tennessee.
about Huntsville, or Bridgeport. Still. ! will
leave orders with Gen. Hurlbut at Memphis
for you on your return.
believe il water will enable the gunboats
to cross the rapids at Alexandria. you will be
able to make quick, strong, and effective blow
at our enemy in the West, thus widening the
belt of our territory aud making the breach
between the Confederate Government and its
outlying trans Mississippi Department. more
perfect.
1t is understood that Gen. Steele makes ST.
mutaneous move from Little Rock, on Shreve-
port Natchitoches. with force of about 10, 900
men. Banks will have II. 900, and you 10000 If
these can act concentricaily and simul aneousy,
you will make short work of il, and then Gen.
Banks will have enough force to hold as much
of the Red River country as he deems wise.
leaving you to bring to Gen. Grants main army
the Z, 500 men of the Sixteenth Corps now with
you. Having faith in yonr sound judgment
and experience, l confde this important and
delicate command to you, with certainty that
you will harmonize perfectly with Admiral
Porter and Gen. Banks, with whom you are
to ACT, and thereby insure success.
am, with respect your obedient servant,
w. T. SHERMAN, Major-General commanding.
ORDERS TO GEN. M'PHERsoN.
HEADQ'Rs DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, I
MEMPHIS, March IA, 1864.
Maj. .-Gen. MCPHERSON, commanding, ETC.,
Vicksbnrg, Miss.
DEAR GENERAL: / wrote you at length on
the 1lth, by special bearer Of dispatches and
now make special orders to cover the move
ments therein indicated. It was my purpose
to await your answer, but am summoned by
Gen. Grant to be in Nashville on the 18th, and
it will keep me moving night and day to get
there by that date. / must rely ON You, for
you understand that We must reinforce the
great army at the center Chattanooga az much
as possible, at the same time not risking the
safety of any point on the Mississippi which is
fortified and armed with heavy guns. want
you to push matters as rapidly as possible, and
to do all you can to put two handsome divisions
of your own corps at Cairo. ready to embark up
the Tennessee River by the Goth or Both of
April at the very furthest. / wish it could be
done quicker; but the promise of these 3O-days'
furloughs in the States of enlistment, though
polite. is very nnmilitary. 1t deprives US of
our ability to calculate as to time; but do the
best you can. Hurlbut can do nothing till A.
J. Smith returns from Red River. / will then