The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-02
self on May 3Oth for Port Hudson. at Grants
desire, to urge that the endorsements be fur

self on May 3Oth for Port Hudson. at Grants
desire, to urge that the reinforcements be fur
nished.
The route used for getting out from the rear
Of Vicksburg at that time was through the
Chickasaw Bayou into the Yazoo and thence
into the Mississippi. From the mouth of the
Yazoo I crossed the Mississippi to Young's
Point, and from there went overland across the
peninsula to get a gunboat at a point south Of
Vicksburg. As we were going down the river
we met a steamer just above Grand Gulf bear
ing one of the previous messengers whom Grant
had sent to Banks. He was bringing word that
Banks could send no forces 4; on the other hand,
he asked achievements from Grant to aid in
his siege of Port Hudson, which he had closely
invested. This news, of course, made my trip
unnecessary. and 1 returned at once to head
quarters. having been gone not over twenty
four hours.
AS soon rs this news came from Banks I sent
an urgent appeal TO Mr.. Stanton to hurry for
ward endorsements sufficient to make success
beyond all peradventure. The Government was
not slow to appreciate Grants needs. Early in
juno l received the following despatch from
MIR. Stanton:
WAR DEPARTMENT. June 8. 1868.
burg:
Your kilograms up to the 30th have been received.
Everything in the power OF this Government will be
put forth to aid Gen. Grant. The emergency is not
moderated here. Your kilograms are a great obliga.
tion, and are looked for with deep interest. cannot
thank you as much as ! feel for the service you are
now rendering. You have been appointed an Assist
ant Adjutant-General. with the rank of Major. with
liberty to report to Gen. Grant II he needs you. Tho
appointment may be a protection to you. Ishall OK.
pect daily reports II possible.
EDWIN ri. STANTON. Secretary OF War.
My appointment as Assistant Adjutant. GEN
eral was Stanton 3 own idea. He was by nature
a very anxious man. When he realized from
my kilograms that / was going every day on
expeditions into dangerous territory he was at
once alarmed lest / be caught by tho Confeder-
atcs, for as / was a private citizen it would have
been difficult to exchange mo. If were in the
regular volunteer service as an Assistant Adju.
tant.General, however, there would be no
trouble about an exchange, hence my appoint
ment.
DIVERSIONS OF LIFE BEHIND ~vICKsBURa.
These trips, which caused Mr.. Stanton 30 much
anxiety, were the chief variations from my bust
ness OF watching the siege. Among the most in
teresting / made were those to inspect the oper-
atoms against the enemy. who was trying to
shut us in from the rear beyond the Big Black.
His heaviest force was to the northeast. On
a. ullt V III EGDbIlb tiohi toaIuIlIht u uVunt
up the Yazoo. were 30 unsatisfactory that Grant
decided 10 examine tho situation there himself.
That morning he said to me at breakfast:
"Mr. Dana. i am going TO Satartia to-day;
would you like to go along q
j said i would. and we were soon on horse
back, riding with a cavalry guard to Haynes
Bluff, where we took a small steamer reserved
for Grants use and carrying his flag. Grant
was Ill and went TO bed soon after he started.
We had gone up tho river to within two miles of
S%atartia, when We met two gunboats coming
down. Seeing the Generals flag. the officers in
charge OF the gunboats came aboard our steamer
and asked where the General was going. ! told
them to Satartia.
why" said they. at will not be safe. Kim.
ball Jour advance was under the charge OF Brig
Gen. Nathan Kimball. Third Division. Sixteenth
Army COrpsl has retreated from there and is
sending all his supplies to Haynes's Bluff. The
enemy is probably in the toNn now"
/ told them Grant was sick and asleep and
that l did not want to waken him. They in
sisted that 1t was unsafe TO 90 on and that
would better call the General. and finally 1 did
80. but he was too sick to decide.
~ will leave 1t with you, Mr.. Dana, he said.