The National tribune., 1905-11-09

\, D. c., THURSDAY, NOVEM]
quent failures to meet expectations, and
particularly Of his misleading dispatch
es, which caused the Joss in the assault
OF May 22 to be double what it ought
to have been. Charles A. Dana wrote
adversely to Secretary Stanton In every
letter he transmitted. He laid the re-
sponsibflity for the additional loss of
life on May % entirely at McClernand's
door. In response to some earlier rep
resentations which were accompanied
with "a fear that Grant hesitated to re-,
move McClernand because Of the high
favor In which his subordinate stood at
headquarters, Secretary Stanton had
telegraphed Dana:
War Department, May 5, 1863.
&c. A. Dana, Smiths Plantation, or
Grants Headquarters, via Memphis:
Gen. Grant has full and absolute
authority to enforce his own commands,
and to remove any person who. by ig
norance, inaction or any cause, inter-
feres with or delays his operations. He
has the full confidence of the Govern
ment. is expected to enforce his author
ity, and will be firmly and heartily sup
ported; but he will be responsible for
amy failure to exert his powers. You
may communicate this to him.
Edwin M. Stanton. Secretary Of War;"
In reply to this Mr.. Dana wrote un-
der date Of May 20:
Behind Vicksburg, May "a, 1863, z p.
m, via Memphis, May 20, p. m.
(received June /, a. NO.
Your dispatch Of the 5th inst. was
to Gen. Grant according to your direc-
ton. Yesterday morning he had deter
mined to relieve Gen. McClernand, on
account Of his false dispatch Of the day
before, stating that he held two Of the
enemys forts. but he changed his mind,
the whole to leave McClernand In his
present command till the siege of Vicks-
burg is concluded after which he will
induce McClernand to ask for leave of
absence. Meanwhile he (Gen. Grant)
will especially supervise all of McCier-
nand's operations. and will place no re-
lance on his reports unless otherwise
corroborated. My own judgment is that
McClernand has not the qualities nee
essary for good commander, even Of a
regiment"
McClernand's InhammatOry Order.
Gen. Grants decision to leave Gen.
McClernand in command of his corps
until the end OF the siege and make
up for his deficiencies by q personal at
tention and supervision Of his opera
tions that Gen. Grant did not think 1t
necessary to give to the corps OF Gems.
Sherman and Mcpherson was altered
by the circulation In the camps Of
Northern papers containing the follow
ing exceedingly irritating congratulatory
headquarters Thirteenth Army Corps
Battlefield. in rear. Of Vicksburg, May
80, 1859.
General Orders. No. ~.
Comrades: AS your commander, i
am proud to congratulate you upon
your co1stancy. valor and successes
History affords no more brilliant exam
pie of soldierly qualities. Your victories
have followed in such rapic succession
that their echoes have not yet reached
the country. They will challenge its
grateful and enthusiastic applause.
Yourselves striking out q new path,
your comrades of the Army Of the Ten
nessee followed, and a way Was thus
opened for them to redeem previous
Louisiana, from Milliken's Bend to New
Carthage and Perkins's plantation, on
the Mississippi River. is one OF the most
remarkable on record Bayous and
miry roads, threatened with momentary
inundation, obstructed your progress
All these were overcome by unceasing
labor and unfagging energy. The 1000
feet Of bridging which was hastily i'm
provised out Of materials created on
the spot, and over which you passed,
must long be remembered as a marvel.
Descending the Mississippi still lower,
you were the first to cross the river at
Bruins Landing and to plant our colors
in the State of Mississippi below War
rentOn. Resuming the advance the
same day. you pushed on until you
came up to the enemy near Port Glib
son. Only restrained by the darkness
Of the night, you fastened to attack
him on the morning Of May 1, and by
vigorously pressing him at all points
drove him from his position. taking a
large number of prisoners and small
arms and five pieces OF cannon. Gen.
Logan's Division came up in time to
gallantly share In .consummating the
most valuable victory won since the
capture Of Fort Donelson.
Taking the lead en- the morning of
the I'd, you were the first to enter Port
enemy from the vicinity of that place.
During the ensuing night, as a conse-
quence of the victory at Port Gibson,
the enemy spiked his guns at Grand
Gulf and evacuated that place, retiring
upon Vicksburg and Edwards Station.
The fall of Grand Gulf was solely the
result Of the victory achieved by the
land forces at Port Gibson. The arma-
ment and public stores captured there
are but the trophies Of that victory. |
fastening to bridge the South Branch
OF the Bayou Pierre, at Port Gibson,
you crossed on the morning Of the Sd. |
and pushed on to Willow Springs, Big
Sandy and the main crossing Of Four
teen-Mile Creek, four miles from Ed
wards Station. A detachment Of the !
enemy was Immediately driven away
from the crossing, and you advanced, |
passed over and rested during the night
Of the 18th within three miles Of the
enemy, in large force at the station.
"On the morning of the 18th, the
objective point Of the army's move
ments having been changed from Ed