Beschreibung:

SHERMAN, WILLIAM TECUMSEH, General. Autograph letter signed ("Sherman Maj. Genl."), to Admiral David Dixon Porter "1 1/2 m[iles] n[orth] of Vicksburg on Walnut Hills," n.d. [probably l9 May l863]. One page, 4to, integral blank, in pencil, small glue stain along left edge, slightly obscuring a few letters. "THE CAPTURE OF VICKSBURG IS A DEAD SURE THING" An important battlefield letter. General Grant's army had since May 12th defeated Confederate forces at Raymond, Champion's Hill, Jackson, and Big Black River, moving inexorably towards the Vicksburg. By the l9th, his three Corps (including Sherman's XVth Corps) were in position to complete the encirclement of the Confederate stronghold. Elation at their success is evident in Sherman's hurried note to the Commander of Union naval gunboats on the Mississippi. "My Corps is in positions just above Town below Chickasaw. [General] McPherson [commanding the XVIIth Corps] is coming up on the left. And [General] McClernand [commanding the XIIIth Corps] still more to the left. The Enemy was badly whipped on all occasions and the Capture of Vicksburg is a dead sure thing. We must prevent the reassemblage of the [Confederate] Army at other points. I send a messenger to you. Come to Mrs Locke's[?] Landing and you will see our men on the Old Bluffs. We must at once get our communications established for Corn and bread. Thus far this has been a vast Success and I hope today or morrow will put us in Vicksburg. Still you should put all your boats in right in front or at Hayne's Bluff...." When Grant's forces were in place, two successive assaults on the Confederate entrenchments were mounted, on the l9th and 22nd. Both were unsuccessful. A prolonged siege followed, which ended in Vicksburg's surrender, with some 30,000 rebel troops, on 4 July l863.