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in great abundance through the country.’
What his expectations were at this time, may be gathered from a dispatch to Sullivan: ‘Keep all prisoners sent to Milliken's bend until further orders.
If they are sent north, they will be sent east for exchange.
I prefer keeping them where they are, until the fate of Vicksburg is decided, and then paroling them.’
On the 10th of May, Grant heard again from Banks, who was now earnestly demanding reenforcements on the Red river.
But Grant wrote at once to that commander, explaining the situation in rear of Vicksburg.
‘My advance will occupy to-day Utica, Auburn, and a point equally advanced towards the Southern Mississippi railroad, between the latter place and the Big Black.1 It was my intention, on gaining a foothold at Grand Gulf, to have sent a sufficient force to Port Hudson to have insured the fall of that place with your cooperation , or rather to have cooperated with you to secure that end.’
He then set forth the reasons for the change in his plans,2 and
1 On the 10th, Grant said to McClernand, from Cayuga: ‘My headquarters will remain here to-night, and be removed to Auburn in the morning. You need not move to-morrow, except to better your position on Five-mile creek.’ To McPherson, he wrote: ‘General McClernand is now on Five-mile creek, on the Telegraph road to Edward's station. He is directed to move no farther to-morrow, but to reconnoitre the road to Fourteen-mile creek. Sherman will not get much past this place to-night. In the morning, he will move forward to Auburn, and if he meets with no resistance, will throw his advance forward to Fourteen-mile creek, on the Raymond road. Move your command forward also, so as to occupy something near the same east and west line with the other army corps. Let me know what point you move to. Send your cavalry out to watch the enemy as far to the southeast as you can.’ These orders were obeyed.
2 ‘Meeting the enemy as I did below Port Gibson, however, I followed him to the Big Black, and could not afford to retrace my steps. I also learned, and believe the information to be reliable, that Port. Hudson is almost entirely evacuated. This may not be true, but it is the concurrent testimony of deserters and contrabands. Many days cannot elapse before the battle will begin, which is to decide the fate of Vicksburg, but it is impossible to predict how long it may last. I would urgently request, therefore,’ etc.
New York Appleton 1885.
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