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concluded: ‘I would urgently request, therefore, that you join me, or send all the force you can spare, to cooperate in the great struggle for opening the Mississippi river.’
On the 11th of May, Grant finally wrote to Halleck, from Cayuga: ‘My forces will be this evening as far advanced towards Jackson as Fourteen-mile creek, the left near Black river, and extending in a line as nearly east and west as they can get without bringing on a battle.
As I shall communicate with Grand Gulf no more, except it becomes necessary to send a train with heavy escort, you may not hear from me again for several days.’
Singularly enough, this was the date of Halleck's dispatch to Grant, to return and cooperate with Banks.
While the general-in-chief, at Washington, was issuing his orders forbidding the campaign, Grant, of course in ignorance of these commands, sent word to his superior: ‘I shall communicate with Grand Gulf no more.’
On the same day, he ordered McPherson, who was now beyond Utica: ‘Move your command to-night to the next cross-roads, if there is water, and tomorrow, with all activity, into Raymond. . . . We must fight the enemy before our rations fail, and we are equally bound to make our rations last as long as possible.
Upon one occasion you made two days rations last seven.
We may have to do the same thing again. . . . . Sherman is now moving out on the Auburn and Raymond road, and will reach Fourteen-mile creek to-night.
When you arrive at Raymond, ’
New York Appleton 1885.
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