«Мемуары генерала Уильяма Шермана. Том 1»

Между тем генерал Грант в Джексоне отправил бригадного генерала Макферсона с бригадой прямо к Коринту, куда тот прибыл уже после сражения, и, предвкушая победу, приказал ему немедленно преследовать неприятеля, уведомив его, что отдал распоряжение дивизиям Орда и Халбарта стремительно выдвинуться к Покахонтасу, чтобы ударить по флангу мятежников. Утром 5-го числа генерал Орд вышел к реке Хатчи у моста Дейвиса с четырьмя тысячами человек, переправился через нее и столкнулся с отступающей армией, захватил батарею и несколько сотен пленных, рассеяв авангард мятежников и заставив главную колонну сделать широкий крюк через юг для переправы через реку Хатчи. Если бы генерал Роузкранс преследовал противника без промедления и шел по пятам этой массы дезориентированных и разбитых людей, армия Ван Дорна несомненно была бы окончательно уничтожена; а так Ван Дорн добрался до Холли-Спрингс в несколько деморализованном состоянии.

Генерал Роузкранс начал преследование только на следующее утро, 5-го числа, и тогда было уже поздно. Генерал Грант снова остался им недоволен и так до конца и не примирился. Вскоре после этого генерал Роузкранс был освобожден от должности и переведен в Армию Камберленда в Теннесси, командование которой он впоследствии получил вместо смещенного генерала Бьюэлла.

Результаты битвы за Коринт оказались огромными. Это был поистине сокрушительный удар по делу Конфедерации в нашем секторе, изменивший весь ход дел в Западном Теннесси. От робкой обороны мы сразу же смогли перейти к дерзкому наступлению. В Мемфисе я мог наблюдать его влияние на горожан, которые открыто признавали, что их дело потерпело смертельный удар. Но мятежное правительство находилось тогда на пике своей мощи; Ван Дорн получил подкрепления, и вскоре прибыл генерал-лейтенант Дж. К. Пембертон, который принял командование, избрав своей рубежной линией реку Талахатчи с авангардом вдоль Коулдоутера и более мелкими передовыми отрядами в Гранд-Джанкшене и Эрнандо. Генерал Грант точно так же получил подкрепления в виде новых полков.

Из тех сил, что были выделены в мое распоряжение в Мемфисе, я сформировал две новые бригады и передал их под начало офицеров, приобретших навыки и опыт во время предыдущей кампании.

ГЛАВА XII.

ИЗ МЕМФИСА К ПОСТУ АРКАНЗАС.

JULY, 1882 TO JANUARY, 1883

Когда мы впервые вошли в Мемфис 21 июля 1862 года, я застал город мертвым: никакая торговля не велась, магазины были закрыты, церкви, школы и все остальное заперто. Все население в той или иной степени симпатизировало нашим врагам, и существовала большая вероятность того, что все гражданское население ляжет мертвым грузом на наши плечи. Поскольку река Миссисипи к тому времени находилась под нашим контролем к северу отсюда, и пароходы свободно курсировали с пассажирами и грузами, я приказал открыть все магазины, возобновить работу церквей, школ, театров и увеселительных заведений, и очень скоро Мемфис вернул себе вид оживленного, делового, процветающего места. Я также восстановил мэра (по фамилии Паркс) и городское самоуправление в отправлении их общественных функций, обязав их поддерживать надлежащую гражданскую полицию.

До того времени ни Конгресс, ни Президент не выработали никаких четких, определенных правил в отношении чернокожих рабов, и разные генералы издавали приказы сообразно собственным политическим взглядам. И генерал Халлек, генералы — поправка: и генерал Халлек, и генерал Грант считали раба по-прежнему рабом, с той лишь разницей, что труд раба принадлежал его хозяину, если тот был верен Союзу, либо Соединенным Штатам, если хозяин взял в руки оружие против Правительства или примкнул к мятежникам. Поэтому в Мемфисе мы принимали всех беглецов, заставляли их работать на укреплениях, обеспечивали пищей и одеждой, а вопрос о выплате жалованья оставляли на будущее. Ни в коем случае не дозволялось применять силу для возвращения беглого раба его хозяину; однако, если хозяин доказывал свою лояльность, ему обычно разрешалось повидаться со своим рабом, и если ему удавалось уговорить того вернуться домой, это допускалось. Хлопок также служил благодатной почвой для споров. Министр финансов г-н Чейз в тот самый период чрезвычайно стремился поощрять закупку хлопка, поскольку каждый тюк стоил в золотом исчислении около трехсот долларов и заменял звонковую монету в наших внешнеторговых расчетах. Поэтому он поощрял эту торговлю, так что сотни алчных спекулянтов хлынули вниз по Миссисипи и прибегали к всевозможным ухищрениям, чтобы заполучить хлопок из внутренних районов, часто покупая его у негров, которым он не принадлежал, но которые знали, где он спрятан. Весь этот бизнес был изъят из ведения военных и передан агентам казначейства, назначенным г-ном Чейзом.

Другие вопросы занимали внимание военачальников; в качестве иллюстрации я привожу здесь несколько писем из своей «записной книжки», содержащей сотни подобных сюжетов:

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION

Memphis, Tennessee, August 11, 1862

Hon. S. P. CHASE, Secretary of the Treasury.

Sir: Your letter of August 2d, just received, invites my discussion of the cotton question.

I will write plainly and slowly, because I know you have no time to listen to trifles. This is no trifle; when one nation is at war with another, all the people of the one are enemies of the other: then the rules are plain and easy of understanding. Most unfortunately, the war in which we are now engaged has been complicated with the belief on the one hand that all on the other are not enemies. It would have been better if, at the outset, this mistake had not been made, and it is wrong longer to be misled by it. The Government of the United States may now safely proceed on the proper rule that all in the South are enemies of all in the North; and not only are they unfriendly, but all who can procure arms now bear them as organized regiments, or as guerrillas. There is not a garrison in Tennessee where a man can go beyond the sight of the flag-staff without being shot or captured. It so happened that these people had cotton, and, whenever they apprehended our large armies would move, they destroyed the cotton in the belief that, of course, we world seize it, and convert it to our use. They did not and could not dream that we would pay money for it. It had been condemned to destruction by their own acknowledged government, and was therefore lost to their people; and could have been, without injustice, taken by us, and sent away, either as absolute prize of war, or for future compensation. But the commercial enterprise of the Jews soon discovered that ten cents would buy a pound of cotton behind our army; that four cents would take it to Boston, where they could receive thirty cents in gold. The bait was too tempting, and it spread like fire, when here they discovered that salt, bacon, powder, fire-arms, percussion-caps, etc., etc., were worth as much as gold; and, strange to say, this traffic was not only permitted, but encouraged. Before we in the interior could know it, hundreds, yea thousands of barrels of salt and millions of dollars had been disbursed; and I have no doubt that Bragg's army at Tupelo, and Van Dorn's at Vicksburg, received enough salt to make bacon, without which they could not have moved their armies in mass; and that from ten to twenty thousand fresh arms, and a due supply of cartridges, have also been got, I am equally satisfied. As soon as I got to Memphis, having seen the effect in the interior, I ordered (only as to my own command) that gold, silver, and Treasury notes, were contraband of war, and should not go into the interior, where all were hostile. It is idle to talk about Union men here: many want peace, and fear war and its results; but all prefer a Southern, independent government, and are fighting or working for it. Every gold dollar that was spent for cotton, was sent to the seaboard, to be exchanged for bank-notes and Confederate scrip, which will buy goods here, and are taken in ordinary transactions. I therefore required cotton to be paid for in such notes, by an obligation to pay at the end of the war, or by a deposit of the price in the hands of a trustee, viz., the United States Quartermaster. Under these rules cotton is being obtained about as fast as by any other process, and yet the enemy receives no "aid or comfort." Under the "gold" rule, the country people who had concealed their cotton from the burners, and who openly scorned our greenbacks, were willing enough to take Tennessee money, which will buy their groceries; but now that the trade is to be encouraged, and gold paid out, I admit that cotton will be sent in by our open enemies, who can make better use of gold than they can of their hidden bales of cotton.

I may not appreciate the foreign aspect of the question, but my views on this may be ventured. If England ever threatens war because we don't furnish her cotton, tell her plainly if she can't employ and feed her own people, to send them here, where they cannot only earn an honest living, but soon secure independence by moderate labor. We are not bound to furnish her cotton. She has more reason to fight the South for burning that cotton, than us for not shipping it. To aid the South on this ground would be hypocrisy which the world would detect at once. Let her make her ultimatum, and there are enough generous minds in Europe that will counteract her in the balance. Of course her motive is to cripple a power that rivals her in commerce and manufactures, that threatens even to usurp her history. In twenty more years of prosperity, it will require a close calculation to determine whether England, her laws and history, claim for a home the Continent of America or the Isle of Britain. Therefore, finding us in a death-struggle for existence, she seems to seek a quarrel to destroy both parts in detail.

Southern people know this full well, and will only accept the alliance of England in order to get arms and manufactures in exchange for their cotton. The Southern Confederacy will accept no other mediation, because she knows full well that in Old England her slaves and slavery will receive no more encouragement than in New England.

France certainly does not need our cotton enough to disturb her equilibrium, and her mediation would be entitled to a more respect consideration than on the part of her present ally. But I feel assured the French will not encourage rebellion and secession anywhere as a political doctrine. Certainly all the German states must be our ardent friends; and, in case of European intervention; they could not be kept down.

With great respect, your obedient servant,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION, ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, Memphis, July 23, 1862

Dr. E. S. PLUMMER and others, Physician in Memphis, Signers to a Petition.

GENTLEMEN: I have this moment received your communication, and assure you that it grieves my heart thus to be the instrument of adding to the seeming cruelty and hardship of this unnatural war.

On my arrival here, I found my predecessor (General Hovey) had issued an order permitting the departure south of all persons subject to the conscript law of the Southern Confederacy. Many applications have been made to me to modify this order, but I regarded it as a condition precedent by which I was bound in honor, and therefore I have made no changes or modifications; nor shall I determine what action I shall adopt in relation to persons unfriendly to our cause who remain after the time limited by General Hovey's order had expired. It is now sunset, and all who have not availed themselves of General Hovey's authority, and who remain in Memphis, are supposed to be loyal and true men.

I will only say that I cannot allow the personal convenience of even a large class of ladies to influence me in my determination to make Memphis a safe place of operations for an army, and all people who are unfriendly should forthwith prepare to depart in such direction as I may hereafter indicate.

Surgeons are not liable to be made prisoners of war, but they should not reside within the lines of an army which they regard as hostile. The situation would be too delicate.

I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS, MEMPHIS, July 24, 1862

SAMUEL SAWYER, Esq., Editor Union Appeal, Memphis.

DEAR SIR: It is well I should come to an understanding at once with the press as well as the people of Memphis, which I am ordered to command; which means, to control for the interest, welfare; and glory of the whole Government of the United States.

Personalities in a newspaper are wrong and criminal. Thus, though you meant to be complimentary in your sketch of my career, you make more than a dozen mistakes of fact, which I need not correct, as I don't desire my biography to be written till I am dead. It is enough for the world to know that I live and am a soldier, bound to obey the orders of my superiors, the laws of my country, and to venerate its Constitution; and that, when discretion is given me, I shall exercise it wisely and account to my superiors.

I regard your article headed "City Council—General Sherman and Colonel Slack," as highly indiscreet. Of course, no person who can jeopardize the safety of Memphis can remain here, much less exercise public authority; but I must take time, and be satisfied that injustice be not done.

If the parties named be the men you describe, the fact should not be published, to put them on their guard and thus to encourage their escape. The evidence should be carefully collected, authenticated, and then placed in my hands. But your statement of facts is entirely qualified; in my mind, and loses its force by your negligence of the very simple facts within your reach as to myself: I had been in the army six years in 1846; am not related by blood to any member of Lucas, Turner & Co.; was associated with them in business six years (instead of two); am not colonel of the Fifteenth Infantry, but of the Thirteenth. Your correction, this morning, of the acknowledged error as to General Denver and others, is still erroneous. General Morgan L. Smith did not belong to my command at the battle of Shiloh at all, but he was transferred to my division just before reaching Corinth. I mention these facts in kindness, to show you how wrong it is to speak of persons.

I will attend to the judge, mayor, Boards of Aldermen, and policemen, all in good time.

Use your influence to reestablish system, order, government. You may rest easy that no military commander is going to neglect internal safety, or to guard against external danger; but to do right requires time, and more patience than I usually possess. If I find the press of Memphis actuated by high principle and a sole devotion to their country, I will be their best friend; but, if I find them personal, abusive, dealing in innuendoes and hints at a blind venture, and looking to their own selfish aggrandizement and fame, then they had better look out; for I regard such persons as greater enemies to their country and to mankind than the men who, from a mistaken sense of State pride, have taken up muskets, and fight us about as hard as we care about. In haste, but in kindness, yours, etc.,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION,

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, July 27, 1882.

JOHN PARK, Mayor of Memphis, present.

Sir: Yours of July 24th is before me, and has received, as all similar papers ever will, my careful and most respectful consideration. I have the most unbounded respect for the civil law, courts, and authorities, and shall do all in my power to restore them to their proper use, viz., the protection of life, liberty, and property.

Unfortunately, at this time, civil war prevails in the land, and necessarily the military, for the time being, must be superior to the civil authority, but it does not therefore destroy it. Civil courts and executive officers should still exist and perform duties, without which civil or municipal bodies would soon pass into disrespect—an end to be avoided. I am glad to find in Memphis a mayor and municipal authorities not only in existence, but in the co-exercise of important functions, and I shall endeavor to restore one or more civil tribunals for the arbitration of contracts and punishment of crimes, which the military have neither time nor inclination to interfere with. Among these, first in importance is the maintenance of order, peace, and quiet, within the jurisdiction of Memphis. To insure this, I will keep a strong provost guard in the city, but will limit their duty to guarding public property held or claimed by the United States, and for the arrest and confinement of State prisoners and soldiers who are disorderly or improperly away from their regiments. This guard ought not to arrest citizens for disorder or minor crimes. This should be done by the city police. I understand that the city police is too weak in numbers to accomplish this perfectly, and I therefore recommend that the City Council at once take steps to increase this force to a number which, in their judgment, day and night can enforce your ordinances as to peace, quiet, and order; so that any change in our military dispositions will not have a tendency to leave your people unguarded. I am willing to instruct the provost guard to assist the police force when any combination is made too strong for them to overcome; but the city police should be strong enough for any probable contingency. The cost of maintaining this police force must necessarily fall upon all citizens equitably. I am not willing, nor do I think it good policy, for the city authorities to collect the taxes belonging to the State and County, as you recommend; for these would have to be refunded. Better meet the expenses at once by a new tax on all interested. Therefore, if you, on consultation with the proper municipal body, will frame a good bill for the increase of your police force, and for raising the necessary means for their support and maintenance, I will approve it and aid you in the collection of the tax. Of course, I cannot suggest how this tax should be laid, but I think that it should be made uniform on all interests, real estate, and personal property, including money, and merchandise.

All who are protected should share the expenses in proportion to the interests involved. I am, with respect, your obedient servant,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION,

MEMPHIS, August 7, 1862.

Captain FITCH, Assistant Quartermaster, Memphis, Tennessee.

SIR: The duties devolving on the quartermaster of this post, in addition to his legitimate functions, are very important and onerous, and I am fully aware that the task is more than should devolve on one man. I will endeavor to get you help in the person of some commissioned officer, and, if possible, one under bond, as he must handle large amounts of money in trust; but, for the present, we most execute the duties falling to our share as well as possible. On the subject of vacant houses, General Grant's orders are: "Take possession of all vacant stores and houses in the city, and have them rented at reasonable rates; rent to be paid monthly in advance. These buildings, with their tenants, can be turned over to proprietors on proof of loyalty; also take charge of such as have been leased out by disloyal owners."

I understand that General Grant takes the rents and profits of this class of real property under the rules and laws of war, and not under the confiscation act of Congress; therefore the question of title is not involved simply the possession, and the rents and profits of houses belonging to our enemies, which are not vacant, we hold in trust for them or the Government, according to the future decisions of the proper tribunals.

Mr. McDonald, your chief agent in renting and managing this business, called on me last evening and left with me written questions, which it would take a volume to answer and a Webster to elucidate; but as we can only attempt plain, substantial justice, I will answer these questions as well as I can, briefly and to the point.

First. When ground is owned by parties who have gone south, and have leased the ground to parties now in the city who own the improvements on the ground?

Answer. The United States takes the rents due the owner of the land; does not disturb the owner of the improvements.

Second. When parties owning houses have gone south, and the tenant has given his notes for the rent in advance?

Answer. Notes are mere evidence of the debt due landlord. The tenant pays the rent to the quartermaster, who gives a bond of indemnity against the notes representing the debt for the particular rent.

Third. When the tenant has expended several months' rent in repairs on the house?

Answer. Of course, allow all such credits on reasonable proof and showing.

Fourth. When the owner has gone south, and parties here hold liens on the property and are collecting the rents to satisfy their liens?

Answer. The rent of a house can only be mortgaged to a person in possession. If a loyal tenant be in possession and claim the rent from himself as due to himself on some other debt, allow it; but, if not in actual possession of the property, rents are not good liens for a debt, but must be paid to the quartermaster.

Fifth. Of parties claiming foreign protection?

Answer. Many claim foreign protection who are not entitled to it. If they are foreign subjects residing for business in this, country, they are entitled to consideration and protection so long as they obey the laws of the country. If they occupy houses belonging to absent rebels, they must pay rent to the quarter-master. If they own property, they must occupy it by themselves, tenants, or servants.

Eighth. When houses are occupied and the owner has gone south, leaving an agent to collect rent for his benefit?

Answer. Rent must be paid to the quartermaster. No agent can collect and remit money south without subjecting himself to arrest and trial for aiding and abetting the public enemy.

Ninth.. When houses are owned by loyal citizens, but are unoccupied?

Answer. Such should not be disturbed, but it would be well to advise them to have some servant at the house to occupy it.

Tenth. When parties who occupy the house are creditors of the owner, who has gone south? Answer. You only look to collection of rents. Any person who transmits money south is liable to arrest and trial for aiding and abetting the enemy; but I do not think it our business to collect debts other than rents.

Eleventh. When the parties who own the property have left the city under General Hovey's Order No. 1, but are in the immediate neighborhood, on their plantations?

Answer. It makes no difference where they are, so they are absent.

Twelfth. When movable property is found in stores that are closed?

Answer. The goods are security for the rent. If the owner of the goods prefers to remove the goods to paying rent, he can do so.

Thirteenth. When the owner lives in town, and refuses to take the oath of allegiance?

Answer. If the house be occupied, it does not fall under the order. If the house be vacant, it does. The owner can recover his property by taking the oath.

All persons in Memphis residing within our military lines are presumed to be loyal, good citizens, and may at any moment be called to serve on juries, posses comitatua, or other civil service required by the Constitution and laws of our country. Should they be called upon to do such duty, which would require them to acknowledge their allegiance and subordination to the Constitution of the United States, it would then be too late to refuse. So long as they remain quiet and conform to these laws, they are entitled to protection in their property and lives.

We have nothing to do with confiscation. We only deal with possession, and therefore the necessity of a strict accountability, because the United States assumes the place of trustee, and must account to the rightful owner for his property, rents, and profits. In due season courts will be established to execute the laws, the confiscation act included, when we will be relieved of this duty and trust. Until that time, every opportunity should be given to the wavering and disloyal to return to their allegiance to the Constitution of their birth or adoption. I am, etc.,

W. T. SHERMAN.

Major-General commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, August 26,1862

Major-General GRANT, Corinth, Mississippi.

Sir: In pursuance of your request that I should keep you advised of matters of interest here, in addition to the purely official matters, I now write.

I dispatched promptly the thirteen companies of cavalry, nine of Fourth Illinois, and four of Eleventh Illinois, to their respective destinations, punctually on the 23d instant, although the order was only received on the 22d. I received at the same time, from Colonel Dickey, the notice that the bridge over Hatchie was burned, and therefore I prescribed their order of march via Bolivar. They started at 12 m. of the 23d, and I have no news of them since. None of the cavalry ordered to me is yet heard from.

The guerrillas have destroyed several bridges over Wolf Creek; one at Raleigh, on the road by which I had prescribed trade and travel to and from the city. I have a strong guard at the lower bridge over Wolf River, by which we can reach the country to the north of that stream; but, as the Confederates have burned their own bridges, I will hold them to my order, and allow no trade over any other road than the one prescribed, using the lower or Randolph road for our own convenience. I am still satisfied there is no large force of rebels anywhere in the neighborhood. All the navy gunboats are below except the St. Louis, which lies off the city. When Commodore Davis passes down from Cairo, I will try to see him, and get him to exchange the St. Louis for a fleeter boat not iron-clad; one that can move up and down the river, to break up ferry-boats and canoes, and to prevent all passing across the river. Of course, in spite of all our efforts, smuggling is carried on. We occasionally make hauls of clothing, gold-lace, buttons, etc., but I am satisfied that salt and arms are got to the interior somehow. I have addressed the Board of Trade a letter on this point, which will enable us to control it better.

You may have been troubled at hearing reports of drunkenness here. There was some after pay-day, but generally all is as quiet and orderly as possible. I traverse the city every day and night, and assert that Memphis is and has been as orderly a city as St. Louis, Cincinnati, or New York.

Before the city authorities undertook to license saloons, there was as much whiskey here as now, and it would take all my command as customhouse inspectors, to break open all the parcels and packages containing liquor. I can destroy all groggeries and shops where soldiers get liquor just as we would in St. Louis.

The newspapers are accusing me of cruelty to the sick; as base a charge as was ever made. I would not let the Sanitary Committee carry off a boat-load of sick, because I have no right to. We have good hospitals here, and plenty of them. Our regimental hospitals are in the camps of the men, and the sick do much better there than in the general hospitals; so say my division surgeon and the regimental surgeons. The civilian doctors would, if permitted, take away our entire command. General Curtis sends his sick up here, but usually no nurses; and it is not right that nurses should be taken from my command for his sick. I think that, when we are endeavoring to raise soldiers and to instruct them, it is bad policy to keep them at hospitals as attendants and nurses.

I send you Dr. Derby's acknowledgment that he gave the leave of absence of which he was charged. I have placed him in arrest, in obedience to General Halleck's orders, but he remains in charge of the Overton Hospital, which is not full of patients.

The State Hospital also is not full, and I cannot imagine what Dr. Derby wants with the Female Academy on Vance Street. I will see him again, and now that he is the chief at Overton Hospital, I think he will not want the academy. Still, if he does, under your orders I will cause it to be vacated by the children and Sisters of Mercy. They have just advertised for more scholars, and will be sadly disappointed. If, however, this building or any other be needed for a hospital, it must be taken; but really, in my heart, I do not see what possible chance there is, under present circumstances, of filling with patients the two large hospitals now in use, besides the one asked for. I may, however, be mistaken in the particular building asked for by Dr. Derby, and will go myself to see.

The fort is progressing well, Captain Jenney having arrived. Sixteen heavy guns are received, with a large amount of shot and shell, but the platforms are not yet ready; still, if occasion should arise for dispatch, I can put a larger force to work. Captain Prime, when here, advised that the work should proceed regularly under the proper engineer officers and laborers. I am, etc.,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, September 4, 1862

Colonel J. C, KELTON, Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters of the army, Washington, D. C.

DEAR COLONEL: Please acknowledge to the major-general commanding the receipt by me of his letter, and convey to him my assurances that I have promptly modified my first instructions about cotton, so as to conform to his orders. Trade in cotton is now free, but in all else I endeavor so to control it that the enemy shall receive no contraband goods, or any aid or comfort; still I feel sure that the officers of steamboats are sadly tempted by high prices to land salt and other prohibited articles at waypoints along the river. This, too, in time will be checked. All seems well here and hereabout; no large body of the enemy within striking distance. A force of about two thousand, cavalry passed through Grand Junction north last Friday, and fell on a detachment of the Bolivar army at Middleburg, the result of which is doubtless reported to you. As soon as I heard of the movement, I dispatched a force to the southeast by way of diversion, and am satisfied that the enemy's infantry and artillery fell back in consequence behind the Tallahatchie. The weather is very hot, country very dry, and dust as bad as possible. I hold my two divisions ready, with their original complement of transportation, for field service. Of course all things most now depend on events in front of Washington and in Kentucky. The gunboat Eastport and four transports loaded with prisoners of war destined for Vicksburg have been lying before Memphis for two days, but are now steaming up to resume their voyage. Our fort progresses well, but our guns are not yet mounted. The engineers are now shaping the banquette to receive platforms. I expect Captain Prime from Corinth in two or three days.

I am, with great respect, yours,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, September 21, 1862

Editor Bulletin.

SIR: Your comments on the recent orders of Generals Halleck and McClellan afford the occasion appropriate for me to make public the fact that there is a law of Congress, as old as our Government itself, but reenacted on the 10th of April, 1806, and in force ever since. That law reads:

"All officers and soldiers are to behave themselves orderly in quarters and on the march; and whoever shall commit any waste or spoil, either in walks of trees, parks, warrens, fish-ponds, houses and gardens, cornfields, inclosures or meadows, or shall maliciously destroy any property whatever belonging to the inhabitants of the United States, unless by order of the commander-in-chief of the armies of said United States, shall (besides such penalties as they are liable to by law) be punished according to the nature and degree of the offense, by the judgment of a general or regimental court-martial."

Such is the law of Congress; and the orders of the commander-in-chief are, that officers or soldiers convicted of straggling and pillaging shall be punished with death. These orders have not come to me officially, but I have seen them in newspapers, and am satisfied that they express the determination of the commander-in-chief. Straggling and pillaging have ever been great military crimes; and every officer and soldier in my command knows what stress I have laid upon them, and that, so far as in my power lies, I will punish them to the full extent of the law and orders.

The law is one thing, the execution of the law another. God himself has commanded: "Thou shalt not kill," "thou shalt not steal," "thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods," etc. Will any one say these things are not done now as well as before these laws were announced at Sinai. I admit the law to be that "no officer or soldier of the United States shall commit waste or destruction of cornfields, orchards, potato-patches, or any kind of pillage on the property of friend or foe near Memphis," and that I stand prepared to execute the law as far as possible.

No officer or soldier should enter the house or premises of any peaceable citizen, no matter what his politics, unless on business; and no such officer or soldier can force an entrance unless he have a written order from a commanding officer or provost-marshal, which written authority must be exhibited if demanded. When property such as forage, building or other materials are needed by the United States, a receipt will be given by the officer taking them, which receipt should be presented to the quartermaster, who will substitute therefor a regular voucher, to be paid-according to the circumstances of the case. If the officer refuse to give such receipt, the citizen may fairly infer that the property is wrongfully taken, and he should, for his own protection, ascertain the name, rank, and regiment of the officer, and report him in writing. If any soldier commits waste or destruction, the person whose property is thus wasted must find out the name, company, and regiment of the actual transgressor. In order to punish there must be a trial, and there must be testimony. It is not sufficient that a general accusation be made, that soldiers are doing this or that. I cannot punish my whole command, or a whole battalion, because one or two bad soldiers do wrong. The punishment must reach the perpetrators, and no one can identify them as well as the party who is interested. The State of Tennessee does not hold itself responsible for acts of larceny committed by her citizens, nor does the United Staten or any other nation. These are individual acts of wrong, and punishment can only be inflicted on the wrong-doer. I know the difficulty of identifying particular soldiers, but difficulties do not alter the importance of principles of justice. They should stimulate the parties to increase their efforts to find out the actual perpetrators of the crime.

Colonels of regiments and commanders of corps are liable to severe punishment for permitting their men to leave their camps to commit waste or destruction; but I know full well that many of the acts attributed to soldiers are committed by citizens and negroes, and are charged to soldiers because of a desire to find fault with them; but this only reacts upon the community and increases the mischief. While every officer would willingly follow up an accusation against any one or more of his men whose names or description were given immediately after the discovery of the act, he would naturally resent any general charge against his good men, for the criminal conduct of a few bad ones.

I have examined into many of the cases of complaint made in this general way, and have felt mortified that our soldiers should do acts which are nothing more or less than stealing, but I was powerless without some clew whereby to reach the rightful party. I know that the great mass of our soldiers would scorn to steal or commit crime, and I will not therefore entertain vague and general complaints, but stand, prepared always to follow up any reasonable complaint when the charge is definite and the names of witnesses furnished.

I know, moreover, in some instances when our soldiers are complained of, that they have been insulted by sneering remarks about "Yankees," "Northern barbarians," "Lincoln's hirelings," etc. People who use such language must seek redress through some one else, for I will not tolerate insults to our country or cause. When people forget their obligations to a Government that made them respected among the nations of the earth, and speak contemptuously of the flag which is the silent emblem of that country, I will not go out of my way to protect them or their property. I will punish the soldiers for trespass or waste if adjudged by a court-martial, because they disobey orders; but soldiers are men and citizens as well as soldiers, and should promptly resent any insult to their country, come from what quarter it may. I mention this phase because it is too common. Insult to a soldier does not justify pillage, but it takes from the officer the disposition he would otherwise feel to follow up the inquiry and punish the wrong-doers.

Again, armies in motion or stationary must commit some waste. Flankers must let down fences and cross fields; and, when an attack is contemplated or apprehended, a command will naturally clear the ground of houses, fences, and trees. This is waste, but is the natural consequence of war, chargeable on those who caused the war. So in fortifying a place, dwelling-houses must be taken, materials used, even wasted, and great damage done, which in the end may prove useless. This, too, is an expense not chargeable to us, but to those who made the war; and generally war is destruction and nothing else.

We must bear this in mind, that however peaceful things look, we are really at war; and much that looks like waste or destruction is only the removal of objects that obstruct our fire, or would afford cover to an enemy.

This class of waste must be distinguished from the wanton waste committed by army-stragglers, which is wrong, and can be punished by the death-penalty if proper testimony can be produced.

Yours, etc.,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General commanding.

Будучи уверен, что по мере развития войны Мемфис станет важным пунктом снабжения, я форсировал строительство форта Пикеринг, держал большинство войск в лагерях позади города, а мой собственный штаб оставался в палатках на окраине города возле дома г-на Муна, пока с приближением зимы миссис Шерман не приехала с детьми навестить меня, после чего я снял дом ближе к форту.

Все это время строевая подготовка батальонов и бригад неукоснительно проводилась, так что, когда настало время для активных действий южнее, моя дивизия была приведена в наилучший возможный порядок, и примерно к 1 ноября ее состав выглядел следующим образом:

First Brigade, Brigadier-General M. L. SMITH—Eighth Missouri, Colonel G. A. Smith; Sixth Missouri, Colonel Peter E. Bland; One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois, Colonel George B. Hoge; Fifty-fourth Ohio, Colonel T. Kilby Smith; One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois, Colonel G. W. McKeaig.

Second Brigade, Colonel JOHN ADAIR McDOWELL.—Sixth Iowa, Lieutenant-Colonel John M. Corse; Fortieth Illinois, Colonel J. W. Booth; Forty-sixth Ohio, Colonel O. C. Walcutt; Thirteenth United States Infantry, First Battalion, Major D. Chase.

Third Brigade, Brigadier-General J. W. DENVER.—Forty-eighth Ohio, Colonel P. J. Sullivan; Fifty-third Ohio, Colonel W. S. Jones; Seventieth Ohio, Colonel J. R. Cockerill.

Fourth Brigade, Colonel DAVID STUART.—Fifty-fifth Illinois, Colonel O. Malmburg; Fifty-seventh Ohio, Colonel W. Mungen; Eighty-third Indiana, Colonel B. Spooner; One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois, Colonel Tupper; One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois, Lieutenant-Colonel Eldridge.

Fifth Brigade, Colonel R. P. BUCKLAND.—Seventy-second Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel D. W. C. Loudon; Thirty-second Wisconsin, Colonel J. W. Howe; Ninety-third Indiana, Colonel Thomas; Ninety-third Illinois, Major J. M. Fisher.

Subsequently, Brigadier-General J. G. Lauman arrived at Memphis, and I made up a sixth brigade, and organized these six brigades into three divisions, under Brigadier-Generals M. L. Smith, J. W. Denver, and J. G. Lauman.

Примерно 17 ноября я получил приказ от генерала Гранта, датированный:

LAGRANGE, November 16, 1862.

Meet me at Columbus, Kentucky, on Thursday next. If you have a good map of the country south of you, take it up with you.

U. S. GRANT, Major-General.

Я незамедлительно выступил на пароходе и встретился с генералом Грантом, который прибыл в Коламбус по железной дороге из Джексона, штат Теннесси. Он пояснил, что планирует наступление против Пембертона, окопавшегося тогда на линии за рекой Талахатчи южнее Холли-Спрингс; что он нанесет удар по Холли-Спрингс и Аббервиллю из Гранд-Джанкшена; что Макферсон с войсками в Коринте попытается соединиться с ним у Холли-Спрингс; и что он хочет, чтобы я оставил в Мемфисе надлежащий гарнизон и двинулся к Талахатчи с тем расчетом, чтобы выйти к его правому флангу к определенной дате. Он добавил, что его конечной целью является взятие Виксбурга, открытие судоходства по реке Миссисипи, и что генерал Халлек уполномочил его запросить содействия у войск в Арканзасском департаменте, которым тогда командовал генерал С. Р. Кертис. Я предложил ему попросить генерала Кертиса отправить экспедицию из какого-либо пункта на Миссисипи близ Елены, удерживаемой тогда значительными силами, в направлении Гранады в тыл Пембертону, что вызовет у того опасения за свои коммуникации и существенно поможет нам в задуманной атаке на его фронт. Он уполномочил меня направить командиру в Елене соответствующую просьбу, и, как только я прибыл в Мемфис, я отправил своего адъютанта, майора Маккоя, в Елену; тот вернулся, привезши мне письмо от генерала Фредерика Стила, который только что прибыл в Елену с дивизией Остерхауса и временно принял командование в связи с отъездом генерала Кертиса в Сент-Луис. Это письмо содержало заверение, что он «отправит из Фриарс-Пойнта крупные силы под командованием бригадного генерала А. П. Хови в направлении Гранады с целью достичь Талахатчи у Чарлстона в следующий понедельник, вторник или среду (1 декабря) самое позднее». Мой отряд должен был выступить в среду, 24 ноября, тем временем генерал-майор С. А. Халбарт, явившийся для прохождения службы, был назначен командующим Мемфисом с четырьмя пехотными полками, одной артиллерийской батареей, двумя ротами кавалерии Тильмана и вполне реальной перспективой скорого прибытия ряда новых полков, которые, как было известно, находились в пути.

Я пунктуально выступил из Мемфиса с тремя небольшими дивизиями, двигаясь по разным дорогам до тех пор, пока мы не приблизились к Талахатчи, после чего сошлись у Уайтта для переправы через реку, представлявшую собой здесь бурный, глубокий поток с недавно построенным фортом на противоположном берегу. Со мной была 6-я Иллинойская кавалерия Грирсона, с помощью которой мы установили связь с генералом Грантом, когда равнялись с Холли-Спрингс. Мы достигли Уайтта 2 декабря без малейшего сопротивления и узнали там, что вся армия Пембертона отошла к Ялабуше близ Гранады, во многом из-за преувеличенных слухов об арканзасской силе из Елены, дошедших до Чарлстона; а часть кавалерии генерала Хови под началом генерала Уошберна нанесла удар по железной дороге в районе Коффивилла, что естественным образом встревожило генерала Пембертона за безопасность его коммуникаций и заставило его оставить линию Талахатчи со всеми фортами, на возведение которых было затрачено много труда. Нам пришлось строить мост у Уайтта, на что ушло пару дней, и 5 декабря все мои силы прибыли в Колледж-Хилл в десяти милях от Оксфорда, откуда я доложил генералу Гранту в Оксфорд.

8-го числа я получил следующее письмо:

OXFORD MISSISSIPPI, December 8, 1862—Morning

General SHERMAN, College Hill.

DEAR GENERAL: The following is a copy of dispatch just received from Washington:

WASHINGTON, December 7, 1862—12M

General GRANT:

The capture of Grenada may change our plans in regard to Vicksburg. You will move your troops as you may deem best to accomplish the great object in view. You will retain, till further orders, all troops of General Curtis now in your department. Telegraph to General Allen in St. Louis for all steamboats you may require. Ask Porter to cooperate. Telegraph what are your present plans.

H. W. HALLECK, General-in.-Chief.

I wish you would come over this evening and stay to-night, or come in the morning. I would like to talk with you about this matter. My notion is to send two divisions back to Memphis, and fix upon a day when they should effect a landing, and press from here with this command at the proper time to cooperate. If I do not do this I will move our present force to Grenada, including Steele's, repairing road as we proceed, and establish a depot of provisions there. When a good ready is had, to move immediately on Jackson, Mississippi, cutting loose from the road. Of the two plans I look most favorably on the former.

Come over and we will talk this matter over. Yours truly,

U. S. GRANT, Major-General.

Я немедленно отправился в Оксфорд и застал генерала Гранта в большом доме со всем его штабом; мы обсудили все возможные варианты. Он объяснил мне, что обещаны крупные подкрепления, которые прибудут в Мемфис очень скоро, если их там еще нет; что весь флот канонерских лодок под командованием адмирала Д. Д. Портера окажет содействие; что мы можем рассчитывать на полную дивизию из состава войск в Елене; и он верил, что быстрым маневром я смогу закрепиться на Язу и взять Виксбург с тыла; что гарнизон там небольшой, а он в Оксфорде станет маневрировать силами так, чтобы удерживать Пембертона вдали от Виксбурга. Я также уяснил, что, если Пембертон отступит на юг, он последует за ним по пятам и рассчитывает застать меня у реки Язу, если не внутри самого Виксбурга. Признаюсь, в тот момент я и помыслить не мог, что генерал Макклернанд или кто-либо еще плетет интриги ради одной лишь чести взятия Виксбурга. В то время мы знали, что генерал Батлер получил подкрепления от генерала Бенкса в Нью-Орлеане, и предполагалось, что последний продвигается вверх по течению из Нью-Орлеана, в то время как мы продвигаемся вниз. В тот же день генерал Грант отправил генералу Халлеку в Вашингтон следующую депешу:

OXFORD, December 8, 1862.

Major-General H. W. HALLECK, Washington, D. C.:

General Sherman will command the expedition down the Mississippi. He will have a force of about forty thousand men; will land above Vicksburg (up the Yazoo, if practicable), and out the Mississippi Central road and the road running east from Vicksburg, where they cross Black River. I will cooperate from here, my movements depending on those of the enemy. With the large cavalry force now at my command, I will be able to have them show themselves at different points on the Tallahatchie and Yalabusha; and, when an opportunity occurs, make a real attack. After cutting the two roads, General Sherman's movements to secure the end desired will necessarily be left to his judgment.

I will occupy this road to Coffeeville.

U. S. GRANT, Major-General.

Эту депешу мне показали перед отправкой, после чего генерал набросал для меня собственной рукой следующую инструкцию, которая хранится у меня поныне:

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, OXFORD, Mississippi, December 8, 1862.

Major-General W. T. SHERMAN, commanding Right Wing Army In the Field, present.

GENERAL: You will proceed with as little delay as practicable to Memphis, Tennessee, taking with you one division of your present command. On your arrival at Memphis you will assume command of all the troops there, and that portion of General Curtis's forces at present east of the Mississippi River, and organize them into brigades and divisions in your own way.

As soon as possible move with them down the river to the vicinity of Vicksburg, and, with the cooperation of the gunboat fleet under command of Flag-Officer Porter, proceed to the reduction of that place in such manner as circumstances and your own judgment may dictate.

The amount of rations, forage, land transportation, etc., necessary to take, will be left entirely to yourself.

The quartermaster in St. Louis will be instructed to send you transportation for thirty thousand men. Should you still find yourself deficient, your quartermaster will be authorized to make up the deficiency from such transports as may come into the port of Memphis.

On arriving in Memphis put yourself in communication with Admiral Porter, and arrange with him for his cooperation.

Inform me at the earliest practicable day of the time when you will embark, and such plans as may then be matured. I will hold the forces here in readiness to cooperate with you in such manner as the movements of the enemy may make necessary.

Leave the District of Memphis in the command of an efficient officer and with a garrison of four regiments of infantry, the siege-guns, and what ever cavalry force may be there.

One regiment of infantry and at least a section of artillery will also be left at Friar's Point or Delta, to protect the stores of the cavalry post that will be left there. Yours truly,

U. S. GRANT, Major-General.

Я также помещаю здесь другое письмо от 14-го числа, отправленное мне позже в Мемфис, которое дополняет все полученные мной инструкции, регламентирующие первую операцию против Виксбурга:

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI, December 14, 1862

Major-General SHERMAN, commanding, etc.,

Memphis, Tennessee.

I have not had one word from Grierson since he left, and am getting uneasy about him. I hope General Gorman will give you no difficulty about retaining the troops on this side the river, and Steele to command them. The twenty-one thousand men you have, with the twelve thousand from Helena, will make a good force. The enemy are as yet on the Yalabusha. I am pushing down on them slowly, but so as to keep up the impression of a continuous move. I feel particularly anxious to have the Helena cavalry on this side of the river; if not now, at least after you start. If Gorman will send them, instruct them where to go and how to communicate with me. My headquarters will probably be in Coffeeville one week hence.... In the mean time I will order transportation, etc.... It would be well if you could have two or three small boats suitable for navigating the Yazoo. It may become necessary for me to look to that base for supplies before we get through....

U. S. GRANT, Major-General.

Когда мы ехали верхом в Оксфорд из Колледж-Хилла, произошел небольшой случай, который кажется достойным упоминания. Пока генерал Ван Дорн держал свой штаб в Холли-Спрингс, а именно в октябре 1862 года, он испытывал острую нужду в удобствах и предметах роскоши и прибегал к любым уловкам, чтобы получить их из обильных запасов в Мемфисе. Ему не составляло никакого труда засылать в город шпионов для сбора информации, но возникали трудности с вывозом громоздких припасов через наши заставы, хотя порой я и сквозь пальцы смотрел на поставки ему сигар, спиртного, сапог, перчаток и т. д. для его личных нужд; однако медикаменты и крупные партии любых припасов конфисковывались, если их пытались провезти. Когда тем утром мы ехали в Оксфорд, я заметил во дворе фермы фургон, похожий на городской мебельный фургон на рессорах. Мы вечно испытывали нехватку повозок, поэтому я обратил на него внимание квартирмейстера, полковника Дж. Кондита Смита, сказав: «Вон отличная повозка, сходи за ней». Он отстал от свиты с ординарцем, а проехав с милю или около того, нагнал нас; я спросил его: «Ну как успехи?» Он ответил: «Все в порядке, я заполучил ту повозку и в придачу раздобыл еще одну», — и пояснил, что когда он подошел к дому фермера расспросить о мебельном фургоне, тот ответил, что фургон принадлежит не ему, а каким-то людям из Мемфиса, добавив, что в его сарае стоит еще одна повозка тех же хозяев. Они отправились в сарай и обнаружили там роскошный городской катафалк с траурными полотнищами и перьями. Фермер рассказал, что из Мемфиса вывозили покойника с пышными похоронами, но когда процессия добралась до его дома, в гробу обнаружился отличный ассортимент медикаментов для армии Ван Дорна. Таким образом, под предлогом первоклассных похорон они провели через наши заставы как раз то, что мы пытались пресечь. Это был ловкий трюк, но после него мы стали куда менее уважительно относиться к подобным церемониям.

Как только в моем распоряжении оказались инструкции генерала Гранта от 8 декабря с дополнительной просьбой отправить полковника Грирсона с его кавалерией посуху в Елену для извещения генерала Стила об общем плане, я вернулся в Колледж-Хилл, выбрал дивизию бригадного генерала Моргана Л. Смита для возвращения со мной в Мемфис, отправил Грирсона с поручением в Елену и приказал генералам Денверу и Лауману явиться к генералу Гранту за дальнейшими распоряжениями. Мы тронулись в обратный путь кратчайшим путем, к полудню 12 декабря прибыли в Мемфис и немедленно начали приготовления к виксбургской операции. Там я обнаружил две нерегулярные дивизии, прибывшие в Мемфис в мое отсутствие под командованием соответственно бригадного генерала А. Дж. Смита и бригадного генерала Джорджа В. Моргана. Они были обозначены как Первая и Третья дивизии, в то время как Вторая дивизия Моргана Л. Смита сохранила свое первоначальное название и номер.

Я также направил от имени генерала Гранта приказ генералу Горману, который тем временем сменил генерала Стила во главе гарнизона в Елене, сформировать взамен войск, находившихся к востоку от Миссисипи и вернувшихся обратно, сильную дивизию для рапорта мне по моему пути вниз. Эта дивизия была соответствующим образом сформирована под началом бригадного генерала Фредерика Стила и составила мою Четвертую дивизию.

Между тем из Сент-Луиса и Каира собиралась большая флотилия пароходов, а адмирал Портер спустился к Мемфису со всем своим флотом канонерских лодок, готовый содействовать операции. Приготовления в силу необходимости носили предельно поспешный характер, но в этом и заключалась суть всего замысла: достичь Виксбурга словно в результате внезапного нападения, пока генерал Грант сковывает армию Пембертона в районе Гранады, оставив мне в противники лишь меньший гарнизон самого Виксбурга с его известными сильными батареями и укреплениями. 19-го числа мемфисские войска погрузились на суда и направились вниз к Елене, где 21-го числа погрузилась и дивизия генерала Стила; а 22-го числа мы все собрались на пункте сбора во Фриарс-Пойнте в следующем порядке: