the iron-clads, the only ones depended upon in attacking land batteries, could have arrived there by the 2d of March at furthest. It is not necessary at this time to urge the importance of the lost days, or what might have been the result had more activity been displayed by Lieutenant-Commander Smith. With the highest admiration for the gallantry and intelligence displayed by Captains [James P. ] Foster and [John G. ] Walker, of the Chillicothe and De Kalb, and the earnest conviction that they would have cheerfully obeyed any order from their superior officer, I am constrained to state that in the attack upon Fort Pemberton Lieutenant-Commander Smith again failed to exhibit the decision and intelligence necessary under such circumstances to secure the advantage of a victory. After the Chillicothe and De Kalb had silenced the fort, he failed to push the latter close enough to it to ascertain the cause of its not replying to her fire. I requested General Ross at the time to urge upon him the importance of this step and the probability of our success, and have reason to believe he followed my suggestion. At all events, it was ascertained a few days afterward, from reliable sources, that had the De Kalb been advanced she would have met with no further resistance, because the rebel ammunition was exhausted. The truth of this is now beyond peradventure. It was simply impossible for General Ross to assault the works at this or any other time, with or without re-enforcements. Hoping that this matter may be investigated, and the responsibility fixed where it belongs, ..." O. R., I, xxiv, part 1, 390-91.
Before Vicksburg March 23, 1863
COL W. S. HILLYER
PROVOST. MARSHAL. GENERAL
In the case of Mr Hood, whose Cotton is retained at Memphis, the following are the circumstances of its release. Mr Hood was represented as a good citizen of Kentucky, and a man in every way reliable. These representations were made by influential men in Kentucky, among whom General. Boyle. is one endorsing him. —Hood is the owner of a plantation near Lake Providence from which he has lost everything except a portion of his cotton. Of that which was concealed in different places in the woods he did not know what quantity there was left. But a count being made, by parties sent by Mr. Hood for the purpose, placed the number at 291 Bales, and for this application was made and the permit given by me. —In addition to Mr Hood's hardships in the loss of his other property, he was waylaid by some of our soldiers
-465-
Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: December 9, 1862 - March 31, 1863.
Volume: 7.
Contributors: John Y. Simon - Editor, Ulysses S. Grant - Author.
Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press.
Place of publication: Carbondale, IL.
Publication year: 1979.
Page number: 465.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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