Today in History:

814 Series I Volume XXIV-III Serial 38 - Vicksburg Part III

Page 814 Mississippi, WEST TENNESSEE, ETC. Chapter XXXVI.

Vicksburg, May 1, 1863.

General RUGGLES, Columbus:

I have no re-enforcements to send you. I have notified General Johnston to that effect.

J. C. PEMBERTON.

Vicksburg, May 1, 1863.

Colonel R. W. RICHARDSON:

Instead of pursuing Grierson farther, your command will return in direction of Port Gibson, to operate against enemy there. If you can communicate with Colonel Wirt Adams, tell him same thing.

J. C. PEMBERTON.


SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE WEST, Number 75. Tullahoma, Tenn., May 1, 1863.

I. By order of the President, Brigadier General A. Cumming is relieved from his present command, and is assigned to the Georgia Brigade, at Vicksburg, now commanded by Colonel T. H. Taylor, for which duty he will report to Lieutenant-General Pemberton, commanding Department of Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana.

* * * * *

By command of General Johnston:

BENJ. S. EWELL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

Vicksburg, May 2, 1863.

President JEFFERSON DAVIS, Richmond:

At least 1,000,000 rounds of small-arm ammunition, principally caliber . 69, should be sent here immediately from nearest depot, and as much as possible.

J. C. PEMBERTON.

Vicksburg, May 2, 1863.

President JEFFERSON DAVIS, Richmond:

I think enemy has landed nearly his whole force on this side. I am concentrating all I can. General Bowen telegraphed 5. 30 p. m. last night that he should fall back under cover of night to this side of Bayou Pierre, and endeavor to hold position until arrival of re-enforcements. If he holds that position, I have directed him, if his communications with Vicksburg are open, to endeavor to continue it, but if he has fallen back to Grand Gulf, which is reported, and which is a cul-de-sac, he must endeavor to cross Big Black, destroying his guns and stores. The battle will probably be fought outside of Vicksburg. Bowen says Grant, McClernand, Stevenson, McPherson, Smith, and Osterhaus are there.

J. C. PEMBERTON.

Vicksburg, May 2, 1863.

President JEFFERSON DAVIS, Richmond:

You know the country about Port Gibson and approaches to Vicksburg and Jackson. General Bowen, after maintaining his position below Bayou Pierre until night against overwhelming odds, informed me at 5. 30 p. m. that he was compelled to fall back to this side Bayou Pierre until night against overwhelming odds, informed me at 5. 30 p. m. that he was compelled to fall back to this side Bayou Pierre.


Page 814 Mississippi, WEST TENNESSEE, ETC. Chapter XXXVI.