Did the fall of Vicksburg truly end all crossings of the Mississippi?

Kentucky Derby Cavalier.

First Sergeant
Joined
Oct 24, 2019
Was there truly know where to cross the Mississippi after the fall of Vicksburg? I'm not talking major thoroughfares either, I'm talking about small slivers of the river that you could hopefully make a break for the otherside and get there.

Thoughts?

Mississippi_River_locator_map.png
 
The Quartermaster Outgoing Letter Books make it clear that there was a continual, but infrequent, courier service between Richmond and the Trans Mississippi. Letters, orders and large sums of money are specifically mentioned going west. The crossing sites are expressly not mentioned, but hints indicated the crossings were from Mississippi into Louisiana. This makes sense, since the TM had its headquarters in northeastern Texas and northern Lousiana.

As far as things going east, I have seen mention of documents and letters. There was also an intention to sent wool east, but the plan was abandoned because of the difficulty of keeping such a large shipment from being discovered by the Federals.
 
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The Quartermaster Outgoing Letter Books make it clear that there was a continual, but infrequent, courier service between Richmond and the Trans Mississippi. Letters, orders and large sums of money are specifically mentioned going west. The crossing sites are expressly not mentioned, but hints indicated the crossings were from Mississippi into Louisiana. This makes sense, since the TM had its headquarters in northeastern Texas and northern Lousiana.

As far as things going east, I have seen mention of documents and letters. There was also an intention to sent wool east, but the plan was abandoned because of the difficulty of keeping such a large shipment from being discovered by the Federals.
Interesting, very interesting.
 
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When researching for my novel With Might & Main, I found a primary source account, by Blessington, I think, of a cargo barge being loaded with Texas infantry to cross the Mississippi on a night raid to burn a huge mountain of cotton bales at a landing, waiting to be shipped north. The barge leaked so badly when the hundred or so soldiers filed onto it that the raid was canceled. However, a few soldiers were rowed over in a small boat and set fire to the cotton, with mixed results. This was after not long after Vicksburg while Reb generals Taylor and Walker were still active along the west bank of the Mississippi.
 
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I found one incident in January, 1864 mentioning confederates moving some rifles across the Mississippi and hiding them in the cane on the other side. That was a confederate report and the Yankee's caught wind of the movement and prepared a small cavalry expedition to seek for it. Both reports were within the first 80 pages of Series 1, Volume 32, part 2 of the Official Records.
Lubliner.
 
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I found one incident in January, 1864 mentioning confederates moving some rifles across the Mississippi and hiding them in the cane on the other side. That was a confederate report and the Yankee's caught wind of the movement and prepared a small cavalry expedition to seek for it. Both reports were within the first 80 pages of Series 1, Volume 32, part 2 of the Official Records.
Lubliner.
The event that you mention was Ross's Texas Cavalry Brigade, in January 1864 moving across the northwestern part of the state of Mississippi and crossing the Mississippi river with quite a number of rifles to the Arkansas side of the river for use of the Trans Mississippi forces.
 
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Here are a few examples of the attempts to cross arms across the Mississippi to the Trans Ms Dept.

12/10/63 Hqs Trans-Ms Dept, to Col Isaac F. Harrison, Vienna, La: The Lt-Gen cdg directs me to say that 26,000 stands of arms have been sent from Richmond for this depot. Maj Thomas Price, who is in charge of them, will have them on the east bank of the Ms River by Dec 25. He will approach the river at several different points, all opposite the Ark shore. He proposes to cross them below Catfish Point, at such point in Chicot County as may be found best... It would be well to send a messenger—a good, reliable man—to Maj Price, & have a thorough understanding with him about the time & mode of crossing. It will be necessary to secure at least 100 wagons, perhaps more.


1/1/64 Garvin’s Ferry, Sunflower River, Miss, R. A. Duncan, Lt Col, in charge of arms for Trans-Ms Dept to AG Dept, of Ms & Eastern La: I have the honor of making the following report of my attempt to forward arms across the Ms River for the use of Gen E. Kirby Smith, to wit:
I left Brandon on 12/23, with 2,000 stands of arms in twenty-three wagons, having with me a small flat ready to put together for the purpose of crossing them across the Ms River. I left Lt’s Bowie & Baker behind to forward on the remaining 1,000 in eleven wagons, to start that evening. I reached Big Black on evening of 24th & crossed that night, leaving orders in Canton for the rear wagons to cross Big Black at Goodman’s bridge. I crossed Yazoo River at Murdock’s Ferry, where I had a mule drowned & several more broken down, whose places was compelled to supply by impressment. At this place I received a communication from Col Ross, cdg Cav escort that the road for the next 12 miles was good, but after that for 12 miles on to Sunflower was muddy & boggy, but was practicable. I followed on after his train for something like 16 miles, when I found it impossible to proceed farther.
Col Ross then sent back 11 or 12 yoke of oxen for the purpose of assisting my train to this point, but all my efforts were in vain. The oxen could move the wagons out of the deepest holes, but the mules could not proceed with them, the mud being belly-deep to them. It commenced raining on the evening of the 30th, & continued all night & the next day, until 2 p.m., when it commenced snowing, succeeded by a hard freeze that night. My wagons are now about 7 miles east of this place, frozen in the mud, & it will be extremely difficult to extricate them from their present condition. I have abandoned the expedition, after consulting with Col Ross, & it is my intention to retrace my steps to east side of Big Black, asking of you information as to what disposition to make of the arms & a force sufficient to protect their safety to some point you may designate.



In Jan, 1864, Clark’s Mo Btry served with Ross’ Texas Bgde (formerly Whitfield’s) conveying a wagon train loaded with arms for the Trans-Ms Dept. After crossing Sunflower River at Garvin’s Ferry it was found impossible to move the wagons. The arms were then taken on horseback, four or five guns being carried by each man, the drivers of the Btry taking one each, & in this way they were carried to the Ms River near Gaines’ Landing. We succeeded in putting about 2,000 muskets across the river in spite of Federal gunboats & Cav, which annoyed & harassed the command constantly.





1/15 K Smith to Hon. R. W. Johnson: … I have no record in my office of any arms having been received in this Dept, since my arrival, from the Ordnance Dept. The 1,800 which I reported having successfully crossed at Natchez (I believe I have overestimated the number) were flintlock & altered muskets reported to me to have been sent over for the people of Ark under the charge of a Mr. Pearce. Four thousand rifles were some two months since landed at the mouth of the Rio Grande, & arms are being received under arrangements made for their crossing at points on the Ms. The arms have not yet been crossed; 1,400 have been officially reported as crossed at Catfish Point, Ark., & I have been informed unofficially that 9,000 have been secured at or near Water Proof.



1/16/64 Shreveport to Gen Taylor-enclosed is a letter to Gen Allen from Capt Corkern whom Gen Allen sent east to collect arms for the Bgde. The Capt has transportation waiting near Tunica where he expects to cross the arms. He has been instructed to call on you when the exact time & place has been determined for an escort for his train.



4/27/64 Polk to President-I am pressing the completion of the Central & Great Northern RR up to Holly Springs, & the connection across Pearl River with the Southern RR. In about ten days hope to be able to transport the stores delivered by rail from any point on that road via Jackson eastward. I shall have the railroad southward to the lake shore completed by the working parties now upon it about the same time. This will greatly facilitate the transportation of arms to the Trans-Miss Dept, as the best point of crossing the river is about Tunica, as also to receive stores through that route should it be expedient.

7/21/64 Selma, Ordnance office, Trans-Ms Dept, Thos. H. Price, Maj to Gen Price-I forwarded a few weeks since 831 stand of arms, which you reported went safely across the river, with 68,000 rounds of ammunition, at a point above Helena. I send forward today 1,000 Enfield rifles, 300,000 musket caps, & 1,000 friction-primers, to cross near same point, intended for Gen Shelby's command. I am happy to say to you that after battling for eight months I have at last succeeded in organizing transportation for my purposes on this side, & I am now organizing an escort under orders from Sec of War, & will be able to forward stores regularly, I hope. Will send next lot across at Gaines' Landing if circumstances will allow
 
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For specific resource notations, and reports to further the above by Danny; All quotes are taken from the Official Records, Series 1, Volume 32, parts 1 and 2.


Jan. 6, 1864, Jackson’s Confederate Cavalry, Second Brigade at Gaines Landing, Mississippi River;
“The transport Delta was disabled by my battery at 12 m. today, run to the opposite shore and abandoned. Large gunboat, name not visible, came up; received three raking shots and sought safety in flight, having fired but once. Have but one inferior flatboat, and cannot cross for high winds and waves. Looking for Colonel Harrison’s forces on the other bank every minute. He hs not come to time. Carried 2,000 stands of arms 50 miles on horses. Succeeded in crossing some and hid them in the cane with small guard….Great many boats running the river. I will be forced to leave the river in two or three days on account of the mud and scarcity of supplies.” Sent by L. S. Ross, Colonel commanding Brigade. (Page 66-67, Part 1, Volume 32).

Skipwith’s Landing, Jan. 9, 1864, from a deserter;
“….reports that Harrison with 1,200 men and artillery has gone to the Mississippi River, in the vicinity of Grand Lake, traveling northeast from Monroe through Bastrop. They had forty empty wagons, and intended to them across the river….” (page 56, part 2).



Brig. Gen. Jasper Maltby, Third Brigade, Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps states in his ‘Itinerary’ of his Brigade;
“January 10, the brigade embarked on steamers Madison, Era, and Northerner, and proceeded up the Mississippi River to Sunnyside Landing, 200 miles, to disperse rebel forces that were obstructing navigation, and said to be attempting to cross arms and munitions from the east to the west side.” [This may be the Arkansas River]. (Page 69, part 1, Series 1, Volume 32.)

Jan. 3, 1864, Vicksburg, Miss.
To Brig. Gen. Ellet commanding fleet;
“You will immediately come up with your command and cruise between Millikin's Bend and a short distance above Greenville, to keep the river clear of guerillas, and extend what protection you can to plantations along the bank….” Maj. Gen. McPherson.
(page 20, part 2).

Jan. 9, 1864, Vicksburg, Miss. To Brig. General Leggett;
“The enemy having moved in and threatened to obstruct the navigation of the Mississippi River at some point between Greenville and Bolivar….” Maj. Gen. McPherson. (page 55, part 2).

You can see the ongoing problem, and making matters worse at this season, the Yazoo and Arkansas Rivers were reported to be too low for navigation. It was also bitterly cold and the rivers above near Memphis filled with ice.
Lubliner.
 
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So essentially once Vicksburg was siezed it was very difficult for the Confedracy to cross the Mississippi River. At least that seems to be the main theme.
Leftyhunter
Agreed, I just wonder how tightly guarded the Mississippi was after Vicksburg? Lots of Ironclads? Where were the garrisons along the river? Were there make shift forts?
 
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Agreed, I just wonder how tightly guarded the Mississippi was after Vicksburg? Lots of Ironclads? Where were the garrisons along the river? Were there make shift forts?
In one of the ORs a Confedrate general complained it took eight months to smuggle rifles accross the Mississippi. That not exactly an efficient use of time.
Off hand a more efficient means of transporting fire arms is simply buy them in Europe and ship them to Baghdad, Mexico and then easily transport them to nearby Texas. Lots of risk factors in shipping arms accross the Mississippi River.
Leftyhunter
 
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So essentially once Vicksburg was siezed it was very difficult for the Confedracy to cross the Mississippi River. At least that seems to be the main theme.
Leftyhunter
The question was: "Was there truly know where to cross the Mississippi after the fall of Vicksburg? I'm not talking major thoroughfares either, I'm talking about small slivers of the river that you could hopefully make a break for the otherside and get there."

You have tried to subvert the question to your own purposes.
 
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After Vicksburg and Port Hudson there was a serious but futile crossing attempt by Infantry in the works [from west to east]. It involved Polignac's and Walker's Infantry divisions. There was even a rumor of bribing the Captain of one of the enemy gunboats to facilitate a crossing.

General Richard Taylor and a few staff officers snuck across between the many gunboats protecting the river. From time to time other individual managed to get across, but no groups of any size.

Related correspondence:
7/16/64 Tupelo, S D Lee to Gen E. K. Smith, or Maj Gen Walker, Trans-Ms; (Care Cdg Officer, Clinton, La) The President instructs me to say the enemy is reported to have withdrawn his main force from La, to attack Mobile & operate east of Ms River. That under such circumstances it was expected of you that you would promptly aid by sending troops to defeat the plans of the enemy as soon as discovered. There is no doubt the enemy is moving against Mobile or some point east of the Ms.

7/22 Columbus, Ga, Bragg to Lt Gen S. D. Lee: Inform Gen E. K. Smith that the President orders a prompt movement of Lt-Gen Taylor & the Infy of his Corps to cross the Ms. Such other Infy as can be spared by Gen Smith will follow as soon as possible. Gen Taylor on reaching this side of the Ms will assume command of the Dept

7/23 Montgomery, July 23, 1864. S D Lee to Gen Liddell: Send this dispatch also: Gen’ls Smith, Taylor, Walker, or Polignac: The movement of troops ordered by the President should be executed with the least possible delay. If the trains for the troops cannot be bought over, the horses, mules, & harness should be brought at all events. I will have supplies collected for your troops on this side of the Ms, but you had better send commissaries ahead.

7/29 K Smith orders Col Douglas chief engr TMD to report to Hqs Dist of W La reporting to Gen Walker for the purpose of advising w/him as to the means of crossing troops over the Ms. Give such aid in making preparations & superintending the crossing as may be in your power

7/29 Natchitoches, Taylor to Gen Boggs, Chief of Staff: I have the honor to acknowledge dispatches #3506 & #3507,* just received. If troops can be crossed at all it can only be affected by a diversion in the direction of New Orleans from this side. Much preparation in the collection, & perhaps also the building, of boats will be required. Can I expect assistance in these particulars! Secrecy will also be an important element in success, & I suggest, therefore, that I do not assume command of the Infy Div until all preparations are complete. Pending the completion of arrangements I shall precede the troops to the other side to hasten any assistance possible there, & communicate with Richmond. I respectfully request that Col J. L. Brent, Maj E. Surget, William Ms. Levy, & A. H. Mason; Capt’s. C. LeD. Elgee, Andrew J. Watt, James McCloskey, & A. H. May, & Surg. P. B. McKelvey by ordered to accompany me. I leave at once for Alexandria, where I shall await an answer to this communication.

7/29 Boggs [K Smith's chief of staff] to Walker-...a Co of pontoon men here w/their 24 boats will leave tomorrow for Alexandria to report to you. The 18 boats there should be fitted w/oar locks like these. River is so low that they will be sent from here by land.

7/31 Shreveport, E. K Smith to Lt-Gen Taylor, Alexandria: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 29th. The order from Richmond directing the movement of an Infy column under your command to the east bank of the Ms was evidently made under a great pressure upon our armies in that Dept. I fear the practicability of the movement, yet no efforts must be spared in securing its execution. You must yourself in person superintend the arrangements & accompany the column. You can, for the purpose of communicating with Lt-Gen Lee, in Dept of Ms, & with the authorities in Richmond, send any members of your staff immediately across the Ms, but for the better execution of the movement should remain yourself with the troops. I have ordered a train of twenty-five pontoons to Alexandria. Each boat is prepared with oars & oarlocks & has a capacity for transporting twenty-five men. These, with the eighteen boats at Alexandria, which Gen Walker has been directed to prepare in the same way, will give you some forty-five boats & will admit the crossing of about 1,000 men at a trip.

Other skiffs, barges, & boats may be prepared & collected by you without delaying the expedition. You will consult with Gen Walker, now Cdg the District of La, who has been ordered to give you every assistance & facility at his command. He has suggested the point of crossing, but I will leave its final determination to your own judgment.

The disposition of the Cav under his command can be determined between you, so as to best secure the success of the crossing. I do not believe that the diversion proposed in the direction of New Orleans is judicious. It would throw a body of Cav into a distant & sickly country where their services are needed for operations in Ark & Missouri. I would rather suggest the employment of that force, in connection with Arty, to hold positions on the river above & below the point selected for crossing. It will be impossible to keep the movement secret; the dispatches have passed through so many different hands & officers. Your calculations must be based upon the knowledge of the movement coming sooner or later to our own people & troops. This may constitute one of the greatest difficulties to be encountered, as I fear the at your command may prove refractory when they find that they are ordered across the Ms. An appeal to the patriotism of the men, representing the necessity which calls them to the assistance of their comrades in the Cis-Ms Dept, may assure you that willingness on their part which is so necessary to the successful execution of this difficult movement.

I enclose to you a copy of an order sent Gen Walker, which he will publish if you adopt my views in regard to the expediency of dealing openly & frankly with the troops. Should you determine otherwise, he can suppress the order, & the movement can be made with all the secrecy practical-Let me urge upon you the necessity of expedition. No time should be lost in making the attempt to cross the river. Gen Walker commands the District of La. I have left it optional with him to resume the command of his Div or to remain in the Dept. The love of his troops for him & his influence with them is well known to you. Even should he decide upon remaining in the District of La, it may be well for him to accompany the troops, temporarily cdg the Div, until the crossing is secured-Should you desire it, I will instruct him accordingly.

8/2 Shreveport, Boggs to Maj-Gen Price, Cdg District of Ark: The general cdg directs that you send to the Ms River all the Arty that can be spared, especially rifled Arty, with such disposable force as may be necessary to maintain it for some time for the purpose of interrupting the navigation as much as possible. Important movements are being made below which require a strong demonstration to be made upon the river in your district

Aug [3], 1864, Gen Taylor to Capt … Butler AIG-Your communication of the 29th ​has just been received. On 6/12, I was relieved from command by Gen E K Smith & ordered to remain at Natchitoches until the pleasure of the President would be known.

On 7/29, I received the orders relative to crossing the troops, & at once came to this point [Alexandria] to confer with Maj Gen Walker-the officer cdg this district. Gen Walker is making every exertion to prepare for the movement, but time is required. Most of the boats must be constructed & lumber & nails are difficult to obtain.

After the preparations are made, the enemy’s possession of the river may cause great delay. In addition to … material difficulties, we may to remember moral ones. Just as the … of the men to cross the river & separate themselves so far from their families The two Cdrs of … Infy Div have apprehended much trouble from this course. I state the difficulties …[garbled]

8/7 Hqs TM Dept, Alexandria, Smith to Gen Taylor-The importance of expedition in crossing the Infy under your command to the east bank the river must have impressed itself upon you. Lt-Col Douglas, chief engineer of the Dept, informs me that he has now forty-two pontoons ready for use, which can be transported to any point on the Ms River which may be selected for the crossing. In a few days he expects the arrival of twelve additional pontoons. These boats will cross twenty men each, exclusive of the oarsmen, & without the additional boats expected you will be enabled to cross between 800 & 900 men at a single crossing. If any good is to result from the crossing of this force it rests in the speedy execution of the movement & in their rapid transportation to the scene of action. By crossing beef-cattle & carrying breadstuffs & salt in the haversacks of your men you can, though with some privation, traverse the country from the east bank of the Ms River to the country where supplies can be obtained. By taking the Arty to pieces & by swimming the horses you may be enabled to cross a sufficient amount of Arty for your column. Gen Walker is instructed to designate four Btrys of light Arty to accompany your column. If no serious interruption is offered you may be enabled also to cross your trains with supplies, but first crossing your men & Arty. If the way should be closed you can push on with beef-cattle & salt. In the dispatches (copies of which were furnished you)

Gen S. D. Lee promised to have supplies collected east of the Ms River forth use of your column. It was, moreover, suggested that you should send commissaries in advance across the river. You will therefore make your arrangements for the immediate crossing of the Ms with the force which is to operate under your command. You can consult with Lt-Col Douglas, the chief engineer of the Dept, in regard to the point & mode of crossing. He is directed to report to you for that purpose, in the event you desire his services, & under the instructions contained in the dispatches the troops are to cross under your orders. You will conduct the operation of crossing in person. Maj-Gen Walker, Cdg District of West La, has been directed to give you all assistance in his power. You can therefore consult with him in carrying out your plans.

8/12 The Texans of Walker’s Div were adamantly against crossing the Ms & Polignac’s Texans to a lesser extent. The La troops were generally willing to make the trip & the 18th​ La was anxious to do so.

8/13/64 p 234 [NARA Ch II, Vol 73.5] regarding the scheme to pay a Union gunboat Capt to secure his vessel & the importance it would be in the crossing of troops. The Union Capt Glendy made the proposal

Clinton, La., Aug 14, 1864. (Via Mobile)

Gen Bragg: Your dispatch of the 12th received. Gen Taylor was previously informed of your wishes. 4000 Infy will cross the Ms River on Thurs., the 18th, at Dolgin Wall. This comprises the whole force expected.
Thomas Butler
[First endorsement]
Respectfully submitted for the Information of the President
[Second endorsement]
Gen Bragg: How can the number of men reported be transferred as two Div’s, or has a change been made? J. D.
[Third endorsement]

8/16 Taylor arrives at Harrisonburg & learned the crossing would be more difficult than anticipated. Due to the enemy gunboats schedule, it would take days & not hours to cross.

Near Harrisonburg, Aug 18, 1864-10 p. m-Gen Smith: I have the honor to state that information just received from the Ms River satisfies me of the impracticability & impossibility of crossing anybody of troops. The notoriety which the projected movement has obtained has caused the enemy to make such dispositions of his gunboats as effectually to defeat the attempt to cross at or near the point for which arrangements were in progress. I have dispatched to the War Dept, at Richmond, a message containing my views of the impracticability of moving troops from this to the east bank of the Ms, & I shall await at this point further orders from the War Dept on the subject in answer to my dispatch. I have advised Maj-Gen Wharton to send Parsons' Cav Bgde at once to Ark. I beg leave respectfully to submit my opinion, that if any movement of troops in this Dept is in contemplation it should not be delayed on account of the proposed crossing of the Infy from this district, which I believe to be at present impossible.
Gen Taylor

8/18 Harrisonburg, Gen Taylor to Gen E. K. Smith, Cdg Trans-Ms Dept: I have the honor to inform you that I have dispatched the War Dept to the effect that I consider the crossing of any considerable body of troops impossible. Accurate observations have been made of the enemy's gunboats between Red River & Vicksburg, & from the strictness of the guard maintained no success can be anticipated. Later in the season, when the Ms has attained its lowest stage, troops may be crossed above Vicksburg near Paw Island, where many difficulties to navigation occur. I consider that the bare attempt to cross, almost certain to result in failure, will be very prejudicial to the troops, as many desertions will occur. Meantime not only the troops to be crossed are kept idle, but all the Cav & Arty assisting the movement. These might certainly be of some service elsewhere in this Dept. I shall push forward the troops to the vicinity of the river & use every exertion & precaution to insure success, but I hope the receipt of my dispatch will induce the War Dept to countermand the order.

8/19 [9 AM] Near Harrisonburg, La., Gen Taylor to Gen Smith, Cdg Trans-Ms Dept: [excerpted]
...After I reached this place, the pontoon train having been started across the Ouachita, I received information that the enemy were, & had been for several days, aware of the contemplated movement, & had moved their iron-clads from below, stationing them between Vicksburg & the mouth of Red River at intervals of about twelve miles, with their other gun-boats constantly patrolling between those stations, & not more than four hours ever elapsed without a gun-boat passing up or down between Vicksburg & Red River. Deeming the attempt impracticable, & satisfied from personal observation & unmistakable information that it would result only in injury to the whole command, I assumed the responsibility of ordering a suspension of the movement until I could hear further from the War Dept, at Richmond...

8/19 Union Navy says-he additional information you obtained during your last trip below, respecting the preparations made to cross over rebel troops to the eastern bank of the Mississippi, more thoroughly convinces me that it is necessary a gunboat should patrol the river between this point & Helena. You inform me that you have received orders from Capt Bache, temporarily in charge of 7th District, to repair to the mouth of White River. Capt Bache cannot be aware of the existing necessity for a gunboat near the points above referred to, & since he wrote the force under his immediate command has been increased by the arrival of the U. S. S. Cricket, from above. Considering all the circumstances, I cannot doubt that the services of the Hastings are more imperatively required to watch & prevent the movements of the enemy along this now un-guarded stretch of 90 miles of the Ms, than they possibly can be at the mouth of White River, where Capt Bache already has a considerable & an efficient force. All the intelligence we received indicates that it is now the ruling desire & paramount object of the rebels to cross over their TM army to the assistance & relief of their beleaguered forces at Atlanta & Mobile. The passage of their troops, if effected at all, must be in comparatively small bodies at unguarded points. The constant patrolling & watchful care of the gunboats can alone defeat their attempts. Their ample command of information gives them the earliest notice of any defective link in our chain of communication. We may be sure that they will hasten to improve this tremendous hiatus of 90 miles if it continues to be left void. It is therefore that I reiterate the order I addressed to you on the 13th​

8/27 [soldier's letter] marched twelve miles, & camped on the banks of the Tensas River. Shortly after our arrival in camp, the pontoon-train from Alexandria, accompanied by Gen Polignac's Div, arrived. The boats were placed across the Tensas River, to swell them, so as to make them water-tight before we would attempt to cross the Ms River in them. In the meantime, detachments of Cav were sent along the bank of the Ms River, to watch the movements of the enemy's gunboats. We were distant from Waterloo Landing, on the river, about five miles. Some few of the troops deserted, in order to escape crossing the river, but the mass of the troops were ready to embark at a moment's warning. Some reflections had been cast on the Div for not going across, when, in fact, they were never ordered to make the attempt, nor even allowed the pleasure of seeing the river at this place. For the information of the many, I will state, from good authority, that Gen Taylor failed in his well-laid plan. It was not his intention to attempt to cross any troops over the Ms River until he was able to negotiate with two of the gunboat Cdrs for buying them & their gunboats, for a certain amount of cotton, then stored at Brownsville. His plan was for the two gunboats to come alongside of the riverbank, where our men were prepared to board them. Dressing our men in the Yankee uniform, at the same time knowing the enemy's signals, he would send one of the gunboats up the river, & the other down the river. It seemed very probable he would be able to capture all the gunboats on the Ms River.

This he expected to accomplish, after he succeeded in getting their private signals. If successful in this undertaking, he could readily cross his troops over the river, without being molested.

It is well enough known that the two Capt’s were afraid of one another. These remarks I make by way of an explanation, as the real cause of the non-crossing of our Div. Gen Taylor, having failed in his plans, took a final adieu of the Div. During the night, he crossed the river, to take charge of the defenses of Mobile.

10/18/64 [Union correspondence] New Orleans, Canby to Sherman-I learn by intercepted dispatch from Jeff Davis to Kirby Smith, dated at Montgomery on 9/30, that the orders to cross the Ms have been renewed. I presume that duplicate of this dispatch has reached Smith, as Magruder's force, about 18,000 to 20,000 men, suddenly left Steele's front & moved in the direction of Washita River. I have sent a fast boat to communicate this intelligence to the troops & gunboats on the river, & now, as I have about 8,000 men afloat, & will at once increase the number, I think the crossing can be prevented. It will probably be attempted in the neighborhood of Gaines' Landing
 
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There was brisk black market trade across the river especially at Natchez. The Louisiana troops that were captured at Vicksburg and sent to the parole camp here were give 30 days leave and many made it home and back.
 
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Second crossing being discussed---

1/31/65Richmond, Davis to Gen Smith, Shreveport: Since my last letter to you reiterating the proposition for you to send such force as you could spare to the east side of the Ms River, the enemy has continued to withdraw troops from the west to the east & is now moving a large force from Tenn to Virginia.

Under these circumstances I think it advisable that you should be charged with military operations on both banks of the Ms, & that you should endeavor, as promptly as possible, to cross that river with as large a force as may be prudently withdrawn from your present Dept.

Please answer immediately, that I may know what to expect.

2/28 Smith to President-Telegram of 1/31 received 2/23. It is physically impossible to cross troops over the Ms at this season. When the streams fall & the river bottoms become passable the attempt will be made if the enemy's operations here permit. This will not be before June. If it is desired I should cross with the troops, to whom shall I turn over the command of the Dept? I cannot at this season control military operations on both banks of the Ms, & should not be charged with its responsibilities. In the summer, to a certain extent, it may be practicable. Now the communication by individuals is uncertain, dangerous, & difficult in the extreme; by bodies it is impossible. The enemy has amassed a force of not less than 50,000 men between Morganza & New Orleans, & has collected a formidable fleet of gunboats & transports. Mobile is believed to be their objective point. Both that place & Red River are reported as theaters of intended operations. Red River has overflowed its banks, & the season is most propitious for a successful advance

3/1/65 [Union] New Orleans, S. Ms. Eaton, Capt & Chief Signal Officer Mil Div. of West Ms -A communication from Maj Webster, Pass Manchac, La, 2/28, states he has learned that-From 200 to 300 of La Cav were collected at Summit. Large flatboats with six oars on a side have been taken to Rodney, on the Ms River, with a detail of La HA to row them. A communication from Lt Granger, Morganza, La, 2/25, states the 2nd La Cav (rebel) crossed the Atchafalaya on that day at Morgan's Ferry. Wm B. Carter states that at Alexandria & on the route to Natchitoches are 8,000 rebel Infy. Thinks they are embraced in Thomas' Div. One Regt of Infy [probably Consol Crescent] & one of Cav (2nd La) are east of Alexandria. Near Shreveport is Forney's Div, about 5,000 strong. Walker's Div, of same strength, has been ordered north (probably Minden), to the point vacated by Forney. Gen Hayes has charge of a movement to cross certain troops to the east side of the Ms. Attempted the same movement a short time since, but it was defeated by the desertion of the troops. Enough have now volunteered to justify another attempt. Point of crossing somewhere between the mouths of Red River &Vidalia-Cdg officers of gunboats have been notified of this project. The Teche & Red River roads are closely picketed & guarded. No advance of Federal forces into Western La is now generally anticipated. All Tex & most of the La Cav have gone to Tex to recruit their horses.

3/7/65 K Smith to President-I desire employing my whole force in support of the troops east of the river. Two movements can be undertaken, an invasion of Missouri or a march across the Miss.

Both are physically difficult: the successful execution is uncertain. Near 400 miles of destitution separates us from Missouri. The Miss River is carefully guarded by iron clads with at least 200 miles separated from supplies in Miss.

If the crossing is affected it will be without Arty or transportation.

I desire to strictly carry out your wishes & ask instructions from the War Dept as to which movement shall be made. Neither can be undertaken before June or July. I will push preparations for both while awaiting instructions.

My eff strength in Dept is 19,000 enlisted men of Infy & Art; 17,000 enlisted men of Cav of which 17 Regts [6000 eff men] are being dismtd. In addition, 4000 men are absent on furlough; 10,000 on details incl all details under conscript law; 6000 Tex Reserve Corps, 2000 in La, & 10,000 in Ark. Reserves only in part armed.

If not instructed to move to Missouri I desire to visit Richmond. Buckner will command in my absence & will push preparations for crossing.
 
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More crossing information---

2/1/65 Richmond-House of Representatives- Hon C C Hesler & others recommending to the President that representative Gray of the Shreveport Dist as a proper officer to take command of the force the Gov’t may place on the west bank of the Ms River to keep open lines of communication between both sides of the river. He had commanded a Bgde for the last 2 years. We make this suggestion feeling the great importance of securing an officer who has the capacity to command & control Cav troops& possesses the confidence of the people among whom the troops are to be placed.

2/23/65 Senate chamber, Richmond to the President-Having been informed that a proposition has been submitted to you to organize certain Regts in W La into a Bgde for the purpose of keeping open our communication with the TM Dept & that [Gen Gray’s] or [Five Regts]for him designated [as its command]…unite in recommending him….

Davis says he has a high opinion of Gen Gray but know nothing of the vacancy indicated-please inquire

2/28/65 Davis submits memo for Sec of War in connection with letter [referred] to him yesterday in regard to appointment of Hon Gray to be Brig Gen.

Memo: Form an independent command under a Brig Gen to be composed of:

Harrison Cav Regt now between Ouachita & Ms Rivers

Capers Cav Regt now between Ouachita & Ms Rivers

McNeil Cav Regt now between Ouachita & Ms Rivers

3rd​ La Infy-now on detached service at Shreveport

Bn of light Arty to be detached from TM army

Duty-to keep open communication across Ms River between mouth of Red River & Ark line-to construct & have ready at all times skiffs, pontoons, barges or flats for crossing troops & supplies when called on by the cdrs of Dept’s on either side of the river.

-to interrupt enemy’s use of Ms River

-not to be withdrawn by the Dept Cdrs from this special service, but subject to their orders for the performance of this service when required on either side.

3/23 War Dept-directs issue of order organizing Harrison’s, McNeil’s, Capers’ Regts of Cav into a Bgde to be commanded by Gen Henry Gray for the defense of the West side of the Ms River with a view of maintaining communication with this side. Gen Gray is to report to Gen Smith who is instructed to assign this Bgde an Infy Regt& a Bn or Bns of Light Arty as may be deemed requisite.

Endorsements:
Respectfully sent to Sec of War by John Rich AAG-It appears from the last return rec’d from TM Dept dated 9/30/64 that Harrison’s, McNeil’s, & Capers’ Regts of La Cav designated respectively the 3rd​, 4th​& 5th​ are united into a Bgde under command of Col I F Harrison. The Bgde is in the Div commanded by Gen Maxey. [Not how I read the 9/30 return] The return does not show the strength of the Regts

The 3rd​ La Infy Col Russell cdg is in Gen Thomas’ Bgde, Polignac’s division-JR- AAG

[To A&IG]-Gen Orders organizing Harrison’s, McNeil’s & Capers’ Regts La Cav-3rd​, 4th​& 5th​-into a Bgde & assign Gen Gray to the command of it.

Write to Gen Smith that Gen Gray has been appointed & this Bgde has been organized for the purpose of operating on the West bank of the Ms River with a view of maintaining communication with this side.

Gen Gray will report to Gen Smith & for the purpose indicated …..

Instruct Gen Smith to assign an Infy Regt to Gen Gray’s command & a Bn of Light Arty or such a number of Bns as may be deemed requisite

Please prepare it so that Gen Cooper may sign it today & submit it before sending [up] or [org] 3/25 By order of Sec of War

3/23/65 Cooper to Kirby Smith-Enclosed is a copy of the order organizing I F Harrison's, A J McNeill's & R I Capers Regts of La Cav-the 3rd-4th & 5th into a Bgde to which Gen Henry Gray has been assigned

Gen Gray has been recently appointed & the Bgde has been organized for the purpose of operating on the west bank of the Ms River with a view to maintain communication w/this side. He will report to you for this purse

The Sec directs that you will assign an Infy Regt to Gen Gray & a Bn of light Arty & such number of Btrys as may be deemed requisite.

3/23/65 Richmond orders #68-XXXVII. Harrison's, McNeill's, & Capers' Regts, La Cav (3rd, 4rth, & 5th), are constituted a Bgde to the command of which Gen Henry Gray is hereby assigned. He will report to Gen E. K. Smith for that purpose. By command of the Sec of War
 
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The 1/15 in the post 8 seems odd....

In the first part it seems to refer sending arms west for Ark.....but then it talks of weapons arriving on the Rio Grande being made ready to send east?

Would think they would decide which side of the river needed the arms....rather then needlessly risking sending them back and forth
 
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As for crossing weaponry, it was being moved from the east to the west in 1864. General Joe Shelby wrote on July 16, 1864;
"You will remember I informed you I had sent Colonel McCray to the Mississippi River for arms and ammunition, and I can now assure you of the success of that expedition; 840 stand of arms have been added to the effective force of this district, together with 68,000 rounds of ammunition." [O. R. Volume 41, part 1, page 27].

Shelby was operating near the White River in Arkansas at that time.
Lubliner.
 
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