“J. H. Hammond, A. A.-G.”
The morning light of January the 9th, 1864, fell upon the White Cloud, carrying the mail with tidings of disaster, death, and suffering, bound for St. Louis, and the City of Memphis, bearing the sick and wounded. In the Army of the Mississippi, under General McClernand, acting for the time independent of General Grant’s command, the late chief acted a subordinate part.
The fleet was again in motion, steaming up the broad current for Arkansas Post, whose fortress was the object of the expedition. It lies nearly north of Vicksburg, as a glance at the map will show you. On the 11th the transports and gunboats appeared before the fort.
The commander’s brief report will tell the story of attack, conflict, and victory, in which General Sherman had no inferior part.
“Headquarters Army of the Mississippi, }
Post of Arkansas, January 11, 1863. }
“Major-General U. S. Grant, Commanding Department of Tennessee:
“I have the honor to report that the forces under my command attacked the Post of Arkansas to-day, at one o’clock, having stormed the enemy’s work. We took a large number of prisoners, variously estimated at from seven thousand to ten thousand, together with all his stores, animals, and munitions of war.
“Rear-Admiral David D. Porter, commanding the Mississippi Squadron, effectively and brilliantly coöperated, accomplishing this complete success.
“John A. McClernand, Maj.-Gen. Com’ding.”