post.  Stuart took the river-road the movement commencing at 11 o’clock a.m..  After crossing the low ground covered with water, you were called back with Steele, as Stuart had driven out the enemy’s rifle-trench pickets, this giving more and feasible room for moving.  Stuart was pushed forward, and by dark he and Steele were well up to their expected positions.  Before daylight on the 11th you directed me to accompany you for a personal inspection of the ground to your front, which we made on foot, going so far forward that we could easily hear the enemy at work and moving about.  Discovering the open fields, you at once directed Steele to move to the right and front, and pushed Stuart out so as to fully command them and the field-work of the enemy extending from the fort, to prevent farther strengthening, as it was evident these works were the product of a recent thought.  Stuart and Steele were prompt in taking position, but Morgan’s command (not under your control) did not seem to work up, or keep in junction with you.  At ten o’clock you sent me to McClernand to ascertain why the delay of attack.  He attributed it to Admiral Porter, which was really unjust.  The attack began at 1 p.m., by Admiral Porter, and the sound of his first gun had not died till your men were engaged—­Wood’s, Barrett’s, and the Parrott batteries and infantry.  It was lively for a time, and Stuart pushed clear up to the enemy’s rifle-trenches, and forced them to keep sheltered.  Hammond was mostly with Steele; Sanger sent to McClernand, and McCoy, myself, and John Taylor were with you and Stuart.  At about half-past three I got your permission to go to Giles Smith’s skirmish-line, and, thinking I saw evidence of the enemy weakening, I hurried back to you and reported my observations.  I was so confident that a demand for it would bring a surrender, that I asked permission to make it, and, as you granted me, but refused to let another member of your staff, at his request, go with me, I rode directly down the road with only an orderly.  Colonel Garland, commanding a brigade, was the first officer I saw, to whom, for you, I made the demand.  All firing ceased at once, or in a few moments.  I sent the orderly back to you, and you rode forward.  It was then four o’clock.

During the attack, nobody seemed to think McClernand had any clear idea of what or how it was to be done.  During the day he gave you no directions, nor came where you were; he was well to the rear, with his “man up a tree,” who in the capacity of a lookout gave McClernand information, from which he based such instructions as he made to his subordinates.  He was free to express himself as being a man of “destiny,” and his “star” was in the ascendance.  I am, etc.,

L. M. Dayton, late Colonel of the Staff, now of Cincinnati, Ohio.

General W. T. Sherman.

MERIDIAN CAMPAIGN.