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.

[Special Field Orders, No. 11.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE
MEMPHIS, January 27, 1864

V. The expedition is one of celerity, and all things must tend to that.  Corps commanders and staff-officers will see that our movements are not encumbered by wheeled vehicles improperly loaded.  Not a tent, from the commander-in-chief down, will be carried.  The sick will be left behind, and the surgeons can find houses and sheds for all hospital purposes.

VI.  All the cavalry in this department is placed under the orders and command of Brigadier-General W. S. Smith, who will receive special instructions.

By order of Major-General W. T. SHERMAN

L. M. DAYTON, Aide-de-Camp.

NOTE.-That same evening I started in a steamboat for Vicksburg. 
W. T. S.
St. Louis, 1885.