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ALONG
THE MISSISSIPPI
1863
Grant
made five failed attempts to reach Vicksburg by way of a safe water
route. Because of McPherson's engineering skills, Grant assigned him
the most promising of his canal efforts at Lake Providence, 75 miles
north of Vicksburg. McPherson's canal was a complete success, but the
Union's lack of boats to transport thousands of troops through the shallow
swamps forced Grant to abandon the plan. In this letter McPherson also
informed his mother that younger brother Russell still remained at Memphis.
Earlier, while overseeing Tennessee's military railroads, McPherson
appointed his trusted brother to the position of treasurer. McPherson
also wrote of the photo he sent to his fiance, Emily Hoffman, whom he
had not seen for 18 months. Emily continued to write McPherson weekly
from San Francisco.
My Dear Mother,
Each day carries
me farther from Home in point of distance but perhaps nearer to it in
point of time, but wherever I may be my fondest recollections cluster
around it and most gladly will I hail the day when I can bid good by
to the tented field and run up and see you. I left Memphis last Sunday
morning with Genl. Logan's Division, and reached here the next day about
ten a.m. We are at present encamped on Lake Providence in northern La.
about 18 miles south of the Arkansas line. The lake is a beautiful sheet
of water and bordering on it are some of the finest plantations in the
State. The ground, though not very elevated, is somewhat above the level
of the surrounding country, and is not subject to overflow. This is
a very important matter, as the water in the Miss River is very high,
and should the Levie be cut or give way, might compel us in most places
to return to our Boats. We have a very important expedition before us,
the nature of which I cannot tell you now, though you shall know all
about it some day. I sincerely hope it will succeed for the sake of
the brave men under me. Russ was in Memphis when I left & very well.
He is still the Treasr. of the U.S.M.R. Roads under Col. Webster. This
is one of the most gloomy days I have seen in a long time. The rain
has been falling in torrents since yesterday noon, with no prospect
of its stopping. It never rains in the North as it does here, for there
it comes down in drops but here it comes down in streams. It is very
hard on the soldiers. Many of the tents are old and let the water through
like a sieve. There is one consolation however, the rains will soon
be over unless the season is very different from ordinary ones. Tell
Grandma her letter reached me in due time and I thank her from the bottom
of my heart for writing it. I sent the one enclosed to my darling Emy
whom I hear from every week & sometimes oftener notwithstanding
the great distances the letters have to come. My love to Grandma &
all at Home.
Your affec
son,
James
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