that he was
hard pressed at several points, in reply to which I directed him
to re-enforce the points hard pressed from such troops as he had
that were not engaged. I then rode round to Sherman, and had just
reached there, when I received a second despatch from McClernand
stating positively and unequivocally that he was in possession of
and still held two of the enemy's forts; that the American flag
was then waved over them, and asking me to have Sherman and
McPherson make a diversion in his favor. This despatch I showed
to Sherman, who immediately ordered a renewal of the assault on
his front. I also sent a messenger to McClernand, directing him
to order up McArthur to his assistance, and started immediately
to the position I had just left on McPherson's line to convey to
him the information from McClernand by this last despatch, that
he might make the diversion requested. Before reaching McPherson
I met a messenger with a third despatch from McClernand, of which
the following is a copy:

Headquarters 13th Army Corps,
To In the Field near Vicksburg, Mississippi,
MAJOR-GENERAL U. S. GRANT. May 22d, 1863.

General: We have gained the enemy's intrenchments at several
points, but are brought to a stand. I have sent word to McArthur
to re-enforce me if he can. Would it not be best to (p. 388)
concentrate the whole or part of his command on this point?

John A. MCCLERNAND,
_Major-General commanding_.

P.S. I have received your despatch, my troops are all engaged,
and I cannot withdraw any to re-enforce others.

MCCLERNAND.

The position occupied by me during most of the time of the
assault gave me a better opportunity of seeing what was going on
in front of the thirteenth army corps than I believed it possible
for the commander of it to have. I could not see his possession
of forts, nor necessity for re-enforcements, as represented in
his despatches, up to the time I left it, which was between 12 M.
and 1 P.M., and I expressed doubts of their correctness, which
doubts the facts subsequently, but too late, confirmed. At the
time I could not disregard his r