Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 1

‘ [419] as transportation can be had.’ Orders were also issued to detain all steamers then at Vicksburg, or that might arrive there, until a sufficient number should be collected for this purpose. The division from Mc-Pherson's corps, which had started for Steele, was recalled, and ordered to Rosecrans. It was already aboard transports and on its way to Helena, but a staff-officer was dispatched to turn these troops northward; they were directed to move at once to Memphis and report to Hurlbut. The last-named officer was instructed to forward not only this division of Mc-Pherson's corps, but two divisions from his own command, and whatever troops might return from the expedition to Arkansas, which had now ended. General Halleck was notified of these movements, and informed: ‘Should more troops be required from here for Rosecrans, there is sufficient time for orders to reach me before transportation can be had.’

Banks had just applied to Grant for another division of troops, but he was furnished with a copy of Halleck's dispatch, and informed: ‘This will necessarily prevent further reenforcements being sent from here to you, until word is heard from the generalin-chief: We must make no disposition of troops that will endanger the success of Rosecrane.’ All of these orders were made on the 22d, the day that Halleck's dispatch arrived. His orders were received on the morning of the 22d; Osterhaus's division of Sherman's corps was then at the Big Black bridge, fifteen miles off, but the whole command reached Vicksburg during the night of the same day; most of it was embarked within twenty-four hours, and all of it was sailing up the river, within forty-eight hours from the receipt of the order. On the 25th, Grant wrote: ‘I ’