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Career US Army officer (1828–1864) who served as a general in the Union Army and was killed in action at the Battle of Atlanta—the second highest ranking Union officer killed during the war. Civil War–dated ALS signed “Jas. B. McPherson, Maj. Genl.,” one page, lightly-lined, 5.25 x 8.25, Head-Quarters, 17th Army Corps, Department of the Tennessee letterhead, Lake Providence, March 15, 1863. Letter to Brigadier General Isaac F. Quimby. In full: “You will move down the ‘Yazoo River’ with great caution, but as though no force was expected to join you except what is already in your own command, and Genl. John E. Smith’s Division which is ordered from Memphis—move as rapidly as you can, cautiously, but strongly, I hope to be with you when the important time arrives.” In fine condition. This letter comes from the period of U.S. Grant’s Bayou Operations during the Vicksburg Campaign, in which he attempted to use or construct alternative waterways to position troops within striking distance of Vicksburg. At the time of writing, McPherson had been working on building a canal to connect the Mississippi to Lake Providence, allowing access to the Red River; he would declare the canal navigable three days later, but the boats sent to Grant were insufficient to move troops in the large quantities he desired. They would then turn to the Yazoo Pass Expedition, intending to use the Yazoo River to bypass the Vicksburg defenses and attack Fort Pemberton. The first flotilla made it down the river and began bombarding the fort, but soon determined that they were outmatched and began to retreat; Quimby arrived with his reinforcements on March 20, and convinced them to make another attempt to the same result. Autographic material from McPherson is quite rare, given his early death the following year at the Battle of Atlanta; with its excellent military content, this is an especially desirable letter. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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