Description:

Ulysses Grant
Vicksburg, MS, July 24, 1863
3 Weeks after Vicksburg, U.S. Grant Denies Respite to the IA 23rd Who Fought at Milliken's Bend
Signed endorsement

Ulysses S. Grant signed endorsement on verso of a letter signed by Brigadier General Eugene A. Carr. Carr's letter is one page of a bifolium, 7.75" x 9.875", written from the "Head Quarters 14th Div. 13th A.C. [outside of Vicksburg]", and is dated June 12, 1863. The letter is originally addressed to a Colonel Baker, Adjutant General of Iowa responding to his request that the 23rd Iowa Regiment be relieved from duty after suffering large casualties at the Battle of Milliken's Bend. Grant signs an endorsement on the verso (4th page of the bifolium) stating that the "request is impracticable. It can only be given by the War Department." Signed "U.S. Grant." A long AES by Samuel J. Kirkwood, Governor of Iowa, appears alongside Grant's response. With usual mail folds, a few light stains, and soiling on the fourth page, more so along the folds. An important record of the valor of the 23rd Iowa as they fought alongside the Black troops garrisoned at Milliken's Bend to repel Confederate forces!

From the collection of Larry Berra, son of baseball legend Yogi Berra.

Carr's letter explains that he has no authority to relieve the regiment from duty and adds, "The 23rd Regiment has behaved most nobly; and I would be greatly pleased to be able to give it a period of rest; indeed if I had the power, it would be my policy to send Regiments home from time to time and give them opportunities to rest, recruit, and visit their friends…" Signed, "E.A. Carr."

The letter was then forwarded to Samuel J. Kirkwood, Governor of Iowa, who writes a long endorsement asking that the request be forwarded to "Maj. Gen. Grant." In part: "The 23rd is very much reduced, having as I understand considerably less than 200 men present for duty. If the Reft could be sent home I think it could be had for it & if the public service well permit I should be glad to have it done…Samuel J Kirkwood."

Grant's endorsement (sent from his Headquarters at Vicksburg and dated July 24, 1863) states that the request is "impracticable." No doubt Grant's delayed response was due to his activities at Vicksburg. Grant spent the last two weeks of June overseeing siege operations against the city. As Confederate supplies dwindled, negotiations began, and on July 4, 1863, Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton capitulated, surrendering Vicksburg and its garrison. In the weeks immediately following, Grant moved to secure the Mississippi River corridor, dispatching forces to pursue remaining Confederate positions and consolidating Union control of the region, a decisive strategic victory that split the Confederacy in two.

Fought on June 7, 1863, along the Mississippi River north of Vicksburg, the Battle of Milliken's Bend involved several newly raised regiments of Black troops (many being only recently freed men). When Confederate forces attacked, despite limited training and often inferior equipment, the new recruits stood their ground in brutal close-quarters combat. Units such as the 9th and 11th Louisiana (African Descent) fought with exceptional tenacity, even after suffering heavy casualties.

The 23rd Iowa had been escorting prisoners and were on their return to the front when they found themselves at the garrison fighting alongside the Black troops. They suffered 86 casualties that day, including 26 killed.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 9.875" x 7.75"
  • Medium: Signed endorsement

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