Kirby Smith, Edmund (1824-1893) to Jefferson Davis
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01707 Author/Creator: Kirby Smith, Edmund (1824-1893) Place Written: Shreveport, Louisiana Type: Letter signed Date: 5 June 1864 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 24 x 18.8 cm. Order a Copy
General Smith writes to Davis, Confederate President. Relates that General Walker (possibly William Henry Talbot Walker) was informed by General Thomas Neville Waul that Davis attributes him (Walker) with the failure to assist in the relief of Vicksburg. Writes "It is but justice to a gallant & efficient officer that this impression should be removed.- The blame, if it rests anywhere, is with myself & Genl Taylor, the Depart & District Commanders." Relates that while marching from Arkansas to Alexandria, Virginia, Walker had asked for permission to act with his Division against Union General Ulysses S. Grant's communication near Vicksburg. Walker's request had not been granted because of Union General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks pressure on Taylor at that time. Docket indicates this letter was received 19 July 1864. Includes a note by Davis with docket. Davis's note, apparently written 22 July 1864, states: "... inform him that on account of a letter received from Genl Walker I have called on Genl. Waul to inform me what was his statement of a conversation said to have been held with me, and await his reply-"
Smith was Commander of the Trans-Mississippi Department during the Battle of Vicksburg. General Richard Taylor served under Smith as Commander of the District of West Louisiana.
Shreveport La June 5th 1864
To his Excellency
President. Jef. Davis
Sir
Genl Walker writes me that through Genl Waul he learns your Excellency attributes the failure to relieve Vicksburg, from this Depart, to his advice. -
It is but justice to a gallant & efficient Officer. that this impression should be removed.- The blame, if it rests any where is with myself & Genl Taylor, the Depart & District Commanders.
Genl Walker when on the march from Arks to Alexandria asked permission to act with his Division against Grant's communication opposite Vicksburg. Banks in force was, at that time, pressing Genl Taylor, and the country east of the Bayou Mason hills, was too much under water to admit of operations.
I have the honor to be
your obt Sevt
E Kirby Smith
General Comdg.
[docket]
[written in a secretarial hand:]
Genl: E. K. Smith
Shreveport La
June 5. 1864
Says that no blame
should attach
to Genl Walker
because of the
failure to relieve
Vicksburg by
troops in the
Trans-Misspi
Deptmt
Recd July 19. 1864
[written in Jefferson Davis' hand:]
AK. & inform him that
on account of a letter received
from Genl. Walker I have called
on Genl. Waul, to in-
form me what [inserted: was] his
statement of a conversa-
tion said to have been
held with me, and
await his reply -
J.D.
Ans.
July 22/64
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