Maj. Gen. U. S. GRANT,
Near Vicksburg, Miss.:
GENERAL: There is a vacant major-generalcy in the Regular Army, and I am authorized to say that it will be given to the general in the
field who first wins an important and decisive victory.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in- Chief."
This brings up several questions. Why didn't Meade get the promotion for saving Washington and possibly the War at Gettysburg? Did this 'promise of promotion' influence Grant's decision not to send a Corps to Banks beseigning Port Hudson after Grant found a passage around the Vicksburg batteries, as suggested by Halleck and promised by Grant? Would not supporting Banks in taking Port Hudson been easier than attacking Grand Gulf, Raymond, Jackson, Champions Hill, Big Black River Bridge and Vicksburg? For the fall of either point, Vicksburg or Port Hudson, neither could stand, and the river effectively opened. Any thoughts?
__________________________
David Upton