[To Grant]
"…JACKSON, July 21, 1863.
I will stay here another day, and longer, if I can do any good. All is working admirably. I believe the people will appreciate the liberal gift of provisions. I have been compelled to supply on the spot hospitals’ and asylums’ immediate pressing wants. Would I be justified in making a distinct proposition to the people that if Johnston or President Davis will agree that no Confederate soldiers or guerrillas will operate west of Pearl River, we will establish at Big Black River railroad bridge a kind of trading depot, where the people of Mississippi may exchange their cotton, corn, and produce for provisions, clothing, and family supplies? This would throw on the Confederate Government the necessity of relieving the wants of women and children that are now threatened with starvation and suffering…" [Sherman]
[The next message in the series says...]
[To Grant]
…"JACKSON, July 22, 1863.
All right about trade. I will not promise or do anything except to relieve the immediate wants of suffering humanity. All well." ... [Sherman]
[What was missing was Grants reply to the first message in which Sherman was answering to on the second. I had to dig but I found it in the correspondence section of the O.R. Without all three it didn't make since, put together you can see the exchange of ideas.]
"VICKSBURG, Miss., July 21, 1863.
General WILLIAM T. SHERMAN:
I am very much opposed to any trade whatever until the rebellion in this part of the country is entirely crushed out. Secretary Chase differs, however, and the special agent of the Treasury is now on the way here to arrange this matter. I received a letter to-day from the special agent and one from Chase, inclosing a copy of his letter to the agent. When he arrives, we will fix some plan by which citizens can get necessary supplies for such produce as they have. I want it arranged so that no citizen shall be allowed to come to trade. I would make no proposition about neutral territory.
U.S. GRANT."
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Another point. Its rather funny to say that the people of Mississippi would starve and suffer if they weren't allowed to trade their cotton, corn and produce for Yankee provisions, clothing, and family supplies? Am I missing something here? Also, Sherman was putting conditions on humanitarian relief to get the Mississippians to come to their side? "See, mean old Jeff Davis is attacking us...so we're going to allow you starve"...nice guy.
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David Upton