Grant Shifts Troops Around While Inching Up The Mississippi Towards Vicksburg.

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A good war-date Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Jerry M. Cramlett (Jeremy W. Cranibett in CW database), Co. I, 72nd Illinois Vols., Richmond, La., April 28, 1863 addressed to Ellen "Nellie" Sherman, in part: "…we were on board transports near a month from the time we left Memphis…after we returned from the first expedition down the river we went in camp…below Helena…on the 14th Gen. Quimby's division embarked on board the transports for another expedition south by the Yazoo Pass…tis a nice sight to see a fleet of fifteen or twenty steamers in line loaded with soldiers & bands playing…we ran out of the Mississippi into Moon Lake…we landed too miles from Ft. Pemberton on the opposite side of the river…we went into camp. The next day we drove the enemy's pickets across the river. Gen. Ropes division was in camp on the opposite side of the river from Quimbyes. We expected a fight every day…evening of the fourth we rec'd. orders from Gen. Grant to report at Helena. Ropes division left Saturday night, Quimbyes Sunday morning …on the 13 we embarked on board the Empire City and sailed for Vicksburg, landed at Lake Providence…the 14th…we went to Millikins Bend…thursday night seven of our gun boats & 2 transports run the blockade. One of the transports was burned, one man killed & six wounded. We could see the fight very plainly. The cannonading was very heavy for about two hours. Our forces have run the blockade several times in the past few days. We have…cannonading every night down at Vicksburg. Some think the rebels will evacuate that place…we marched from Milikens bend to this place…the boys were all very tired when we arrived at this place…your true friend, Jerrie…[Cramlett then adds a small additional note]…your Uncle Orton [Lt. Orton Ingersoll, Co. A, 11th Illinois Vols.] called to me to come & take dinner…the division he is in passed through this place…said the boys of the 55th were all well…the 72 has been transferred to MacArthur's division…we go in the 2d Brigade. Quimby's division has gone to Carthage…the 1st brigade of MacArthur's division passed through this place yesterday…address J. M. Cramlett, Co. I, 72 Reg. Ill. Vols., 2d Brigade, MacArthur's division.". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG.

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