under a competent chief was necessary.  On inquiring for such a man Chaplain Eaton, now and for many years the very able United States Commissioner of Education, was suggested.  He proved as efficient in that field as he has since done in his present one.  I gave him all the assistants and guards he called for.  We together fixed the prices to be paid for the negro labor, whether rendered to the government or to individuals.  The cotton was to be picked from abandoned plantations, the laborers to receive the stipulated price (my recollection is twelve and a half cents per pound for picking and ginning) from the quartermaster, he shipping the cotton north to be sold for the benefit of the government.  Citizens remaining on their plantations were allowed the privilege of having their crops saved by freedmen on the same terms.

At once the freedmen became self-sustaining.  The money was not paid to them directly, but was expended judiciously and for their benefit.  They gave me no trouble afterwards.

Later the freedmen were engaged in cutting wood along the Mississippi River to supply the large number of steamers on that stream.  A good price was paid for chopping wood used for the supply of government steamers (steamers chartered and which the government had to supply with fuel).  Those supplying their own fuel paid a much higher price.  In this way a fund was created not only sufficient to feed and clothe all, old and young, male and female, but to build them comfortable cabins, hospitals for the sick, and to supply them with many comforts they had never known before.

At this stage of the campaign against Vicksburg I was very much disturbed by newspaper rumors that General McClernand was to have a separate and independent command within mine, to operate against Vicksburg by way of the Mississippi River.  Two commanders on the same field are always one too many, and in this case I did not think the general selected had either the experience or the qualifications to fit him for so important a position.  I feared for the safety of the troops intrusted to him, especially as he was to raise new levies, raw troops, to execute so important a trust.  But on the 12th I received a dispatch from General Halleck saying that I had command of all the troops sent to my department and authorizing me to fight the enemy where I pleased.  The next day my cavalry was in Holly Springs, and the enemy fell back south of the Tallahatchie.

Holly Springs I selected for my depot of supplies and munitions of war, all of which at that time came by rail from Columbus, Kentucky, except the few stores collected about La Grange and Grand Junction.  This was a long line (increasing in length as we moved south) to maintain in an enemy’s country.  On the 15th of November, while I was still at Holly Springs, I sent word to Sherman to meet me at Columbus.  We were but forty-seven miles apart, yet the most expeditious way for us to meet was for me to take