As soon as possible move with them down the river to the vicinity of Vicksburg, and, with the cooperation of the gunboat fleet under command of Flag-Officer Porter, proceed to the reduction of that place in such manner as circumstances and your own judgment may dictate.

The amount of rations, forage, land transportation, etc., necessary to take, will be left entirely to yourself.

The quartermaster in St. Louis will be instructed to send you transportation for thirty thousand men.  Should you still find yourself deficient, your quartermaster will be authorized to make up the deficiency from such transports as may come into the port of Memphis.

On arriving in Memphis put yourself in communication with Admiral Porter, and arrange with him for his cooperation.

Inform me at the earliest practicable day of the time when you will embark, and such plans as may then be matured.  I will hold the forces here in readiness to cooperate with you in such manner as the movements of the enemy may make necessary.

Leave the District of Memphis in the command of an efficient officer and with a garrison of four regiments of infantry, the siege-guns, and what ever cavalry force may be there.

One regiment of infantry and at least a section of artillery will also be left at Friar’s Point or Delta, to protect the stores of the cavalry post that will be left there.  Yours truly,

U. S. GRANT, Major-General.

I also insert here another letter, dated the 14th instant, sent afterward to me at Memphis, which completes all instructions received by me governing the first movement against Vicksburg: 

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI, December 14, 1862

Major-General SHERMAN, commanding, etc.,
Memphis, Tennessee.

I have not had one word from Grierson since he left, and am getting uneasy about him.  I hope General Gorman will give you no difficulty about retaining the troops on this side the river, and Steele to command them.  The twenty-one thousand men you have, with the twelve thousand from Helena, will make a good force.  The enemy are as yet on the Yalabusha.  I am pushing down on them slowly, but so as to keep up the impression of a continuous move.  I feel particularly anxious to have the Helena cavalry on this side of the river; if not now, at least after you start.  If Gorman will send them, instruct them where to go and how to communicate with me.  My headquarters will probably be in Coffeeville one week hence....  In the mean time I will order transportation, etc....  It would be well if you could have two or three small boats suitable for navigating the Yazoo.  It may become necessary for me to look to that base for supplies before we get through....

U. S. GRANT, Major-General.