THOMAS C. FLETCHER

ARKANSAS POST.

Extracts from Admiral Porter’s Journal.

Sherman and I had made arrangements to capture Arkansas Post.

On the 31st of December, while preparing to go out of the Yazoo, an army officer called to see me, and said that he belonged to General McClernand’s staff, and that the general was at the mouth of the Yazoo River, and desired to see me at once.  I sent word to the general that if he wished to see me he could have an opportunity by calling on board my flag-ship.

A few moments after I had heard the news of McClernand’a arrival, I saw Sherman pulling about in a boat, and hailed him, informing him that McClernand was at the mouth of the Yazoo.  Sherman then came on board, and, in consequence of this unexpected news, determined to postpone the movement out of the Yazoo River, and let McClernand take that upon himself.

General McClernand took my hint and came on board the flag-ship, but I soon discovered that any admiral, Grant, Sherman, or all the generals in the army, were nobody in his estimation.  Sherman had been at McClernand’s headquarters to see him and state the condition of affairs, and he then suggested to the latter the plan of going to Arkansas Post.

I had a number of fine maps hanging up in my cabin, and when McClernand came on board he examined them all with the eye of a connoisseur.  He then stated to me as a new thing the plan he proposed!!! of going to Arkansas Post and stirring up our troops, which had been “demoralized by the late defeat” (Sherman was present, looking daggers at him).  I answered, “Yes, General Sherman and myself have already arranged for going to Arkansas Post.”  Sherman then made some remark about the disposition of the troops in the coming expedition, when McClernand gave him rather a curt answer.  McClernand then remarked, “If you will let me have three gunboats, I will go and take the place.”  Now General McClernand had about as much idea of what a gunboat was, or could do, as the man in the moon.  He did not know, the difference between an ironclad and a “tin-clad.”  He had heard that gunboats had taken Fort Henry, and that was all be knew about them.  I said to him:  “I’ll tell you what I will do, General McClernand.  If General Sherman goes in command of the troops, I will go myself in command of a proper force, and will insure the capture of the post.”  McClernand winced under this, and Sherman quietly walked off into the after-cabin.  He beckoned me to come there, while McClernand was apparently deeply engaged in studying out a chart, making believe he was interested, in order to conceal his temper.  Sherman said to me:  “Admiral, how could you make such a remark to McClernand?  He hates me already, and you have made him an enemy for life.”

“I don’t care,” said I; “he shall not treat you rudely in my cabin, and I was glad of the opportunity of letting him know my sentiments.”  By this time, General McClernand having bottled up his wrath, or cooled down, I went in to him and we discussed the matter.  He consented that Sherman should go in command of the troops, and the interview ended pleasantly enough.