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Kirby-Smith, Edmund, 1824-1893 to Jefferson Davis

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01707 Author/Creator: Kirby-Smith, Edmund, 1824-1893 Place Written: Shreveport, Louisiana Type: Letter signed Date: June 5, 1864 Pagination: 1 p. : docket Height: 24 cm, Width: 18.8 cm Order a Copy

General Smith writes to Davis, Confederate President. Relates that General Walker (possibly William Henry Talbot Walker) was informed by General Thomas Neville Waul that Davis attributes him (Walker) with the failure to assist in the relief of Vicksburg. Writes "It is but justice to a gallant & efficient officer that this impression should be removed.- The blame, if it rests anywhere, is with myself & Genl Taylor, the Depart & District Commanders." Relates that while marching from Arkansas to Alexandria, Virginia, Walker had asked for permission to act with his Division against Union General Ulysses S. Grant's communication near Vicksburg. Walker's request had not been granted because of Union General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks pressure on Taylor at that time. Docket indicates this letter was received on July 19, 1864. Includes a note by Davis with docket. Davis's note, apparently written on July 22, 1864, states: "... inform him that on account of a letter received from Genl Walker I have called on Genl. Waul to inform me what was his statement of a conversation said to have been held with me, and await his reply-"

Kirby-Smith, Edmund, 1824-1893
Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889
Walker, William Henry Talbot, 1816-1864
Waul, Thomas Neville, 1813-1903
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss, 1816-1894
Taylor, Richard, 1826-1879

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