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BRAVERY OF UNION GARRISONS.

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CHAPTER XI.

DEFENSE OF MILITARY POSTS.-GEN. GRANT'S CONGRATULATIONS.

Heroic Defense of Military Posts.-The Commanding General's Congratulations.— General Sherman Reaches and Attacks Vicksburg. -The Expedition Fails.The Reason.-President's Proclamation.—McClernand at Vicksburg.—Suspected Disloyalty of Illinois Troops.-The Regiment Relieved of the Charge.-Army Movements.-Attempts to find a Passage through Bayous and Canals to Vicksburg. The Water-courses Abandoned.

SEVERAL posts in General Grant's rear were attacked about the same time as Holly Springs, but were bravely defended by their garrisons, and the rebel onslaughts repulsed. The heroic conduct of our soldiery at these various points of combat, often unequal, drew from the sleeplessly watchful chief a paper quite in contrast with the former one-whose burden of sadness and indignation again appears, with a brand of cowardice upon the timid colonel. Two weeks had elapsed since the shameful occurrence, giving ample time for investigation, and a calm, righteous judgment:

HEAD-QUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, Į

HOLLY SPRINGS, MISS., January 8, 1863.

I. The major-general commanding the department takes just pride and satisfaction in congratulating the small garrisons of the posts of Coldwater, Davis's Mills, and Middleburg, for the heroic defense of their positions on the 20th, 21st, and 24th ultimo, and their successful repulse of an enemy many times their number.

The Ninetieth Illinois, at Coldwater (its first engagement); the detachment of the veteran Twenty-fifth Indiana, and two companies of the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, at Davis's Mills; and the detachment of the gallant Twelfth Michigan at Middleburg, are deserving of the thanks of the army, which was in a measure dependent upon the road they so nobly defended for supplies, and they will receive the meed of praise ever awarded by a grateful public to those who bravely and successfully do their duty.

These regiments are entitled to inscribe upon their banners, respectively, Coldwater, Davis's Mills, and Middleburg, with the names of other battle-fields made victorious by their valor and discipline.

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