Letter from Ike S. Robinson to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; January 24, 1864

Documents
Letter from Ike S. Robinson to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; January 24, 1864

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Document Metadata

Each transcribed document contains links that connect it to other documents on the same topic in the collection.

People

Clark, Ann Darden Clark, Charles, 1811-1877 McPherson, James Birdseye, 1828-1864 Mellen, William P.Robinson, Ike S.Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891 Unknown, Eugene

Events

Military Events--Invasions Military Events--Military occupation Military Events--Raid

Military Units

Confederate States of America. Army United States. Army

Organizations

Plantations United States--Department of the Treasury Watercraft

Occupations

Treasury Agents

Places

Bodies of Water--Interstate. Mississippi River Bodies of Water--Mississippi. Tallahatchie River Bodies of Water--Mississippi. Yazoo River Iowa Mississippi--Bolivar County. Bolivar Mississippi--Grenada County. Grenada Mississippi--Warren County. Vicksburg Mississippi--Yazoo County. Yazoo City Tennessee--Shelby County. Memphis Wisconsin

Social Identifiers

African Americans African Americans--Historically Free and Newly Freed

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Bolivar Co Miss Jan 24th 1864
Confidential

My dear Genl—

For the sake of procuring Brots and Some other Necessanis Not to be had elsewhere in this Vicinity. I have been compelled within the last week, to associate to a limited Extent with traders on the river and Some of our citizins who are more or less in their Confidence—Being thus associated I have learned (through a citizen who I regard as reliable)—Some of the plans of the Yankees in regard to this Country—and at the suggestion of Eugene, I now make it known to you—In the first place, it is their intention to lease all the abandoned plantations along the Missi River—between Memphis and Vicksburg and Stock them with Negroes—I saw their rules and regulations for carrying out this project and So Soon as I can procure a copy will forward it to you—To protect the Country from raids they intend to establish and occupy their lines from Memphis to Vicksburg. Genl Sherman (who is now at Memphis) will move on Grenada with large force, and after taking will fortify and hold it, and form a line of posts from that place to Memphis—Genl McPherson with another force is to Move up and occupy Yazoo City Connecting it by a Chain of posts with Vicksburg—A chain of posts

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will then be formed Connecting Grenada & Yazoo City—this they think, taken in Connection with their Gun Boats on Yazoo and Tallahatchie rivers will effect-vally prevent raids by the Confederate forces now Occupying the State—So Soon, and perhaps before this is accomplished, a Cavalry force will be thrown into Bolivar for the purpose of Capturing this Company or driving it out of the Swamp—Lake Bolivar I have been informed will be Selected as their base of operations in this county—Mellen, the agent of the Treasury department is now travelling up and down the river Making examinations and leasing plantations—I am informed, that following in his wake, is a Swarm of hungry Devils from Wisconsin, Iowa and other Northwestern States, ready armed with their ploughs and other farming utensils, and so thoroughly are they imbued with the feasibility of this plan that they are exulting over its adoption, and Say they "intend Showing us how to raise Cotton" Viewed from our side the whole thing looks foolish and impracticable, but I have no doubt but it will be attempted. They intend to make a point of Capturing Eugene and as Many of the Officers and Men of his Company as possible, and should they suceede in doing it I have no doubt but they would handle them pretty roughly Eugene in particular My informant States that they would have Commen-ced their operations before this, but have been deterred by the bad weather—I have the promise of

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further information Should anything be developed particularly affecting either the Country or the Company I give this for what it is worth, but I have confi-dence in the Source from which I derived it and firmly believe that the foregoing is the present plan of the enemy in regard to this Country.

Please present my Kindest regards to Mrs C and the family and accept the best wishes of Myself & wife—

I am
Yours truly

Ike S. Robinson

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Ike S Robinson
Jany 24 1864