The 30 Minute Rule begins April 15 at 7:00 PM EDT. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By April 15 at 6:00 PM EDT To Participate After 6:00 PM EDT
LS signed “R. M. Sawyer,” one page both sides, 7.75 x 9.75, April 28, 1863. "Special Orders No. 96," issued under command of General William T. Sherman at "Hd. Qrs. 15th Army Corps, Camp near Vicksburg," in part: "In compliance with instructions from Maj. Gen'l Grant, a combined Gunboat and Army Expedition will be made up the Yazoo for the purpose of diverting the attention of the enemy from the movements now in progress below Vicksburg. This demonstration will be made as soon as the Gunboat 'Choctaw,' hourly expected, has arrived…The Corps…will provide ten (10) good Steamboats, and have them at the lower landing near these Headqrts. by to-morrow morning…General F. P. Blair will detail ten (10) Regiments of his Division to be ready with three days Rations, 60 rounds of ammunition and in light marching order ready to embark…Woods and Barrett's Batteries will be embarked at Millikens Bend, and will afterwards be distributed;—one Section of Guns to a Boat, and the artillerists will make a barricade for themselves and their guns in the forward decks, of hay bales…Although there be no intention to make an attack on Haines' Bluff, or indeed to disembark the troops, yet all preparations should be male to take advantage of any opportunity, afforded by events." In fine condition.
These special orders make notable reference to the USS Choctaw and its feigned attack on Haynes' Bluff, Mississippi, an operation held from April 29–May 1, 1863, intended to prevent the Confederates from reinforcing Grand Gulf. During this diversionary action, the Choctaw was struck 53 times. The gunboat remained in the Yazoo, taking part in operations that destroyed Confederate defenses and naval assets at Yazoo City later on in May. In June 1863, she helped repel a Confederate assault at Milliken's Bend, capturing several enemy soldiers as prisoners of war.
