History of the United States, Volume 4 | Page 7

indeed proved, an
almost impossible task. The Mississippi was unusually high, and the
surrounding country a vast network of bayous and swamps. The winter
passed away in fruitless labors to make some sort of a water passage to
the rear of Vicksburg, either above, via the Yazoo, or around through
Louisiana to some point below the city, whence the army could cross
again to the Vicksburg side of the Mississippi and strike Pemberton's
stronghold from the southeast. In most of these attempts Grant himself
had little faith, but the army was better at work than idle. At last he
resolved, without attempting a regular canal, partly by land but utilizing
bayous and creeks as he could, to swing his army across west of the
river to New Carthage, south of Vicksburg, run the Vicksburg batteries
with the fleet, and, uniting his land and water forces in the capture of

Grand Gulf, to gain the rear of Vicksburg by way of the Big Black
River. It was a bold plan, but it succeeded.
In April, by building corduroy roads through miles of swamp and
bridging numberless bayous, the general succeeded in reaching New
Carthage, some twenty miles south of Vicksburg, with a good part of
his land forces. On the night of April 16th, the gunboats and provision
transports ran the gauntlet of Vicksburg's guns with little damage. The
last of the month a landing was effected just below Grand Gulf, on the
east bank, fifteen or twenty miles still farther south of Vicksburg. The
enemy made some resistance, but were driven back.
Grant's position was now full of peril. He was in the heart of the
enemy's country. Pemberton was occupying Jackson and Vicksburg
with 50,000 men. General Joseph E. Johnston was hurrying to his aid
with re-enforcements. Grant's forces available for an advance about
equalled Pemberton's. A bold policy was the only safe one. Taking five
days' rations, he cut loose from his base at Grand Gulf and marched
north to attack Pemberton before Johnston could join him. Jackson,
forty-four miles to the east of Vicksburg, was easily captured, May
14th. Grant had thus thrust himself in between Johnston and Pemberton.
Turning to the left he smote Pemberton a heavy blow at Champion's
Hill on the 16th, and drove him into Vicksburg. Johnston fell back
baffled. In eighteen days Grant had marched 200 miles, defeated the
enemy in four engagements, inflicting a loss of 8,000 and taking 88
guns, and shut up a large army in Vicksburg--all this upon five days'
rations. It is a brilliant record, equalled, if at all, only by some of
Napoleon's campaigns.
[Illustration: Map.] Operations in Louisiana. February to July, 1863.
The bold commander now transferred his base of supplies to the Yazoo
River, which runs into the Mississippi a few miles above Vicksburg.
After an unsuccessful assault upon the city's strong intrenchments, he
sat down to a deliberate siege. Twelve miles of trenches were
constructed. Eighty-nine batteries, with more than 200 guns, day after
day rained shot and shell against the Vicksburg fortifications. The lines
of investment crept nearer and nearer the fated city. The pickets chaffed

with each other, and exchanged tobacco and newspapers. June 25th, a
mine was exploded under one of the Vicksburg parapets, but it made no
effectual breach. A second explosion, July 1st, was equally unavailing.
Johnston kept menacing the rear, but feared to attack, as Grant had
been re-enforced to 60,000.
Famine began to threaten the city, Porter's fleet blockading the water
front. Flour sold for $1,000 a barrel in Confederate money. Mule flesh
became the chief meat. Rats were hung up for sale in the market. The
inhabitants sought protection from the shells in cellars and caves.
Cave-digging became a regular business. The Vicksburg daily news
sheet was now printed on wall paper. July 3d. white flags appeared
upon the city's works. An armistice followed, and the next day
Pemberton surrendered. The prisoners, some 30,000 in number, were
mostly released on parole. With the fall of Vicksburg the western
campaigns virtually closed. The capture of Port Hudson, below, was
assured from that moment, and followed on July 8th. The "Father of
Waters" once more rolled "unvexed to the sea," and the Confederacy
was cut in twain.
CHAPTER VI.
THE WAR IN THE CENTRE
[1863]
We have seen that the fall of Donelson had driven the Confederates out
of Kentucky. In the following September, 1862, Bragg invaded the
State from Tennessee with 40,000 men. Buell hurried north from
Nashville, and after an exciting race headed him off from Louisville.
Bragg slowly fell back, first east, then south. Kentucky was rich in food
and clothing, and his army plundered freely, coming out, it was boasted,
with a wagon-train forty miles long. At Perryville Bragg turned upon
Buell fiercely. An indecisive