National Republican., 1885-10-03

he defeated Price at Corinth and on the
llatchee and advanced south through La
Grange and Oxford, and drove the enemy
into the central part of the state Of Missis-
sippi. After this success he was, under
peremptory orders from llnlleck, compelled
to make retrogade movement. Prior to
receiving this order he had sent Sherman
with an expedition against NiCksburg with
10000 men, intending to have moved on
himself down through the central part of
the state In the rear of Nicksburg, thereby
cooperating with Shcrmans force. Shcr-
mans expedition failed, Grant now moved
with all the available force he nad to Milli-
ken's Bend, Just above Nicksburg. At this
time he had within his department about
100000 men, whom he organized into
army corps, numbered respectively 18th,
l5th, 10th and 18th, which were com
manded respectively by McClernand, Sher-
| man, IIurbert, and Mcpherson.
llurlbert's corps and part OF McCler-
| nand's were left at Memphis and other
, points on the river that his communications
| In the rear by way of the river should be
| left open. The remainder of the 18th and
| the 10th aud nth corps We're put In camp
at Lake Providence, Milliken's Bend, and
| Young's Point, just below and opposite
| lazOo river.
| For months he was engaged in cutting
| canals at Lake Providence and opposite
/ '
i sending out expeditions IN various direc-
| tiOns over the country to ascertain, If pos
i siblc, II there was any way to secure foot
| hold somewhere ON the IaZOO river, above
| Ilaines's Bluff, so that an advance might
| he made by dry land on the north against
| Vicksburg. But in all Of these movements
| a failure was the result About this time
many people In the country began to lose
| confidence in Grant and clamOr for his dis
| ala "a nf
States, however, needed not the camor of
the multitude. Having implicit confidence
| IN Grant he said to those who came TO him
that he would trust him "a little longer.
| About this time Grant determined upon q
| plan '7hiCh was recognized by the military
authorities of the country us wholly un,
| military and dangerous. They believed
that IL was military suicide and against all
| science Of war. II wasN movement, however
full of audacity and in It's results showed the
genius Of the man planning II. lie aban,
dOned all his lines Of communication and
moved rapidly down the west side OF the
Mississippi river to Bruensburg, n point
four miles below Grand Gulf. At the same
time he loaded seven transports with sup
plies aud manned them with men selected
from my command, then the 81 division OF
the 18th army corps, and ran them by tht
batteries Of a hundred guns, which yomitcc
forth their tire and iron hail AT then
, US they passed by. All passed safely cX
ccpt one. This being accomplished, III
crossed the river, moving rapidly upOI
/ Port Gibson, where he met the enemy ant
t defeated him, His forces amounted Il
3 81 900 men, less IN number than the enemy
E held encrGlinS ViGksburg inside thel
works, In rapid succession cam
/ the victories OF Raymond, Jackson
+ Champion Hills, Black River, am
, the Investment Of Ncksburg, At Chan
\ piOn Hills the enemy received the scHere'
i defeat IN its results that they had yet r,
. ceiyed up to that time, llalleck had wri
e ten letter to Grant directing him TO leay
Vicksburg alone and move down to POI
k Hudson aud assist Banks; he Banks bein
!, his Superior officer, would then HAY
|. been in command Of the combine
l. forces. After Port Hudson shOul
;, fall IIalleck suggested that he should assa
Y Vlcksburg. IIalecl's letter, however, can
r too late. Five battles had been fought, al
d Grant was crossing Black river and noylI
= in the direction Of Vcksburg. While the
k battles were being fought, Porter, with
d gunbOat fleet, passed up the naLoo riv
rs and took possession Of llaines's Bluiis, whl
a had been evacuated In the mean time by Z
rs enemy, Thus 1t was that safe communicate
"a was reopencd with Grants army, a.
le again he had base Of supplies, Pemh'
m ton was driven within the walls Of Nicl
in burg and locked up, as II were, In I'll
ne stronghold, with but sixty days ration
ID Grant had then completely turned I
Is tables on the enemy, and had Pembert
lg and his whole army within his grasp.
Ms on the Ath day Of July, 1863, the 10
ry and bloody siege came to It's terminate
III ! PembertOn surrendered to Grant, Gral
n at the head Of a victorious army enter
On the city, and planted the old flag upon
err. court house, where II was unfurled to
"a breeze amid the shouts Of his gallant s
.y, diers. In the capture OF Nicksburg tn