New-York tribune., 1885-07-24
VICKSBURG SURRENDERS.

Finally learning from his failures and gathering
resolution from the loud opposition instead OF being
Grant decided upon one of the boldest
mannuvres of the war-sO hazardous that few men
would have dared to stake the future. reputation
life upon 1t. This was simply to move down the
west bank of the Mississippi. which his army was
lying past Vicksburg and beyond the lowest point
Of the defences. depending for supplies upon such
vessels might get past the Vicksburg batteries
then crossing back TO the east side Of the river TO
strike for the roar of yicksburg, without keeping
any base of supplies. Success in this daring plan
would bo magnificent; failure would be ruin. Sew
eral OF Grants generals absolutely opposed the
plan In a council of war. Sherman wrote formal
protest against 1t, in the presence Of. John
A. Logan Sherman was left above Vioks-
burg and when Grant had moved helow y
and was ready to cross to the eastern side OF tnc
river and begin his march toward VlcksDurg-
OF annlhilatlon-Snefiisii made Ics4hed hioVcneh
which occupied the attention of tho COnfedcrates
General Joseph Z. Johnston. then in command OF
all the Confederate armies in the West. saw the
plan at once and strained every nerve to defeat It,
rant pushed stubbornly on, seeing that If he
could once reach yicksburg he would open com
nunication with the eet and could then besege the
place at his leisure. Sending a column sstraight
foward vicksburg, be held Pemberton, tho Confed-
crate commander. there with the idea that the
whole army was moving right upon him ana then
rant moved his main force up the east oank or the
Big Back( River. cutting the COMMUNICATIONS
petween Pomberton and Johnston. He was helped
" Pemberton's conceitsd disobedience OF John
toms orders. Johnston tried to concentrate IN
jackson. Grant did concentrate. fell upon him.
,eat him away. and thus having cleared the ground
orl himself turned to the west again. and there
,efore him was vicksburg. The battles OF Cham
l. f.1t. A1 hath A
which the rebels were badly beaten, and thus was
,irtualy decided the fate of Vicksburg.
Pemberton's demorazed army poured back into
he city, and the siege began. Grant had crossed
,ver to the eastern bank of the Mississippi on the
irst of May and now ths -%stif Ne was In front
Il Vicksaurg after lighting four battles and per,
rng dans 5y te ooantTy wtk Sste
|breath.( But the end was not yet Johnston Deihg
omewhere i'll the rear, and Pembertons troop ;ops
,eiug demoralized by their defeats an imneo iate
.ssanlt was iried IL cost $500 men. and Grant
.oncluded that the enemy's position was too
,trons both naturally and artiiicaly to be taken
housaud incidents which there s no space 10 RECORD
lere Grant began his approaches 600 yards from
he rebel works and by the last Of june hc was
within 900 yards. The garrison was being grad
ually starved out, and the mines and approaches
steadily pushed forward Inc place anH ia 'os os
rants 9uiet, determined way Of talking that made
such deep impression on friend and Toe alike ne
was riding near Vicksburg one day and stopped ~ ~
/ house for q drink Of water The woman gave hum
willingly enough Snt did not s0HsSal nc Nor
never take yicksburg: Grant said calmly
Madam, [ shall take vioksburg, if l have to stay
nero thirty years to do it." Tho woman was silent
/ At that, and seemed to think man who would talk
n that way would be apt to do what he said. On
jniv 3 General Pemberton proposed an armistice.
ifter some correspondence It was agreed that no no
md Grant should meet, as he was not ready to
accede to General Grants characteristic demand Tor
unconditional surrender" They met under tree
~ hillside within 200 feet OF the rebel line. the
works on both sides swarming with IN men who
conferences. After great deal Of parleying Grant
receded in his terms to release Of the
they needed. This was surrender OF 81. 800 msn
al TuV" an enthusiastic admrer Of that day sx-
claimed Na9OsSns famous capture tns OF 4,b S oi
Juiy. the Onion army rode into the Gibraltar OF
he West" and as he rode the GRIM silent commau w.
against Vicksbnrg the Contederates lost 10000
prisoners. 10000 killed and wounded. and about
1 5000 by disease and struggling. Grants los
vas s.673