National Republican., 1885-10-03
Our Wing and Bird Department

were surrendered to Grant $4,000 men,
including seventeen general officers and 10
cannon, the largest capture Of men and
munitions of war ever made In any
modern war up to that time, numbering
the killed, wounded, and captured. In the
five battles, and including the siege Of
Nicksburg, Grant had killed, wounded,
and ca jtured Il larger number of the enemy
than his whole effective force numbered in
this campaign. OF the Sth day Of July,
upon the news reaching the occupants
that NiCksburg had been cap
tured, Port Hudson was surrendered.
Thus the backbone of the rebellion
was broken, the so-caled cOnfcderacy was
cut In two, aud thereafter the majestic Mis-
sissippi rolled ON "unveNed to the sea-
Grants loss In the whole campaign was
5000 killed, wounded, aud missing. Grant
was now appauded by the loyal people
everywhere, and throughout the nation de-
nominated the military genius of the age.
Even llalleck joined in the acclaim and tel
egraphed to Grant, commenting him and
comparing his operations with the grandest
operations Of Napoleon Bunaparte.
| Gen. Joseph T.. Johnston had in the
meantime concentrated force at jackson,
Miss, and thereby was threatening the rear
of Vicksburg. Grant at once sent sherman
/ with a suitable force against Johnston. lie
moved Immediately, and did not hesitate to
assail him. On the 10Th day of July John
ston rctrcated to Alabama by way of Me
/ ridian.
Soon the news came Of the battle of
| ChiCkamauga. Rosecrnns, having with
drawn his army within the lines of Chatta-
nooga, was coOpcd up with Bragg In posses
| sion of his communications, and including
the Tennessee river on his north, had him
completely cncirCled, seemingly In posi-
tiOn where he must sooner or later surrcn'
der for want Of supplies, both for men and
animals. Grant was now ordered by
the President of the United States
to take command Of that department
His first act was to assign Thomas
to the command of the department and the
army Of the Cumberland IN place Of Rose
Grams. His next was Ia telegraph Thomas
to hold Chattanooga at all hazards; that h'
would he there MS soon as possible. IL
which old Gen. Thomas replied: II vii
hold the town till we starYe.' On the 23C
Of October, 1863, Grant reached Chatta
nOogu. Burnside was ut Knoxville. Sher
man was ON his way from Nicksbur!
with all the available force at hi
command, and Hooker was movin!
from the east with two corps. a column o
the enemy moved against Knoxville. b.
the 18th Of November Grant had his force
well In hand and ready for an assault
Rains and storms prevented this for tc\
days; but ON the 23d he assaulted Lookou
Mountain, the men climbing from crag I
crag, aud from tree to tree, until linall
they were on the crest Of the ridge; tn
rebels retreatcd, and they planted the fla
of the republic thereon. The 2ith an
25th the battle Of Mission Ridge was tough
and the enemy completely routed,
, A portion Of the armies OF the east an
, west and center, combining, fought side Il
| side bravely AS men ever fought, Passin
= through the dangers Of that great bait
/ linked them together in bonds of friendshi
r which have lasted until now. After he ha
p defeated Bragg, and driven him back fro
g this stronghold, Grant then commence
I maturing plans for the great final campaign
Q lie commenced by ordering Shermu
c back to Vcksburg; also larl
i force to march from Cornth dow
Il along the railroad to jackson, destrOyll
II the road as they went. Sherman was q
Ie dered with his force from Nicksburg In Il
ID direction Of Meridian, in order that the ra
Y roads and lines Of communication In tn
Sc part Of the country might be destroye
so that when he commenced his campaii
er In contemplation he could withdraw all I
III troops from there and concentrate the
he into one grand army to march against t
N enemy in the center,
I'd The troops under Thomas were assist
r. In guarding the railroads and lines of col
s. muniCatlOn north from Chattanooga Il
at west to Decatur lie directed Thorn
Is. while the railroads We're being destroy
he from Corinth to Vicksburgh south and q
IN from Vicksbur, to keep up a continue
demonstration In the enemy's front, so
lg to deceive him into the belief that
N, advance was to he made very sO
1t, lie also directed me TO cooper
ed with Thomas, then being in command
he the 18TH army corps, with my headquart
he ut Huntsville, Ala ] sent Il force by
OIL orders In the direction of Rome, Ga,
IRE the same time we were notified TO be RET