Wichita eagle., 1888-06-24


low Vicksburg through Louisiana, by way
OF New Carthage and Richmond. Rich
mond YVES not far from Young's Point,
Grants headquarters, on the Louisiana shore.
New Carthage was on the same shore of the
Mississippi, below Vicksburg. With New
Carthage as starting point, Grant thought
TO cross the river and get a hold upon Grand
Gulf or Warrenton.
His supplies were at Itilliken's Bend, ten
miles above Young's Point, SO he determined
to move troops down to New Carthage from
there.
Troops were set to work to dig q canal
from Duckport, near Young's Point, so con-
meet with a chain Of bayous that ran from
Aillil1en's Bend to New Carthage. By means
OF this canal it was thought possible to util
lie the bayou for small boats to transport
troops and supplies.
Grant now followed up his new plan with
great activity. When the water subsidized it
was arranged to make roads and bridges,
and transport troops by land. Thus, partly
by water, partly by land, $4,000 troops were
to be assembled at New Carthage. Osterhaus'
division of McClernand's corps made the first
advance down the river, closely followed by
McPherson's corps.
But it was found that the artificial water
route was not even "bareiy practicable" So
it was abandoned and tho troops advanced
by land.
McClernand found New Carthage little else
than an island in the midst of oyerfowed,
lands. He therefore put in order new round
about road leading to Perkins plantation,
seven miles below New Carthage, and con-
siderably nearer to Grand Gulf, Miss. The
order to move down from Milliken's Bend TO
New Carthage had been given by Grant
April 90, and by April q McClcrnand's corps
was st Perkins plantation, seven miles below
New Carthage, On the river.
While McClernand was operating below
Vicksburg, Steeles division OF Sherman's
corps had been sent to make u demonstration
along Deer Greek TO Rolling Fork, TO destroy
supplies and divert the attention Of the Con-
federates from the real point OF attack.
To make the proposed attack on Grand
Gulf, the cooperation Of the guni.oats was
necessary. Accordingly, on the night of
April 10, Admiral Porter again ran the bat
teries at Vicksburg. At 10 O'Clock the Union
fleet started On its pcrilOus voyage
The flagship Benton led, with Admiral
Porter on board. Following came the I-a-
fayette, Louisville, Mound City, Pittsburg,
and the well known Carondelet Next came
three transports laden with supplies and am
munition. Cotton bales were piled high
around their guards j;cLnidships. The coalfCr
use OF the feet was Carried III barges dashed
TO each vessel.
OF course the fleet could not pass undiscov-
cred. a little after Il o'clock the Benton
came within range Of Vicllsburg. Instantly
there shot up all along the shore great lines
of prepared torches.
From al the batteries within range came
binding flashes and laundering roar. The
gunboats replied with broaGside.
The procession was an hour and half
under fire, one vessel passing out Of range OF
the batteries as another cana within. at
Warrenton, seven miles below, the scene was
briefly repeated. The Union feet reached
New Carthage at 2 O'Clock. having lost one
transport.
April IS Grant moved his headquarters to
point near New Carthage. IL was deter
ter1nined first to attack Grand Gulf river
village, twenty-five miles bslcw VicksburS
and one mile below the mouth Of Zig Black
river, shortly to be the scene Of such exciting
events But New Carthage was not near
enough to Grand Gulf to operate from sue
cesSfully. Hard Times, a village several
miles below New Carthage. WAS therefore So
lected as the starting point.
April % McCle-nani's CORPS four divisions,
was moved down or transports to Hard
Times. McPherson's corps was coming by
land.
The gunhoats were TO attack Grand Gut
first, siiencipg its batteries Then the land
forces were to cross the river and rush in and
carry the place by assault
April % the grand attack was made
AT this time there were in Vicksburg md
its vicinity more than $1,000 Confederate
troops. The Gefenses proper extended from
Eai-1ns Rli,T .1cor