The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-12-15

Of them to the general hospital boat,
which conveyed them back to Memphis.
Fortunately the bullet which had
passed through Walters shoulder was a
conical one, and consequently had slip
ped around the bones without shattering
them. His health was SO good and his
freedom from vicious habits kept his blood
30 pure that despite all he had gone
through his wound took a favorable as
pect from the first and the Surgeon was
boon delighted with the progress it was
making towards a complete healing. But
the Winter passed by wkile this was
going on, though his three comrades were
returned TO duty in few weeks. From
week 10 week squads OF sick and wounded
came into tke hospital from down the
river, each bringing with him the latest
intelligence Of the strenuous efforts being
made by the army TO get a good basis for
az attack upon the defiant rebel strong
hold-part OF the great cost Of such at
tempts being their own hurts and dis
abilities.
The first squad that came up told Of a
demonstration made a day or two after
the assault at Caickasaw Bayou, upon
Hai,les > iSlua-i3 miles farther up the
Yazoo-and which prsved unsuccessful,
though the lass Of life was small In
this affair the naval fierce had lost more
than the army: the Fila were grieXed to
the Benton, whose gallantry at Forts
Henry and Donelson, Lucas s Bend and
Memphis they had witaessed and adj
mired. He disdaised the shelter Of the
iron bul@ a-ks of ais vessel, and stood out
in open EIcw upOa her decks the better
To direct her movements. He was struck
by d round shot that tore away his shout
der.
The next squad brought much better
news The expedition had suddenly with
II L. Il
steaming back 10 the mouth OF the White
Eiyer, assembled that stream to a point
where ii could cut across into the ArlSan-
eaS, where il fell upon the rebel position
al Arkansas Post. The gunboats ran
past the fort, and gaining the opposite
eide, riddled the works with a terrible
cross-fire delivered at close range
The army pressed forward on the land
side TO within 100 yards Of the parapet,
which they were upon the point of taking
with the bayeast when the fort surren-
dered. The Unisn side gained 5,0G0 pris-
oners and II pieces of artillery at a cost Of
about 900 ia killed and wounded.
That the reader may understand the
nature Of the operations against Nicks
burg which absorbed all the energies Of
the Army Of the Tennessee for nine
months, he must bear patiently with an
explanation.
The Mississippi Valley proper is from
80 10 90 miles wide. On either side Of this
ranges Of hills from 200 to 500 feet high
The great river makes Iong curves back
ward and forward across this bottom, now
touching the hills Oh the eastern side
now on the western. Where il touches
the hills on the east are Columbus Mem
phis, NIcksburg, Nhtchez, Port Hudson
etc. On the western bluffs are Helena
and some smaller places.
The river seems TO have frequently
shifted It's led, in bygone ages, from one
place To another in the space between
the ranges Of hills and left marks of this
In the bayous that dot the face Of the
country, and which il, some instances
are almost as large the river itself.
Just above NicksbuTg il makes long
reach Tor the eastern side, and having
struck the hills there, turns right about
and runs TO the southwest, leaving a long,
marrow tongue Of land projecting down
from Louisiana opposite the city.
Vicksburg itself stands on these Wal
nut Hills that tower frem eco To 300 feet
above the water. They begin some miles
below the city, and follow the course of
the Mississippi above the city till the
mouth OF the fazoo is approached when
they turn at right angle along the
course of that river To Haines's Bluff Ii
miles from the city When fortified their
entire length, they make an immensely
strong natural fortress, with the mighty
Mi5sissippi protecting one face and the
YaZao the other.
have already recounted the ill-success
OF Sherman's attempt 10 break through
the center OF their Yazoo face, where they
appeared weakest. | shall now tell Of the
long series Of efforts 10 get around them
from one way or another to reach the
"high ground in the rear of Vicksburg. .
which was for many weary months the
object OF the army's dearest hopes.