The National tribune., 1902-01-09
BIG BLACK RIVER BRIDGE.
moved forward and took their positions in
front of the defenses of Vicksburg.
THE NEW BASE.

moved forward and took their positions il
front of the defenses of Yicksburg.
THE NEW BASE.
Gen. Grant at once communicated will
the fleet and designated Chickasaw Land
ing, at the foot Of Walnut Hills. as the
! base
For many months the Yazoo River had
been an lnsurmountable obstacle 10 tho
Union forces: now it was their friend ana
any. Ihe deep marshes, swamps, and
! Dayous which obstructed the passage Of
the National troops would now be their de.
Tense, and the hills which swarmed with
confederate troops and bristled with Con.
iederate cannon in December, 1862. would
now, In May, 1863, be held by the army
ana navy Of the Union, and the Iandinr
which resisted capture by Union forces il,
December would freely receive their sun.
plies in May
When the sun rose on the morning of
May l9, 1863, the garrison of Vickshuro.
33'o0o strong, found themselves environed
by Grants victorious army While tbesn
confederate troops had met defeat at
Champions Hill and Big Black River
Bridge, and had fed from their anita.
| 0hlSts, when they reached the well-buiIt
delenSes OF Nicksburg they took heart and
manned the works with a determination
to couragcOusly defend them.
On this day there was constant skir-
mlshlng Al o'clock p. m. Gen. Grant
ordered an assault, which although ungr1c-
cesSfui III carrying the works of the enemy.
enabled the Union forces TO secure more
advanced positions; in fact. the bcsiegipg
forces, availlng themselves of the rayineS
ana valleys which paralleled the C0nfcd-
crate works. were enabled in many places
TO get close up to the Confederate rife
pits and almost under the guns of the
Confederate works. These advantageous
positions were held during the siege. and
from these the approaches to the works
were made.
PEEPARTNG FOR THE GRAND ASSAULT.
On the morning of May 20. Gen. Grant
held conference with his corps com
mandcrS, namely, Gems. McClcruand.
Sherman, and Mcpherson This confer
ehce resulted IN the conclusion that by
sudden and combined movement it was
possible TO carry the Confederate works
by assault
Zen. Grant issued orders for an assault
to be made May -. at 10 O'Clock a. m.
The whole army at once entered upon the
task OF making preparations for the tre-
mcndOuS event.
The front Of the Confederate works WAS
carefully examined by division. brigade
ana many rcgimental commanders. SO as
To secure all available information as To
me lay of the land and the formation of
the works. Full supplies of ammunition
ana provisions were brought M from
Chickasaw Landing, which had now he
come scene of great activity. The sol
diers were afforded an opportunity for
rest and rccuperation.
~ daylight on the morning of May 22,
lSG3. the Army Of the Tennessee was up
and preparing FOR action An early breuk-
fast was served, and with many noble and
heroic men il was their last knnpsacks
were packed ana stacked in company
quarters. y careful inspection was made
of arms and accOutermcnts: cartridge
boxes and cantccns were filled.
Those batteries Of artillery which haa
not already secured positions were now
ready TO move forward into action.
lhe 1ortlCati0ns for the defense of
Nickshurg were about 10 miles in length.
Beginning on the Mississippi River nearly
two miles above the city, they extended
out from the river about two miles east,
then turned south. At this salient angle !
heavy works were erected, the line OF
works following the most favorable lay Of |
the land, and constructed upon the most |
plan for defense: and located |
more than two miles from the river. pur- |
sued soufhcrly course TO Il point two |
miles below the city, and then bore west. |
ward, crossed Stolt's Bayou to the higher |
ground overlooking the river. and then !
abruptly turned northward along the crest
If the hill parallel to the river for about |
a mile. This was Il continuous line of
works with heavy forts here and there.
pierced for cannon. Vt various points
where the character of the ground afforded
ih easy approach 10 these works, outer
works were constructed in the shape of n
or hllf-nloon. open to the rear; or a line
II rliie pits WAS constructed instead.
tlGnS the entire line of these works the