The National tribune., 1903-09-10

FOLLOWING THE PLUME OF GRANT.
From belmont to yicksburg.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Some one
has said that when Cheatham's Division
Of Folks Corps crossed the river at Bel.
mont, threatening to intercept the retrea,
Of the Union troops, Gen. Grant appealed
to Logan to know what he should do; that
Gen. Logan replied: "Ds- it, cut your
way outr'
To consult his chief officers was a char.
acteristic of Gen. Grant The army at
Belmont being in a precarious position,
Gen. Grants consultation with Logan
was not discreditable to him. When plan
ming the Vicksburg campaign, Grant con-
suited with his three corps commanders
Sherman, Mcpherson, and McClernand.
In expressing his opposition to running the
batteries and operating below the city.
Gen. Sherman used very emphatic Ian
guage, saying that to place the army in
the enemy's country below its base would
be extremely hazardous, and that such a
movement would be contrary to all rules
OF war. Sherman's vigorous opposition
did not in the least disturb Grants char
acteristic equanimity. He firmly adhered
to the plan he had submitted to his Cen
erals, requesting Sherman, however, to re-
duce his opinion to writing, that in case
the campaign should be a failure the coun-
try would know whom to blame. Grant
went below, Sherman cooperating by
threatening Haynes's Bluff above.
With the Thirteenth and Seventeenth
Corps Grant fought the battles Of Port
Gibson, Raymond, Champions Hill, Ed
wards Station, and Big Black River, while
at the latter place, he received an order
from the War Department to join Gen.
Banks at Port Hudson. Grant said
NO" With Vicksburg in his possession,
he knew that Port Hudson would fall
inevitably.
The high tide Of rebellion would have
been in the West had not our armies cap
tured Paducah, Fort Henry, Fort Donel-
son, Columbus, Island No. 10, Fort Pill
low, Memphis, Corinth, and won Shiloh's
bloody field. The browning Of all was
the capture of Vicksburg. Let US glance
at the results. The Mississippi River
sracy was cut in twain; Pemberton sur
rendered 81 900 prisoners and $50 can
non; strong army, commanded by one Of
the great Southern Generals-Joseph Z.
Johnston-had been held at bay, and Mis-
sissippis Capital, its factories and arsenal
had fallen into Gen. Grants hands. These
victories made high tide for the Union
away down in Dixie.
While we give due credit to Gen. Meade
and the Army of the Potomac for success
fully resisting the Confederates' invasion
VI tuS NOrtn, we are not unmlnuCul OF the
fact that the President called out $4,000
militia, which, in addition to Meade's 1OO,-
600, made an immense army. In the bat
tie of Gettysburg, time and numbers en-
gagged considered, Lees loss was not so
great as in some other campaigns. How
ever, when Lee withdrew from the battle
he had learned that fighting breastwOrks
defended by Union soldiers was different
from fighting on the defensive behind
breastworks.
PROFESSIONALLY, however, the results of
the Gettysburg campaign were not al
together Improbable to the Confederates.
They carried back to Old Virginia 1000
wagons loaded with provisions, and much
treasure, including 100000 tribute paid
oy the city Of Chambersburg to Gen
Ewell. There il another fact we must
not overlook: When Lee arrived at his
I'D quarters on the Rapidan he was able
% send his best General and one of his
BEST corps to reinforce Bragg, achieve vic
DRY at Chickamauga, and besiege Burn
tide at Knoxville.-JoHN r. PALMER,
Normal, Ill.