The Cairo bulletin., 1904-09-04
THE vICKsBURG CAMPAIGN.

The MISUNDERSTANDING battlefield
commission has awarded the contract
for the erection of a state monument
and eighty markers and regimental
monuments on the Vicksburg battle
field at cost of s192, 400
The battles around Vicksburg and
the long siege Of that city by the army
Of Gen. Grant, which was largely com
posed of Illinois troops constitutes
one of the mos notable chapters Of
the civil war 1t is eminently proper
that the great state of Illinois should
perpetuate the heroic deeds of her
sons on that famous field, deeds which
are still unriyalled in point of bravery
in che history of war and which had
so much to do with preserving the
Union
In the campaign around Viclsburg
Gen. Grant had no more brilliant couh.
sellers nor commanders than
Generals John A. Logan and
j. G, McClelland. and no bet
ter fighters charged a Confederate
foe than the gallant men who follow.
ed them.
1t was Illinois troops, led by che
dashing and indomitable Logan, who
were the first to enter the surrender
ed city, the siege Of which lasted
about fifty days, though the campaign
for II capture was in progress several
mor'hs-fsom January to the latter
part OF May. The campaign for the
capture ana control of the Mississippl
however. began in November. 1862.
In January, 1863, one OF the mos,
brilliant pieces Of work of the entire
campaign was accomplished by the
troops under command Of Gen. Bic
Clarnand. who, after a hot fight last.
ing three days. effected the capture
Of Arkansas Post on the Arkansas
river and 5000 Confederates with
their arms. equipments and stores
Shortly after this Gen. Grant, seeing
what effective soldiers the men under
McClernand were, ordered the la.ters
command nearer the city. where from
that time on they played a part sec
ond in importance 10 no command in
the entire army.
The Union and Confederate armies
at the opening of the campaign
against Vicksburg. were on an equal
footing, the former. under the com
mand Of Gen. Pemberton. numbering
about 10000. and Gen. Grants forces
having about the same numerical
strength. Both armies. however. were
strengthened during the
and at Us conclusion the
Federal forces numbered T1.00s men,
while the Confederate strength was
more.
The loss of the Mississippi in this
campaign was a death blow t. the
and no achievement in
Gen Grants career shines with great
or luster The Union loss during the
was about 5000 men. while
that Of he Confedcracy has been Va.
riously estimated at all the way from
$4,000 to C1.Oo0.
As Is well known, it was at Vicks.
burg that Gen. Grant won the sobri- |
quet of Unconditional Surrender |
Grant" On the Ord OF July. after six !
months Of hard fighting which culmi. /
mated in his being bottled up in the |
city of yieksburg for weeks. supplies 1
ali gone and his army starved. Gen /
Pemberton sent a communication to 4
Gen. Grant asking for an armlstice /
with a view 10 arranging terms for I
the capiiulation OF Wick burg. To /
This request Gen. Grant sent the IA 1
nous reply that the useless eGusion /
Of blood" could be ended at any time 4
by the unconditional surrender Of the 1
cry and garrison" After some dis /
cussi0n these terms Nere accepted /
and on the following day. July 4. 1863 /
the COnfederates marched out, stack /
ed arms and retired.
Here Gen. Grant gave evidence Of
The magnsnlmity Ct his soldier heart |