The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1905-12-14

of the prominent military and naval
figures In history. Commodore Porter
felt this to the utmost and expressed
it in his usual exuberant, positive way.
Gen. Grant felt and expressed merely
that he had done the work he had set
out to do and done it with a complete
ness that left nothing to be desired.
His main thought now was to dispose
of Joe Johnston and if possible destroy
his army. On the afternoon Of July 3
he felt reasonably sure that Pember-
ton would surrender, and therefore
sent orders to Gen. Sherman to move
out at once and crush Joe Johnston,
who had advanced close to Sherman's
lines In the expectation that Pember-
ton would make some demonstration
toward escaping by the roads 10 the
southeast.
Sending the News to Washington.
Gen. Grant, on his return from mis-
visit to Porter, saw that his troops were
in quiet possession Of the city and then
bethought him of the necessity of in
forming the authorities at Washington.
Gen. Grant was never given to lengthy
reports nor extended descriptions of
what he had done or intended to do.
He let results be his eloquence, and
the dispatch he sent to Washington,
and which woke up the whole Nation
W d Ol Rejoicing, WAS eACtcO.
ingly brief and simple. 1t read:
Near Vicksburg, Miss,
July 4, 1868, 1890 a. m.
Maj. Gen. H. w. Halleck. General-in-
Chief:
'"The enemy surrendered this morn
ing. The only terms allowed is their
parole as prisoners Of war. This re-
garded as of great advantage to us at
this juncture. 1t saves probably sever
- H.,
troops and transports ready for fmmed-
late service. Gen. Sherman, with a
large force, will face Immediately on
Johnston and drive him from the State.
will send troops to the relief Of Gen.
Banks, and return the Ninth Corps to
Gen. Burnside.
''U. s. Grant, Major General"
This reached Washington at a time
when the people had been raised FROM
their previous depression by the vic
tory at Gettysburg, and 1T augmented
immensely their elation. 1t was more
comprehensive and complete success in
many respects. The victory of Gettys-
burg had relieved the North from fear
Of invasion, and had turned back Lees
confident army IN defeat, but 1t had
decided nothing beyond this. The cap
ture Of Vicksburg, on the other hand,
was a symmetrical and well-rounded
opening Of the Mississippi, but the de-
struction of the army which had de-
tended the stronghold.
Sherman Moves Against Johnston.
Gen. Grants telegram to Gen. Sher-
man. stating that the capitulation was
likely and directing him to be ready
to move against Johnston, reached
Sherman at Tribes Place, near Bear
Creek, about p. m, July 3. At that
time Johnston was near Black River
with about 10000 men. He was in
person opposite Birdsong's Ferry with
one division. three divisions opposite
Bridgeport. All these were provided
with pontoon trains and 1t was john
ston's intention to have crossed the Big
Black on the 4th or 9Th OF July, but
he heard Of the proceedings for ca
pitulatiOn as early as Sherman did, on
the Sd, and began drawing back. Gen.
Sherman began rapid concentration
passing Big Black River: viz, the rail-
road, Messengers Ford and Birdsong's
Ferry. The Thirteenth Corps, under
Gen. Ord, crossed at the railroad; the
Fifteenth Corps, under Gen. Steele, at
Messinger's Ford, and the Ninth
Corps, under Gen. Parke, at Birdsongs
Ferry. They were all across the river
started by different roads for
Bolton Depot.
1t was a bitter disappointment to all
these troops not to be allowed to go
into Vicksburg, for which they had
battled so long. They were all desper-
ately weary from the fatigues and long
continued strains Of the siege, and the
weather was intensely hot, the roads
very dusty, the springs dried up and
the streams reduced to stagnant pools.
Into these latter the rebels had driven
animals and then shot them, SO that
their rotting carcasses poisoned the
water. Still, the troops promptly
obeyed orders and moved out with sur
prising rapidity over the burning, dusty
roads, In the hopes Of catching john
ston and smashing him. In spite Of
everything, they were near Clinton by
the evening Of July Z, where they rest
ed and formed line Of battle. because
Johnston's force was reported to be
near at hand and in a fighting position.
Gen. Johnston, however, gave Sher-
man taste Of that wary. elusive dis
position of which Sherman was next
year to have abundant experience on
the Atlanta campaign. While making
demonstrations as IL he intended to
give battle to prevent entrance into
Jackson, he was really concentrating
his troops behind strong intrench-
ments around that city, which had been
in preparation ever since Johnston had
I'D H. L. ISf