CHAPTER XXIII.

G

CAPTURE OF VICKSBURG.

RANT had now obtained all the information he

could expect with regard to the interior position of the enemy. The demonstrations by the fleet on the river were successful at all points. In one of these engagements the general was present in person on board a gunboat in the middle of the stream, ready at a moment's warning to move his forces in the appointed direction.

Grant's orders were that there should not be a delay of an hour. Up to this time his point of attack was a profound secret. To the immediate surprise of the enemy, and to the ultimate surprise of the whole country, from President Lincoln down, it proved to be a little place on the Mississippi, called Bruinsburg.' It was on the Vicksburg side of the river. Three days' rations were distributed to the troops, with the accompanying order from Gen. Grant: "The Bluffs must be taken before sundown."

Every thing in the command was in the lightest possible marching order. The general set the ex

ample by taking with him nothing in the shape of baggage but a brier-wood field glass and a tooth brush. The reason for his carrying this last named article is reported by Major Penniman to be that he intended to show his teeth to the enemy. However this may be, it is certain he took no other articles of baggage― neither horse, nor servant, nor blanket, nor camp chest, nor tent. He shared all their hardships with his gallant, soldiers. Their rations were the same as his; and where they slept on the ground he slept beside them. With courage, and knowledge, and sufficient troops and arms to back him, is it any wonder such a man conquers?

The march on Bruinsburg was commenced at daylight, of the first of May, 1863. As the rays of the sun came glistening along the waters of the Mississippi the whole column was in motion. From Bruinsburg the route lay to the hills that extend from Grand Gulf to Vicksburg-terminating in that range of cliffs and gullies, which, for difficulty of access, for roughness of surface, for impregnability from assault, cast the hills around Sebastopol far into the shade. At the distance of six miles from the river, as the troops of Grant wound along their devious path among the abrupt declivities and vine-covered jungles, where the wild magnolia blossomed in the morning light and poured its fragrance on the air, the boom of cannon might be heard in the distance. It was the beginning of the fight. The attack was

first made on Grand Gulf, which was carried by our boys with a shout, at the point of the bayonet. Port Gibson, the next post, was soon reached and captured.

On the morning of May 2d, just as the day broke, the enemy fled in disgrace. We entered Port Gibson with flying colors, and pushed on at once to the banks of the Big Black River. Grant's movements were so rapid that before the enemy could concentrate he was within eighteen miles of the rear of the great stronghold. Without stopping a moment, as some inferior men would have done for such an escort as they might vainly suppose due their rank, Grant dashed on instantly with a little band of fifteen men to Grand Gulf. From this point he telegraphed the government in his usual modest manner that he had landed at Bruinsburg according to his plans; possessed Port Gibson and Grand Gulf, the enemy retiring at all points; and was now," very respectfully," on a short journey to Vicksburg.

The picked army of the rebels in that region was considered by them to be invincible. But at the approach of Grant it scattered in all directions through the adjacent woods, leaving cannon, muskets, provisions and clothing in their hasty retreat. The victory over them was complete, and one of the most important in its results then won at the West. A far greater victory was just at hand. Vicksburg was to be ours.

The remarkable strategy of Grant continued to show itself in all directions. At Chattanooga and Richmond, as well as at Vicksburg, the enemy was deceived. He struck at the very time and at the very place where they did not expect him. Even the President of the United States, the Commander-inChief of the Army and Navy, was so much in the dark as to these shrewd plans of Grant, that, when they were consummated, he addressed the general a letter on the subject, expressing his surprise at the sudden movement and tendering his gratitude and admiration at the result.

were.

Feint succeeded feint. The rebels were utterly lost in bewilderment as to what Grant's plans really The documents that fell into their hands only tended to lead them more and more astray. The movements between the Commanding General on the land and the Admiral in the river were all mutually well understood. They worked in harmony together, as all real heroes and truly great men always will, each anxious, above all things else, for the welfare and glory of their country.

Thus matters stood at the time of the landing at Bruinsburg. Grant was present on all occasions of importance, superintending every movement in person, and caring for the wants of every soldier. It is not surprising, when we see such constant care for the shelter, comfort and honor of his men, that they love him as they do.

FIRST MOVEMENT ON VICKSBURG.

205

On the 7th of May, 1863, the great advance was ordered. The General availed himself of the occasion to address his troops. His language, as usual with him, was plain, direct, and full of feeling. He reminded them of the triumphs they had already won. They had passed through them in the midst of storms, with incessant labors and severe privations. Not a murmur of complaint had escaped them. More difficulties and new perils were before them; other battles were to be fought other victories won; and . he concluded by calling on them to remember that a grateful country would rejoice at their success, and history record it with immortal honor.

Pushing on toward the rear of Vicksburg, by the shortest route, he tersely telegraphs to the War Department at Washington:

"IN THE FIELD, 11th of May, 1863.

"I shall communicate with Grand Gulf no more. may not hear from me again for several days."

You

How much of true chivalry, of heroic adventure, of courageous endurance, is garnered up in these few words! He was bound for Vicksburg, and should not stop short of it.

The first response to this brief announcement was the capture of the important post of Jackson, Mississippi the capital of that rebel State- near the former home of the arch-traitor of all - Jefferson Davis. The announcement of this auspicious event,