Immediatestepswerenowtakentoremovethecoal—barge，whichwasaccomplishedaboutdaylightonSundaymorning，whenthefleetmovedbacktowardBlackBayou。Bythreeo’clockp。m。wehadonlymadeaboutsixmiles，owingtothelargenumberoftreestoberemoved;
atthispoint，whereourprogresswasveryslow，wediscoveredalonglineoftheenemyfilingalongtheedgeofthewoods，andtakingpositiononthecreekbelowus，andaboutonemileaheadofouradvance。Shortlyafter，theyopenedfireonthegunboatsfrombatteriesbehindthecavalryandinfantry。Theboatsnotonlyrepliedtothebatteries，whichtheysoonsilenced，butpouredadestructivefireintotheirlines。Heavyskirmishingwasalsoheardinourfront，supposedtobebythreecompaniesfromtheSixthandEighthMissouri，whoseposition，takenthepreviousnighttoguardthecreek，wasbeyondthepointreachedbytheenemy，andconsequentlyliabletobecutofforcaptured。CaptainOwen，oftheLouisville，theleadingboat，madeeveryefforttogothroughtheobstructionsandaidintherescuingofthemen。IorderedMajorKirby，withfourcompaniesoftheSixthMissouri，forward，withtwocompaniesdeployed。HesoonmetGeneralSherman，withtheThirteenthInfantryandOneHundredandThirteenthIllinois，drivingtheenemybeforethem，andopeningcommunicationalongthecreekwiththegunboats。Insteadofourthreecompaniesreferredtoasengagingtheenemy，GeneralShermanhadarrivedataveryopportunemomentwiththetworegimentsmentionedabove，andtheSecondBrigade。Theenemy，notexpectinganattackfromthatquarter，aftersomehotskirmishing，retreated。GeneralShermanimmediatelyorderedtheThirteenthInfantryandOneHundredandThirteenthIllinoistopursue;but，afterfollowingtheirtraceforabouttwomiles，theywererecalled。
Wecontinuedourmarchforabouttwomiles，whenwebivouackedforthenight。EarlyonMondaymorning（March22d）wecontinuedourmarch，butowingtotheslowprogressofthegunboatsdidnotreachHill’splantationuntilTuesday，the23dinstant，whereweremaineduntilthe25th;wethenreembarked，andarrivedatYoung’sPointonFriday，the27thinstant。
Belowyouwillfindalistofcasualties。Veryrespectfully，GilesA。SMITH，ColonelEighthMissouri，commandingFirstBrigade。
P。S。—IforgottostateabovethattheThirteenthInfantryandOneHundredandThirteenthIllinoisbeingundertheimmediatecommandofGeneralSherman，hecanmentionthemastheirconductdeserves。
Onthe3dofApril，adivisionoftroops，commandedbyBrigadier—
GeneralJ。M。Tuttle，wasassignedtomycorps，andwasdesignatedtheThirdDivision;and，onthe4thofApril，Brigadier—GeneralD。
StuartwasrelievedfromthecommandoftheSecondDivision，towhichMajor—GeneralFrankP。BlairwasappointedbyanorderfromGeneralGrant’sheadquarters。StuarthadbeenwithmefromthetimewewereatBentonBarracks，incommandoftheFifty—fifthIllinois，thenofabrigade，andfinallyofadivision;buthehadfailedinseekingaconfirmationbytheSenatetohisnominationasbrigadier—general，byreasonofsomeoldaffairatChicago，and，havingresignedhiscommissionascolonel，hewasoutofservice。
Iesteemedhimveryhighly，andwasactuallymortifiedthattheserviceshouldthusbedeprivedofsoexcellentandgallantanofficer。HeafterwardsettledinNewOrleansasalawyer，anddiedabout1867or1868。
Onthe6thofApril，mycommand，theFifteenthCorps，wascomposedofthreedivisions:
TheFirstDivision，commandedbyMajor—GeneralFredSteele;andhisthreebrigadesbyColonelManter，ColonelCharlesR。Wood，andBrigadier—GeneralJohnM。Thayer。
TheSecondDivision，commandedbyMajor—GeneralFrankP。Blair;andhisthreebrigadesbyColonelGilesA。Smith，ColonelThomasgilbySmith，andBrigadier—GeneralHughEwing。
TheThirdDivision，commandedbyBrigadier—GeneralJ。M。Tuttle;
andhisthreebrigadesbyBrigadier—GeneralR。P。Buckland，ColonelJ。A。Mower，andBrigadier—GeneralJohnE。Smith。
Myownstaffthenembraced:Dayton，McCoy，andHill，aides;J。H。
Hammond，assistantadjutant—general;Sanger，inspector—general;
McFeeley，commissary;J。ConditSmith，quartermaster;CharlesMcMillan，medicaldirector;EzraTaylor，chiefofartillery;JNo。
C。Neely，ordnance—officer;JenneyandPitzman，engineers。
BythistimeithadbecomethoroughlydemonstratedthatwecouldnotdivertthemainriverMississippi，orgetpracticableaccesstotheeastbankoftheYazoo，intherearofVicksburg，byanyofthepasses;andwewereallinthehabitofdiscussingthevariouschancesofthefuture。GeneralGrant’sheadquarterswereatMilliken’sBend，intents，andhisarmywasstrungalongtheriverallthewayfromYoung’sPointuptoLakeProvidence，atleastsixtymiles。IhadalwayscontendedthatthebestwaytotakeVicksburgwastoresumethemovementwhichhadbeensowellbegunthepreviousNovember，viz。，forthemainarmytomarchbylanddownthecountryinlandoftheMississippiRiver;whilethegunboat—fleetandaminorland—forceshouldthreatenVicksburgonitsriver—front。
Ireasonedthat，withthelargeforcethensubjecttoGeneralGrant’sorders—viz。，fourarmycorps——hecouldeasilyresumethemovementfromMemphis，bywayofOxfordandGrenada，toJackson，Mississippi，ordowntheridgebetweentheYazooandBigBlack;butGeneralGrantwouldnot，forreasonsotherthanmilitary，takeanycoursewhichlookedlike，astepbackward;andhehimselfconcludedontherivermovementbelowVicksburg，soastoappearlikeconnectingwithGeneralBanks，whoatthesametimewasbesiegingPortHudsonfromthedirectionofNewOrleans。
Preliminaryordershadalreadybeengiven，lookingtothediggingofacanal，toconnecttheriveratDuckportwithWillowBayou，backofMilliken’sBend，soastoformachannelfortheconveyanceofsupplies，bywayofRichmond，toNewCarthage;andseveralsteamdredge—boatshadcomefromtheupperriverstoassistinthework。
OnedayearlyinApril，IwasupatGeneralGrant’sheadquarters，andwetalkedoverallthesethingswithabsolutefreedom。CharlesA。Dana，AssistantSecretaryofWar，wasthere，andWilson，Rawlins，FrankBlair，McPherson，etc。Weallknew，whatwasnotorious，thatGeneralMeClernandwasstillintriguingagainstGeneralGrant，inhopestoregainthecommandofthewholeexpedition，andthatotherswereraisingaclamoragainstGeneralGrantinthenewspapersattheNorth。EvenMr。LincolnandGeneralHalleckseemedtobeshaken;butatnoinstantoftimedidwe（hispersonalfriends）slackeninourloyaltytohim。Onenight，aftersuchadiscussion，andbelievingthatGeneralMcClernandhadnorealplanofactionshapedinhismind，IwrotemyletterofApril8，1863，toColonelRawlins，whichletterisembracedinfullatpage616ofBadeau’sbook，andwhichInowreproducehere:
HEADQUARTERSFIFTEENTHARMYCORPS，CAMPNEARVICKSBURG，April8，1868。
ColonelJ。A。RAWLINS，AssistantAdjutant—GeneraltoGeneralGRANT。
SIR:Iwouldmostrespectfullysuggest（forreasonswhichIwillnotname）thatGeneralGrantcallonhiscorpscommandersfortheiropinions，conciseandpositive，onthebestgeneralplanofacampaign。Unlessthisbedone，therearemenwhowill，inanyresultfallingbelowthepopularstandard，claimthattheiradvicewasunheeded，andthatfatalconsequenceresultedtherefrom。Myownopinionsare:
First。ThattheArmyoftheTennesseeisnowfarinadvanceoftheothergrandarmiesoftheUnitedStates。
Second。ThatacorpsfromMissourishouldforthwithbemovedfromSt。LouistothevicinityofLittleRock，Arkansas;suppliescollectedtherewhiletheriverisfull，andlandcommunicationwithMemphisopenedviaDesArcontheWhite，andMadisonontheSt。FrancisRiver。
Third。ThatasmuchoftheYazooPass，Coldwater，andTallahatchieRivers，ascanbegainedandfortified，beheld，andthemainarmybetransportedthitherbylandandwater;thattheroadbacktoMemphisbesecuredandreopened，and，assoonasthewaterssubside，Grenadabeattacked，andtheswamp—roadacrosstoHelenabepatrolledbycavalry。
Fourth。ThatthelineoftheYalabushabethebasefromwhichtooperateagainstthepointswheretheMississippiCentralcrossesBigBlack，aboveCanton;and，lastly，wheretheVicksburg&JacksonRailroadcrossesthesameriver（BigBlack）。ThecaptureofVicksburgwouldresult。
Fifth。Thataminorforcebeleftinthisvicinity，nottoexceedtenthousandmen，withonlyenoughsteamboatstofloatandtransportthemtoanydesiredpoint;thisforcetobeheldalwaysnearenoughtoactwiththegunboatswhenthemainarmyisknowntobenearVicksburg——Haines’sBlufforYazooCity。
Sixth。IdodoubtthecapacityofWillowBayou（whichIestimatetobefiftymileslongandverytortuous）asamilitarychannel，tosupplyanarmylargeenoughtooperateagainstJackson，Mississippi，ortheBlackRiverBridge;andsuchachannelwillbeveryvulnerabletoaforcecomingfromthewest，whichwemustexpect。YetthiscanalwillbemostusefulasthewaytoconveycoalsandsuppliestoafleetthatshouldnavigatethelowerreachoftheMississippibetweenVicksburgandtheRedRiver。
Seventh。ThechiefreasonforoperatingsolelybywaterwastheseasonoftheyearandhighwaterintheTallahatchieandYalabushaRivers。Thespringisnowhere，andsoonthesestreamswillbenoseriousobstacle，saveintheambuscadesoftheforest，andwhateverworkstheenemymayhaveerectedatornearGrenada。
NorthMississippiistoovaluableforustoallowtheenemytoholditandmakecropsthisyear。
Imakethesesuggestions，withtherequestthatGeneralGrantwillreadthemandgivethem，asIknowhewill，ashareofhisthoughts。Iwouldpreferthatheshouldnotanswerthisletter，butmerelygiveitasmuchoraslittleweightasitdeserves。
Whateverplanofactionhemayadoptwillreceivefrommethesamezealouscooperationandenergeticsupportasthoughconceivedbymyself。IdonotbelieveGeneralBankswillmakeanyseriousattackonPortHudsonthisspring。Iam，etc。，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
Thisistheletterwhichsomecriticshavestyleda\"protest。\"WeneverhadacouncilofwaratanytimeduringtheVicksburgcampaign。Weoftenmetcasually，regardlessofrankorpower，andtalkedandgossipedofthingsingeneral，asofficersdoandshould。Butmyletterspeaksforitself——itshowsmyopinionsclearlyatthatstageofthegame，andwasmeantpartiallytoinduceGeneralGranttocallonGeneralMcClernandforasimilarexpressionofopinion，but，sofarasIknow，hedidnot。Hewentonquietlytoworkouthisowndesigns;andhehastoldme，sincethewar，thathadwepossessedinDecember，1862，theexperienceofmarchingandmaintainingarmieswithoutaregularbase，whichweafterwardacquired，hewouldhavegoneonfromOxfordasfirstcontemplated，andwouldnothaveturnedbackbecauseofthedestructionofhisdepotatHollySpringsbyVanDorn。ThedistancefromOxfordtotherearofVicksburgislittlegreaterthanbythecircuitousrouteweafterwardfollowed，fromBruinsburgtoJacksonandVicksburg，duringwhichwehadneitherdepotnortrainofsupplies。IhavenevercriticisedGeneralGrant’sstrategyonthisoranyotheroccasion，butIthoughtthenthathehadlostanopportunity，whichcosthimandussixmonths’extra—
hardwork，forwemighthavecapturedVicksburgfromthedirectionofOxfordinJanuary，quiteaseasilyaswasafterwarddoneinJuly，1863。
GeneralGrant’sordersforthegeneralmovementpastVicksburg，byRichmondandCarthage，weredatedApril20，1863。McClernandwastoleadoffwithhiscorps，McPhersonnext，andmycorps（theFifteenth）tobringuptherear。Preliminarythereto，onthenightofApril16th，seveniron—cladsledbyAdmiralPorterinperson，intheBenton，withthreetransports，andtenbargesintow，rantheVicksburgbatteriesbynight。Anticipatingascene，Ihadfouryawl—boatshauledacrosstheswamp，tothereachoftheriverbelowVicksburg，andmannedthemwithsoldiers，readytopickupanyofthedisabledwrecksastheyfloatedby。IwasoutinthestreamwhenthefleetpassedVicksburg，andthescenewastrulysublime。
AssoonastherebelgunnersdetectedtheBenton，whichwasinthelead，theyopenedonher，andontheothersinsuccession，withshotandshell;housesontheVicksburgsideandontheoppositeshoreweresetonfire，whichlightedupthewholeriver;andtheroarofcannon，theburstingofshells，andfinallytheburningoftheHenryClay，driftingwiththecurrent，madeupapictureoftheterriblenotoftenseen。Eachgunboatreturnedthefireasshepassedthetown，whilethetransportshuggedtheoppositeshore。
WhentheBentonhadgotabreastofus，Ipulledofftoher，boarded，hadafewwordswithAdmiralPorter，andasshewasdriftingrapidlytowardthelowerbatteriesatWarrenton，Ileft，andpulledbacktowardtheshore，meetingthegunboatTuscumbiatowingthetransportForestQueenintothebankoutoftherangeoffire。TheForestQueen，CaptainConway，hadbeenmyflag—boatuptheArkansas，andforsometimeafter，andIwasveryfriendlywithherofficers。Thiswastheonlytransportwhosecaptainwouldnotreceivevolunteersasacrew，butherownofficersandcrewstucktotheirboat，andcarriedhersafelybelowtheVicksburgbatteries，andafterwardrenderedsplendidserviceinferryingtroopsacrosstheriveratGrandGulfandBruinsburg。InpassingVicksburg，shewasdamagedinthehullandhadasteam—pipecutaway，butthiswassoonrepaired。TheHenryClaywassetonfirebyburstingshells，andburnedup;oneofmyyawlspickedupherpilotfloatingonapieceofwreck，andthebulkofhercrewescapedintheirownyawl—boattotheshoreabove。TheSilverWave，CaptainMcMillan，thesamethatwaswithusupSteele’sBayou，passedsafely，andshealsorenderedgoodserviceafterward。
Subsequently，onthenightofApril26th，sixothertransportswithnumerousbargesloadedwithhay，corn，freight，andprovisions，weredriftedpastVicksburg;ofthesetheTigresswashit，andsunkjustasshereachedtheriver—bankbelow，onourside:Iwastherewithmyyawls，andsawColonelLagow，ofGeneralGrant’sstaff，whohadpassedthebatteriesintheTigress，andIthinkhewassatisfiednevertoattemptsuchathingagain。ThusGeneralGrant’sarmyhadbelowVicksburganabundanceofstores，andboatswithwhichtocrosstheriver。Theroadbywhichthetroopsmarchedwasverybad，anditwasnotuntilthe1stofMaythatitwasclearformycorps。Whilewaitingmyturntomarch，IreceivedaletterfromGeneralGrant，writtenatCarthage，sayingthatheproposedtocrossoverandattackGrandGulf，abouttheendofApril，andhethoughtIcouldputinmytimeusefullybymakinga\"feint\"onHaines’sBluff，buthedidnotliketoordermetodoit，becauseitmightbereportedattheNorththatIhadagainbeen\"repulsed，etc。\"ThuswehadtofightasenselessclamorattheNorth，aswellasadeterminedfoeandtheobstaclesofNature。Ofcourse，IansweredhimthatIwouldmakethe\"feint，\"regardlessofpublicclamoratadistance，andIdidmakeitmosteffectually;
usingalltheoldboatsIcouldgetaboutMilliken’sBendandthemouthoftheYazoo，buttakingonlytensmallregiments，selectedoutofBlair’sdivision，tomakeashowofforce。WeafterwardlearnedthatGeneralPembertoninVicksburghadpreviouslydispatchedalargeforcetotheassistanceofGeneralBowers，atGrandGulfandPortGibson，whichforcehadproceededasfarasHankinson’sFerry，whenhediscoveredourostentatiousmovementuptheYazoo，recalledhismen，andsentthemuptoHaines’sBlufftomeetus。Thisdetachmentofrebeltroopsmusthavemarchednearlysixtymileswithoutrest，forafterward，onreachingVicksburg，I
heardthatthemenwereperfectlyexhausted，andlayalongtheroadingroups，completelyfaggedout。Thisdiversion，madewithsomuchpompanddisplay，thereforecompletelyfulfilleditspurpose，byleavingGeneralGranttocontendwithaminorforce，onlandingatBruinsburg，andafterwardatPortGibsonandGrandGulf。
InMaythewatersoftheMississippihadsofarsubsidedthatallourcanalswereuseless，andtheroadshadbecomepracticable。
AfterMcPherson’scorpshadpassedRichmond，Itookuptherouteofmarch，withSteele’sandTuttle’sdivisions。Blair’sdivisionremainedatMilliken’sBendtoprotectourdepotsthere，tillrelievedbytroopsfromMemphis，andthenhewasorderedtofollowus。OurroutelaybyRichmondandRoundaboutBayou;then，followingBayouVidalwestrucktheMississippiatPerkins’splantation。ThencetheroutefollowedLakeSt。JosephtoaplantationcalledHardTimes，aboutfivemilesaboveGrandGulf。
TheroadwasmoreorlessoccupiedbywagonsanddetachmentsbelongingtoMcPherson’scorps;stillwemarchedrapidlyandreachedHardTimesonthe6thofMay。AlongtheBayouorLakeSt。
Josephweremanyveryfinecottonplantations，andIrecallthatofaMr。Bowie，brother—in—lawoftheHon。ReverdyJohnson，ofBaltimore。Thehousewasveryhandsome，withafine，extensivegrass—plotinfront。Weenteredtheyard，and，leavingourhorseswiththeheadquartersescort，walkedtothehouse。Onthefront—porchIfoundamagnificentgrand—piano，withseveralsatin—coveredarm—chairs，inoneofwhichsataUnionsoldier（oneofMcPherson’smen），withhisfeetonthekeysofthepiano，andhismusketandknapsacklyingontheporch。Iaskedhimwhathewasdoingthere，andheansweredthathewas\"takingarest;\"thiswasmanifestandIstartedhiminahurry，toovertakehiscommand。
Thehousewastenantless，andhadbeencompletelyransacked;
articlesofdressandbookswerestrewedabout，andahandsomeboudoirwithmirrorfronthadbeencastdown，strikingaFrenchbedstead，shiveringtheglass。Thelibrarywasextensive，withafinecollectionofbooks;andhangingonthewallweretwofull—lengthportraitsofReverdyJohnsonandhiswife，oneofthemostbeautifulladiesofourcountry，withwhomIhadbeenacquaintedinWashingtonatthetimeofGeneralTaylor’sadministration。Behindthemansionwastheusualdoublerowofcabinscalledthe\"quarters。\"ThereIfoundanoldnegro（afamilyservant）withseveralwomen，whomIsenttothehousetoputthingsinorder;tellingtheoldmanthatothertroopswouldfollow，andhemuststandontheporchtotellanyofficerswhocamealongthatthepropertybelongedtoMr。Bowie，whowasthebrother—in—lawofourfriendMr。ReverdyJohnson，ofBaltimore，askingthemtoseethatnofurtherharmwasdone。SoonafterweleftthehouseIsawsomenegroescarryingawayfurniturewhichmanifestlybelongedtothehouse，andcompelledthemtocarryitback;andafterreachingcampthatnight，atHardTimes，IsentawagonbacktoBowie’splantation，tobringuptoDr。Hollingsworth’shousethetwoportraitsforsafekeeping;butbeforethewagonhadreachedBowie’sthehousewasburned，whetherbysomeofourmenorbynegroesIhaveneverlearned。
Attherivertherewasagooddealofscramblingtogetacross，becausethemeansofferriagewereinadequate;butbytheaidoftheForestQueenandseveralgunboatsIgotmycommandacrossduringthe7thofMay，andmarchedouttoHankiuson’sFerry（eighteenmiles），relievingGeneralCrocker’sdivisionofMcPherson’scorps。McClernand’scorpsandMcPherson’swerestillahead，andhadfoughtthebattleofPortGibson，onthe11th。I
overtookGeneralGrantinpersonatAuburn，andheaccompaniedmycorpsallthewayintoJackson，whichwereachedMay14th。
McClernand’scorpshadbeenleftinobservationtowardEdwards’sFerry。McPhersonhadfoughtatRaymond，andtakentheleft—handroadtowardJackson，viaClinton，whilemytroopswereorderedbyGeneralGrantinpersontotaketheright—handroadleadingthroughMississippiSprings。WereachedJacksonatthesametime;
McPhersonfightingontheClintonroad，andmytroopsfightingjustoutsidethetown，ontheRaymondroad，wherewecapturedthreeentirefield—batteries，andabouttwohundredprisonersofwar。
Therebels，underGeneralJoeJohnston，hadretreatedthroughthetownnorthwardontheCantonroad。GeneralsGrant，McPherson，andI，metinthelargehotelfacingtheState—House，wheretheformerexplainedtousthathehadintercepteddispatchesfromPembertontoJohnston，whichmadeitimportantforustoworksmarttopreventajunctionoftheirrespectiveforces。McPhersonwasorderedtomarchbackearlythenextdayontheClintonroadtomakejunctionwithMcClernand，andIwasorderedtoremainonedaytobreakuprailroads，todestroythearsenal，afoundery，thecotton—factoryoftheMessrs。Green，etc。，etc。，andthentofollowMcPherson。
McPhersonleftJacksonearlyonthe15th，andGeneralGrantduringthesameday。Ikeptmytroopsbusyintearinguprailroad—tracks，etc。，butearlyonthemorningofthe16threceivednoticefromGeneralGrantthatabattlewasimminentnearEdwards’sDepot;thathewantedmetodispatchoneofmydivisionsimmediately，andtofollowwiththeotherassoonasIhadcompletedtheworkofdestruction。Steele’sdivisionstartedimmediately，andlaterinthedayIfollowedwiththeotherdivision（Tuttle’s）。JustasI
wasleavingJackson，averyfatmancametoseeme，toinquireifhishotel，alarge，framebuildingnearthedepot，weredoomedtobeburned。Itoldhimwehadnointentiontoburnit，oranyotherhouse，exceptthemachine—shops，andsuchbuildingsascouldeasilybeconvertedtohostileuses。Heprofessedtobealaw—abidingUnionman，andIremembertohavesaidthatthisfactwasmanifestfromthesignofhishotel，whichwasthe\"ConfederateHotel;\"thesign\"UnitedStates\"beingfaintlypaintedout，and\"Confederate\"
paintedoverit！Irememberedthathotel，asitwasthesupper—stationfortheNewOrleanstrainswhenIusedtotraveltheroadbeforethewar。Ihadnottheleastpurpose，however，ofburningit，but，justaswewereleavingthetown，itburstoutinflamesandwasburnedtotheground。Ineverfoundoutexactlywhosetitonfire，butwastoldthatinoneofourbatteriesweresomeofficersandmenwhohadbeenmadeprisonersatShiloh，withPrentiss’sdivision，andhadbeencarriedpastJacksoninarailroad—train;theyhadbeenpermittedbytheguardtogotothisveryhotelforsupper，andhadnothingtopaybutgreenbacks，whichwererefused，withinsult，bythissamelaw—abidinglandlord。
Thesemen，itwassaid，hadquietlyandstealthilyappliedthefireunderneaththehoteljustaswewereleavingthetown。
AboutdarkwemetGeneralGrant’sstaff—officernearBoltonStation，whoturnedustotheright，withorderstopushontoVicksburgbywhatwasknownastheupperJacksonRoad，whichcrossedtheBigBlackatBridgeport。Duringthatday（May16th）
thebattleofChampionHillshadbeenfoughtandwonbyMcClernand’sandMcPherson’scorps，aidedbyonedivisionofmine（Blairs），undertheimmediatecommandofGeneralGrant;andMcPhersonwasthenfollowingthemassofPemberton’sarmy，disorderedandretreatingtowardVicksburgbytheEdwards’sFerryroad。GeneralBlair’sdivisionhadcomeupfromtherear，wastemporarilyattachedtoMcClernand’scorps，takingpartwithitinthebattleofChampionHills，butonthe17thitwasorderedbyGeneralGrantacrosstoBridgeport，tojoinmethere。
JustbeyondBoltontherewasasmallhewn—loghouse，standingbackinayard，inwhichwasawell;atthissomeofoursoldiersweredrawingwater。Irodeintogetadrink，and，seeingabookontheground，askedsomesoldiertohandittome。ItwasavolumeoftheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates，andonthetitle—pagewaswrittenthenameofJeffersonDavis。Oninquiryofanegro，I
learnedthattheplacebelongedtothethenPresidentoftheSouthernConfederation。HisbrotherJoeDavis’splantationwasnotfaroff;oneofmystaff—officerswentthere，withafewsoldiers，andtookapairofcarriage—horses，withoutmyknowledgeatthetime。HefoundJoeDavisathome，anoldman，attendedbyayoungandaffectionateniece;buttheywereoverwhelmedwithgrieftoseetheircountryoverranandswarmingwithFederaltroops。
Wepushedon，andreachedtheBigBlackearly，Blair’stroopshavingprecededusbyanhourorso。IfoundGeneralBlairinperson，andhereportedthattherewasnobridgeacrosstheBigBlack;thatitwasswimming—deep;andthattherewasarebelforceontheoppositeside，intrenched。HehadorderedadetachmentoftheThirteenthUnitedStatesRegulars，underCaptainCharlesEwing，tostripsomeartillery—horses，mountthemen，andswimtheriverabovetheferry，toattackanddriveawaythepartyontheoppositebank。Ididnotapproveofthisriskyattempt，butcreptdownclosetothebrinkoftheriver—
bank，behindacorn—cribbelongingtoaplantationhousenearby，andsawtheparapetontheoppositebank。Orderingasectionofgunstobebroughtforwardbyhandbehindthiscorn—crib，afewwell—directedshellsbroughtoutoftheirholesthelittlepartythatwascoveringthecrossing，viz。，alieutenantandtenmen，whocamedowntotheriver—bankandsurrendered。Blair’spon—
toon—trainwasbroughtup，consistingofIndia—rubberboats，oneofwhichwasinflated，usedasaboat，andbroughtovertheprisoners。Apontoon—bridgewasatoncebegun，finishedbynight，andthetroopsbeganthepassage。Afterdark，thewholescenewaslitupwithfiresofpitch—pine。GeneralGrantjoinedmethere，andwesatonalog，lookingatthepassageofthetroopsbythelightofthosefires;thebridgeswayedtoandfrounderthepassingfeet，andmadeafinewar—picture。Atdaybreakwemovedon，ascendingtheridge，andby10a。m。theheadofmycolumn，longdrawnout，reachedtheBentonroad，andgaveuscommandofthepeninsulabetweentheYazooandBigBlack。IdispatchedColonelSwan，oftheFourthIowaCavalry，toHaines’sBluff，tocapturethatbatteryfromtherear，andheafterwardreportedthathefounditabandoned，itsgarrisonhavinghastilyretreatedintoVicksburg，leavingtheirgunspartiallydisabled，amagazinefullofammunition，andahospitalfullofwoundedandsickmen。ColonelSwansawoneofourgunboatslyingabouttwomilesbelowintheYazoo，towhichhesignaled。Shesteamedup，andtoitscommanderthecavalryturnedoverthebatteryatHaines’sBluff，andrejoinedmeinfrontofVicksburg。Allowingacoupleofhoursforrestandtocloseupthecolumn，IresumedthemarchstraightonVicksburg。
Abouttwomilesbeforereachingtheforts，theroadforked;theleftwasthemainJacksonroad，andtherightwasthe\"graveyard\"
road，whichenteredVicksburgnearalargecemetery。GeneralGrantinpersondirectedmetotaketheright—handroad，but，asMcPhersonhadnotyetgotupfromthedirectionoftherailroad—bridgeatBigBlack，IsenttheEighthMissourionthemainJacksonroad，topushtherebelskirmishersintotown，andtoremainuntilrelievedbyMcPherson’sadvance，whichhappenedlatethatevening，May18th。ThebattalionoftheThirteenthUnitedStatesRegulars，commandedbyCaptainWashington，wasattheheadofthecolumnontheright—handroad，andpushedtherebelsclosebehindtheirparapets;oneofmystaff，CaptainPitzman，receivingadangerouswoundinthehip，whichapparentlydisabledhimforlife。BynightBlair’swholedivisionhadclosedupagainstthedefensesofVicksburg，whichwerefoundtobestrongandwellmanned;and，onGeneralSteele’sheadofcolumnarriving，Iturneditstillmoretotheright，withorderstoworkitswaydownthebluff，soastomakeconnectionwithourfleetintheMississippiRiver。Therewasagooddealofdesultoryfightingthatevening，andamanwaskilledbytheaideofGeneralGrantandmyself，aswesatbytheroad—sidelookingatSteele’sdivisionpassingtotheright。GeneralSteele’smenreachedtheroadwhichledfromVicksburguptoHaines’sBluff，whichroadlayatthefootofthehills，andinterceptedsomeprisonersandwagonswhichwerecomingdownfromHaines’sBluff。
AllthatnightMcPherson’stroopswerearrivingbythemainJacksonroad，andMcClernand’abyanotherneartherailroad，deployingforwardasfastastheystrucktherebelworks。Mycorps（theFifteenth）hadtherightofthelineofinvestment;McPherson’s（theSeventeenth）thecentre;andMcClernand’s（theThirteenth）theleft，reachingfromtheriverabovetotherailroadbelow。Ourlinesconnected，andinvestedaboutthree—quartersoftheland—frontofthefortificationsofVicksburg。OnthesuppositionthatthegarrisonofVicksburgwasdemoralizedbythedefeatsatChampionHillsandattherailroadcrossingoftheBigBlack，GeneralGrantorderedanassaultatourrespectivefrontsonthe19th。Mytroopsreachedthetopoftheparapet，butcouldnotcrossover。Therebelparapetswerestronglymanned，andtheenemyfoughthardandwell。Mylosswasprettyheavy，fallingchieflyontheThirteenthRegulars，whosecommandingofficer，CaptainWashington，waskilled，andseveralotherregimentswereprettybadlycutup。We，however，heldthegrounduptotheditchtillnight，andthendrewbackonlyashortdistance，andbegantocounter—trench。Onthegraveyardroad，ourparapetwaswithinlessthanfiftyyardsoftherebelditch。
Onthe20thofMay，GeneralGrantcalledthethreecorpscommanderstogether，viz。，McClernand，McPherson，andSherman。Wecomparednotes，andagreedthattheassaultofthedaybeforehadfailed，byreasonofthenaturalstrengthoftheposition，andbecausewewereforcedbythenatureofthegroundtolimitourattackstothestrongestpartsoftheenemy’sline，viz。，wherethethreeprincipalroadsenteredthecity。
Itwasnotacouncilofwar，butamereconsultation，resultinginordersfromGeneralGrantforustomakeallpossiblepreparationsforarenewedassaultonthe22d，simultaneously，at10a。m。I
reconnoitredmyfrontthoroughlyinperson，fromrighttoleft，andconcludedtomakemyrealattackattherightflankofthebastion，wherethegraveyardroadenteredtheenemy’sintrenchments，andatanotherpointinthecurtainaboutahundredyardstoitsright（ourleft）;alsotomakeastrongdemonstrationbySteele’sdivision，aboutamiletoourright，towardtheriver。Allourfieldbatterieswereputinposition，andwerecoveredbygoodepaulements;thetroopswerebroughtforward，ineasysupport，concealedbytheshapeoftheground;andtothe:minute，viz。，10a。m。ofMay22d，thetroopssprangtotheassault。Asmallparty，thatmightbecalledaforlornhope，providedwithplanktocrosstheditch，advancedatarun，uptotheveryditch;thelinesofinfantrysprangfromcover，andadvancedrapidlyinlineofbattle。Itookapositionwithintwohundredyardsoftherebelparapet，ontheoffslopeofaspurofground，wherebyadvancingtwoorthreestepsIcouldseeeverything。Therebelline，concealedbytheparapet，showednosignofunusualactivity，butasourtroopscameinfairview，theenemyrosebehindtheirparapetandpouredafuriousfireuponourlines;and，forabouttwohours，wehadasevereandbloodybattle，butateverypointwewererepulsed。Intheverymidstofthis，whenshellandshotfellfuriousandfast，occurredthatlittleepisodewhichhasbeencelebratedinsongandstory，oftheboyOrionP。Howe，badlywounded，bearingmeamessageforcartridges，calibre54，describedinmylettertotheHon。E。M。Stanton，SecretaryofWar。
ThisboywasafterwardappointedacadettotheUnitedStatesNavalAcademy，atAnnapolis，buthecouldnotgraduate，andIdonotnowknowwhathasbecomeofhim。
Afterourmenhadbeenfairlybeatenbackfromofftheparapet，andhadgotcoverbehindthespursofgroundcloseuptotherebelworks，GeneralGrantcametowhereIwas，onfoot，havinglefthishorsesomedistancetotherear。Ipointedouttohimtherebelworks，admittedthatmyassaulthadfailed，andhesaidtheresultwithMcPhersonandMcClernandwasaboutthename。Whilehewaswithme，anorderlyorstaff—officercameandhandedhimapieceofpaper，whichhereadandhandedtome。Ithinkthewritingwasinpencil，onaloosepieceofpaper，andwasinGeneralMcClernand’shandwriting，totheeffectthat\"histroopshadcapturedtherebelparapetinhisfront，\"that，\"theflagoftheUnionwavedoverthestrongholdofVicksburg，\"andaskinghim（GeneralGrant）togiverenewedorderstoMcPhersonandShermantopresstheirattacksontheirrespectivefronts，lesttheenemyshouldconcentrateonhim（McClernand）。GeneralGrantsaid，\"Idon’tbelieveawordofit;\"