were hurled over the parapet among them.

The assault

is worthy to be mentioned with the names of Mamelon, Vert, and Malakoff. But, like the Crimean stronghold, this Sebastopol of the Mississippi could only be carried by assault after a protracted siege. With fearful loss, the gallant army was retired from the unequal fight, and regular approaches commenced. The conduct, triumphant issue, and joyful results of the siege, are familiar. On the 4th of July, 1863, after a campaign of extraordinary energy, the unconditional surrender of Vicksburg closed up a series of movements of which General Halleck declares, 'No more brilliant exploit can be found in military history.'

"While, however, the rest of the army, on the national holiday, moved into the city they had won, to rejoice in their success, and to rest after exhausting labors, for Sherman and his corps there was still work in hand. About a fortnight before the surrender, General Joe Johnston was threatening the rear of the besieging army with a large improvised force. Grant at once sent this message to Sherman: You must whip Johnston fifteen miles from here.' But Johnston drew back upon Jackson, and General Sherman was notified to be ready to start against the latter place on July 6th. 'I placed MajorGeneral Sherman in command of all the troops designated to look after Johnston. Johnston, however, not attacking, I determined to attack him the moment Vicks

burg was in our possession, and accordingly notified Sherman that I would again make an assault on Vicksburg at daylight of the 6th, and for him to have up supplies of all descriptions ready to move upon receipt of orders if the assault should prove a success. His preparations were immediately made, and when the place surrendered on the 4th, two days earlier than I had fixed for the attack, Sherman was found ready, and moved at once with a force increased by the remainder of both the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Army Corps, and is at present (July 6th) investing Jackson, where Johnston has made a stand.'

"General Sherman was now intrusted with the chief part of General Grant's army: he moved so quickly that the latter was able to telegraph to Washington, July 12th, 'General Sherman has Jackson invested from Pearl River on the north to the river on the south. This has cut off many hundred cars from the Confederacy. General Sherman says he has force enough, and feels no apprehension about the result.""

Nor was there occasion to fear; for the rebel chief was under the eye of a lion in war's arena, that never missed his prey when fairly within his reach.

CHAPTER XV.

General Sherman watching Joe Johnston-Foraging-An Attack-The Enemy steals away in the Night-The Conquering Battalions have a brief restEncampment on the Big Black River-Scenes there- Reënforces General Rosecrans-Death of General Sherman's Son-Beautiful Letter-The Monument.

ENERAL SHERMAN was in no haste to strike ; he could leisurely watch the foe chafing in the narrow limits of his beleagured ground. Expeditions were sent out in different directions, the gallant troopers destroying railroad tracks, bridges, and culverts, and bringing in supplies from the enemy's lands and granaries.

A

July 11th they accidentally found in an old building, carefully packed away, a large library, and various mementos of friendship. A glance revealed the owner. gold-headed cane bore the inscription, "To Jefferson Davis, from Franklin Pierce." Precious plunder! The arch traitor has hidden in the quiet country, and in a place which could awaken no suspicion, his valuable li

brary, correspondence, and articles of cherished regard. The excited troopers soon get into the book pile, and volumes, heaps of letters, and handsome canes, are borne as trophies (a new kind of forage) to headquarters. Secession is discovered in many letters, by Northern friends of the treasonable leader, and his right to that proud distinction freely granted. Added to their capture, hundreds of cars were taken from the Confederacy.

On the 13th a heavy fog lay along the river banks, hiding from each other's view the opposing armies. Suddenly rebel shouts came through the gloom, and a desperate sortie from their works is made upon General Sherman's defences. He is ready to meet the shock, and after a brief struggle they stagger back to their intrench

ments.

The twilight hour of July 16th brought to a projection of the works rebel bands of music, insulting our troops with "Bonnie Blue Flag," "My Maryland,” "Dixie's Land," and other airs perverted to the service of treason. The next morning's dawn gave signs of a retreating foc. The fighting Joe Johnston had stolen away, leaving all over Jackson the marks of ruin. The day before-July 15th-the President issued a proclamation for national thanksgiving, on the 6th day of August, for the recent victories.

General Johnston was fairly whipped, and without the awful waste of life a great battle involves.

And now

followed other bloodless, and yet exciting scenes of war. You might have seen squads of cavalrymen galloping in every direction, in the wake of the retreating foe, and, with axe and torch, laying in ruins bridges and barns, and whatever might serve the cause of rebellion. Of our brave chieftain's successes to this time, since he dashed forward to Walnut Hills, after the first occupation of Jackson, "the siege of Vicksburg and last capture of Jackson, and dispersion of Johnston's army, entitle General Sherman to more honor than usually falls to the lot of one man to earn."

The short period of rest enjoyed by the heroic army was only one of preparation for a more difficult and grander advance. The London Spectator said of the bold and splendid campaign: It comprised "a series of movements which were overlooked at the time, yet upon which hung the safety of two Federal armies-the extraordinary march of General Sherman from Vicksburg to Chattanooga."

The camp of the Fifteenth Army Corps, during this interlude of marching, lay along the Big Black River, between Jackson and Vicksburg, about twenty miles from the latter. It was acting as guard to all that region against any return movements or raids of the enemy. A glance at the map will show you the exact position.

But there is a history of this and similar encampments which will never be written. In the sultry air and poison