SHERMAN'S UNSUCCESSFUL ENDEAVOR. Prior to the mishap at Holly Springs, the first act in the drama having been successfully performed, Grant proposed to the Commander-in-Chief to hold Pemberton beyond the Yalebooka river, while forces from Helena and Memphis were moved on Vicksburg. Halleck acceeded to this proposal, and, on the 8th of December, General Sherman, who commanded the right wing of the army, and who had formed a junction with Grant, near Waterford, Miss., on December 1, received the following order: HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, OXFORD, MISS., Dec. 8, 1862. MAJOR-GENERAL W. T. SHERMAN, Commanding Right Wing: GENERAL—You will proceed with as little delay as possible to Memphis, Tenn., taking with you one division of your present command. On your arrival at Memphis, you will assume command of all the troops there, and that portion of General Curtis's force at present east of the Mississippi River, and organize them into brigades and divisions in your own way. As soon as possible, move with them down the river, to the vicinity of Vicksburg; and, with the co-operation of the gunboat fleet under command of Flag-Officer Porter, proceed to the reduction of that place, in such manner as circumstances and your own judgment may dictate. The amount of rations, forage, land transportation, etc., necessary to take will be left entirely with yourself. The quartermaster at St. Louis will be instructed to send you transportation for thirty thousand men. Should you still find yourself deficient, your quartermaster will be authorized to make up the deficiency from such transports as may come into the port of Memphis. On arriving in Memphis, put yourself in communication with Admiral Porter, and arrange with him for his co-operation. Inform me at the earliest practicable day of the time when you will embark, and such plans as may then be matured. I will hold the forces here in readiness to co-operate with you in such manner as the movements of the enemy may make necessary. Leave the district of Memphis in the command of an efficient officer, and with a garrison of four regiments of infantry, the siege-guns, and whatever cavalry may be there. ΤΟ (Signed) U. S. GRANT, Major-General. In pursuance of this order, General Sherman prepared, in concert with Admiral Porter, the first expedition against Vicksburg. On the day after the surrender of Holly Springs, (December 21st, of which unfortunate event he was in total ignorance), this gallant officer embarked his expeditionary force at Memphis and Helena. He had with him four splendid divisions of infantry, with artillery and a small force of cavalry. On the 27th the main body of his forces debarked at Johnston's Landing, on the Yazoo river, about eight miles north of Vicksburg. The result of the assault on the Rebel positions along Haines's Bluff, is well known. Unsupported from the interior by Grant, who had been compelled by the Holly Springs disaster to fall back, as before stated, Sherman did all that man could do, and failed, but not ingloriously. He buried his dead, picked up his wounded and re-embarked his troops, to rejoin Grant, whose vexation was great, but whose gallant spirit was in no wise damped by disappointment. CHAPTER X. GRANT'S MILITARY CAREER. (CONTINUED.) Re-organization of the Army-The Slaves Emancipated-The Second Campaign against Vicksburg-Difficulties by Water-Porter Runs the Gauntlet with his Gunboats-Attack on Grand Gulf-Battle of Port GibsonVicksburg Described-Feints-The Battles of Champion Hills-The Town Invested-The Grand Assault-The Outer Works Carried-The Rebel Commander Capitulates-“Unconditional Surrender" Again— Vicksburg and its Spoils-Port Hudson Too-The Victor's Crown, FORMATION OF CORPS D'armee. Notwithstanding the results of these attempts to reduce the Rebel stronghold of the Southwest, the Government at Washington had learned to confide in General Grant, and, as a consequence, re-inforced him heavily. The army was immediately divided into distinct corps, on the Napoleonic plan, which is so admirably adapted to prevent confusion and develop the military talent of subordinate commanders. Numerous divisions were not suited to the measures which the war, then assuming gigantic proportions, called for. Accordingly, on December 22d, 1863, orders were issued from headquarters, dividing the troops in the Department of the Mississippi into four corps d'armee. The divisions of G. W. Morgan and A. J. Smith, with all troops operating on the |