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

river, below Memphis, except those included in the Fifteenth Corps, comprised the Thirteenth Army Corps, under the command of General McClernand, Generals M. L. Smith and F. Steele's divisions, with the forces in the "District of Memphis," were formed into the Fifteenth Army Corps, MajorGeneral W. T. Sherman commanding. The divisions of McArthur, Quimby and Ross, with the cavalry of Colonel A. L. Lee, and the commands of Davies and Sullivan, comprised the Sixteenth Army Corps, commanded by Major-General Hurlbut. The Seventeenth Army Corps was made up from the divisions of J. W. Denver, John A. Logan, and J. G. Lauman, with Grierson's cavalry and General Dodge's command in the Corinth district. Major-General J. B. McPherson commanded this organization.

Subsequently, McArthur's and Quinby's divisions were transferred from the Sixteenth to the Seventeenth, and those of Denver and Lauman from the Seventeenth to the Sixteenth Corps.

NEGRO EMANCIPATION.

When, on the 22d of September, 1862, Abraham Lincoln issued that proclamation which has immortalized his name, declaring that on the first day of the new year, 1863, all persons held as slaves within the States which were in arms against the Federal Government should be free, General Grant, like a good soldier and faithful citizen, heartily seconded the Administration, and allowed, wherever

his department extended, no obstacle to be thrown in the way of the Administration policy. He encouraged the organization of colored troops, and used all his influence to subdue the senseless prejudice which then exsited against that unhappy

race.

SECOND MOVEMENT ON VICKSBURG.

General Grant felt much chagrined over the failure of the first movement on Vicksburg, but, dauntless as ever, immediately set on foot plans by which the next attempt might be rendered brilliantly successful. He had a choice of five routes by which to move on the Rebel citadel from the interior and secure a base of operations. The first of these routes was the Williams Canal, which the gallant general of that name cut across the peninsula, on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi, in the preceding year. This canal was situated six miles below Vicksburg, and, could it be made available, would infinitely lighten the labor of capturing the coveted stronghold. Work was recommenced on this channel on the 2d of February, 1863, and was continued with energy until the 8th of March, when the Mississippi arose in its wrath and, breaking through the mouth of the "cut off," overwhelmed everything and compelled our engineers to desist from that project.

Of course the Rebels were elated at our misfortune; but Grant, although annoyed, was not disheartened, and immediately gave orders to try Mil

liken's Bend, where large bayous run from that point on the north to New Carthage on the south. From the latter point Roundabout Bayou ran into the Tensas River. This place was worked upon for a week, but, finding it impossible to effect a passage, Grant ordered the digging and dredging discontinued.

Lake Providence, situated 75 miles from Vicksburg, immediately south of the Arkansas State line, was the next point on which engineering skill was tried. This sheet of water is six miles long, two miles wide, and is only one mile west of the great river. A water channel, called Bayou Baxter, connected it with Bayou Macon, which latter is connected with the Tensas river, which communicates with the Washita and Red rivers, and so into the Mississippi. A canal was cut through the short strips of land, already referred to, but without effect. The project was soon given up.

The Yazoo Pass, eight miles below Helena, a very winding channel, running eastward from the Mississippi into Moon Lake, whence by a tortuous course, it again runs eastward until it empties into the Coldwater, which in turn empties into the Tallahatchie river, was next attempted. After incredible exertions and an attempt by a portion of the Thirteenth and Fifteenth corps, under Generals McPherson, Quinby and Ross, to storm Fort Pemberton, which obstructed navigation at the head of the Pass, this project had to be abandoned on the 23d of March.

A WAY AT LAST.

After vainly attempting to utilize States Bayou, the success of which adventure would give to his army all the base of operations he required, Grant finally determined to occupy New Carthage, which was accessible by land, and the possession of which point would insure the safety of his water communication. McClernand's corps-the Thirteenth -was moved forward on March 29, but at Smith's plantation, two miles from the desired position, McClernand, to his intense disgust, found that the levee at Bayou Vidal had burst, and that New Carthage was, as a consequence, surrounded by a deep channel of water. Grant, however, by marvelous exertions, provided a way out of the difficulty. He led his troops around the bayou and gained what he had toiled for so long-a base of operations. His supplies had to be hauled over execrable roads, thirty-five miles, all the way from Milliken's Bend. No such feat had been accomplished in warfare since the days of Bonaparte.

"THE ARMY AND NAVY FOREVER."

The 16th of April, 1863, was destined to be splendidly signalized by one of the most superb naval manoeuvers that had ever, up to that time, been chronicled. Grant, by his untiring zeal, had provided for the march of the army down the western bank of the Mississippi, so that he could get south of Vicksburg, the only point, as he cor