THE VICTOR'S CROWN. The meed of victory soon reached the victor. The cool and veteran Halleck compared Grant's exploit with Napoleon's at Ulm and Ratisbon. The generous and genial Lincoln wrote him the following letter, so worthy of his great mind and noble heart: EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, July 13, 1863. TO MAJOR-GEneral Grant: MY DEAR GENERAL-I do not remember that you and I ever met personally. I write this now as a grateful acknowledgment for the almost inestimable service you have done the country. I wish to say a word further. When you first reached the vicinity of Vicksburg, I thought you should do what you finally did-march the troops across the neck, run the batteries with the transports, and thus go below; and I never had any faith, except a general hope that you knew better than I, that the Yazoo Pass expedition and the like could succeed. When you got below and took Port Gibson, Grand Gulf, and vicinity, I thought you should go down the river and join General Banks; and when you turned northward east of the Big Black, I feared it was a mistake. I now wish to make a personal acknowledgment that you were right and I was wrong. Yours, very truly, A. LINCOLN. The Southern press, when commenting on the surrender, spoke respectfully of Gen. Grant and even allowed that his terms to Pemberton were generous, considering how completely that unfortunate general was in his power. THE CAMPAIGN ENDED. On the 9th of July, the rebel General Gardner surrendered the important fortress of Port Hudson to Gen. Banks, having first learned that Vicksburg had fallen. Sherman followed Johnston, who, when too late, had approached toward Vicksburg and was manoeuvering in the vicinity of Jackson. The rebel issued a boastful order to his troops on July 9 and awaited Sherman's attack. On the 13th the rebels made a desperate sortie from Jackson and were repulsed. Sherman then prepared for a general assault-but his opponent did not await the result. Johnston evacuated his works on the night of the 17th, and next day Sherman entered them in triumph. This virtually ended the campaign, and Grant was promptly rewarded by being appointed a Major-General in the regular army of the United States, his commission dating from July 4th, 1863. The officers of his command presented the successful commander with a magnificent sword. Afterward an obelisk was erected on the spot, outside of Vicksburg, where the interview between Grant and Pemberton took place. CHAPTER XI. GRANT'S MILITARY CAREER. (CONTINUED.) Grant Busies Himself with Administration-Is Promoted to the Command of Four Armies-Prepares to Attack Bragg at Lookout Mountain-Plan of the Battle-A Dashing Assault-Grant “Refuses to be Embarrassed”The Battle Above the Clouds-A Mighty Charge-Phil. Sheridan Distinguishes Himself-Victory-Its Trophies-Gratitude of the Nation. GRANT AS AN ADMINISTRATOR. His The few succeeding summer months were occupied by General Grant in managing the general executive business of his department, checking smugglers, baffling traitors and punishing extortionists. He gave no countenance to stragglers, and put the contraband Negroes to good use in the colored regiments, or else in constructing camps, driving train wagons, repairing railroads, etc. administration of public affairs was highly successful throughout the region over which he had authority. He compelled unprincipled captains of Mississippi steamboats to disgorge money fraudulently obtained from officers and enlisted men, who were compelled to voyage by the river. Never was such strict discipline and thorough honesty enforced in that State or in Tennessee. He made a tour of observation in August, and received an enthusiastic ovation from the loyal portion of the citizens of Memphis. He thanked them in a modest, manly, patriotic letter, in which he bore noble testimony to the courage and endurance of the brave troops who had followed his fortunes. He returned to Vicksburg and went to Natchez and from thence to New Orleans. He arrived in the Crescent City on September 2d, and on the 3d, the trade of the Southwestern metropolis was declared free; that is, with the ports of the Northwest. Military restriction on commerce was removed, and everything wore an aspect of returning peace and prosperity. AN UNLUCKY ACCIDENT. On September 4th, General Grant reviewed the Thirteenth Army Corps, in company with General Banks, who commanded the department. During the review the strange horse which General Grant rode stumbled and threw him heavily, injuring him. so severely that it was feared his future active service in the field was somewhat doubtful. The Government had intended to place him in command of the troops marching on Georgia, and his accident caused Lincoln and the country at large great anxiety. His case, fortunately, did not prove so serious as was first anticipated, and in a few weeks he was again fit for duty. GRANT PLACED IN COMMAND OF FOUR ARMIES. Then he went up the Mississippi to Cairo, having stopped at Vicksburg and other points, to arrange the route of the troops who were to form part of the corps then concentrating in and around Chattanooga, Tenn. He made provisions for a medal commemorative of the fall of Vicksburg, and then proceeded to Indianapolis, where the following communication from the War Office was handed him: WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-General's Office, By direction of the President of the United States, the Departments of the Ohio, of the Cumberland, and of the Tennessee, will constitute the Military Division of the Mississippi. Major-General U. S. Grant, United States Army, is placed in command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, with his headquarters in the field. Major-General W. S. Rosecrans, United States volunteers, is relieved from the commaud of the Department of the Army of the Cumberland. MajorGeneral G. H. Thomas is hereby assigned to that command. By order of the Secretary of War, E. D. TOWNSEND, A. A. G. On the 18th, Grant issued his general order, at Louisville, Ky., assuming the above command, and announcing that the headquarters of the Military Division of the Mississippi would be in the field. HE ORGANIZES THE GRAND ARMY. The States of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Northern Alabama, and Northwestern Georgia were included within the limits of the new department. He had under his command four fine armies-"The Army of the Tennessee, (conquerors of Vicksburg) "The Army of the Cumberland," "The Army of the Ohio," and the Eleventh and Twelfth corps de |