Vicksburg, Miss

scene of an important battle and siege during the Civil War. The battle occurred December 28 and 29, 1862, while Grant and Sherman were forcing their way down the Mi i ippi with the Army of the West. The Confederate leader Johnston lay posted along the Yazoo River, holding the hills between Vicksburg and Haines’ Bluff. Sherman caused a feint to be nade upon the right of the enemy, while his main force attacked the center, cro ing the intervening bayou for that purpose. The fight was begun with a heavy play of artillery from both armies, and Sherman's troops were made to face a scathing fire of musketry during their attempt to reach the hills upon which the Confederates were posted. Tl.c I’edcral soldiers were obliged to scoop holes in the sand banks for steps. Every a ault was repelled, and Sherman lost heavily. A heavy rain the next day made another attack impo ible. By May, 1863, Grant and Sherman had so far been succe ful in their operations along the Mi i ippi that, after having defeated the Confederates at Champion Hills and Big Black River, they had compelled Pemberton, the Confederate leader, to retreat into Vicksburg. By May I9 Grant had begun a siege of that town with an army of 30,000 men. Pemberton commanded over 25,000 Confederates. Grant’s army was reinforced during the siege until it numbered 70,000. Johnston had telegraphed Pemberton to surrender the town and escape, with his army if po ible, but it was then too late. Porter held the Federal base of supplics along the Yazoo River. Before the city Grant occupied the center, with Sherman on his right and McClernand on his left. On the Confederate side, Stevens on occupied five miles from the War rent on Road to the railroad, with Bowen in reserve. The fortifications were bastioned earthworks, and there were provisions for two months. After some skirmishing, Grant ordered a grand a ault May 22. But this proved a signal failure and cost him 2,500 men; so he settled down to take the city by regular approaches. There was mining and counter-mining and a constant bombardment from Grant’s batteries and the Federal gunboats and bomb-rafts, of which there were a number, both above and below the city. Pemberton held out bravely, for he had a great deal to contend with, both from lack of supplies and from discontent among his men. Finally, July 3, after forty-seven days of siege, perceiving that Grant contemplated a final a ault, Pemberton asked for an armistice, and on July 4 he surrendered. The garrison was paroled and allowed to go free. 340