登陆注册
15512200000128

第128章 CHAPTER XXXVI.(2)

Sherman reached Bridgeport about noon of the 17th and found Blair with the pontoon train already there. A few of the enemy were intrenched on the west bank, but they made little resistance and soon surrendered. Two divisions were crossed that night and the third the following morning.

On the 18th I moved along the Vicksburg road in advance of the troops and as soon as possible joined Sherman. My first anxiety was to secure a base of supplies on the Yazoo River above Vicksburg. Sherman's line of march led him to the very point on Walnut Hills occupied by the enemy the December before when he was repulsed. Sherman was equally anxious with myself. Our impatience led us to move in advance of the column and well up with the advanced skirmishers. There were some detached works along the crest of the hill. These were still occupied by the enemy, or else the garrison from Haines' Bluff had not all got past on their way to Vicksburg. At all events the bullets of the enemy whistled by thick and fast for a short time. In a few minutes Sherman had the pleasure of looking down from the spot coveted so much by him the December before on the ground where his command had lain so helpless for offensive action. He turned to me, saying that up to this minute he had felt no positive assurance of success. This, however, he said was the end of one of the greatest campaigns in history and I ought to make a report of it at once. Vicksburg was not yet captured, and there was no telling what might happen before it was taken; but whether captured or not, this was a complete and successful campaign. I do not claim to quote Sherman's language; but the substance only. My reason for mentioning this incident will appear further on.

McPherson, after crossing the Big Black, came into the Jackson and Vicksburg road which Sherman was on, but to his rear. He arrived at night near the lines of the enemy, and went into camp. McClernand moved by the direct road near the railroad to Mount Albans, and then turned to the left and put his troops on the road from Baldwin's ferry to Vicksburg. This brought him south of McPherson. I now had my three corps up the works built for the defence of Vicksburg, on three roads--one to the north, one to the east and one to the south-east of the city. By the morning of the 19th the investment was as complete as my limited number of troops would allow. Sherman was on the right, and covered the high ground from where it overlooked the Yazoo as far south-east as his troops would extend. McPherson joined on to his left, and occupied ground on both sides of the Jackson road. McClernand took up the ground to his left and extended as far towards Warrenton as he could, keeping a continuous line.

On the 19th there was constant skirmishing with the enemy while we were getting into better position. The enemy had been much demoralized by his defeats at Champion's Hill and the Big Black, and I believed he would not make much effort to hold Vicksburg.

Accordingly, at two o'clock I ordered an assault. It resulted in securing more advanced positions for all our troops where they were fully covered from the fire of the enemy.

The 20th and 21st were spent in strengthening our position and in making roads in rear of the army, from Yazoo River or Chickasaw Bayou. Most of the army had now been for three weeks with only five days' rations issued by the commissary. They had an abundance of food, however, but began to feel the want of bread. I remember that in passing around to the left of the line on the 21st, a soldier, recognizing me, said in rather a low voice, but yet so that I heard him, "Hard tack." In a moment the cry was taken up all along the line, "Hard tack! Hard tack!" I told the men nearest to me that we had been engaged ever since the arrival of the troops in building a road over which to supply them with everything they needed. The cry was instantly changed to cheers. By the night of the 21st all the troops had full rations issued to them. The bread and coffee were highly appreciated.

I now determined on a second assault. Johnston was in my rear, only fifty miles away, with an army not much inferior in numbers to the one I had with me, and I knew he was being reinforced.

There was danger of his coming to the assistance of Pemberton, and after all he might defeat my anticipations of capturing the garrison if, indeed, he did not prevent the capture of the city. The immediate capture of Vicksburg would save sending me the reinforcements which were so much wanted elsewhere, and would set free the army under me to drive Johnston from the State. But the first consideration of all was--the troops believed they could carry the works in their front, and would not have worked so patiently in the trenches if they had not been allowed to try.

The attack was ordered to commence on all parts of the line at ten o'clock A.M. on the 22d with a furious cannonade from every battery in position. All the corps commanders set their time by mine so that all might open the engagement at the same minute.

The attack was gallant, and portions of each of the three corps succeeded in getting up to the very parapets of the enemy and in planting their battle flags upon them; but at no place were we able to enter. General McClernand reported that he had gained the enemy's intrenchments at several points, and wanted reinforcements. I occupied a position from which I believed I could see as well as he what took place in his front, and I did not see the success he reported. But his request for reinforcements being repeated I could not ignore it, and sent him Quinby's division of the 17th corps. Sherman and McPherson were both ordered to renew their assaults as a diversion in favor of McClernand. This last attack only served to increase our casualties without giving any benefit whatever. As soon as it was dark our troops that had reached the enemy's line and been obliged to remain there for security all day, were withdrawn; and thus ended the last assault upon Vicksburg.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 生命的颜色

    生命的颜色

    编入作者陶少鸿的二十一个短篇小说和一部中篇小说,内容反映了当代社会生活的各个方面,既写了人与他者、与环境的关系,也写了人处在困境时的挣扎与自我拯救。
  • 龙神崛起:邪魅君王宠天下

    龙神崛起:邪魅君王宠天下

    她原本是高高在上的龙神,翻手覆云为雷霆万均,而一次夺权令她龙体受损,神脉受伤,落入凡间;他本是无情君主,却紧紧赖上了她。当她神翼舒展,翱翔九天,他又该何去何从。一段不该有的爱情贯穿前世今生。当她修复龙体提升实力,强势逆袭夺回皇位,抬起金色的眸子,却看见他魅惑的眼睛:‘娘子,你怎么能抛弃我。’当他揭开身世在迷,陪她站在世界之巅。‘相公,龙和麒麟生的孩子是什么呀。’‘嗯,那就生个看看吧。’
  • 艺兴一意爱上你

    艺兴一意爱上你

    (QQ群:474403769)看飞机划过天空,不见了安汐转身离开机场,毕竟自己在意的那个人做飞机走了。“等等。”在身后传来有一个人的呼喊。安汐回过头,看到张艺兴手上拿着花,正一步一步的走来。
  • 紫发妖姬

    紫发妖姬

    在一个本该懵懂无知,不谙世事的年纪,一场突如其来的空前浩劫让她命运逆转,为了一个不知是真是假的预言,不得不用她小小的身躯去扭转乾坤,用短暂的人生去赌那希望渺茫的机会。本来她想输赢不过一条命而已,但是却遇到了他。他说:“若你顾及的人太多,以至于忽略了自己,那守护你这件事就由我代劳吧。”他说:“若你是神,我便潜心修炼羽化成仙,若你是妖,我甘愿堕化为魔。“一场生命的追逐,一曲清歌的演奏,一幕爱恋的纠缠,她是否能赢?
  • 神奇宝贝天河

    神奇宝贝天河

    谨以此作,怀念儿时那段美好的时光。大明星楚天河因为太爱出风头被黑帮绑架,他不甘被绑调下高楼,以为死亡来临的他不知为何落入虫洞,穿越到神奇宝贝时间.....
  • 修真归来在都市

    修真归来在都市

    身为玄仙医圣,以医道登绝顶巅峰,擅长医术,毒术和炼丹术。重回都市后,秦漠定要弥补遗憾,重活精彩人生!
  • 先婚后爱:傲娇老公腹黑妻

    先婚后爱:傲娇老公腹黑妻

    一夜饮酒醉,留下因与果。她怀着孩子去破坏他的婚礼,他说:“我娶你!”她说:“好!”谁知两人各怀心思,谁知两人拥有不同目地。她说:“不准碰我,不准让孩子叫你爸爸。”他说:“好!”万般的隐忍只为拥有一世情眸,生死相依只为拥有一生温馨。在外人面前他说:“这是我老婆,我们老恩爱了,孩子都上幼儿园了,幸福的不得了。”她撇撇嘴:“呵呵……”
  • 地球来客之炼神伐天

    地球来客之炼神伐天

    混沌开,道则现,宇宙衍。好一个宇宙乾坤,天地玄黄!神、佛、仙、魔的博弈,星域星海的战争,神灵开辟的古路……这是怎样的一个世界?地球很渺小,但是却充当了一个神秘的角色,萧潜就是从这里而来,却是误入掌控者们的琪局,面临不可撬动的天,他要如何反抗?蝼蚁尚且偷生,何况人乎?闯古路,踏歌行,剑碎星河。战群英,屠鬼雄,谁与争锋?星断处,遇佳人,梦魂牵绕……一曲箫声去,问君何时还?吾欲踏破天阙,寻觅自在乾坤!
  • 破灵陆

    破灵陆

    废材少年妄想登上王者巅峰,渴望左手掌乾坤,右手握阴阳,