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through the state of Mississippi , effectually cuttingthree different lines of railroad, destroying 60miles of telegraph, and isolating the city of Jack-son on the north, south, and east, besides thor-oughly confusing the enemy and distracting hisattention. Nothing, however, could so completelybewilder the enemy and throw him off upon afalse scent as the unprecedented move whichGrant was about to make.
With these elements of success duly considered,Grant started on the 7th of May, as soon as Sher-man had crossed the river. The men were fur-nished with rations for five days, and foragingparties were sent out each night to scour thecountry and bring in everything eatable theycould lay hands on. Grant’s march was admira-bly adapted to mask his purpose. He sent smalldetachments west of the Big Black to threatenVicksburg and keep Pemberton in the neighbour-hood of the city. The left wing under McCler-nand marched up the eastern bank of the BigBlack toward Edwards’s station on the Vicksburg and Jackson railroad, about midway between thetwo cities. The centre under Sherman was headedfor Bolton station, a few miles farther east on thesame road. The right wing under McPhersonwas directed toward Jackson by way of Raymond.On the 12th McPherson’s advance encountered