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army and unable to rejoin it, fled southeasterlymany miles beyond Jackson.
Half of Pemberton’s force had thus crumbledaway; the rest retreated in disorder toward Vicks burg . To deal this shattering blow cost Grant2500 men. It was the decisive stroke of the cam-paign. The Confederates were now scattered toall points of the compass; there was no more chanceof uniting under Johnston ; while the Federals, insolid column and elated with victory, were fastnearing the goal of all their labours. That even-ing Grant received Halleck’s order, dated fivedays before, telling him on no account whatever toundertake such a campaign as this, but to go downand unite with Banks . He could read this ordernow with equanimity. He had staked everything,but he had won. Unless something extraordinaryshould happen, Vicksburg was doomed.
The march thither next morning was attendedby a brief but notable passage at arms. At eighto’clock McClernand ’s corps had reached the bridgeover the Big Black river. Pemberton had placed5000 men there in a position precarious unless re-inforced, and yesterday’s defeat had victory-prevented this. In less than an hour at Big Blackone third of this force was captured, rrrer ‘with 18 pieces of artillery and 1400 stand of arms;the rest had fled in a panic, not forgetting, how