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the pontoon train already there. A few of the enemy were intrenched onthe west bank, bnt they made little resistance, and soon surrendered. Twodivisions 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 abase of supplies on the Yazoo River above Vicksburg . Sherman’s line ofmarch led him to the very point on Walnut Hills occupied by the enemy theDecember before, when he was repulsed. Sherman was equally anxious withmyself. Our impatience led us to move in advance of the column, and well upwith the advanced skirmishers. There were some detached works along thecrest of the hill. These were still occupied by the enemy, or else the garrisonfrom Haynes’s Bluff had not all got past on their way to Vicksburg . At allevents, 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 spotcoveted so much by him the December before,—on the ground where hiscommand lay so helpless for offensive action [Chickasaw Bayou], He turnedto me, saying that up to this minute he had felt no positive assurance ofsuccess. This, however, he said, was the end of one of the greatest campaignsin history, and I ought to make a report of it at once. Vicksburg was notyet captured, and there was no telling what might happen before it wastaken; but whether captured or not, this was a complete and successfulcampaign. I do not claim to quote Sherman’s language, but the substanceonly. My reason for mentioning this incident will appear farther on.
McPherson, after crossing the Big Black, came into the Jackson and Vicks-burg road which Sherman was on, but to his rear. He arrived at night nearthe lines of the enemy, and went into camp. McClernand moved by thedirect 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 . Thisbrought him south of McPherson. I now had my three corps up to the worksbuilt for the defense of Vicksburg on three roads,—one to the north, one tothe east, and one to the south-east of the city. By the morning of May 19ththe 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 over-looked the Yazoo as far south-east as his troops would extend. McPhersonjoined 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 toward War-renton as he could, keeping a continuous line.
On the 19th there was constant skirmishing with the enemy while wewere getting into better position. The enemy had been much demoralizedby his defeats at Champion’s Hill and the Big Black, and I believed wouldnot make much effort to hold Vicksburg . Accordingly at 2 o’clock Iordered an assault. It resulted in securing more advanced positions for allour troops, where they were fully covered from the fire of the enemy.
The 20th and 21st were spent in strengthening our position, and in makingroads in rear of the army, from Yazoo River, or Chickasaw Bayou. Most ofthe army had now been for three weeks with only five days’ rations issued by