5 i8

THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN.

the commissary. They had an abundance of food, however, but began to feelthe want of bread. I remember, that in passing around to the left of the lineon the 21st, a soldier, recognizing me, said in rather a low voice, but yet sothat I heard him, “ Hard-tack.” In a moment the cry was taken up all alongthe line, “ Hard-tack ! Hard-tack ! ” I told the men nearest to me that we hadbeen engaged ever since the arrival of the troops in building a road over whichto supply them with everything they needed. The cry was instantly changedto cheers. By the night of the 21st all the troops had full rations issued tothem. The bread and coffee were highly appreciated.

I now determined on a second assault. Johnston was in my rear, only fiftymiles away, with an army not much inferior in numbers to the one I had withme, and I knew he was being reenforced. There was danger of his comingto the assistance of Pemberton, and, after all, he might defeat my anticipationsof capturing the garrison, if, indeed, he might not prevent the capture of thecity. The immediate capture of Vicksburg would save sending me the re-enforcements, which were so much wanted elsewhere, and would set free thearmy under me to drive Johnston from the State. But the first considerationof all was: the troops belie'ved they could carry the works in their front, andwould not have worked so patiently in the trenches if they had not beenallowed to try.

The attack was ordered to commence on all parts of the line at 10 o’clocka. m. on the 22d with a furious cannonading from every battery in position.All the corps commanders set their time by mine, so that all might open theengagement at the same minute. The attack was gallant, and portions ofeach of the three corps succeeded in getting up to the very parapets of theenemy, and in planting their battle-flags upon them; but at no place werewe able to enter. General McClernand reported that lie had gained the enemy’sintrenchments at several points, and wanted reenforcements. I occupied aposition from which I believed I could see as well as he what took place inhis front, and I did not see the success he reported. But his request for re-enforcements being repeated, I could not ignore it, and sent him Quinby’sdivision of the Seventeenth Corps. Sherman and McPherson were bothordered to renew their assaults as a diversion in favor of McClernand . Thislast attack only served to increase our casualties, without giving any benefitwhatever. As soon as it was dark, our troops that had reached the enemy’sline and had been obliged to remain there for security all day, were with-drawn, and thus ended the last assault on Vicksburg .

I now determined upon a regular siege,— to “out-camp the enemy,” as itwere, and to incur no more losses. The experience of the 22d convincedofficers and men that this was best, and they went to work on the defensesand approaches with a will. With the navy holding the river the invest-ment of Vicksburg was complete. As long as we could hold our position,the enemy was limited in supplies of food, men, and munitions of war, towhat they had on hand. These could not last always.

The crossing of troops at Bruinsburg commenced April ffOth. On the 18thof May the army was in rear of Vicksburg . On the 19th, just twenty days