![regiment](images/hh21c11.jpg)
A regiment drawn up in line of battle.
From a wartime sketch.
The Vicksburg
Campaign: Grant Moves Against Vicksburg and
Succeeds (continued)
THE CAMPAIGN ENDED. The Union Army, now within a few
miles of its long-sought objective, had, in the 18 days since it crossed
the Mississippi, completed one of the most noteworthy campaigns of the
war. Marching deep into enemy territory, the Army of the Tennessee had
successfully lived off the country while fighting and winning five
engagements and inflicting critical losses in men and equipment, had
prevented Johnston and Pemberton from joining forces, and had driven the
Army of Vicksburg into the defenses of the city.
By noon of May 18, with Grant's advance expected
momentarily, Pemberton believed the defenses of Vicksburg strong enough
to stand off the Union Army until Johnston received sufficient
reinforcements to raise the expected siege and prevent loss of the
Mississippi River. There, while inspecting his defenses, Pemberton
received a dispatch from Johnston advising the evacuation of Vicksburg
which, Johnston felt, was already doomed. Military necessity demanded
that "instead of losing both troops and place, we must, if possible,
save the troops. If it is not too late, evacuate Vicksburg and its
dependencies and march to the northeast."
Unwilling to yield the city without a fight,
Pemberton placed the order before his senior officers. They were of
unanimous opinion that it would be "impossible to withdraw the army from
this position with such morale as to be of further service to the
Confederacy." As the council of war reached its decision to remain and
fight, Union guns opened on the works. The siege of Vicksburg had
begun.
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