While the canal work was in progress, McPherson's Corps was assigned the
opening of the Lake Providence route. The objective of this activity was
the turning of Vicksburg's left flank by passing southward through the
Louisiana waterways to reach the bluffs below the city. A canal was cut
to provide entrance from the Mississippi into Lake Providence, 75 miles
above Vicksburg. From Lake Providence a route was surveyed through the
labyrinth of bayous, lakes, and rivers by which a fleet might emerge
again on the Mississippi 200 miles below the city and move on Vicksburg
from the south. While presenting great difficulties to navigation, the
entire 400 miles would be safe from enemy action. By the end of March
1863, McPherson's men had almost cleared the route for navigation. The
dredging of shoals and the sawing off of trees far enough below the
water to permit passage of the transports proved the most severe
obstacles. Before this long and extremely difficult route could be
completed, however, other, more likely, plans were formulated, and the
Lake Providence expedition was recalled.
[Illustration: THE BAYOU EXPEDITIONS
_FEBRUARY-APRIL 1863_]
Four unsuccessful attempts by Grant to strike Vicksburg from the
rear by moving his army on transports through the rivers and bayous
to the bluffs north or south of the city.
Yazoo Pass Expedition blocked by the guns of Fort Pemberton.
Lake Providence Route abandoned; unable to clear route for
navigation.
Steele's Bayou Expedition cut off in Rolling Fork.
Duckport Canal Expedition abandoned because of low water in the
bayous.