[Illustration: 9204]
ENERAL {195}GRANT set to work at once building bridges by which to cross
the Big Black. General Sherman's corps were soon busy felling trees and
laying planks. A raft bridge was now constructed, and a bridge was also
hurried together, with cotton bales for pontoons. The next step was to
cut trees on each side of the river in such a manner that their trunks
were not severed, but clung to the stumps. In falling across the stream,
their boughs met and grasped each other firmly, and the planks laid
across them made a secure road, over which the troops passed, while the
two Generals, Grant and Sherman, sat on a log and watched the living
mass of blue-coats march over, with the smoky, ruddy light of pitch pine
torches throwing their weird shadows over the scene. It was a wild and
picturesque panorama. The vast body of human beings moving fearlessly
across the swaying structure, the fitful gleams of light reflecting from
their muskets, the two great generals sitting there as calmly as though
watching a festive procession--the somber depths of the forest on either
side, where danger lurked in many shapes--what heart could fail to be
impressed by the solemn spectacle?
By the morning of the 18th that vast army had crossed to the west side
of the river, but the rebel general had not waited to receive them, but
flown, without attempting to give them battle. He hastened to the city
of Vicksburg, behind whose walls he found shelter. He was speedily
followed by Grant, who got his army in position, placing General Sherman
on the right of the line, General McPherson on the left of Sherman, and
McClernand next, his command touching the river below Vicksburg. Sharp
resistance was offered, and the Confederates lost ground in {196}a
skirmish on the 19th, but made an onset which almost regained it for
them, but the National troops checked their assault and moved to a more
advantageous position. The Federal forces were nearly famished, for
rations for five days had to do duty for three weeks, eked out by
what they could confiscate from the people as they marched through the
country, one of General Grant's first steps was to make roads in the
rear of his line, so that supplies could be obtained more easily. These
roads ran through swamps and miry places, where no team could force its
way.
[Illustration: 9205]
“We are expecting an attack from Johnston. He has been laid up with the
wound he received at Seven Pines, and has all the Mississippi forces
under him,” Ralph's captain said to him. “Our line of defences is
thrown out six or seven miles, so I hear,” answered Ralph. “We are well
prepared for them.”
“That is true, but we may look for an attack in our rear. McClernand
reports that he has taken two forts, and is in imminent danger, and
sends a request for reinforcements at once.”
Ere he finished speaking, the ball was opened vigorously.
{197}
[Illustration: 0206]
The {198}river heights were fortified strongly, earthworks rearing
their heads for miles, bristling with guns, against which the Union army
hurled its strength in vain. Grants purpose was to carry the works by
storm, but though splendid courage was shown, and the color-bearers at
many points reached the breastworks and planted flags upon them, they
proved impregnable.
[Illustration: 0207]
When {199}Ralph saw their efforts, he could not repress his enthusiasm,
but shouted--“Hurrah! Our flag is floating on the breeze. We shall soon
be in the city!”
His excitement was contagious, and with a ringing shout the advancing
men hurled themselves vigorously against the obstructions, only to be
driven back slowly but surely.
“General Grant has just received a dispatch saying that McClernand has
two forts of the enemy in his possession. A brigade has been sent to his
aid, and firing has been resumed-Boys, at them with a will!”
[Illustration: 0208]
As {200}they entered a cut in the road, Ralph saw the color sergeant of
one of the Illinois regiments, who could scarcely stand from fright. The
balls were whistling by their ears, the leaves of the trees were falling
in showers, scattered by the rifles' fire. The man was ashy pale, and
his knees trembled so he could not stand erect. Ralph thought of what he
had related to boys months ago, about the French soldier, but this, he
saw, was not a parallel case, for this man was clearly a coward, and as
he watched him, he expected to see him fall down, and trail the colors
after him. The man saw that he was observed, and he made one
desperate effort to raise himself to his full height, but suddenly
the pleasant-faced man who had taken interest in Ralph sprang forward,
wrested the flag from the cowardly fellow, and carried it valiantly to
the front.
Ralph looked for the sergeant. He had shrunk to the rear, and was busy
hiding behind a huge tree which towered above the field.
“Thank heaven!” said Ralph, “our flag was saved.” He felt sure that his
new friend, who was corporal of the color guard, would be rewarded in
some way, but the soldier who had rescued the flag, when summoned
before the commanding officer, and offered promotion to color sergeant,
promptly refused it, unless the one who had so belittled his trust were
reduced to the ranks. This was not done, for some reason, but the man
who had rescued the colors was made a sergeant--a deserved promotion.
The rumor proved false, for General McClernand, so far from taking the
two forts, had been repulsed, and the men who were sent to help him were
many of them killed; they were made the victims of a misstatement, to
put it as mildly as possible. A short time after, General Grant relieved
him of further responsibility, and General Ord succeeded him.
This assault was a costly one, for two thousand five hundred men were
sacrificed, and Grant determined to besiege the city. He went to
the rear, earth-works were thrown up, and mines were dug under
the fortifications. By day and by night the big guns were booming
{201}across the space, which daily grew narrower, as the Union soldiers
brought the trenches nearer to the line of defense. Those were days that
tried their courage and patience, but not a murmur was heard.
One day a great commotion took place among the soldiers. Three objects
were seen whirling through the air, and fell in the Union lines, within
five feet of where Ralph was standing.
“What is it? Where did it come from?” was the query, as several hastened
to the spot, to find three men, two white ones lying on the ground dead,
and one negro nearly so.
“Something struck some one that time,” Corporal Calvin Strong said.
“See--the colored man's coming to.”
And so he was, and as he raised up, he began to rub his head, and look
wildly about.
“Say, he's contraband of war, and we must confiscate him,” the
Corporal continued, laughingly.
“Whar--whar be I? Is dis yere de bottomless pit?” the black man asked.
“Yes, Sam, you've arrived at your proper destination, and now you've got
to be flogged every day, until your sins are all paid for.”
“Oh, massa, spare a poor cullered boy who neber did nuffing wuss den
steal a chicken, or grab a few eggs. Neber did no mo'.” And falling on
his knees he began to jabber away in pure fright.
“Get up, you black rascal; you're in the Union lines now,” Sergeant
Harmon said, as he pulled the shaking darkey to his feet.
“Bress de Lawd! In de Union? I'se whar I'll git sumfin to eat, now,
sure.”
“How far did you come, Sam?”
“Bout free miles. I'se come to stay, too. I'll neber go back dar any
mo'.”
And Black Sam did stay, and made one of the most faithful of servants.
He often referred to his first appearance among the soldiers. When the
mine exploded at Fort Hill, it killed the {202}two white men, but by
some miracle Sam escaped, and when he recovered consciousness, and found
himself surrounded by men black with powder and dust, he had really
fancied that he had landed in a certain world where they tell us cold is
unknown.
Day after day the noise of the great guns was heard. Shells were thrown
into the beleaguered town, and much injury was inflicted. Vicksburg
at this time might be called a city of caves, for they were dug in the
banks wherever a street was cut through a clayey hill, and these caves
were tenanted by entire families, who lived in comparative safety, while
shells and balls were whizzing over their heads. Nor did the darkness
bring a cessation of hostilities, the night proving no barrier to
Grant's vigorous attack. As the two lines came nearer together, a mutual
understanding was had, after this fashion:
“Well, Yank, how are you getting along?”
“Oh, fine. We'll soon be over there to see you. Have the ice-cream and
cake all ready, for it's a hot day.”
“Oh, that'll be 'all right. We'll freeze you out sure. Say, you come up
on top where we can get a look at you.”
“If you'll put your old guns away, and not pop at us, we'll come up.”
“That's a bargain. We promise. But you must do the same by us.”
“Agreed--that's fair enough.” And true to their word, they would show
themselves, and a running fire of jokes and ridicule would be launched
at each other.
“Say, Johnnie, how are the hotels over there? Engage us rooms at the
best one, for we want good accommodations when we get there.”
“We have everything fine, and are waiting to receive you in first-class
shape.”
“Good eating?”
“The choicest cuts of mule-steaks, roasts, soups, any shape you order
it. Say, Yank, what's the news your way?”
“Oh, were having a jolly time. We've got everything we want, {203}save
your town, and when we get that, the old mud stream will be open for a
sail way down to the Gulf.”
“Well, you won't take your sail very soon, then, for you'll never get
Vicksburg. Say, have yer got any terbacker?”
“Lots of it. Want some?” Then the exchange would be made, and after this
friendly pause, both sides would resume hostilities, as earnestly as
ever.
[Illustration: 8212]
Work in the trenches brought the prospect of subduing the almost
invulnerable heights nearer and nearer. Famine threatened the besieged
city, with its horrors. Forty-four days had been consumed in laying
siege. Soldiers lay down in the same clothes which they had worn through
all these weary weeks of bloodshed and resistance.
General Pemberton sent a flag of truce to General Grant, and
negotiations were carried on, but the Federal commander was now prepared
for a final grand assault. The Fourth of July was near, supplies had
given out within the walls, and the Confederate general, who had held
out bravely, surrendered without making any conditions.
General Grant took possession in a most magnanimous manner. By his
express command not a man of his army was permitted to cheer; not a
single salute was fired, and silently, with dignity and generosity,
the half-starved Confederates were fed bountifully, the Union soldiers
emptying their own knapsacks, and giving their contents to {204}them.
All the prisoners taken at Vicksburg and those at Port Hudson were
paroled, under the supposition that they would return to their homes,
and await a proper exchange.
[Illustration: 8213]
War has its humor as well as peace. The help afforded by Porters fleet
and Farragut's had been considerable during the siege. The Confederates
had sunk the Indianola, one of Porter's boats, and were trying to raise
it, when they saw a monitor coming down full upon them. Admiral Porter
had fitted up an old flatboat with pork barrels for smoke stacks, and
furnaces made from mud, in which a fire had been started. He sent it
sailing down the river, with not a human being on board, to the evident
terror of the Confederates, who were watching her and who fired point
blank at her, without stopping the supposed monitor. Dreading lest they
would lose their prize, they promptly blew up the Indianola, before they
discovered that they were sold.