Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Chapter
Headquarters Moved to Holly Springs—General McClernand in Command—Assuming Command at Young’s Point—Operations Above Vicksburg—Fortifications About Vicksburg—The Canal—Lake Providence—Operations at Yazoo Pass explained
Grant describes the strategic challenges and political pressures of the Vicksburg campaign in early 1863.
What happens
Grant describes the strategic challenges and political pressures of the Vicksburg campaign in early 1863. Facing high water, demoralization in the North, and distrust of General McClernand, Grant assumes personal command at Young’s Point. He details the failed experiments to bypass Vicksburg, the capture of Arkansas Post, and the decision to press forward despite the risk of appearing to retreat.
Themes in this chapter
Leadership and Humility
Grant overrides McClernand’s insubordination for the good of the service, demonstrating selfless command.
The Horrors and Cost of War
The chapter highlights the demoralization, draft resistance, and strategic desperation of the Union in early 1863.
Personal Integrity and Self-Reliance
Grant’s resolve to go forward to a decisive victory despite public and political pressure reflects his personal integrity.
Characters to notice
- Ulysses S. Grant
Assumes command at Young’s Point, overrides McClernand, and resolves to push forward to a decisive victory.
- William T. Sherman
Leads the failed Yazoo attack; urges Grant to take personal command due to distrust of McClernand.
- John A. McClernand
Reluctantly approves the Arkansas Post attack; later reprimands Grant in insubordinate correspondence.
- David D. Porter
Commands the naval fleet; urges Grant to take command due to distrust of McClernand.
- James B. McPherson
Commands the 17th Corps stationed at Lake Providence, seventy miles above Vicksburg.
- John C. Pemberton
Returns to Vicksburg before Sherman’s attack; commands the fortified defenses.
- Stephen D. Lee
Not directly mentioned in excerpts, but associated with Vicksburg defenses; omitted due to lack of evidence.
Key passages
“There was nothing left to be done but to go forward to a decisive victory.”
Grant concluded that retreat was impossible and only a decisive victory could save the Union cause.
Grant’s strategic resolve at the start of the Vicksburg campaign.
“I always admired the South, as bad as I thought their cause, for the boldness with which they silenced all opposition and all croaking, by press or by individuals, within their control.”
Grant respected the Confederacy’s ability to suppress dissent, even though he opposed their cause.
Grant’s reflection on wartime unity and censorship.
“The real work of the campaign and siege of Vicksburg now began.”
The true effort to capture Vicksburg commenced after Grant assumed command at Young’s Point.
Marking the start of the active siege operations.
