# Battle of Black River Bridge—Crossing the Big Black—Investment of Vicksburg—Assaulting the Works explained — Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

> Chapter companion for Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant.

## What happens

Grant's forces pursue Pemberton after Champion's Hill, defeat the Confederates at the Big Black River, and cross into Vicksburg's outskirts. Despite a failed assault on May 22, Grant tightens the siege, securing a base on the Yazoo and positioning his three corps around the city.

## Themes in this chapter

### Leadership and Humility

Grant leads from the front, mounts his horse to observe Lawler's charge, and later acknowledges the troops' morale by ordering a second assault despite doubts.

### The Horrors and Cost of War

The chapter details casualties (39 killed, 237 wounded, 3 missing at Big Black; heavy losses in the May 22 assault) and the desperate conditions of soldiers without bread.

### National Union and Constitutional Crisis

The campaign to capture Vicksburg is a decisive step toward preserving the Union by controlling the Mississippi and splitting the Confederacy.

## Character check-ins

### Ulysses S. Grant

Commands the Union army, orders the pursuit and assault, and coordinates the investment of Vicksburg.

### William T. Sherman

Leads his corps from Jackson to Bridgeport, crosses the Big Black, and rejoins Grant at Walnut Hills.

### John A. McClernand

Commands the 13th Corps; his division leads the pursuit and reports gaining enemy intrenchments during the May 22 assault.

### James B. McPherson

Commands the 17th Corps, builds a pontoon bridge at the Big Black, and positions his corps on the Jackson road.

### John C. Pemberton

Confederate commander of Vicksburg; his forces are defeated at the Big Black and retreat into the city's defenses.

### Joseph E. Johnston

Confederate general in Grant's rear; Grant fears Johnston may reinforce Pemberton.

### Henry W. Halleck

Union general-in-chief; his order to Grant to return to Grand Gulf arrives too late.

### Abraham Lincoln

President; Grant's success at Vicksburg is a strategic priority for the Union.

## Key lines

> I told the officer that the order came too late, and that Halleck would not give it now if he knew our position.

Grant informed the staff officer that Halleck's order to return to Grand Gulf was outdated and would not have been issued if Halleck understood the current situation.

_Grant's decision to ignore Halleck's order reflects his strategic autonomy and confidence in the campaign's progress._

> The attack was gallant, and portions of each of the three corps succeeded in getting up to the very parapets of the enemy and in planting their battle flags upon them; but at no place were we able to enter.

The assault was brave, with soldiers from all three corps reaching the enemy's walls and raising their flags, but they could not break through anywhere.

_Grant describes the failed May 22 assault, highlighting the courage of his troops despite the tactical failure._

## Links

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