The gulf and inland waters . were inneed of extensive repairs. The maintenance of the coal-supply for a large squadron, five hundred miles up a crookedriver in a hostile country, was in itself no small anxiety; in-volving as it did carriage of the coal against the current, theprovision of convoys to protect the supply vessels againstguerillas, and the employment of pilots; few of whom wereto be found, as they naturally favored the enemy, and hadgone away. The river was drawing near the time of lowestwater, and the flag-ship herself got aground under very criticalcircumstances, having had to ta
The gulf and inland waters . were inneed of extensive repairs. The maintenance of the coal-supply for a large squadron, five hundred miles up a crookedriver in a hostile country, was in itself no small anxiety; in-volving as it did carriage of the coal against the current, theprovision of convoys to protect the supply vessels againstguerillas, and the employment of pilots; few of whom wereto be found, as they naturally favored the enemy, and hadgone away. The river was drawing near the time of lowestwater, and the flag-ship herself got aground under very criticalcircumstances, having had to take out her coal and shot, andhad even begun on her guns, two of which were out whenshe floated off. The term of enlistment of many of the crewshad ended and they were clamoring for their discharge, andthe unhealthy climate had already caused much illness. Itwas evident from the very first that Vicksburg could onlybe taken and held by a land force, but the Government inWashington were urgent and Farragut determined to run by. Wissahickon, ?* 2. Sciota, Winona, 4. Pinola, « 5. Kennebec, . Katahdin, X. Steamers, Mortar Flotilla, June , Schooners, Mortar Flotilla, June 28, Cincinnati sunk, May, Ramsays Scow Batteries, Mortars, One Rifle Parrott, Marine Brigade, 1863. Battle at VickBburg. FROM THE GULF TO VICKSBURG. 93 the batteries. This was the first attempt; but there wereafterward so many similar dashes over the same spot, byfleets or single vessels, that the scene demands a brief de-scription. Vicksburg is four hundred miles above New Orleans, fourhundred below Memphis. The river, after pursuing its ir-regular course for the latter distance through the alluvialbottom lands, turns to the northeast five miles before reach-ing the Vicksburg bluffs. When it encounters them it sweepsabruptly round, continuing its course southwest, parallel tothe first reach; leaving between the two a narrow tongue oflow land, from three-quarters to one mile w
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectuniteds, bookyear1883
