Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 1

[393] the capture of Vicksburg, and Gardner at once proposed the surrender of Port Hudson and its garrison. This event took place the next day. The attempted confederacy was thus cut in twain, and, in the forcible language of Lincoln, the Father of Waters rolled ‘unvexed to the sea.’

On the night of the 4th, Ord and Steele were moved out to join Sherman, and that commander, with about forty thousand men, set out to retrace the route along which Grant had led his soldiers from Jackson to the Mississippi. Champion's hill and the Big Black bridge were the fitting landmarks for the march. ‘The route travelled by your corps, on coming to Vicksburg,’ said Grant, ‘is exactly the route they will travel back. They came by Black River bridge, Edward's station, and Champion's hill. That is the route they now go.’

The instructions to Sherman were: ‘I want you to drive Johnston from the Mississippi Central railroad. Destroy the bridges as far north as Grenada with your cavalry, and do the enemy all the harm possible.’ Again: ‘Make your calculations to attack Johnston and destroy the road north of Jackson. I cannot say where you will find the most effective places to strike. I would say, move so as to strike Jackson or Canton, whichever might seem most desirable.’

On the 4th, Sherman was informed: ‘The orders will be made as you suggest, the moment Vicksburg is ours. Ord and Steele have both been notified to move, the moment Vicksburg falls. I will let you know, the moment Pemberton's answer arrives. I have no suggestion or orders to give. I want you to drive Johnston out in your own way, and inflict on ’