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[70] who Grant was, she thought she would taunt him by asking,--

“Do you expect ever to get into Vicksburg, general?”

“Certainly,” replied the general, quietly but decidedly.

“I wonder when!” said the dame, with an evident sneer.

“I cannot tell exactly when I shall take the town,” said the general, with a little more decision than before; “but I mean to stay here till I do, if it takes me thirty years.”

The woman subsided. Such Yankee persistency and confidence dashed her spirits and her hopes. But she saw the general's promise kept without waiting thirty years.

While Grant was thus confident of the result from his tenacity of purpose, he labored indefatigably to secure it. Cautious, vigilant, active, his orders to his subordinates were promptly and explicitly given; and when fairly in the field, every considerable movement contributed to secure the object in view. The experience of the campaign developed his military genius, and proved him a great general in his ability to move and feed troops, as well as in the grand tactics of the field. His army was prompt and rapid in its movements, and always well supplied; and he attended so closely to the details of these matters, that, without the slightest effort or desire to make himself popular, he secured the attachment of his men. But he did not content himself with simply seeing that they were furnished with supplies; he looked well after the wounded and sick, and protected all against the extortions

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Vicksburg (Mississippi, United States) (1)
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