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[208]

While southward bound, the Union troops found just sufficient opposition by the Confederates under General Pemberton to keep them engaged, without impeding their progress. The conditions were now changed. They were greatly harassed, and at times were obliged to march with the utmost speed to avoid being cut off at an intersecting road in their rear. Their unusual and protracted privations were experiences such as had been heretofore unknown. They had set out in the lightest marching order known at that time. Wagon trains were reduced to carry only ammunition and indispensable food. No tents were carried except a few for officers.

When Grant advanced upon Vicksburg in May, 1863, the army again ‘marched light,’ and it has been said that the general's only baggage was a package of cigars and a toothbrush. Vicksburg surrendered on July 4th, and the same day, without entering the city, a large portion of the army marched rapidly away to attack General Johnston, at Jackson. The distance was little more than fifty miles, but never did troops suffer more severely. It was a forced march, under an intense, burning sun; the dust was stifling, and the only water was that from sluggish brooks and fetid ponds.

In November, 1863, General Sherman marched his Fifteenth Corps from Memphis to Chattanooga, a distance of nearly four hundred miles, over almost impassable roads. When he arrived his men were in a most exhausted condition, yet they were ready to go into action the next day.

Following almost immediately after the march above mentioned, Sherman moved his men from Chattanooga to the relief of Burnside at Knoxville. The distance was not great, about one hundred and twenty-five miles, but the troops were utterly worn out by their forced march in the intensely cold mountain atmosphere.

In February, 1864, General Sherman marched a force of twenty thousand men from Memphis and Vicksburg to Meridian, Mississippi, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles.

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