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

The enemy are now undoubtedly in our grasp. The fall of Vicksburg, and the capture of most of the garrison, can only be a question of time. I hear a great deal of the enemy's bringing a large force from the East, to effect the raising of the siege. They may attempt something of the kind, but I do not see how they can do it.

The railroad is effectually destroyed at Jackson, so that it will take thirty days to repair it. This will leave a march of fifty miles over which the enemy will have to subsist an army, and bring their ordnance stores with teams. My position is so strong that I could hold out for several days against a vastly superior force. I do not see how the enemy could possibly maintain a long attack under these circumstances. I will keep a close watch on the enemy, however.

There is a force now at Calhoun station, on the Mississippi Central, about six miles north of Canton. This is the force that escaped from Jackson, augmented by a few thousand men from the coast cities, intending to reach the latter place before the attack, but who failed to reach in time.

In the various battles, from Port Gibson to Black river bridge, we have taken near six thousand prisoners, besides killed, wounded, and scattered a much larger number. The enemy succeeded in retreating to Vicksburg, with only three pieces of artillery. The number captured by us was seventy-four guns, besides what was found at Haine's bluff.

From Jackson to this place I have had no opportunities of communicating with you. Since that, this army fought a heavy battle near Baker's creek on the 16th, beating the enemy badly, killing and capturing not less than four thousand of the enemy, besides capturing most of his artillery. Loring's division was cut off from retreat, and dispersed in every direction. On the 17th, the battle of Black river bridge was fought, the enemy again losing about two thousand prisoners and seventeen pieces of artillery, and many killed and wounded. The bridges and ferries were destroyed. The march from Edward's station to Black river bridge was made, bridges for crossing the army constructed, and much of it over in twenty-four hours. On the 19th, the march to this place was made, and the city invested. When I crossed the Mississippi river, the means of ferriage were so limited and time so important, that I started without teams, and an average of two days rations in haversacks. Our supplies had to be