Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 3.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

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[364] used on both sides except near the river—in short, from the relative numerical strength of the besiegers and that of the besieged it was a conflict between two intrenched armies rather than a siege in the strictest acceptation of the term. But what made it differ from the operations of the same character which had previously taken place in Europe, such as the siege of Sebastopol, is that the Confederate army was completely invested in the intrenched camp where it had retired after its defeat while a new army was forming outside for the purpose of breaking its blockade. Consequently, one may ask if the German officers, who have shown so much discernment in selecting in the American war all that was applicable to the European continent, have not derived some useful information from the siege of Vicksburg for the campaign of 1870. The conqueror of Champion's Hill, in order to gather the fruits of his splendid campaign, had a triple task to accomplish: to render the investment of the place complete, and to surround it with lines sufficiently strong not only for preventing the enemy from introducing into it supplies that would have prolonged the defence, but also for driving back any sortie in case Pemberton, with the available portion of his army, should have attempted to force a passage out; to undertake regular siege-operations against several points at once, in order that the defenders, being menaced on all sides, might not be able to concentrate their defence on the day of the assault; finally, to make every preparation for keeping Johnston away from the place, and to drive him back if he attempted to succor it.

The forces at Grant's disposal on the 23d of May, reduced to thirty-five thousand men at the utmost by the assault of the previous day, were not sufficient for such a task. By deploying his whole army he could not even completely envelop the place. But besides the troops which were under his immediate control at Memphis and Corinth, and which he hastened to send for, the prestige of victory and the importance of the results to be obtained secured him the prompt despatch of the reinforcements he asked for from the government at Washington. The latter, stimulated by public opinion, even anticipated his request, and omitted nothing to furnish him with all the resources he might need.