On the 25th of October I was placed in command of the Department of the Tennessee.  Reinforcements continued to come from the north and by the 2d of November I was prepared to take the initiative.  This was a great relief after the two and a half months of continued defence over a large district of country, and where nearly every citizen was an enemy ready to give information of our every move.  I have described very imperfectly a few of the battles and skirmishes that took place during this time.  To describe all would take more space than I can allot to the purpose; to make special mention of all the officers and troops who distinguished themselves, would take a volume. (9)

CHAPTER XXX.

The campaign against Vicksburg—­employing the freedmen—­occupation of
Holly Springs—­Sherman ordered to Memphis—­Sherman’s movements down the
Mississippi—­Van Dorn captures Holly Springs—­collecting forage and
food.

Vicksburg was important to the enemy because it occupied the first high ground coming close to the river below Memphis.  From there a railroad runs east, connecting with other roads leading to all points of the Southern States.  A railroad also starts from the opposite side of the river, extending west as far as Shreveport, Louisiana.  Vicksburg was the only channel, at the time of the events of which this chapter treats, connecting the parts of the Confederacy divided by the Mississippi.  So long as it was held by the enemy, the free navigation of the river was prevented.  Hence its importance.  Points on the river between Vicksburg and Port Hudson were held as dependencies; but their fall was sure to follow the capture of the former place.

The campaign against Vicksburg commenced on the 2d of November as indicated in a dispatch to the general-in-chief in the following words:  “I have commenced a movement on Grand Junction, with three divisions from Corinth and two from Bolivar.  Will leave here [Jackson, Tennessee] to-morrow, and take command in person.  If found practicable, I will go to Holly Springs, and, may be, Grenada, completing railroad and telegraph as I go.”

At this time my command was holding the Mobile and Ohio railroad from about twenty-five miles south of Corinth, north to Columbus, Kentucky; the Mississippi Central from Bolivar north to its junction with the Mobile and Ohio; the Memphis and Charleston from Corinth east to Bear Creek, and the Mississippi River from Cairo to Memphis.  My entire command was no more than was necessary to hold these lines, and hardly that if kept on the defensive.  By moving against the enemy and into his unsubdued, or not yet captured, territory, driving their army before us, these lines