Sherman reached Bridgeport about noon of the 17th and found Blair with the pontoon train already there.  A few of the enemy were intrenched on the west bank, but they made little resistance and soon surrendered.  Two divisions were crossed that night and the third the following morning.

On the 18th I moved along the Vicksburg road in advance of the troops and as soon as possible joined Sherman.  My first anxiety was to secure a base of supplies on the Yazoo River above Vicksburg.  Sherman’s line of march led him to the very point on Walnut Hills occupied by the enemy the December before when he was repulsed.  Sherman was equally anxious with myself.  Our impatience led us to move in advance of the column and well up with the advanced skirmishers.  There were some detached works along the crest of the hill.  These were still occupied by the enemy, or else the garrison from Haines’ Bluff had not all got past on their way to Vicksburg.  At all events the bullets of the enemy whistled by thick and fast for a short time.  In a few minutes Sherman had the pleasure of looking down from the spot coveted so much by him the December before on the ground where his command had lain so helpless for offensive action.  He turned to me, saying that up to this minute he had felt no positive assurance of success.  This, however, he said was the end of one of the greatest campaigns in history and I ought to make a report of it at once.  Vicksburg was not yet captured, and there was no telling what might happen before it was taken; but whether captured or not, this was a complete and successful campaign.  I do not claim to quote Sherman’s language; but the substance only.  My reason for mentioning this incident will appear further on.

McPherson, after crossing the Big Black, came into the Jackson and Vicksburg road which Sherman was on, but to his rear.  He arrived at night near the lines of the enemy, and went into camp.  McClernand moved by the direct road near the railroad to Mount Albans, and then turned to the left and put his troops on the road from Baldwin’s ferry to Vicksburg.  This brought him south of McPherson.  I now had my three corps up the works built for the defence of Vicksburg, on three roads —­one to the north, one to the east and one to the south-east of the city.  By the morning of the 19th the investment was as complete as my limited number of troops would allow.  Sherman was on the right, and covered the high ground from where it overlooked the Yazoo as far south-east as his troops would extend.  McPherson joined on to his left, and occupied ground on both sides of the Jackson road.  McClernand took up the ground to his left and extended as far towards Warrenton as he could, keeping a continuous line.

On the 19th there was constant skirmishing with the enemy while we were getting into better position.  The enemy had been much demoralized by his defeats at Champion’s Hill and the Big Black, and I believed he would not make much effort to hold Vicksburg.  Accordingly, at two o’clock I ordered an assault.  It resulted in securing more advanced positions for all our troops where they were fully covered from the fire of the enemy.