The upper river from
Cairo was also secure to the Federals. Thus save for Vicksburg the
whole valley was in their hands, and the Confederacy was practically
cut in two.
But Vicksburg stood firm for the South. When called upon to
surrender the governor refused. "I have to state," he said, "that
Mississippians do not know, and refuse to learn, how to surrender
to an enemy. If Commodore Farragut, or Brigadier General Butler,
can teach them, let them come and try."
At the time soldiers enough could not be spared to help the fleet
to take Vicksburg. So for the time being it was left alone.
__________
Chapter 86 - Lincoln - The Slaves are Made Free
The Federals rejoiced greatly at the successes of Grant and the
navy, and indeed they had need of success somewhere to keep up their
spirits, for on the whole things did not go well. George McClellan
was commander-in-chief, and although he drilled his army splendidly
he never did anything with it. He was a wonderful organiser, but
he was cautious to a fault, and always believed the enemy to be
far stronger than he really was.
He was at last dismissed, and was succeeded by one commander-in-chief
after another. Not none proved truly satisfactory. Indeed it was
not until the last year of the war, when Ulysses Grant took command,
that a really great commander-in-chief was found.
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