"
Their conversation was interrupted by Colonel Winchester, who ordered the
regiment to move to a new point. General Grant had decided to attack a
little town called Port Gibson, which commanded the various approaches to
Grand Gulf. If he could take that he might shut up Bowen and his force
in Grand Gulf. On the other hand, if he failed he might be shut in
himself by Confederate armies gathering from Jackson, Vicksburg, and
elsewhere. The region, moreover, was complicated for both armies by
the mighty Mississippi and the Big Black River, itself a large stream,
and there were deep and often unfordable bayous.
But Grant showed great qualities, and Dick, who was experienced enough
now to see and know, admired him more than ever. He pushed forward with
the utmost resolution and courage. His vanguard, led by McClernand,
and including the Winchester regiment, seized solid ground near Port
Gibson, but found themselves confronted by a formidable Southern force.
Bowen, who commanded in Grand Gulf, was brave and able. Seeing the Union
army marching toward his rear, and knowing that if Grant took it he would
be surrounded, both on land and water, by a force outnumbering his nearly
three to one, he marched out at once and took station two miles in front
of Port Gibson.
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