"How big is this city of Vicksburg?" asked Pennington.
"Not big at all," replied Warner. "There are no big cities in the South
except New Orleans, but it's big as a fortress. It's surrounded by
earthworks, Frank, from which the Johnnies can pot you any time."
"Well, at any rate, I'll be glad to see it--from a safe distance.
I wouldn't mind sitting down before a town. There's too much wet country
around here to suit me."
"It's likely that you'll have a chance to sit for a long time. We won't
take Vicksburg easily."
But the time for sitting down had not yet come. The confidence of the
soldiers in their leader was justified continually. He advanced rapidly
toward Vicksburg, and in pursuit of Pemberton's defeated men. The
victory at Champion Hill had been so complete that the Southern army was
broken into detached fragments, and the Southern generals were now having
the greatest difficulty in getting them together again.
Grant, with his loyal subordinate, Sherman, continued to push upon the
enemy with the greatest vigor. Sherman had not believed in the success
of the campaign, had even filed his written protest, but when Grant
insisted he had cooperated with skill and energy.
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