"See the smoke, George, rising above that line of trees along the river?"
said Dick.
"Yes, Dick," replied Warner, "and I notice that the smoke rises in puffs."
"It has a right to go up that way, because it's expelled violently from
the smoke-stacks of steamers. And those steamers are ours, George,
our warships. Our navy in this war hasn't much chance to do the
spectacular, but we can never give it enough credit."
"That's right, Dick. It keeps the enemy surrounded and cuts off his
supplies, while our army fights him on land. Whatever happens the waters
are ours."
"And the Mississippi has become a Union river, splitting apart the
Confederacy."
"Right you are, Dick, and we're already in touch with our fleet there.
The boats do more than fight for us. They're unloading supplies in vast
quantities from Chickasaw Bayou. We'll have good food, blankets, tents
to shelter us from the rain, and unlimited ammunition to batter the
enemy's works."
The investment of Vicksburg had been so rapid and complete that Johnston,
the man whom Grant had the most cause to fear, could not unite with
Pemberton, and he had retired toward Jackson, hoping to form a new army.
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