THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURGH: Slow Progress---The Difficulties to be Overcome; All the Old Canal Projects Abandoned (4/16/1863)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 4/16/1863

[Homer_J_Simpson]

NEAR VICKSBURGH, Monday, April 6, 1863.

If nothing else be favorable or desirable, the weather is. Deliciously warm days and moderately cool nights, together with the full, rich beauty of Spring, make our surroundings as delightful as could be desired. Under such circumstances, with cloudless skies by day and the undimmed glories of a full moon at night, with roads at once hard, dry and free from dust, provisions plenty, and no more to do, than sufficient for purposes of digestion, campaigning among our troops, is, at present, a positive species of enjoyment.

The fact that our men are enjoying themselves does not altogether compensate for the entire lack of progress that marks the character of this expedition against Vicksburgh. It is better than if they were dying daily by hundreds as they were a month since; or, were suffering the privations and discomforts arising from lack of supplies and successive days of cold, pitiless rain; yet even this fact will not counterbalance the other -- that we are, beyond enjoying ourselves, doing absolutely nothing; and that, to-day, we are as far from taking possession of Vicksburgh as when we landed here in the middle of last January.

I don't say this to create discouragement on the part of the public, or a feeling of distrust against our commanders; but simply with a view of rousing inquiry as to our present position, and of provoking discussion relative to the character of plans which keep a vast army here in absolute idleness, without a single promise that this waiting will result in good.

If it be a part of Gen. HALLECK's combinations to keep this force here as a feint, with a view of amusing and keeping employed as large a number as possible of the enemy,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Siege of Vicksburgh: Slow Progress-—The Difficulties to be Overcome – 2-4
Interesting from the South: Gen. Wise Said to be Operating in the Vicinity of Williamsburgh – 5
News from Fortress Monroe: The Enemy in Force Near Our Lines at Suffolk – 5
From North Carolina: The Position of Gen. Foster – 5-6
News from Washington: Our Special Washington Dispatches – 6
Editorial: Rebel Designs Upon New-Orleans – 6-7
Editorial: War Movements in the West – 7
Editorial: Battle Without Bloodshed – 7
Amusements – 7