Grant found it necessary to order the army to concentrate at Hard Times, nearly opposite the town of Grand Gulf, at the mouth of the Big Black River.
The batteries of Grand Gulf were engaged by the gun-boats, but owing to the commanding position the Confederates had the advantage, and it was not deemed prudent to attempt to carry the place by assault after the bombardment. The troops were marched across the point from Hard Times, the gun-boats and transports ran past the batteries of Grand Gulf in the night of the 29th of April, and on the morning of the 30th the work of ferrying the troops across was begun. They were landed at Bruinsburg, supplied with three days' rations, and sent on the road to Port Gibson, where a force of the enemy was known to be posted.
General McClernand's corps had the advance, and steadily drove back the enemy until within three or four miles of Port Gibson. The Confederates made a stand on the bank of Bayou Pierre, but were promptly defeated on the 1st May, and fled in the direction of Vicksburg. Grand Gulf was abandoned on the 2d, the gun-boats finding it deserted on the morning of the 3d. Considerable quantity of ammunition and several heavy guns were captured here; the fortifications were very strong. If they had been completed and properly garrisoned it would have been impossible for any fleet to take them.
General Grant's plan of campaign was now evident to every one, and the army moved forward with the animation that is developed by hope of success. The plan was to advance along the valley of the Big Black River, and the road to Jackson, until fairly in the rear of Vicksburg. When this position was gained the army could close in on the town, and at the same time cut off the arrival of reinforcements or supplies for the garrison. But there was a dangerous feature about the movement, that the army, on leaving the Mississippi, would have to cut loose from
