42 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS tween 3,000 and 4,000 killed and wounded, 3,000 prisoners, and 30 guns; Grant s loss being 140 killed, 1,844 wounded, and 187 missing. The enemy made a stand at Big Black river bridge on the 17th, holding a strongly intrenched position; but by a vigorous assault the place was carried, and the enemy was driven across the river in great con fusion, with the loss of many killed, 1,751 pris oners, and 18 guns. Grant s loss was but 39 killed, 237 wounded, and 3 missing. On the 18th the Na tional army closed up against the outworks of Vicksburg, driving the enemy inside his fortifica tions. Sherman took possession of Haines s Bluff, a base for supplies was established at Chickasaw Landing, and on the 21st the army was once more supplied with full rations. On May 19 and 22 assaults were made upon the enemy s lines, but only a few outworks were carried, and on the 23d the siege was regularly begun. By June 30 there were 220 guns in position, all light field-pieces except six 32 -pounders and a bat tery of heavy guns supplied by the navy. Grant now had 71,000 men to conduct the siege and de fend his position against Johnston s army threaten ing him in the rear. The operations were pressed day and night; there was mining and countermin ing; and the lines were pushed closer and closer, until the garrison abandoned all hope. On July 3 Pemberton asked for an armistice, and proposed
