Word: mississippi
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Dates: during 1890-1899
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Polk, after evacuating Columbus, had fortified Island No. 10 in the Mississippi, and effectually blocked further Union advance by the river. The approaches were well protected by the river and a great marsh on the east. On the southeast of the river was the only passable road. Gen. John Pope moved upon this almost impregnable fortress and, aided by gun-boats, captured it in brilliant style. He first moved to a point on the west bank below the defences and captured New Madrid, the only considerable town. To pass the river and overpower the batteries which defended the one road...
...Mississippi was now open to Fort Pillow...
...river was now opened up, as far as Vicksburg, and here the river fleet from above joined Farragut, and the only thing that was needed for the capture of Vicksburg and the conquest of the Mississippi, once for all, was a strong land force. But Halleck was in command and here, as always, he was timid, irresolute. In the west was Vicksburg; in eastern Tennessee was Chattanooga. A great general with Halleck's advantages would have taken both; any prompt courageous man would have taken one; but Halleck straddled between the two and lost both. As a result...
...Fiske traced the development of the war from its beginning in the western border states to Grant's great victories on the Mississippi, and pointed out the logical order of the events which finally culminated in his triumph over Lee in the east. There, it was largely through Lee's personal ability that the Union advance was so long checked, but in the course of western events the true balance between the resources and the energy of either side can be observed...
Ordered to keep Polk occupied, Grant made a dash upon Belmont, just across the Mississippi from Columbus, and defeated Gen, Pillow decisively. His raw, troops became unmanageable, however, and delayed so long looting the camp, that the Confederates returned and almost cut off Grant's retreat...