July 4, 1863: Fall of Vicksburg-- Part 1

JULY 4, 1863:  Vicksburg, Mississippi, long under assault and siege by water and land, capitulated to General Grant.

W.T. Sherman congratulated Rear Admiral Porter for the decisive role played by the Navy in effecting the surrender:  "No event in life could have given me more personal pride or pleasure than to have met you to-day on the wharf at Vicksburg --  a Fourth of July so eloquent in events as to need no words or stimulants to elevate its importance....

"In so magnificent a result I stop not to count who did it; it is done, and the day of our nation's birth is consecrated and baptized anew in a victory won by the United Navy and Army of our country."

Well, A Great Victory for the Union, But Not So Good a Day for My Side.  --Old B-Runner