A temporary bridge was completed at 10 o'clock this morning and the forward movement immediately resumed. Before noon nearly the whole command had crossed the Big Black River and headed for Vicksburg, ten or twelve miles ahead. The scenery along this march way mostly lined with farmhouses.
They marched steadily forward and saw the relics of a panic-stricken army in full retreat. They walked past discarded arms, camp gear, knapsacks, canteens, broken wagons, extra garments, and garrison equipment. The Confederates soldiers didn't slow their disorganized flight until they found refuge behind their works on the hills at Vicksburg.
General Sherman crossed the Big Black and moved his Corps to the northwest against the enemy's position at Walnut hills. General McPherson crossed the river and came up in the rear of Sherman on the same road. General McClernand and the Thirteenth Army Corps crossed the river and turned to the left.
At nightfall the men of the 130th Illinois Infantry were within about four miles of the works that encircled Vicksburg. Orders were given to make fires only in the ravines and there were plenty of those.
For the entire month of May, the Union forces had advanced rapidly and victoriously through Mississippi, meeting and routing the enemy on several battlefields. They were now approaching their prize - Vicksburg. I'm sure many of the soldiers, bolstered by their recent victories, assumed they would be dining in Vicksburg within the week.
By the morning of the 19th the investment of Vicksburg was as complete as could be made with the forces at Grant's command.
