CHAPTER XXXI.
HEADQUARTERS MOVED TO HOLLY SPRINGS--GENERAL M'CLERNAND IN COMMAND -- ASSUMING COMMAND AT YOUNG'S POINT--OPERATIONS ABOVE VICKSBURG -- FORTIFICATIONS ABOUT VICKSBURG--THE CANAL--LAKE PROVIDENCE -- OPERATIONS AT YAZOO PASS.
This interruption in my communications north--I was really cut off from communication with a great part of my own command during this time -- resulted in Sherman's moving from Memphis before McClernand could arrive, for my dispatch of the 18th did not reach McClernand.

Pemberton got back to Vicksburg before Sherman got there.

The rebel positions were on a bluff on the Yazoo River, some miles above its mouth.

The waters were high so that the bottoms were generally overflowed, leaving only narrow causeways of dry land between points of debarkation and the high bluffs.

These were fortified and defended at all points.