There was nothing left to be done but to go FORWARD TO A DECISIVE VICTORY.

This was in my mind from the moment I took command in person at Young's Point.
The winter of 1862-3 was a noted one for continuous high water in the Mississippi and for heavy rains along the lower river.

To get dry land, or rather land above the water, to encamp the troops upon, took many miles of river front.

We had to occupy the levees and the ground immediately behind.

This was so limited that one corps, the 17th, under General McPherson, was at Lake Providence, seventy miles above Vicksburg.
It was in January the troops took their position opposite Vicksburg.
The water was very high and the rains were incessant.