There seemed no possibility of a land movement before the end of March or later, and it would not do to lie idle all this time.

The effect would be demoralizing to the troops and injurious to their health.

Friends in the North would have grown more and more discouraged, and enemies in the same section more and more insolent in their gibes and denunciation of the cause and those engaged in it.
I always admired the South, as bad as I thought their cause, for the boldness with which they silenced all opposition and all croaking, by press or by individuals, within their control.

War at all times, whether a civil war between sections of a common country or between nations, ought to be avoided, if possible with honor.

But, once entered into, it is too much for human nature to tolerate an enemy within their ranks to give aid and comfort to the armies of the opposing section or nation.
Vicksburg, as stated before, is on the first high land coming to the river's edge, below that on which Memphis stands.