“Late Battle in the West”
Description
Another account of the conquest of Vicksburg by Union troops. The focus is mostly on General Grant: "Oh bully for our chief... Old Jeff is getting scared, Grant's getting bolder... Three cheers for Grant, and the Union forever!"
Notes
Every historical event in this song is described in the notes to "Victorious March"; see the notes to this song.
Although this is surely a composed song, the informant almost certainly had it from oral tradition. This shows in the names of the officers. He mentions, in addition to Grant, three generals: MacPherson (James B. McPherson, 1828-1864, one of Grant's corps commanders), Logan (John A. Logan, 1826-1886, a division commander), and "McClellan."
George B. McClellan, former commander of the Army of the Potomac, of course did not serve at Vicksburg. The reference, I think, must be to John A. McClernand (1812-1900), a politician who had become one of Grant's corps commanders in exchange for raising many of the troops used in the expedition. He was not particularly competent, and would later be relieved. - RBW
Historical references
- Nov 1862 - Union general Ulysses S. Grant begins his Vicksburg campaign. His first four attempts to reach the city fail
- Apr 16, 1863 - Porter's gunboats run past Vicksburg, opening the way for Grant's final successful campaign
- May 12-17, 1863 - Grant fights a series of minor battles which bring him to the defences of Vicksburg
- May 22, 1863 - Grant's attempt to take Vicksburg by storm is a bloody failure. The Union army settles down to a siege
- July 4, 1863 - Lt. General Pemberton surrenders Vicksburg
Cross references
- cf. "The Battle of Vicksburg" (subject)
- cf. "Victorious March" (subject)
References
- Belden, pp. 371-372, "Late Battle in the West" (1 text)
- Roud #7764
- BI, Beld371