Adam Badeau, Military history of Ulysses S. Grant from April 1861 to April 1865. Volume 1

[353] line, east of the Hall's ferry road; but this was afterwards abandoned for the road itself, the ravines there giving cover, up to within three hundred yards of the rebel line. This approach was directed against a work very salient, and therefore very weak. The rebels, conscious of this weakness, made repeated sorties, driving off the working-parties, and taking a few prisoners. In one case, they filled up fifty yards of trench, from which they were driven the following night with loss. In spite of serious opposition, the head of this sap was pushed to within a few feet of the rebel line.

In Herron's front a strong line of trench was begun on the 11th of June, running along the Warrenton road. Little was done here until late in the siege, except driving in the enemy's pickets and erecting three batteries. The approach was directed against the extreme southern limit of the defences of Vicksburg. It afforded safe and convenient shelter to the troops guarding the left, and allowed an advance, by a defiladed trench, upon the rebel work guarding the entrance of the Warrenton road. Saps were driven towards this work, and, notwithstanding the ground over which they were conducted was swept by the fire of a ten-inch columbiad and smaller guns, they were pushed with vigor. Guns were placed in position on the brow of the hills, at the extreme left, troops were sent into the bottom, and around the head of the swamp as far as the river-bank, and all communication by courier, in this direction, was completely intercepted. The Hall's ferry road was tortuous, and afforded good means of approach towards the city. An approach, here, reached to within two hundred yards of the rebel line, and, at other