412. Position of the Armies, January, 1863. 412．军队的状况（1863年1月）

The Army of the Potomac, now under Hooker, and the Army of Northern Virginia were face to face at Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock. 胡克领导的波特马克军和北弗吉尼亚军正在拉帕汉诺克河附近的弗里德里克斯堡对峙。

In the West Rosecrans was at Murfreesboro', and Bragg on the way back to Chattanooga. 在西部，罗斯科阮思在莫福利保罗，布拉格在赶回查塔努加的途中。

In the Mississippi Valley Grant and Sherman had already begun the Vicksburg campaign. 格兰特和谢尔曼已经在密西西比河流域发起维克斯堡战役，

But as yet they had had no success. 但是，他们此时还没有取得胜利。

413. Beginnings of the Vicksburg Campaign. 413．维克斯堡战役的开始

Vicksburg stood on the top of a high bluff directly on the river. 维克斯堡屹立在密西西比河岸边的一处高高的悬崖上，

Batteries erected at the northern end of the town commanded the river, which at that point ran directly toward the bluff. 城堡北端的炮火控制着悬崖正对着的河面。

The best way to attack this formidable place was to proceed overland from Corinth. 攻击这个易守难攻的地方的最好方式是从科林斯湾走陆路前进，

This Grant tried to do. But the Confederates forced him back. 这正是格兰特的选择，但格兰特军被南方联盟的军队击退。

414. Fall of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. 414．攻克维克斯堡（1863年7月4日）

Grant now carried his whole army down the Mississippi. 现在格兰特指挥全军沿着密西西比河下行，

For months he tried plan after plan, and every time he failed. 几个月的时间里他尝试了多个方案，但都以失败告终，

Finally he marched his army down on the western side of the river, crossed the river below Vicksburg, and approached the fortress from the south and east. 最终，他带领军队沿着河的西岸向下游行军，在维克斯堡下面过河，从南面和东面逼近这个要塞。

In this movement he was greatly aided by the Union fleet under Porter, which protected the army while crossing the river. 在这个过程中格兰特得到美国舰队的大力支持，波特指挥这个舰队掩护格兰特的军队过河。

Pemberton, the Confederate commander, at once came out from Vicksburg. 南方联盟的司令培波顿立刻带兵从城堡中冲出来，