JOHN WESLEY POWELL. . IQ 



works; and for several days before the surrender no man could 

 safely show himself above the works of the enemy. 



On the third of July, General McPherson rode up near where 

 Captain Powell was at work and sent for him, and soon after Gen- 

 eral Ransom came up, and General McPherson asked General Ran- 

 som if he thought the works could be successfully stormed from 

 his (Ransom's) front; Ransom believed they could, and the details 

 of the movement along that route were then explained and agreed 

 upon ; but just when it should take place was left uncertain. Gen- 

 eral McPherson thought it would probably be at daybreak on the 

 morning of the fifth, but that circumstances might demand that it 

 should be made sooner, and expressed a desire that General Ran- 

 som should be prepared to move at any time. After consultation 

 the generals went away. A few minutes later General McPherson 

 returned, and taking pen and ink from an orderly he wrote an order 

 for Captain Powell to have the batteries open upon the enemy's 

 line, with a national salute at daybreak on the morning of the 

 fourth. At daybreak, however, the enemy had surrendered, and 

 instead of firing a national salute the Union troops moved forward 

 a few yards over the enemy's works and took possession of his lines. 



Two or three days after, McPherson was informed that the en- 

 emy was crossing a large body of horses and cattle over the Missis- 

 sippi at Natchez, and General Ransom was ordered to take boats, 

 descend the river, and capture the cattle if possible. Natchez was 

 soon reached, and on landing Ransom's division was hurriedly run 

 into the country, and a large district including the city of Natchez 

 was surrounded with troops. The line was gradually concentrated 

 as it moved toward Natchez, and within the circle some hundreds, 

 perhaps thousands, of cattle were enclosed. Some of these cattle 

 were speedily sent to Vicksburg, and orders were soon received to 

 take others to New Orleans and supply General Banks's army. 



Captain Powell went down with the troops to New Orleans, 

 and on returning to Natchez he obtained a leave of absence. During 

 the siege of Vicksburg the excessive work had greatly reduced him 

 in flesh, and in addition to this his arm had given almost incessant 

 pain. After a consultation of the surgeons it was decided that he 

 should have a resection, and for that operation he preferred to go 

 home. During all the campaign up to that time his wife had been 

 with him, and they went together to Detroit, where the operation 

 was performed. 



He soon recovered, and in the fall returned to Natchez, where 

 he found General Crocker of Iowa in command, General Ransom 



