The failure of Grant to co-operate with him was a keen disappointment to Banks. He could not join Grant for want of water transporta tion; he could not leave Port Hudson, with its large garrison in his rear, without endangering New Orleans and all the Red River region; and, therefore, he concluded to concentrate his command and move immediately against Port Hudson. On 14 May he marched from Alexan dria for Bayou Sara, crossed the Mississippi on the night of the 23d, and on the night of the 24th was in rear of Port Hudson, where he was joined next day by General Augur, who had come up from Baton Rouge, defeating the Con federates at Plains' Store, on the 21st, with a loss of 86 killed and wounded, the Confederate loss being about the same. The investment was completed on the 26th with about 14,000 men, Gen. Frank Gardner, commanding at Port Hud son, having about 7,000 men. Gardner had been ordered by Gen. J. E. Johnston, 19 May, to evacuate the place forthwith and move toward Jackson, but the order came too late. Under the impression that Gardner's force was much less than it was in reality, as it was reported much reduced by troops sent to oppose Grant in rear of Vicksburg, Banks ordered a general assault to be made on the morning of the 27th. The Confederate fortifications on the land side of Port Hudson consisted of a series of strong works connected by rifle-pits, with their flanks resting on the river above and below the place. Their length was nearly four miles, and upon them were about 30 field-guns. The approach to them was difficult, being cut by ravines and for the most part covered by dense groves of magnolia and other trees. The investing line was seven miles in length. The brigade of General Weitzel and the divisions of Generals Dwight and Grover were on the right, Augur's division in the centre, and a part of Thomas W. Sherman's on the left. The assault, which was ordered simultaneously along the entire line, was preceded by a heavy fire of artillery, and at 10 A.M. Weitzel, on the right, commanding his own troops and Dwight's, moved forward fight ing severely until late in the afternoon, and gaining some ground; Grover, on his left, gained and held commanding positions within 200 yards of the Confederate works. In the centre and on the left Augur and Sherman did not ad vance until 2 P.M., when they made a most determined effort, under a severe fire of canister and musketry, and reached the ditch of the works, but could not cross the parapet, and were withdrawn at night. The only advantages gained were the advanced positions held by Weitzel and Grover. The Union loss in the assault, in which 13,000 men participated, was 293 killed, 1,545 wounded, and 157 missing. The Confederate loss was about 235 killed and wounded. Regular siege operations began next day, siege-guns were planted, and con stant skirmishing was kept up, during which, with some checks, the Union lines gained some ground, which was immediately intrenched. On
10 June a heavy artillery-fire was kept up and at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 11th an attempt was made to get within assaulting dis tance of the works. A portion of the troops worked their way through the abatis, but were repulsed with loss and some captured. Mean while Banks had reorganized his command. Sherman, who had been severely wounded on the 27th of May, was succeeded by General Dwight, and General Grover was assigned to the command of the right wing, consisting of his own and Paine's division and Weitzel's brigade. The line was formed in this order from right to left: Weitzel J Grover, Paine, Augur and Dwight. On 14 June, the line of investment being well advanced, Banks made a second general assault at daylight from his left and right. Dwight, on the left, endeavored to gain entrance to the works by passing a ravine, while the main attack was made on the right by Grover and Weitzel. The assault ended in a bloody repulse, the Union loss being 203 killed, 1,401 wounded, and 188 missing. The Confed erates had 22 killed and 25 wounded. The only advantage gained was a few yards nearer ap proach to the works on the right, and on the left an eminence commanding a strong part of them, and which later enabled Banks to get possession of the bluff within 10 yards of the enemy's lines. Siege-operations were continued and on the right saps were run to the very line of the Confederate works. On the left a mine had been prepared for a charge of 30 barrels of powder, and a storming column of 1,000 volun teers organized, when, during the night of 6 July, news was received that Vicksburg had surrendered. Gardner soon heard the news, and asked Banks to give him an official assurance of its truth, adding that if true, he requested a cessation of hostilities with a view to consider terms for a surrender. Banks furnished him a copy of Grant's despatch, terms were agreed upon, and on the 8th Gardner surrendered 6,340 officers and men, 51 guns, about 7,500 muskets, large quantities of ammunition, and •two river steamers. In an address commending the gal lantry of his men, Gardner stated that his sur render was not on account of the fall of Vicks burg, nor for want of ammunition or provisions, but was due to 'the exhaustion of his men, who had been without rest for more than six weeks, and who could not resist another attack In all the operations against Port Hudson the fleet under Farragut had co-operated and assisted. The Union loss during the siege was 708 killed, 3,336 wounded and 319 missing, an aggregate of 4,363. Incomplete Confederate returns show a loss of 176 killed and 447 wounded. Consult 'Official Records' (Vol. XXIV, XXVI) ; Greene, The Mississippi); Grant, Memoirs,' (Vol. I) ; The Century, (Battles and Leaders of the Civil War' (Vol. III).