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Rh its base, and in case of defeat its retreat again to the river would be full of peril. It was necessary to strike out for a new base, which General Grant decided should be at Haines' Bluff, in the rear of Vicksburg. By swinging around to that point he expected to open communication to the banks of the Yazoo, where he could meet the gun-boat and transport fleet.

On the same day that Grant crossed from Hard Times to Bruinsburg, the 15th corps, which had been left at Milliken's Bend, was ordered to make a demonstration on Haines' Bluff, as though with a serious intent of capturing it. General Blair's division, accompanied by several gun-boats, and carried on ten transports, was sent up the Yazoo to a point near the scene of the disaster in December. A vigorous demonstration was made during the whole of the 30th, the troops being landed in full view of the enemy, only to be re-embarked when night came on. Similar demonstrations were made the next day at other points on the Yazoo, and then the 15th corps proceeded to follow the rest of the army to the crossing at Grand Gulf as rapidly as possible. The demonstration had the desired effect of drawing the attention of the Confederates from the movements at Grand Gulf, and prevented their despatching reinforcements to the menaced points. All through the month of March and down towards the end of April General Pemberton believed that General Grant would be forced to abandon his attempt to take Vicksburg, and he certainly had good reason for his belief in the invulnerability of the place after so many and futile attempts at its occupation. Pemberton was in constant communication with General Joe Johnston, who had chief command over the armies of Bragg and Pemberton, with head-quarters at Tullohoma, and steadily advised his superior that Vicksburg was in no danger; but when the gun-boats and transports passed the batteries, and the Union army assembled in front of Grand Gulf,