April 4, 1863, Peoria Morning Mail (Illinois)
The people of the country who have watched with anxiety the progress of affairs near Vicksburg; who have read with deep interest every scrap of intelligence from that locality, and who had hoped for ultimate victory in the face of repeated reverses, are now beginning to wonder what is going to be done next, and how many more lives are to be sacrificed, and how many additional millions of money are to be expended ere the desired end is attained. The scrupulous care which has been exhibited to keep from them correct information of the progress of affairs, has led them also to believe that much yet remains to be revealed, which, when ventilated, will tell of incapacity and bad judgment, and of flagrant mismanagement in the conduct of the campaign in Mississippi.
The fact cannot be concealed that every attempt to gain for our own forces a closer proximity to Vicksburg and a better and nearer position for successful attack has failed. The Yazoo Pass route has been abandoned; two iron-clads beaten back and disabled, which endeavored to reinforce Farragut, who remains hemmed in in his wooden vessels, in hostile waters with the heaviest guns of the enemy bearing upon him. And last, the only hope of reaching the rear of Vicksburg–the Sunflower route–is closed to us, and our fleet is moored in its old position, with its effective force very materially reduced.
The position of Vicksburg is certainly not one to cheer the heart of the North. Where the blame lies may be developed hereafter, but we have to deal with facts–strong, stubborn facts, each one backed up by rebel guns and rebel fortifications, which have thus far proved too strong for overthrow.
What next is to be done? Is Vicksburg to be given up, and are we to acknowledge our inability to open the Mississippi, gain possession of the Southwest and strike the rebels at their most important point? In our country’s name, we hope not. If our failure at Vicksburg be not the result of premeditated design, the people of the North will accept no such relinquishment. If it has been caused by the incapacity of commanders, let others more capable be put in their place. These things must be done, if the authorities who direct this war would clear their skirts of responsibility.