SUCCESS.

Major General John A. McClernand was in command of the Thirteenth Army Corps from the time that General Grant made his appearance at Young's Point, and assumed control of all the land forces operating in that vicinity. As the commander of that Corps he was uniformly successful until he effected a lodgment, along with the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps, on the hills and in the valleys of Vicksburg. His march from Milliken's Bend, through Louisiana and Mississippi, was marked by a constant succession of victories. How much of his success was due to the fighting qualities of his soldiers, is not for us to determine. How much of it was due to the ability of his Lieutenants, among whom we may mention our own Division Commander, General A. J. Smith, "the gallant hero of forty battles," let the reader be the judge. Perhaps he felt a pardonable pride in the brilliant record made by his Corps in that remarkable campaign. It is thought best in this connection to allow him to tell the story of his marches and battles, and for this purpose we give his famous "General Orders, No. 72," congratulating the troops of his command.

HEADQUARTERS 13TH ARMY CORPS,
BATTLE-FIELD IN REAR OF VICKSBURG,
May 30, 1863.

General Orders, No. 72.

COMRADES: As your commander, I am proud to congratulate you upon your constancy, valor and success. History affords no more brilliant example of soldierly qualities. Your victories have followed in such rapid succession that their echoes have not yet reached the country. They will challenge its grateful and enthusiastic applause. Yourselves striking out a new path, your comrades of the Tennessee followed, and the way was thus opened for them to redeem previous disappointments. Your march through Louisiana from Milliken's Bend to New Carthage and Perkins' Plantation, on the Mississippi River, is one of the most remarkable on record. Bayous and miry roads threatened with momentary inundations, obstructed your progress. All these were overcome by unceasing labor and unflagging energy. The two thousand feet of bridging which was hastily improvised out of materials created on the spot, and over which you passed, must long be remembered as a marvel. Descending the Mississippi still lower, you were the first to cross the river at Bruin's Landing, and to plant our colors in the State of Mississippi below Warrenton. Resuming the advance the same day, you pushed on until you came up to the enemy near Port Gibson. Only restrained by the darkness of the night, you hastened to attack him on the morning of the first of May, and by vigorously pressing him at all points, drove him from his position, taking a large number of prisoners and small arms, and five cannon. General Logan's Division came up in time to gallantly share in consummating the most valuable victory since the capture of Fort Donelson.
        Taking the lead on the morning of the second, you were the first to enter Port Gibson, and to hasten the retreat of the enemy from the vicinity of that place. During the ensuing night, as a consequence of the victory at Port Gibson, the enemy spiked his guns at Grand Gulf, and evacuated that place, retiring upon Vicksburg and Edward's Station. The fall of Grand Gulf was solely the result of the victory by the land forces at Port Gibson. The armament and public stores captured there are the just trophies of that victory.
        Hastening to bridge the south branch of the Bayou Pierre at Port Gibson, you crossed on the morning of the third, and pushed on to Willow Springs, Big Sandy, and the main crossing of Fourteen-mile Creek, four miles from Edward's Station. A detachment of the enemy was immediately driven away from the crossing, and you advanced, passed over, and rested during the night of the 12th, within three miles of the enemy in large force, at the Station.
        On the morning of the 13th, the objective points of the army's movements having been changed from Edward's Station to Jackson, in pursuance of an order from the Commander of the Department, you moved on the north of Fourteen-mile Creek toward Raymond.
        This delicate and hazardous movement was executed by a portion of your numbers under cover of Hovey's Division, which made a feint of attack in line of battle upon Edward's Station. Too late to harm you, the enemy attacked the rear of that Division, but was promptly and decisively repulsed.
        Resting near Raymond that night, on the morning of the 14th, you entered that place, one Division moving on to Mississippi Springs, near Jackson, in support of General Sherman, another to Clinton, in support of General McPherson, a third remaining at Raymond, and a fourth at Old Auburn, to bring up the army trains.
        On the 15th you again led the advance towards Edward's Station, which once more became the objective point. Expelling the enemy from Bolton, the same day, you seized and held that important position.
        On the 16th you led the advance in three columns upon three roads, against Edward's Station. Meeting the enemy on the way, in strong force, you heavily engaged him near Champion Hills, and after a sanguinary and obstinate battle, with the assistance of General McPherson's Corps, beat and routed him, taking many prisoners and small arms, and several pieces of cannon.
        Continuing to lead the advance, you rapidly pursued the enemy to Edward's Station, capturing that place, a large quantity of public stores, and many prisoners and small arms. Night only stopped you.
        At day-dawn on the 17th, you resumed the advance, and early coming upon the enemy strongly entrenched in elaborate works, both before and behind Big Black River, immediately opened with artillery upon him, followed by a daring and heroic charge at the point of the bayonet, which put him to rout, leaving eighteen pieces of cannon, and more than a thousand prisoners in your hands.
        By an early hour on the morning of the 18th, you had constructed a bridge across the Big Black, and had commenced the advance upon Vicksburg.
        On the 19th, 20th and 21st, you continued the reconnoitre and skirmish, until you had gained a near approach to the enemy's works.
        On the 22d, in pursuance of the order of the Commander of the Department, you assaulted the enemy's defences in front at 10 o'clock A. M., and within thirty minutes had made a lodgment and planted your colors upon two of his bastions. This partial success called into exercise the highest heroism, and was only gained by a bloody and protracted struggle. Yet it was gained, and was the first and largest success gained anywhere along the whole line of the army.
        For nearly eight hours, under a scorching sun and destructive fire, you firmly held your footing, and only withdrew when the enemy had largely massed their forces, and concentrated their attack upon you.
        How and why the general assault failed, it would be needless now to explain. The 13th Army Corps, acknowledging the good intentions of all, would scorn indulgence in weak regrets and idle recriminations. According justice to all, it would only defend itself. If, while the enemy was massing to crush it, assistance was asked for by a Division at other points, or by reënforcements, it only asked what, in one case Major General Grant had specifically and peremptorily ordered, namely, simultaneous and persistent attack all along our lines, until the enemy's outer-works should be carried; and what in the other by massing a strong force in time upon a weakened point, would have probably insured success.
        Comrades: You have done much; yet something more remains to be done. The enemy's odious defences still block your access to Vicksburg. Treason still rules that rebellious city, and closes the Mississippi River against rightful use by the millions who inhabit its sources and the great Northwest. Shall not the flag float over Vicksburg? Shall not the great "Father of Waters " be opened to lawful commerce? Methinks the emphatic response of one and all of you is, "It shall be so." Then let us rise to the level of a crowning trial! Let our common sufferings and glories, while uniting us as a band of brothers, rouse us to new and surpassing efforts! Let us resolve upon success, God helping us.
        I join with you, comrades, in your sympathy for the wounded, and sorrow for the dead. May we not trust -- nay, is it not so, that history will associate the martyrs of this sacred struggle for law and order, liberty and justice, with the honored martyrs of Monmouth and Bunker Hill?

JOHN A. MCCLERNAND,
Major General Commanding.

        So much for the Order. Now for the result. This order gave great offense to the other Corps commanders, because, according to their construction, it cast reflections upon them. Be this as it may, a sharp correspondence between Gen. Grant and Gen. McClernand resulted from it. The war of words went on for several days, until finally, General Grant issued a special order, from which the following is an extract.

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
NEAR VICKSBURG, June 15, 1863.

Special Orders, No. 164. Extract.         Major General John A. McClernand is hereby relieved from the command of the Thirteenth Army Corps. He will proceed to any point he may select in the State of Illinois, and report by letter to headquarters of the army for orders.
        Major General E. O. C. Ord is hereby appointed to the command of the Thirteenth Army Corps, subject to the approval of the President, and will immediately assume charge of the same.

By order of Major General U. S. GRANT.

JOHN A. RAWLINS, A. A. G.

        And who was Major General Ord? He was a total stranger to us, both personally and by reputation. If he had ever distinguished himself as a commander, we were ignorant of the fact. But, presuming that Gen. Grant considered him an extra-Ord-inary man and worthy of all confidence, we went on with our digging as though nothing unusual had occurred.
        While we were working in the trenches, firing on the picket line, or giving them an occasional salute from our batteries, the navy was not idle. That department of the service did a great deal of damage in the city, and the inhabitants must have lived in constant dread of the exploding shells. At night when the mortars were firing occasional shots we would mount the breastworks, and watch the shells in their flight. We could see the flash as the mortar was discharged, and then by the aid of the faint, flickering fuse, could watch the ascent until the shell reached the highest point, and then turning in its downward course, it would descend, slowly at first, but with increasing velocity, until finally it burst with terrible fury over the devoted city.
        In order to prevent the possibility of General Johnston's coming in from the rear with troops to raise the siege, the Divisions of Generals Osterhaus and Blair were sent in that direction on the 27th of May, to reconnoitre the country, ascertain the rebel strength, and repel any hostile demonstration. They encountered a small force of the enemy at Mechanicsburg, which they routed and then pushed rapidly forward. General Blair ascertained the fact that Johnston had, at his command, about forty thousand troops, composed for the most part of old men and boys -- the relics of the "cradle and the grave" -- conscripted for the occasion. About two-thirds of these troops were without arms. These facts having been made known, we felt no apprehension for the safety of our own army.
        While these events were transpiring in the rear, the sappers and miners were busily working at the front. The hills were undermined, and large quantities of powder imbedded to blow up the rebel works at the proper time. The bombardment was also continued with but slight interruptions, while our sharpshooters were constantly on the alert, and woe to the rebel head that appeared above the parapet.
        During all this time, and notwithstanding the fact that we had established an impenetrable line of works around the city, the people of the south fondly cherished the delusion that Vicksburg was safe beyond a peradventure -- that relief would be sent to the garrison -- that the siege would be raised, and that final disaster, if not annihilation, awaited the armies of Gen. Grant. The press and the telegraph daily informed them that Vicksburg was an impregnable fortress, and that no fears need be entertained for its safety. But the prospect of relief from Johnston or from any other source, became daily more and more remote, for, as the situation of the besieged became more desperate, our foothold in those hills and valleys became more secure. Yet the people of the south were taught to believe that the salvation of Vicksburg was a fixed fact at some indefinite period in the future.
        But our assurance was rendered doubly sure by the arrival of reënforcements from the north. About the middle of June Gen. Parke came to our assistance, with the Ninth Army Corps, and Gen. Washburn with a part of the Sixteenth. With these additional troops at his disposal, Gen. Grant was enabled to prosecute the enterprise with renewed energy. A sufficient force was sent to Black River to bid defiance to all approaching forces. All hope of succor was thus cut off, and Gen. Pemberton found himself under the necessity of saving his strength, as well as his rations and ammunition, in order to prolong the desperate struggle which must eventually terminate in his surrender.
        The mining operations were carried on with steady perseverance and success, and so important was this part of the programme considered, that the utmost secrecy was observed concerning it. Guards were placed at the entrance leading to the mine, with instructions to allow no one to pass under the rank of a general, excepting the engineers and workmen carrying on the operations. These workmen were miners of experience, detailed from the different regiments for the express purpose of working in the mines. It is unnecessary to give a description of these mines. Suffice it to say, that they were completed, the powder planted, and everything ready for the explosion on the 25th of June.
        On the afternoon of that day an unusual scene of commotion was witnessed in camp. Troops were concentrating in the most available positions to be ready for an assault, after the mine under Fort Hill should be sprung. Sharpshooters were stationed to annoy the enemy until the match should be applied. The Seventy-Seventh marched some distance to the right, not far from the mine. The forlorn hope was composed of one hundred men from the Forty-Fifth Illinois Infantry, and one hundred from the Twenty-Third Indiana. At last everything was ready, the troops were distributed along the line to do their appropriate share of the work to the best advantage. The forlorn hope stood in their places, boldly awaiting the uncertainties of their fate. They would soon hurl themselves into the breach, perhaps never to return. Thousands of glittering arms flashed on the surrounding hills. A painful feeling of suspense oppressed every heart as the moments wore slowly away. At last the fearful grandeur of the explosion burst upon us, and an enormous column of earth, timbers and projectiles, was lifted high into the air.
        It was now a matter of life and death to the contending forces. The forlorn hope ran into the fort, when a lively musketry fight took place, without much advantage to either side. As soon as these detachments had become well engaged, the rest of their brigade went to their assistance. The fighting continued with varied success all the afternoon. The flag of the Forty-Fifth was planted on the works, while cheer after cheer was heard above the roar and confusion of battle. At six o'clock the Forty-Fifth was withdrawn, and another Illinois regiment took their place. With regard to the work of that day a correspondent wrote:
        "The explosion of the mine was the signal for the opening of the artillery of the entire line. The left Division of Gen. McPherson's Seventeenth, or centre Corps, opened first, and discharges were repeated along the left through Gen. Ord's Thirteenth Corps and Herron's extreme 'left Division,' until the sound struck the ear like the mutterings of distant thunder. Gen. Sherman on the right, also opened his artillery about the same time, and occupied the enemy's attention along his front. Every shell struck the parapet, and bounding over, exploded in the midst of the enemy's forces beyond. The scene at this time was one of the utmost sublimity. The roar of artillery, rattle of small arms, the cheers of the men, flashes of light, wreaths of pale blue smoke over different parts of the field, the bursting of shell, the fierce whistle of solid shot, the deep boom of the mortars, the broadsides of the ships of war, and added to all this, the vigorous replies of the enemy, set up a din which beggars all description."
        Probably the heaviest artillery firing that was heard during the entire siege, succeeded the explosion of the mine, and the greatest activity prevailed from one end of our lines to the other. During the afternoon Gen. Grant sent the following order:

June 25, 1863.

        GENERAL ORD: -- McPherson occupies the crater made by the explosion. He will have guns in battery there by morning. He has been hard at work running rifle pits right, and thinks he will hold all gained.
        Keep Smith's Division sleeping under arms tonight, ready for an emergency. Their services may be required, particularly about daylight. There should be the greatest vigilance along the whole line.

U. S. GRANT, Major General.

        As the Seventy-Seventh Illinois formed a part of Smith's Division, the foregoing order had reference, in part, to us, and that night our line of battle was formed. We slept on our arms, and, like Micawber, "waited for something to turn up." No demonstration, however, was made on the part of the enemy. The night passed away, the morning dawned, and the stereotyped phrase, "All quiet on the Potomac," applied to us.
        The rebels had one gun which made a peculiar whistling noise every time it was fired, and from this circumstance our boys called it "Whistling Dick." Whenever a shot from this gun passed over our heads with that familiar sound, the boys would exclaim, "Lay down," "Here goes your goose," etc. On the morning of June 28th, the rebels having, by some means, ascertained our position, commenced throwing solid shot in such a manner that they would strike the top of the hill above us, and bound over into our camp. For a time there was a lively scamper to get behind the trees or any other protection that offered. Samuel Sharkey, of Co. "K," was just getting out of bed when the firing commenced. He was struck on the head by a conical shot and instantly killed. His funeral took place on the evening of the same day, our Chaplain, Rev. Wm. G. Pierce, preaching the funeral sermon.
        About this time there were rumors in camp that on the approaching Fourth of July -- the eighty-seventh anniversary of American Independence -- a grand, final and successful assault would be made on the rebel works. That these rumors were not altogether without foundation, is shown from the fact, that Gen. Grant in his official report, says he had made preparations for an assault on the 6th of July, and had already ordered Gen. Sherman to hold himself in readiness to move immediately, if the assault proved successful.
        General Pemberton, actuated perhaps as much by a desire to avoid a warm celebration of the Fourth of July, as to save the "effusion of blood," concluded to surrender the place at this time, in order, as he said, to gratify the vanity of the "Yankees" by giving them possession of the "heroic city" upon this, their National holiday, and also to secure better terms for himself and garrison. On the morning of July 3d, a flag of truce was seen approaching our lines in front of the Thirteenth Army Corps. The flag was borne by Gen. Bowen and Col. Montgomery, and was immediately conducted to the headquarters of Brigadier General A. J. Smith. Gen. Bowen carried an official document addressed to General Grant. A courier was hastily sent to department headquarters with the message. On breaking the seal Gen. Grant found a proposition for the surrender of Vicksburg.
        Gen. Grant's terms in reply to this proposition were short and to the point, "an unconditional surrender of the city and garrison." And in concluding his letter he said, "I have no other terms than those indicated above." It was a bitter pill and swallowed with a wry face, but the heroic defenders of that city had reason to feel proud, even in their humiliation, for the manner in which they had defended their works in the fierce assaults which had been hurled against them.
        General Bowen having sought and failed to obtain an interview with General Grant, an arrangement was made by which the commanding officers of the respective forces were to meet at some point on the neutral ground that afternoon at 3 o'clock. At the appointed hour a single gun from our batteries, and a reply from the rebel works, announced the conference about to begin. Immediately afterwards General Pemberton emerged slowly from his lines, and General Grant rode through an opening in our trenches. The officers present at this interview were Generals Grant, McPherson and A. J. Smith on the part of the United States; and Generals Pemberton and Bowen and Col. Montgomery on the part of the rebels. The conference was not productive of definite results.
        After this the correspondence was renewed, and terms of capitulation finally agreed on, substantially the same as those suggested by Gen. Grant at first, and the city, with its garrison and public stores, was ours. In compliance with the terms agreed upon, our troops took formal possession of the city at 10 o'clock A.M., July 4, 1863, and at twelve o'clock M., the Flag of our Union floated proudly and triumphantly from the dome of the court house, from which it had been torn by rebellious hands more than two years before. That Fourth of July was a gay and glorious Fourth for the Army of the Tennessee. At night, rockets, bonfires, illuminations and music enlivened the closing scenes of the great struggle, making us forget for the time being, the toils and perils and privations from which we had just emerged.
        In the "Vicksburg Daily Citizen" of July 2d, printed on the plain side of a piece of wall-paper, appeared the following:
        "ON DIT -- that the great Ulysses -- the Yankee generalissimo surnamed Grant, has expressed his intention of dining in Vicksburg on Saturday next, and celebrating the Fourth of July by a grand dinner, etc. When asked if he would invite General Jo Johnston to join him, he said, 'No, for fear there will be a row at the table.' Ulysses must get into the city before he dines in it. The way to cook a rabbit is first to catch the rabbit, etc."
        On the same sheet appeared the following note under date of July 4th, evidently inserted by one of "Lincoln's hirelings:"
        "Two days bring great changes. The banner of the Union floats over Vicksburg. General Grant has "caught the rabbit," he has dined in Vicksburg, and he did bring his dinner with him. The "Citizen " lives to see it. For the last time it appears on wall-paper. No more will it eulogize the luxury of mule meat and fricasseed kitten -- urge southern warriors to such diet nevermore. This is the last wall-paper edition, and is, excepting this note, from the types as we found them. It will be valuable hereafter as a curiosity."
        It has been said that the garrison at Vicksburg were reduced to great straits for want of rations. In order to show that this impression was wrong, we insert the following bill of fare, which is supposed to have been picked up inside the rebel lines. It shows that they had an abundance of the necessaries of life, and some of the luxuries. And the charges were so moderate that any soldier could enjoy the dainties of the house at pleasure:

HOTEL DE VICKSBURG.
--------
Bill of Fare for July, 1863.
--------
SOUP.
Mule Tail.

BOILED.
Mule Bacon, with poke greens.
Mule Ham, canvassed.

ROAST.
Mule Sirloin.
Mule Rump, stuffed with rice.

VEGETABLES.
Peas and Rice.

ENTREES.
Mule Head, stuffed a la mode.
Mule Ears, fricasseed a la gotch.
Mule Side, stewed, new style, hair on.
Mule Beef, jerked, a la Mexicana.

Mule Kidneys, stuffed with peas.
Mule Tripe, fried in pea-meal batter.

JELLIES.
Mule Foot.

PASTRY.
Cottonwood Berry Pies.
Chinaberry Tarts.

DESSERT.

 
LIQUORS.
Mississipps Water, vintage of 1492.  Superior, $3
Limestone Water, late importation.  Very fine, $2.75.
Spring Water, Vicksburg brand, $1.50.

Meals at all hours.

Gentlemen to wait on themselves. Any inattention on the part of servants to be promptly reported at the office.

JEFF. DAVIS & Co., Proprietors.

CARD. -- The proprietors of the justly celebrated Hotel de Vicksburg, having enlarged and refitted the same; are now prepared to accommodate all who favor them with a call. Parties arriving by the River or Grant's inland route, will find Grape, Cannister & Co.'s carriages at the landing, or at any depot on the line of entrenchments. Buck, Ball & Co., take charge of all baggage. No effort will be spared to make the visit of all as interesting as possible.

J. D. & Co.

        As we are now about to retire from active business at Vicksburg, let us take account of stock, as follows:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
        In Acc't with Major General U. S. Grant,   DR.

                Total value of property captured, $12,000,0000.