CHAPTER XXXVI. 

BATTLE OF BLACK RIVER BRIDGE--CROSSING THE BIG BLACK--INVESTMENT OF VICKSBURG--ASSAULTING THE WORKS. 

We were now assured of our position between Johnston and Pemberton, without a possibility of a junction of their forces. Pemberton might have made a night march to the Big Black, crossed the bridge there and, by moving north on the west side, have eluded us and finally returned to Johnston. But this would have given us Vicksburg. It would have been his proper move, however, and the one Johnston would have made had he been in Pemberton's place. In fact it would have been in conformity with Johnston's orders to Pemberton. 

Sherman left Jackson with the last of his troops about noon on the 16th and reached Bolton, twenty miles west, before halting. His rear guard did not get in until two A.M. the 17th, but renewed their march by daylight. He paroled his prisoners at Jackson, and was forced to leave his own wounded in care of surgeons and attendants. At Bolton he was informed of our victory. He was directed to commence the march early next day, and to diverge from the road he was on to Bridgeport on the Big Black River, some eleven miles above the point where we expected to find the enemy. Blair was ordered to join him there with the pontoon train as early as possible. 

This movement brought Sherman's corps together, and at a point where I hoped a crossing of the Big Black might be effected and Sherman's corps used to flank the enemy out of his position in our front, thus opening a crossing for the remainder of the army. I informed him that I would endeavor to hold the enemy in my front while he crossed the river. 
Was there a chance that the forces might merge?
Where were they located?
Could Pemberton have avoided them?
To do so, what time would they have needed to travel?
Where would they need to cross a bridge?
Where would they end up returning to?
What would they have given up by doing so?
What date did Sherman depart?
Where did he leave from?
Which direction did he head?
Where did they stop?
What news did he receive there?
When did they decide to continue their travels?
Who was going to meet them?
With what?
Were they in a hurry?
Where were the prisoners pardoned?
What time did the rear guard finally arrive?
No.
without a possibility of a junction of their forces.
Between Johnston and Pemberton.
between Johnston and Pemberton
Yes
, by moving north on the west side, have eluded us and finally returned to Johnston
At night
a night march
Yes.
crossed the bridge
Johnston
finally returned to Johnston
Vicksburg
s would have given us Vicksburg
Around noon on the 16th.
 noon on the 16th
Jackson
Sherman left Jackson
West.
twenty miles west
Bolton
reached Bolton, twenty miles west, before halting
Our victory
he was informed of our victory
Early the next day.
He was directed to commence the march early next day
Blair
Blair was ordered to join him there
With the pontoon train.
Blair was ordered to join him there with the pontoon train 
Yes
 as early as possible
Jackson
He paroled his prisoners at Jackson
His rear guard did not get in until two A.M. the 17th,
His rear guard did not get in until two A.M. the 17th,