Since Banks was occupied with operations on the Red River and had informed Grant that he was not ready to begin operations against Port Hudson within the next few days, Grant decided to move on his own against Vicksburg.
Da Banks havde travlt med operationer på Red River og havde meddelt Grant, at han ikke var parat til at indlede operationer mod Port Hudson indenfor de næste dage, besluttede Grant selv at rykke frem mod Vicksburg.