His final option was bold but risky: March the army down the west side of the Mississippi, cross the river south of Vicksburg, and either attack Vicksburg from the south and the east or join forces with Banks, capture Port Hudson, and then together reduce Vicksburg.
Hans sidste mulighed var dristig, men farlig: at lade hæren rykke ned langs den vestlige bred af Mississippifloden, krydse floden syd for Vicksburg og enten angribe Vicksburg fra syd eller øst eller slutte sig til Banks, erobre Port Hudson og derpå nedkæmpe Vicksburg.