Johnston eventually began moving to relieve Pemberton and reached the Big Black River on July 1, but he delayed a potentially difficult encounter with Sherman until it was too late for the Vicksburg garrison, and then fell back to Jackson.
Johnston begyndte til sidst at rykke frem for at undsætte Pemberton og nåede Big Black River den 1. juli, men han udskød et potentielt vanskeligt møde med Sherman indtil det var for sent for garnisonen i Vicksburg, og derpå faldt han tilbage til Jackson.