Undaunted by his failure on the
19th and realizing that he had been too hasty, Grant made a more thorough reconnaissance
then ordered another assault. Early on the morning of May 22, Union artillery opened fire
and for four hours bombarded the city's defenses. At 10:00 the guns fell silent and Union
infantry was thrown forward along a three-mile front. Sherman attacked once again down the
Graveyard Road, McPherson in the center along the Jackson Road, and McClernand on the
south along the Baldwin Ferry Road and astride the Southern Railroad of Mississippi. Flags
of all three corps were planted at different points along the exterior slope of
Confederate fortifications. McClernand's men even made a short-lived penetration at
Railroad Redoubt. But the Federals were again driven back with a loss in excess of 3,000
men.

Union artillery
target the Vicksburg Fortifications
|

Union Troops attack Confederate positions
|