"Not enough of the Corinthians remained to welcome us, to give me any idea of what the mass of the citizens are like. A few poor persons, the druggist referred to, and the Mayor's clerk, and two or three wealthy females, were all that were to be found. The poor were nearly starved, and were disposed to welcome any change, as it might bring relief, but could not add to their suffering. They walked curiously around, observing the movements of the soldiers, astonished at the comparatively handsome uniform they wore, and gratified that the fears they had felt had not been realized. The wealthy females looked from the windows of their mansions upon the Union troops, affecting the greatest scorn and disdain for the Yankees, who viewed them in return rather in a spirit of pity than revenge. "One of the Rebel commanders, unaware of our presence, called around him a brigade and commenced addressing them in something like the following strain: "'SONS OF THE SOUTH: We are here to defend our homes, our wives and daughters, against the horde of vandals who have come here to possess the first and violate the last. Here upon this sacred soil we have assembled to drive back the Northern invaders--drive them into the Tennessee. Will you follow me? If we cannot hold this place, we can defend no spot of our Confederacy. Shall we drive the invaders back, and strike to death the men who would desecrate our homes? Is there a man so base among those who hear me, as to retreat from the contemptible foe before us? I will never blanch before their fire, nor ----.' "At this interesting period the signal was given, and six shell fell in the vicinity of the gallant officer and his men, who suddenly forgot their fiery resolves, and fled in confusion to their breastworks." [Illustration: GRANT'S MARCH UPON VICKSBURG. Grant and Sherman seated on a log on East Bank. From Painting by J. E. Taylor.] CHAPTER XVI. MEMPHIS, VICKSBURG AND ARKANSAS POST. CHANGES IN COMMAND--RESTORING ORDER AT MEMPHIS--SHERMAN'S VIEWS OF THE SITUATION--GRANT'S CRITICAL POSITION--MOVING AGAINST PEMBERTON--MEETING WITH PORTER--THE EXPEDITION AGAINST VICKSBURG--WHY IT DID NOT SUCCEED--THE SURRENDER AT HOLLY SPRINGS--SHERMAN REMOVED FROM COMMAND--THE CAPTURE OF ARKANSAS POST--GENERAL McCLERNAND.