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diff --git a/old/69151-h/69151-h.htm b/old/69151-h/69151-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index ed19b4a..0000000 --- a/old/69151-h/69151-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3527 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html> -<html lang="en"> -<head> - <meta charset="utf-8"> - <title> - The siege of Vicksburg, by Seth James Wells—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <link rel='icon' href='images/cover.jpg' type='image/x-cover'> - <style> - -/*<![CDATA[ */ - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; - text-indent: 0; -} - -.blockquot { - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; -} - -.x-ebookmaker .blockquot { - margin-left: 7.5%; - margin-right: 7.5%; -} - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.right {text-align: right;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.ph1 {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} - -div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} -div.titlepage p {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2em;} - -.xlarge {font-size: 150%;} -.large {font-size: 125%;} - -.x-ebookmaker .hide {display: none; visibility: hidden;} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; - max-width: 100%; -} - -.antiqua { - font-family: Blackletter, Fraktur, Textur, "Old English Text MT", "Olde English Mt", "Olde English", Gothic, serif, sans-serif;} - -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; - padding: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - - /* ]]> */ </style> -</head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The siege of Vicksburg, by Seth James Wells</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The siege of Vicksburg</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>From the diary of Seth J. Wells</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Seth James Wells</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Contributors: May Wells Bliss</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em;'>Sarah Ewell Krolik</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: October 13, 2022 [eBook #69151]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: David E. Brown and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/coversmall.jpg" width="450" alt=""></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" > - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i001.jpg" alt=""></div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>The Siege of<br> -VICKSBURG</h1> - -<p>FROM</p> - -<p><span class="xlarge">THE DIARY OF SETH J. WELLS</span></p> - -<p>INCLUDING</p> - -<p><span class="large">WEEKS OF PREPARATION AND OF<br> -OCCUPATION AFTER THE<br> -SURRENDER</span></p> - -<p>DETROIT, MICHIGAN<br> -WM. H. ROWE, Publisher.</p> - -<p>1915.</p> -</div> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center">Copyright 1915<br> -BY<br> -MAY WELLS BLISS<br> -AND<br> -SARAH EWELL KROLIK<br> -<br> -All Rights Reserved</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<p class="center"><span class="antiqua"><span class="large">In Loving Memory</span></span><br> -<br> -OF<br> -<br> -<span class="antiqua"><span class="large">Seth James Wells</span></span><br> -<br> -AND<br> -<br> -<span class="antiqua"><span class="large">Frank Ewell Wells</span></span></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak"><span class="antiqua">Foreword</span></h2> -</div> - -<p>The Diary of Seth J. Wells from June 14th, -1861, to July 9th, 1864, relates to the every day life -of the soldier in camp and field and records its -tramps and hardships cheerfully borne.</p> - -<p>The Siege of Vicksburg is taken from the Diary.</p> - -<p>He was born on April 26th 1842 in Iowa, Des -Moines County, near the village of Rising Sun -and was reared in his Grandfather Ewell’s family -on the “Ewell Farms” in Michigan, Macomb -County, near the village of Utica.</p> - -<p>He was wounded in battle and died a few days -later in a hospital at Vicksburg on July 9th 1864. -He enlisted on June 12th 1861 and served in three -companies of the United States Army during the -Civil War: Company E, 12th Indiana; Company -K, 17th Illinois; Company G, 8th Illinois. The -brothers, Frank and Seth, were together in Company -K, 17th Illinois.</p> - -<p class="right">S. E. K.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="The_Siege_of_Vicksburg">The Siege of Vicksburg</h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dunlap Springs, Nov.</span> 3, 1862. We have built a -snug log house and last night for the first and -probably last time have slept in it; for our company -has orders to move down town and act as -city guards. There are eight or ten regiments here, -some of them new ones from Jackson, Miss. The -new regiments, like all new ones, have great confidence -in themselves and think the war is to be -settled by them and them only. There is an undercurrent -of jealousy existing between the old and -new troops. The old troops call the new ones -“forty dollar men,” “bounty men,” and “home -guards.” Last Friday, Oct. 31, we had general review -from Gen. McPherson who is here commanding -the post. There were twenty regiments, ten -thousand men, I should judge, on the field. There -is a great forward movement taking place. All the -troops started out on the Grand Junction road this -morning with the exception of the 43rd, and 17th -Ill. The weather is fine, the days are warm and -pleasant, but the nights are very cold and frosty. -About once in ten days we have a northeast rainstorm, -followed by cold weather and sleet. We are -on guard every other day, sometimes every third -day.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nov. 7.</span> We got a buggy shed from the citizens, -boarded it up tight, built a furnace in it, and were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> -just putting on the finishing touches, (battening -up the cracks with cotton) when we received -marching orders. Such is the fortune of war.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nov. 8.</span> We struck our tents and started for -Grand Junction about 10 o’clock. The boys are -in fine health and spirits. We marched about nine -miles and camped by a clear spring.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nov. 9.</span> Sunday. We marched about fifteen -miles today and arrived at LaGrange, three miles -west of Grand Junction. It is dry and very dusty. -Sometimes the dust was so thick we could not see -the ground. That and the smoke and heat from -the burning fences was almost intolerable. We -passed miles and miles of burnt and burning fences, -fired by troops in advance. Large and fine farms -and plantations were laid waste. We met fully -forty teams of four and six mules each, loaded with -wenches and young woolly heads, and all their -personal effects, and in fact all they could smuggle -from their masters. Ask them where they are -going and they will tell you, “You folks sent’s to -Bolivar, don’t know where wes goin’ from thar.” -I blistered my feet badly on the march. We hear -that Hollow Springs is evacuated. We have very -stringent orders in regard to stealing. Everything -has to be paid for by the division when it -cannot be traced to the company, regiment or -brigade of the persons committing the theft. I -hope they will be enforced.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nov. 14.</span> All quiet. We had brigade drill this -forenoon. Our brigade consists of the 7th Missouri, -8th, 63rd and 18th Illinois, commanded by -Col. Stevenson of the 7th Missouri. Our regiment -is the first of the fourth brigade, third division, -of the right wing of Gen. Grant’s army. Gen. -John A. Logan made a speech to the troops this -afternoon.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nov. 20.</span> Col. Stevenson made a few remarks -to us this morning after drill. He is good natured -and jolly, and a fine speaker. He gave us great -praise and said he had the 7th Missouri, 8th and -63rd Illinois, with the pick of another five or six -regiments, among them ours. He took us and -placed us on the right of his brigade in preference -to any other.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nov. 21.</span> Our brigade was reviewed by Generals -McPherson and Logan this afternoon. Gen. -McKean’s brigade was reviewed today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nov. 24.</span> There was grand review this afternoon. -Generals McPherson, Grant and Logan -were the review officers. The weather is fine but -the nights are very cold.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nov. 25.</span> On picket one mile southeast of -LaGrange, the night was very cold.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nov. 27.</span> We received orders to pack up and -be ready to move down town this morning, where -we were to be quartered and remain as provost -guard. We marched down about 8 o’clock and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> -secured our quarters. Sixteen, including Frank -and myself, took a room upstairs in an old -grocery with an old stove. During the day we -fixed our bunks and got some benches from a -church close by, and by night had things quite -comfortable. LaGrange comes nearer to being like -a northern town than any other I have seen in -the South.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nov. 28.</span> I was on guard in front of the Provost-marshall’s -office today. The troop began to -move toward Holly Springs long before day light. -While I was in town five batteries and as many -brigades passed. Gen. Grant passed us a number -of times. He is looking a great deal better than -when at Inka.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Nov. 29.</span> The troops have mostly passed out -and it is getting quiet once more.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 1.</span> While I was looking out of the window -this morning at some recruits for the 48th Indiana, -whom should I see but John Metternich of our old -company. (Co. E, 12th Ind.) He was as much -surprised as I; the last time I saw him, his head -was bruised and bleeding as the result of a spree. -This morning a band of guerillas came up within -about two miles of this place, captured a number -of mules and burned the cotton they were hauling.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 2.</span> Tuesday. The 109th Ill. came in -tonight.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 4.</span> I was on guard today. It rained -nearly all day, and toward night we had a real -northerner.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 5.</span> Late in the afternoon it turned cold -and began to freeze and snow.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 6.</span> Ground is frozen quite solid this -morning, for the first time this winter. There is -some excitement among the boys of the 17th in -regard to a report that Gov. Yates has ordered -home ten of the old regiments to recruit and fill -up their ranks. If any go, the 17th will probably -be one of them, as the company reports only -twenty-two for duty.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 7.</span> Sunday. I was detailed for guard this -morning and stood before the provost-marshall’s -office.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 9.</span> On fatigue. Weather fine.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 10.</span> Weather fine. We had dress parade -at 4 o’clock.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 11.</span> Weather warm. I was on fatigue -nearly all day, cutting and hauling wood for the -company. We had dress parade at 4 o’clock. Just -at dusk the news came in that a guerilla band was -to attack us before morning. Fifty men from our -regiment and forty-eight from the 126th (which is -here doing picket duty) were detailed to build -breastworks of cotton, four hundred bales of which -lay near the depot. Col. Norton and Major Bates -did the engineering. After they had finished we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> -lay on our arms during the night, but no enemy -made its appearance, and about 7 o’clock we were -ordered back to camp.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 12.</span> Quite sore from chopping and rolling -cotton. Our Colonel, Amos Norton, is Commander -of the Post, and Rats is provost-marshal, Col. -Smith commanding the regiment. Toward dark a -rumor was rapidly circulated through the camp -that we were ordered to Holly Springs, Miss. No -one could tell where it started from, and consequently -no one credited it.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 13.</span> Marching orders, sure enough. We -drew three days’ rations this morning, with orders -to have two cooked and in our haversacks, ready -to march at 5 o’clock the next morning. I have -a new pair of boots which I expect to break in -on the march—or they will break me. We were -relieved this morning by the 126th. I have a very -severe cold.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 14.</span> Sunday. Reveille sounded this morning -a little after 2 o’clock. We filled our haversacks, -got our breakfasts, and by daylight were -ready for the march. We fell into ranks, the -regiment was formed, and then we witnessed an -unexpected ceremony which is disgusting to every -true soldier—the drumming out of a fellow soldier -for disobedience and disgraceful conduct. I should -prefer death to being marched between two lines -of a regiment by a guard, at a charged bayonet, with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> -an escort, the band playing the Rogues March, and -the remainder of the regiment standing at charged -bayonets; but it was soon over, the ranks were -closed, and the regiment started on the march. -We crossed Wolf Creek, a fine stream one mile -from LaGrange. We passed over a fine country -somewhat broken. The army has surely left its -mark here. Miles of fences and scores of houses -have been burnt. From one place we could count -seven or eight ruins. The destruction of property -is not countenanced by a good soldier, but every -regiment has its straggling, order breaking reprobates -that are a disgrace to the flag they fight -under. We reached Coldwater toward night and -camped. I was on guard. I came across an old -cove who helped build dam No. 4, in Maryland, -and knew all the citizens who live there now.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 15.</span> We struck tents early, packed our -effects as snugly as possible, and as on the preceding -morning, shouldered our knaps. It rained -during our entire march to Holly Springs, the -flower city of the South, and on our arrival there -the flood gates of heaven opened and the rain -poured down on our defenseless heads in torrents. -We stood it about two hours before the Colonel -could secure quarters. Three-fourths of a mile up -the railroad track we found a very large rebel -arsenal, but were wet to the skin long before we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> -reached this shelter. It continued to rain all day -without intermission.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 16.</span> We packed up twice to change our -camp today, but the order was countermanded -each time. The arsenal is a very extensive building -and the rebels turned out one hundred small -arms per day. We are preparing it for an extensive -hospital. Quartered here again tonight. I -went up to the depot and while there met old -Captain Backman, of Co. C, 12th Ind. Reg. He is -now sutler in the same regiment, which is located -but a few miles below here doing picket duty on -the railroad.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 17.</span> Toward night we received marching -orders and started for Abbyville at dark. We -heard that there was great excitement at Jackson, -as an attack from a detachment of Bragg’s men -was expected. We marched about eight miles from -town and crossed the Yazoo swamp, where we -camped for the night. The next morning we again -packed up and started for Abbyville.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 18.</span> We arrived at the Tallahatchie -Bottoms about noon. Bissell’s engineer regiment -is encamped here. It has just finished the railroad -bridge over the river and the cars now pass on to -Oxford in advance. There was a clearing with -two redoubts which we passed before entering the -woody bottoms of the Tallahatchie. The teams -were halted and we slung our knapsacks and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> -carried them over the marshy bottoms. We had -advanced but a short distance when the formidable -earthworks which the Rebs had erected, loomed up -before our eyes. When we once more struck terra -firma we were halted, unslung our knaps, and when -the teams came up, packed them on the wagons. I -started on and entered the camp of the 12th Ind. -Volunteers. Found the old members of Co. E. -divided among two companies—F and I, both -gotten up at Warsaw. We arrived at Abbyville -in the middle of the forenoon. The country -between LaGrange and Abbyville is rough and -hilly.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 19.</span> Jesse Walker and I went out foraging -and succeeded in capturing a shoat. The nigs were -left very destitute and there will be a great deal of -suffering if the government does not feed them. -There is a report that Jackson, Tenn., is threatened -by Bragg; that there is fighting there and our -communications are cut off, at any rate troops are -on the move, being taken back by rail as fast as -possible. There is a great battle being fought this -morning by Burnside’s men. They have already -fought one whole day. Burnie has crossed the -river and holds Fredericksburg.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 20.</span> The news came in this morning that -Holly Springs was entered at daylight and captured. -The Rebels took over two hundred thousand -dollars and burned the depot with all the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> -stores and the arsenal we had fitted up for a hospital. -After dinner we were set to work building -breastworks of cotton, having captured one thousand -bales from the C. S. A. When we first came -here the regiment was scattered along the railroad, -one company in a place extending nearly to -Oxford. Companies G and K were kept here, this -being the headquarters of Regiment 1, Norton -commanding the Post. Two companies below were -sent up, and by night we had a complete breast-work -of cotton bales, regular old hickory style.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 21.</span> The long roll was beaten at 3 o’clock -this morning. The company was formed and we -marched down to our cotton fort where we lay -until daylight, when the other companies marched -to their camps, and we back to ours. Last night -a division of cavalry passed, going north. It was -composed of the 3rd and 4th Ill., 7th Kansas and -3rd Mich. Just before night Generals Ross and -McArthur came into town with their respective -divisions. They are moving back for some cause. -The weather is fine but the nights are very cold. -It is what people call pleasant fall weather in -Michigan. We have had no more snow since the -flurry in September, and the weather never was -more favorable for a winter campaign. The army -is well clothed, having as much clothing as the -soldiers wish to pack.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 22.</span> On guard in Frank’s place, he has<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> -gone foraging ten miles below. More troops passed -on their way back.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 23.</span> Gen. Grant passed through here this -morning on the train. The division of Denver’s, -(ex-governor of Kansas, for whom Denver City -was named) passed through here today also. The -troops are all coming up further north. The cars -are going north loaded with cotton. I think this -is a cotton expedition.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 24.</span> On picket guard today. Got my boots -half soled. Gen. McPherson passed through here, -and Logan’s division is coming up and passing -through. Our old brigade (Col. Stevenson’s) also -passed. A train came in a little after dark and -was loaded with cotton. The country is stripped -of everything and so we are on half rations. All -the hogs and live stock have been killed. The -Negroes are suffering and I think they would welcome -their old masters. There are a great many -leaving, a large carload left today. We have poorer -fare than at any time since we enlisted.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 25.</span> <i>Christmas.</i> I came off guard duty -this morning. We drew half rations for four days -and part of that was cornmeal. Our coffee is rye -and in small quantities at that. The boys have -gone out to see if they can find a stray hog or beef -for Christmas dinner. Oh! if I could be at home -today.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span></p> - -<p><i>One o’clock.</i> We just now received marching -orders to be ready tomorrow morning. Frank, -Bill, Buttons and Boggs of our mess, and Ragan -and Doughty of the Peacock mess, fetched in a -whole beef, and a few minutes later Abe, John and -Scott brought in a whole hog. If we live on half -rations it will not be of meat, as we have a hog -and half a beef. It is very warm and pleasant -today, I lay down and took a nap, but the flies -were so troublesome I could hardly sleep.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 26.</span> Warm and raining. We were astir -early, cooked our breakfasts, filled our haversacks -with meat and what little bread we had, and fell -in about 7 o’clock. It began to rain and we had -gone but a mile or two when we were wet through. -We secured two ox teams, one of six oxen, and one -of four, which hauled our knapsacks. The 12th -Ind. is still camped on the Tallahatchie. Saw -Lieut. E. Webster and Tom Anderson, they are -living on quarter rations. Capt. Williams, now -Colonel of the regiment, was at Holly Springs at -the time it was captured and he was taken for the -third time. We marched to the Yazoo Bottoms -and camped on the opposite side. It rained and -we were completely soaked. The ground was -muddy and I looked around, found a stack of corn, -dug down to the dry stalks, husked out a lot and -made a bed for myself. We are within seven -miles of Holly Springs.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 27.</span> Warm and rainy this morning. We -struck out tents, fell in about daylight and -marched through to Holly Springs, where we saw -the effects of the late raid.</p> - -<p>A long ambulance train, a large hotel and one -whole block was burned, also the whole of the large -arsenal building which we had prepared and were -using for a hospital, the large depot and all the -supplies that were in it, two or three engines and -a long train of cars. When the magazines exploded -it jarred out nearly all of the window glass in that -part of the town. We camped on the north side -in a beautiful grove. As soon as camp was laid -off we killed one of our oxen which had labored so -faithfully in hauling our knapsacks here, and drew -one more day’s rations to finish out our four days. -The boys have taken the mills into their own hands -and are shelling and grinding corn, what they -should have done long ago, live off the country. -They tell us that we are the first regiment of the -first brigade, sixth division (Gen. Arthur’s) of -Grant’s department. There has been no time to -parole the sick.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 28.</span> Sunday. We lay here all day, all is -quiet.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 29.</span> A foraging party went out this morning. -One of our boys killed five hogs and thirteen -chickens, and found two government wagons and -two barrels of molasses that the Rebs had taken<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> -out from Holly Springs and hidden. At 3 o’clock -we had orders to move in twenty minutes for -Moscow, a small town ten miles west of LaGrange -on the Memphis and Charleston railroad. We -marched to the opposite side of Coldwater and -camped for the night. Our brigade was in advance -of the division and our regiment in advance of the -brigade.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 30.</span> Rained a good deal last night. We -were up early. Our regiment was rear guard to -the wagon train today. It cleared off early and -was quite cool, making a fine day for marching. -We carried our knapsacks as on the previous day, -and marched about eight miles. Fine country -between Coldwater and Moscow, that is for Mississippi. -Most plantations have fine mansions. -There have been but few troops over this road, -consequently cattle and hogs are quite abundant. -Our boys drove in about sixty hogs and most of -them are fine, fat ones. When they came into -camp the boys pitched in, each man for himself, -and our mess got half a hog.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dec. 31.</span> Last night was very cold. It snowed -quite hard. The regiment formed this morning -and guns were fired off. We were formed for -muster at 2 o’clock yesterday. Abe left our mess, -also Geo. Scott, both were ill.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 1, 1863.</span> Thursday. Bright and clear, -warm and pleasant. How well do I remember two<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> -short years ago today when we took a sleigh ride -and made a regular family visit at Uncle Tim’s. -Since then I have traveled over four thousand -miles, five hundred and eighty of which I marched -with gun on my shoulder; have seen more vice and -drunkenness than I ever supposed existed, yet I -hope I am morally no worse than when surrounded -by kind relatives and friends. An orderly call -beat immediately after reveille this morning at -which time we received orders to cook our rations -and be ready by half past seven. We cooked our -fresh pork and by the appointed time had it in our -haversacks, and our knapsacks strapped on our -backs, ready for the march. We went eight miles -and camped close to a small town called Lafayette, -situated on the Memphis and Charleston R. R. -As soon as we had pitched our tents, Chas. Berry -and myself went out one mile from camp and killed -a hog. We are now the first regiment of the -first brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General -McArthur, of Gen. Hamilton’s corps, of the left -wing of Gen. Grant’s army. We were put in the -rear of the brigade today as a special guard to -keep up the stragglers.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 2.</span> Struck out tents early this morning -and marched to Colliersville, a distance of seven -miles from Lafayette and twenty-four from Memphis. -As soon as we had stacked our arms and -broken ranks, John Cumbersworth and I went out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> -a mile and a half from camp and got a fine hog. -While we were skinning it our orderly-sergeant, -Sullivan, Jesse Walker and Mike Walsh were -captured not more than a quarter of a mile distant, -by a band of rebel cavalry. Sullivan turned and -ran and several shots were fired after him, which -we heard plainly but we thought it was the boys -shooting hogs. When we got into camp Bob Dew -and Charlie Berry came in with their paroles, -they having been caught by the same company. -Five paroled from Co. K in one day. Five such -days’ work will muster Co. K out of service. The -17th Ill. at present musters about three hundred -and fifty men. On guard tonight; storming fearfully.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 3.</span> Quite pleasant during the day, but it -rained heavily all night.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 4.</span> We had inspection at 1 o’clock. Col. -Norton’s tent burned today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 5.</span> Monday. I am on guard at the depot -today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 8.</span> Orders are very strict. If caught outside -of the pickets the fine is ten dollars. We get -up at 4 o’clock in the morning and stack our arms. -I am on parole guard today. We expect to move in -a day or two.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 11.</span> The regiment was formed at 4 this -morning. In the afternoon we received marching -orders. Our division has been moving up all day.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> -Logan’s division is here. The stockade fort that -the contrabands are at work on near the depot is -almost completed. At 4 o’clock we had dress -parade. Orders were read, fining the absentees -from roll call since the last of December, one -dollar each time.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 12.</span> We were called up at half past three -this morning and were on the road inside an hour, -and by sunrise were four miles on the way. We -arrived at Germantown about 10 o’clock. It is a -village. At five minutes before 12 o’clock we -halted for dinner, and started again on our march -at 1 o’clock, our regiment in advance. We reached -the edge of a town at dusk where we learned -that we were selected as guard at the navy yard. -As we passed through the town, the little children -followed us and hurrahed for Jeff Davis. We -moved to the upper end of town and encamped on -land adjoining the navy yard. Col. Norton bought -five cords of wood for us. He made a speech in -which he said Gen. Hamilton ordered McArthur -to send his best disciplined regiment here as guard, -and he wanted us to be strict, orderly, and diligent. -He also said the duty was a kind of secret -service (how so I do not understand). The guerillas -crossed over last night, cut around and burned -a steamer. We are very tired this evening, having -made the heavy march of twenty-six miles.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 13.</span> We moved into the navy yard this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> -morning. Had seven men detailed for guard. I -was one of them. We were put on camp, or chain -guard. I don’t see where the secret service comes -in, for my part. I was down to see the ex-reb -gunboat, “Gen. Bragg,” she was injured at Vicksburg -and is being repaired. There are five or six -mortar boats lying close to shore.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 14.</span> I came off guard this morning. It -rained very hard all the latter part of the night. -Another boat load of troops came down last night, -making five or six in all. They are from the -Kansas Valley Division of Fremont’s old forces.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 15.</span> About six inches of snow fell last -night and it has snowed all day. The citizens say -it is the heaviest storm they have seen in a number -of years. By night it was about ten inches -deep. The paymaster paid off all but our company -today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 16.</span> We were paid off this morning, after -which there was a general settling up of accounts. -I drew $41.00; $25.00 advance bounty, one month’s -advance pay, and $3.00 premium for re-enlisting. -I expressed $25.00 home. It is very cold this morning, -not more than five or six degrees above zero. -Towards noon the report came that we were to be -relieved. We were almost frozen, having no chance -to fire up and keep warm. These are the dark days -of a soldier’s experience.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 17.</span> I was on guard supernumerary in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> -daytime and stood beyond Wolf Creek at night. -Towards night the sergeant-major came along with -instructions to be ready at 6:30 o’clock in the -morning to go aboard the transports for down the -river.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 18.</span> We were up early and had our things -packed at 8 o’clock, fell into ranks and marched -down to the wharf and on board the “Superior,” -a fine river boat. The 11th Ill., 17th Ill., and part -of the 16th Wisconsin regiments are on our boat. -It took all day to load and at night we went up -to the coal yard just above town to coal up. Abe -and I made our bed down on the top of the hurricane -deck. About midnight it began to sleet and -rain, and before morning our blankets were completely -soaked. It was about as disagreeable a -night as I ever spent.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 19.</span> Cold, rainy and windy. We lay here -all day coaling up, and suffered with the cold. -Most of the boys kept warm by drinking whisky. -Nearly all have their canteens full. We have -details patrolling the town, picking up the stragglers. -Still rainy and disagreeable. At 1:30 the -boats backed off and started down the river. We -stopped a few minutes at the forts, two or three -miles below the town. There are fifteen boats in -the fleet, among the principal ones are the “Nettie -Dean,” “Silver Moon,” “Minnehaha,” “Platte Valley,” -“Superior,” “Maria Denning,” “Sunnyside,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> -“St. Louis,” “Gate City,” “Mary Forsythe,” “City -of Madison,” “Arago,” and “Belle Reora.” Our -regiment lost about fifty men at Memphis, three -from our company. At dark we tied up to the -Arkansas shore. It was dreary and cold but I -went on shore on purpose to put my foot on Arkansas -soil. We set our pickets and stayed all night. -Abe Van Auken and I slept under Jim Mitchell’s -bunk, the same as the night before and slept fine.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 21.</span> The boat shoved off at daylight and -started down at 10 o’clock. We arrived at Helena, -a small town, where we stopped about three hours, -and then went on down the river. It is thickly -timbered on both sides most of the way. There -are a few farm houses scattered along. At sundown -we tied up to the Arkansas shore just forty -miles above Napoleon, at the mouth of the Arkansas -river. As soon as we halted the “Silver Moon” -played several tunes on her calliope. I went back -to a little town of Nig quarters just over the levee, -about one-half a mile from the river and tried to -get something to eat, but they had nothing to sell -or give. Everything was eaten up and the levees -were all breaking away and they could not repair -them as the able bodied had run away. Most of -the Whites that are not in the Rebel service have -left. One of our boats was fired on today. We -passed Napoleon about 9 o’clock. At sundown we -tied up at the Mississippi shore, eighty miles above<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> -the mouth of the Yazoo, and opposite the state of -Mississippi.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 23.</span> We started at sunrise as on the preceding -morning. The wind blew quite strong, -making it difficult for some of the smaller boats -to keep up. When we were within a few miles of -the Yazoo, the flagship “Platte Valley” halted and -gave us the signal to close up. We closed up in -regular order and about 3 o’clock came in sight of -a fleet of eighty transports and gunboats at the -mouth of the Yazoo. We halted about one mile -above them, and twelve miles from Vicksburg by -water, or eighty by the short cut on the Louisiana -side. The troops here tell us our boys are working -on the Farragut’s canal and are to have it -finished in a few days. We slept in the boat last -night, Abe and I in our old place. The country -for over a hundred miles above here is quite thickly -settled by wealthy planters. On some of the plantations -the Negro quarters form quite a town. The -trees on the shore are covered with a long vine-like -growth called Spanish moss. It is light green in -color, and gives an appearance of being dead and -covered with icycles.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 24.</span> Rained all day; slept in the boat last -night.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 25.</span> Sunday. The regiment was formed -early this morning and we moved back out of the -levee into camp. The river is rising, it is on a level<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> -with our camp. It is warm and pleasant, a real -spring day. There was heavy firing this evening -down the river. I saw the “Chillicothe” tonight. -There were four men detailed to go down to the -ditch tomorrow.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 26.</span> Warm and rainy. More boats went -down last night, one war boat and several transports. -We heard heavy firing this morning, supposed -to be the gunboats. The river is still rising.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 28.</span> Bill Boggs and myself secured a pass -this morning early and started down to the canal. -We followed the river bank until we were about -one mile and half from the ditch, when we saw -that we were upon a bayou that ran back up the -river about two miles. We had to turn back, -feeling pretty badly sold as it made us four miles -extra walk. Young poplars were so thick that we -could not see where we were for a while. The -levee is broken in two places. Our division (6th -McArthur) is repairing the upper one, and the -lower division the lower one. The water is running -through here badly. They are planting artillery -behind the levee all along between camp and -the ditch. The levee forms a substantial breast-work. -One mile this side of the ditch we came, -for the first time, within full view of Vicksburg. -The town lies upon the west side of a sloping bluff. -One large church and the courthouse and one -earthworks could be distinguished quite plainly.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> -The town did not look more than two or three miles -distant, but it is not less than eight. An officer -was looking through a glass, he could see transports -at the wharf, and a crowd collected around -someone who was taking observations. As we -passed the mouth of the Yazoo we could look up -and see three or four gunboats and as many rams, -while on this side lay the “Chillicothe” and three -rams. As I was going down I was hailed by two -cavalry men who had just passed me. On -looking up, whom should I see but Oll and -Dave Hubler, formerly of Co. E, 12th Ind. They -belong to Co. C, 4th Ind. cavalry. They told me -that Geo. Hissung is down here. They are bodyguard -to Gen. Smith. Pat Gallegher and Bill -Humphrey, our old first lieutenant and orderly, -are here. Nearby is the far famed ditch. About -noon we sat down on its banks and took a good -rest. The boys encamped there say the water has -risen one foot today. It is now five feet deep and -has a rapid current. It averages over twenty feet -wide upon the surface. The Mississippi is rising -rapidly. I went down to the lower end of the -ditch, it is one mile and one-eighth in length. -There are heavy details at work throwing up a -levee on the west side of it. We have thirty two-pound -parrots blockading the river. They are -posted behind the levee here. When we arrived -Gen. McClernand was taking observations. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> -Rebels are throwing up heavy works below the -mouth of the ditch upon the opposite side. It is -about three miles distant. We could see them -moving around, coming up and going away. We -lay there about two hours and watched them. We -could see two heavy earthworks, or forts, and one -line of rifle pits. We went from here up to the -head of the ditch. It starts in an eddy and there -was a tug, “The Ivy,” lying in front to keep out -the driftwood. It is hard to tell if the thing will -prove advantageous. Large details at work, showing -that the generals still have faith in it. We -understand that they have sent for a dredge. There -are encampments all the way between our division -and the ditch. Gen. Steele’s division is below the -mouth of it. We came back to camp a little after -dark, tired and hungry, having traveled during the -day about twenty miles, but were amply repaid. -McClernand is a homely man, apparently about -forty-five years of age, with black whiskers and a -Roman nose. I saw a fine looking general, said to -be Gen. Steele.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 29.</span> This is a beautiful day. I am quite -stiff and sore from the effects of my walk. There -was a detail from the sixth division this morning, -mounted on mules and sent out in the northwestern -direction upon a scout. Corp. Si. Livingston -and Privates Briton and Schultz represented Co. -K, 17th Ill. They went about sixteen miles to a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> -little town called Richmond, where they found a -detachment of the enemy, but owing to a large -bayou, our boys could not get at them, and had to -leave them in possession of the place. We heard -heavy cannonading this morning. The Rebs had -undertaken to cross with about five hundred head -of cattle, but slipped up on it, and they fell into -our hands.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 30.</span> I was detailed on fatigue this morning. -The detail from our regiment worked on the -big break in the levee. We did a good day’s work, -and slightly checked the current. The Mississippi -continues to rise. Uncle Ben, Scott and Patterson -returned from their three days’ scout. They had -been up the river after beef and had secured fifty -head. Mail came in last night, Frank received a -letter from Rosalie, dated Jan. 4. Just to think, -they have had no snow yet in the north. Generals -U. S. Grant and Ross have arrived.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Jan. 31.</span> The first news that greeted us this -morning was marching orders. After breakfast -we drew four days’ rations, two of them cooked, -put them in our haversacks, and were ready to -march aboard the boats. About 2 o’clock the -regiment was formed and we marched aboard the -“Crescent City” and the “Ella,” escorted by a gunboat, -or Ram No. 2. We started in the fore part -of the night. Abe and I found a place on the lower -deck on the top of a wood pile, and it is well we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> -did, for it rained nearly all night.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 1.</span> Sunday. We went forty miles last -night. This is a rainy day. Fortune seems to be -against us when we float the Mississippi. Our -rations in the bread line since we left Bolivar have -been mostly hard-tack with cornmeal. We occasionally -draw flour. The hard crackers we draw -are better now than they have been before. The -boats have moved very slowly against the current -today. We arrived at Providence the middle of -the afternoon, landed above the town, and went -ashore. Our company and company F surrounded -the town but caught no one. Capt. Wheeler and -three or four of us entered the Post Office and -searched it. We found a few letters and papers. -We broke open the ballot box which was full of -tickets voted for Jeff Davis. Abe and I each got -us a set of chess men. I got a six-inch drafting -rule, also some pamphlets giving the object and -description of the K. G. C., or Knights of the -Golden Circle. Providence, before the war, must -have been a beautiful town, but now it is almost -deserted. A few women and children were standing -in the doors, nearly scared to death. They -scarcely knew what to expect from the long -dreaded Yankees. The Post Office is a large brick -building, in the back part of which was the equipment -of the Sons of Malta. We caught no guerillas. -We threw out our pickets and slept upon the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> -boat, Abe and I upon the hurricane deck, as our -wood pile was burned up. It was quite cool for -this country, one might say cold. We lay in the -boat until the middle of the afternoon. A detail -from the brigade went out mule-back this morning -on a scout. When we heard that guerillas were -out a few miles in the country, our company and -company G were ordered out. Col. Dietzler said -there was no use in going farther as there were -none there, but the boys wanted a little exercise, -so they took us about two miles to a nice plantation, -where we killed a lot of chickens. Gus -Schultz and I caught eight, I caught five and found -some eggs. John Cumbersworth, also of our mess, -got a frying pan which we needed very much. One -of our boys was thrown from a mule. It commenced -raining just as we started back, and before -we arrived at camp we were completely soaked -through. We were called aboard and dropped off -below town where we remained until morning. The -night was very cold and the ground was frozen -quite solid. This morning there was a detail of -nearly half the brigade for fatigue. We were put -to work digging away the levees to let the water -into Lake Providence, which is one mile back from -the river. There was once a channel between the -river and lake in high water, but it is dammed -up. The lake makes connections with Red River -through bayous. Providence is equally divided<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> -into three parts, they are separated by the old -channel, which forms a common for the town. The -town is a little higher than the channel, but lower -than the levee. The inhabitants are badly scared -and are moving out. It will all be inundated when -we get the levee cut through. The engineers say -there are four feet and six inches of fall between -the surface of the river and the surface of the -ground below the levee. We worked until noon, -and then another relief came on. The regiment -moved down to the boats and camped on the other -side of the levee. We got a large barroom stove -for our tent. This evening there was a detail sent -across the river to a large plantation for Nigs. One -hundred and forty were caught and sent to Vicksburg. -We saw peach trees in bloom today. We met -Gen. McArthur and bodyguard when we were -coming out.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 11.</span> Boggs, Buttons and I went over the -river this morning on an old flat log. About 10 -o’clock Si Livingston and I had permission to go -out and get some chickens. We crossed over on -the log, baled out an old canoe, and took a ride up -the river two miles and a half, and stopped at a -beautiful plantation. We could buy nothing. We -then struck back for camp, and stopped on the way -at another plantation and got five chickens. The -steamer “Louisiana” came around this morning -with provisions. Two men from company E<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> -knocked down an old Negro and robbed him. It -was proven, and Major Peats had them tied up -by the hands, with a card on their backs.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 12.</span> The two men were tied all day. We -played ball.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 13.</span> We played ball again today. It -rained last night. Three men of company G were -tied up today for running the pickets.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 14.</span> We were ordered back to Providence -this morning. Caught a sheep and brought it -along. The roads are very muddy. We met Gen. -McArthur on the way back. One of our brigade -went on the south side of the lake and the other -on the opposite side. They are clearing the brush -from the bayou that leaves the lake for Tensa and -are stopping up others.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 15.</span> Sunday. We had a big thunderstorm -last night. Part of McClernand’s forces came up -on the transports this afternoon. The supposition -is that all are coming up.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 16.</span> I was on guard (supernumerary), -all day and was not called out. It was rainy this -morning.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 17.</span> Rain all last night and all day today. -There has been no work done on the ditch since -we came back, on account of the rain. The river -is falling fast. A large wharf boat went down at -noon.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 18.</span> Cloudy this morning, though not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> -raining. The ground is covered with water and -mud. The old wooden gunboat “Tyler” is lying -here at anchor.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 19.</span> Tuesday. Warm and pleasant. Mud -drying up very fast. Work on the ditch was continued -today by four hundred Nigs. We draw -rations for twelve hundred Negroes, wenches, children -and all. The women and children will be -sent into the cotton fields to work. Men are -detailed to oversee them.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 20.</span> Wednesday. Beautiful day. We -played ball.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 22.</span> Friday. On guard. Stood picket in -a large cotton field which contains five or six hundred -acres of cotton, unpicked. I went back to -the cane brake and got a fish pole. The guard of -our forage train came in contact with some cavalry -in the vicinity of Old River and routed them. -In the course of the proceedings a Negro teamster -hopped off his horse, drew a revolver and shot a -Reb who had just shot one of our Captains, and -took two prisoners.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 23.</span> We were relieved early. The day was -fine. A fleet of ten boats landed here this morning, -having on board Logan’s division. They landed -and marched back about three miles and camped -on the bank of the lake. John A. Logan looks -fine. Colonel Stevenson looks the same as ever. -It is rumored that he is trying to get us back into<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> -his brigade. A year ago today George and I explored -the caves under the bluff below the dam, and -one year ago tomorrow we left the dam. Played -ball this afternoon. There are about four hundred -Negroes at work on the levee.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 24.</span> Played ball this forenoon and in the -afternoon were detailed to extinguish a fire which -destroyed the best part of town. The Post Office, -one of the best buildings, was burned. We had -dress parade at 4 o’clock. Gen. Logan’s address -to his troops was read to us. Grant and McPherson -were both here today. It is rumored that the -“Star of the West” has been captured.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 25.</span> Our division was inspected today by -Major Strong, Inspector-General. Ours was the -first regiment inspected. We had a thunder shower -in the afternoon and an awful one last night and -this morning. Our tent leaked like a sieve. The -river is rising very fast. The bank is being leveled -to keep the water out of the canal. We had dress -parade this evening.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feb. 28.</span> We mustered and had regiment -inspection this afternoon. Major Peats of Co. K -complimented the troops quite highly on their -clean guns. The ground is drying off fast. The -river is still rising. There is much sickness, and -about two burials take place every day. The -“Rocket” came up tonight, bringing Gen. McPherson.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> -I heard an adjutant-general say that the -Rebs had sunk the “Indianola.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 1.</span> We had company inspection at 12 -o’clock and dress parade at 5 o’clock. We then -drew clothing, which was needed very much. I -drew three pair of socks and one pair of trousers.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 2.</span> On picket in the cotton field today -until about 3 o’clock, when Capt. Wheeler, officer -of the day, came around and relieved us. They -have the steam tug on the lake bank nearly ready -to launch.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 3.</span> We had a short game of ball this -morning, but Buttons got mad and broke it up. -Negroes are coming in very fast. We had dress -parade at 5 o’clock, after which a game of ball. -To close the scene Bill Lowe and Ragan had a -fight. The river has risen over two inches a day.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 4.</span> We had dress parade at 4 o’clock. -Orders were read for regimental drill of one hour -each forenoon and afternoon.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 5.</span> We received the news of the Conscription -Act. It passed both Houses and became -a law. It receives the general approval of the -soldiers. Peats drilled us from 10 to 11 o’clock -this forenoon, and from 2 until 3 o’clock in the -afternoon. We had dress parade at 4 o’clock. -There was an order read from Major Peats awarding -a medal, worth not less than fifty dollars, to -the best drilled in the manual, and the most prompt<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> -in the discharge of duty. He gives until the 1st of -May. A dredge passed here today. Some of our -boys found four hundred bales of cotton, a large -pile of corn, and about two tons of meat hidden -in cane brake and swamps.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 6.</span> Friday. The gunboat “Tyler” came -up last night and is lying here this morning. I -helped make out muster rolls today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 7.</span> We had a heavy rainstorm last -night. I finished making out the muster rolls for -January and February.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 8.</span> Sunday. We had a warm and sultry -day which ended in a thunder and hail storm. We -had dress parade at 4 o’clock.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 9.</span> Helped get out the morning report -book in the forenoon. At noon the company formed -and we marched up town and received our pay. -Mine was nineteen dollars. Cold and windy today. -At about 2 o’clock heavy cannonading was heard -on the other side of the river in the direction of -Yazoo City. It was continued until after dark, -and in the night it started again and continued -for some time.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 10.</span> Cold, rainy and disagreeable. We -paid old Sampson off and let him go. We still -have our house and cook in it, and are living -very well at present. We draw crackers two-fifths -of the time, and flour the remainder. We use -cistern water altogether. The spirits of the troops<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> -are higher than they have been in six months. If -old Abe would only call back a portion of the first -volunteers they could soon annihilate the enemy.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 12.</span> Bright and pleasant. About one -hundred and twenty-five Nigs were set to work this -morning to open the old levee and let the water in. -We were ordered out of our house this morning. -Had dress parade at 4 o’clock. The sentences of -F, Co. A and W, Co. C, were read. The charges -were attempted desertion. The sentence was the -forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and to be -confined in the military prison at Alton, Ill., with -a ball attached to the leg by a chain four feet long, -to serve out the remainder of the time of their -enlistment, and at the end of the three years to -have “D” branded on their right hips, their heads -shaved, and to be drummed out of service. Some -letters were read from the parents of the boys, -counselling them to desert.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 13.</span> Clear and pleasant. I made out -the quarterly returns. For some reason they have -suspended work on the cut.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 14.</span> Bright and clear. Drill forenoon -and afternoon. Dress parade in the evening, the -same as yesterday. We had a game of baseball in -the evening. I worked all day on the pay rolls.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 15.</span> Warm and rainy. I arose before -roll call and took a walk down to the levee. Vegetation -is starting rapidly. Peach trees are just in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span> -bloom, and some are leaved out. Logan’s division -came down and embarked on transports during -the day.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 16.</span> The long expected opening in the -levee was made this evening, amid the shouts and -cheers of the two divisions. The water was let -through in two places, each about two feet wide. -The heavy clay banks melted away rapidly. Along -in the night we heard heavy cannonading.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 17.</span> Hot and sultry. I got up at reveille -and went down to see how the cut prospered, and -found the water rushing through, a perfect torrent. -The channel had washed out about one hundred -feet and is still washing. If it does not succeed, -it will not be for want of water. Captain Bush -went through in a yawl this morning. It was a -dangerous experiment, but he came out all right. -In the course of the day some of Co. A went -through with the same result. Some of the boys -disturbed the bricks in one of the vaults in the -cemetery and exposed a cast iron coffin, hermetically -sealed. The lid was moved and the head and -shoulders of a man who had been dead for eighteen -years were visible through the glass. It is a shame -the way this cemetery has been used. The Nigs -are at work putting up a temporary levee between -camp and the ditch, as some of the town is being -overflowed. The 11th Ill. and 14th Wis. of our -division went up the river a few miles and we hear<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> -they had a fight. Logan’s division started up this -morning.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 18.</span> The cut has washed about one -hundred feet since yesterday. The water in the -ditch is rising fast.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 19.</span> Thursday. Cloudy, looks like rain. -Cleaning up and ditching our camp was the order -of the day. I was on the detail to dig a ditch on -each side of the camp. The banks of the ditch are -slowly washing back. It is now about one hundred -and fifty feet at the first levee, and two hundred -at the second. Water is slowly rising in both the -ditch and the lake. The President has given -deserters until April to report at a certain depot. -Co. K expects about four back.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 20.</span> Friday. I was up at reveille as -usual and went down to the ditch. To my surprise -I saw a big oak just outside the channel washed -up by the roots. The tree was about three feet in -diameter. Another of nearly the same size washed -out before noon. I went fishing this morning. We -can see fish weighing from forty to one hundred -pounds, working up against the current. I threw -my spear at them, but they were too far off. I -saw a laughable incident this evening in front of -McPherson’s headquarters. Some of the boys were -trying to fasten a yawl to a tree and float down to -where the fish were showing themselves in an eddy. -The first time they missed the tree and went whirling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> -into the center of the channel and came very -near upsetting. They finally brought it to, and -after a good deal of hard work, got it into position -for another trial. This time they were successful, -caught a projecting limb and pulled themselves -into the eddy formed by rushing around the tree. -After they had made themselves fast by a long -rope, they undertook to get out of the eddy, which -proved no easy job, for as soon as one end was -pushed into the current the boat would whirl -around and back up into its former position. -While on the whirl it threw off one man’s hat. -McPherson and officers and nearly the whole regiment -were out watching them, and the cheering -was loud enough to raise the dead. It was nearly -dark when they got out of their predicament. I -worked nearly all day on the company’s papers.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 21.</span> The water rose in the canal so that -it ran up into our camp in the night. It washed -away the trees that were rooted up yesterday. The -channel is smooth and a good boat could go through -it. One year ago today we left Winchester, Virginia, -on our march for Manasses Junction. Part -of Providence was burned this afternoon. The few -citizens and Negroes whom the raise of the water -had overtaken, were wading in the streets, waist -deep, trying to save what things they had left.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 22.</span> We had orders to draw and cook -one day’s rations early this morning. The water<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> -rose a good deal last night, and nothing but a -small temporary levee keeps the camp from being -inundated, and that is being washed away. The -cattle and mules are all being driven higher up.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 23.</span> It rained all night. Our tent leaked -like a sieve. We still remain in camp but it has -rained nearly all day.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 24.</span> We had a hard storm last night, -with heavy thunder. This afternoon some miserable -fellows set fire to some buildings, among them -a church. Such men should be sent to Alton. The -channel is deepening and widening, and the water -is rising. It is now about two feet above our camp. -I expect some dark night to be wading out to our -transports, and that right suddenly. The news -came last night that a number of Farragut’s fleet -were at the mouth of the ditch, below Vicksburg, -and that he had taken Warrentown with all its -ordinance. Gen. Carr’s division went down on -transports today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 27.</span> Yesterday and today Buck and I -were at work copying orders into the company -order book. Today they discovered, in Logan’s -division, a girl who had served eighteen months as -a private soldier. They took her to the preacher’s -to get her a dress and will send her north. A good -many of our boys saw her.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 28.</span> Two large gunboats, both iron<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span> -clads, went up early this morning. Troops are -passing down.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 29.</span> We had a lively time last night. -A storm of rain and wind began about 10 o’clock -in the evening and kept up until about 12, when -the wind increased and the rain ceased. Out tent -bent and reeled like a willow. I got up to dress -before she went over, but had just got my legs into -my trousers when down she came full tilt. I finally -extricated myself, seized my knapsack and started -for dry ground, got into the commissary and spread -down, when to cap the climax the levee broke -through and the water came rushing in upon us. -The drums beat, the boys fell in, and we had a -general move up the levee. Most all of the tents -blew down and some of them were whipped nearly -to pieces. In the meantime Captain Bush had his -Negro brigade out, filled them up with whisky, and -ordered them into the water waist deep. By dint -of perseverance and hard work they succeeded in -stopping the break. I took up some boards and -passed the remainder of the night beside the cotton -pile. This morning the effects of the storm were -everywhere present. One of the boats was blown -up on the beach, the smoke stacks of two others -were blown away, and shanties everywhere were -blown down and torn to pieces. It continued cold -and windy all day. Charlie Berry came back last -night. This afternoon Gen. Smith’s (John E.)<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> -division came down and anchored here for the -night. In the afternoon some of the boys of the -14th made a break on the sutler’s stock. It was -no more than done when the 17th and 95th Ill., 1st -Kan., and 16th Wis. came rolling over the levee. -Canned fruit, boxes of boots, shoes, oysters, -oranges, lemons, bales of shirts, pants, socks, -drawers, barrels of soda crackers and sugar, boxes -of raisins, and in fact everything which the large -stock could contain. He had just got in a new -assignment, valued at somewhere near $10,000. -The poor old fellow ran around wringing his hands -and wishing he had stayed in “Chicago.” The guard -arrived just as they had him completely cleaned -out. I can say that my hands are clear of such -wholesale robbery. At 9 o’clock roll call the companies -had orders to deliver up the contraband -articles in their possession.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 30.</span> Monday. Cold. The boys have -turned over most of the stolen goods. Gen Smith’s -division started on its way down this afternoon. -Gen. Grant is concentrating troops rapidly, the -grand issue must be approaching, and the sooner -the better. This afternoon we drew the old fashioned -wedge tents, one for every four men.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">March 31.</span> Tuesday. Frank, Newt, Jim -Sweeny and I comprise our newly established household, -and we were busy until afternoon raising and -settling our tent, and building our bunks. We<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> -went out foraging last night and made a raise of -boards enough to put up our tent, build our bunks, -etc. This afternoon the little tug came out of the -lake into the river. We are having very cold -weather for the place and time of the year. We -hear that Gen. McArthur has acquitted the 17th -Ill. of the raid. One year ago tonight the 12th Ind. -was camped at Bristo Station, and I made my -unsuccessful search for Uncle Lebbeus.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 1.</span> Wednesday. Last night was cold and -frosty. A boat came in with a load of deserters. -There were quite a number for the 17th, but none -for company K. About the middle of the forenoon -a steamer passed up, towing an iron clad. She -must have been disabled at Yazoo or at Vicksburg.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 2.</span> At 11 o’clock last night an orderly -call sounded and we received the orders to cook -two days’ rations, and be ready at 7 o’clock, to -board the transport for a foraging expedition. The -morning was cool and pleasant. At the appointed -time we boarded the steamer “David Tatum” and -proceeded slowly up the river. On the way we saw -where the levee had been cut in a number of places, -the water was rushing through rapidly. All the -country back was flooded. We stopped and took a -couple of Negroes and a fine yawl. We arrived at -our destination about 4 P. M. It was sixty-five -miles above Providence Lake. The object was to -secure a barge of hay which had been wrecked and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> -partly sunk the night of the storm. There were -six companies of us, and we were divided into -reliefs of two companies each, and set to loading -the hay.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 3.</span> We succeeded in getting the boat -loaded by 3 P. M., then we started down and -landed fifteen miles below and killed a lot of hogs -and took a large, beautiful, ten oared boat. It was -the nicest thing of the kind I had ever seen. Frank -and Doty took some books and got themselves into -trouble. We backed off and started down about -dusk. Peats had four or five men tied up. We met -a fleet of thirteen boats just after starting. After -dark there was a light waved on shore as a signal -to come to, but the Captain thought it might be a -decoy so we steered on down and arrived at our -camp about 11 o’clock.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 4.</span> The paymaster is here and we sign -the pay rolls this afternoon for four months’ pay. -Hospital boats are going below and there is every -indication of an approaching engagement.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 5.</span> Was detailed and worked all afternoon -unloading commissaries from the “Woodsides” -to the “City of Madison,” a commissary -boat of the post. A gunboat went down the river -this afternoon.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 6.</span> Monday. Today is a great day for -the 17th, as it is the anniversary of the battle of -Shiloh. We moved back to the cotton field this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> -morning, it being much higher and a better camping -ground. It took most of the day to move, raise -our tents and settle.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 7.</span> Tuesday. A general clearing up of -camps which took until this afternoon. Tom Martin -came back yesterday and an order was read at -dress parade returning him to duty.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 8.</span> Wednesday. At 11 o’clock this forenoon -an orderly call was beaten and we received -orders to be ready in fifteen minutes with all our -arms and all our accoutrements on, to march down -with other brigades of the division, to a large plantation -house. Upon the porch stood Generals -Thomas, McPherson, McArthur, Crocker, and a -drove of the “rankest commish,” such as Colonels, -Lieut. Cols., and Majors. Gen. Thomas was a fine -stately looking man, tall, with iron gray hair, and -apparently about sixty-five years of age. He was -introduced by Gen. McPherson in a pleasant -speech. Gen. Thomas then made a few remarks in -which he expressed great sympathy for the poor -enslaved Africans, and announced the President’s -settled policy of arming the Negroes. He authorized -two regiments to be raised here. He said he -had authority to commission officers for said regiments, -where the applicants came well recommended. -I like the policy. He also said the object -of it was to protect the navigation of the Mississippi -and defend other Negroes who were at work<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> -on abandoned plantations trying to raise their -living. After Gen. Thomas was through, Gen. -McArthur was called on. He came forward and -gave a short, good natured speech. He was heartily -cheered. After him came Col. Reed of the 15th -Iowa, Crocker, and Captain Chink, who by the -way, is to be Colonel of one of the regiments. -When they had concluded we marched back to -camp and Gen. Thomas boarded the steamer -“Rocket” and started up to Logan’s division. When -we returned six applications had been handed in -for appointments in the regiments of color—from -Co. K, namely: Hines, Davis, Foxears, Foster, -Chesher and Berry.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 9.</span> Warm and pleasant, in fact we have -had beautiful weather for over two weeks. Major -Peats is gone and Capt. Moore is in command of -the regiment. Nearly half the company went fishing -this afternoon. Buck got a pass to take us -outside the pickets and we caught about a mess. -We had dress parade at 5:30 P. M. Two boats, the -“Edward Walsh” and the “City of Alton” came -down with deserters. There were two for our -company.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 10.</span> Warm and pleasant. At 10 o’clock -we had muster. The whole U. S. forces are to be -mustered today, to find the exact condition of the -army, and the number of conscripts needed to fill -the regiments up to the required standard. We<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> -had dress parade this evening in which the two -deserters were returned to their companies by a -regimental order. Our company needs about fifty-four -to fill it up.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 11.</span> Saturday. A beautiful day. On -regimental guard. Most of the company have gone -fishing. We have as easy and fine times now as -it is possible for soldiers to have. Foster got the -position of Captain in the new regiment. They -had a Negro meeting this afternoon. Chink, and -a colored man named Frederick Douglas, spoke.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 12.</span> We had a hard rain last night. Our -new tents did not stand the storm much better -than the old ones. They disappointed us much. -Captain Wheeler succeeded in getting B—— -an appointment in the 9th La., Chink’s regiment. -Some of the boys are quite hurt to think as poor -a soldier as he should have the appointment. They -went down below on the “Platte Valley” and -brought up a large number of Negro recruits.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 13.</span> Rainy and disagreeable. Ross’s -division passed below today. They did not land.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 14.</span> Cool and cloudy. I was detailed -and went down the river foraging. It was about -six miles and the roads were very muddy. About -5 o’clock, Hornby’s division came down direct from -Yazoo Pass. The “Lady of Jackson,” the “Duke -of Argyle” and other stern wheelers were nearly -ruined in that expedition. They were the nicest<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> -boats on the river when they left here a month ago. -The 48th Ind. was aboard. I hunted up John -Metternich and had a long talk with him.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 15.</span> Wednesday. Went down and visited -with John this morning, until the fleet backed off -and started down.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 16.</span> Gen. McClernand and staff went -below today. More troops passed down the river. -Some of the troops broke into a sutler’s shop night -before last, and there is an investigation going on, -so we are not to get our pay until it is settled. -Capt. Moore spoke to the regiment tonight on dress -parade and offered one hundred dollars to the man -furnishing the most evidence of the guilty parties. -We have review of the division tomorrow, and -brushes and blacking are in great demand tonight -The Captain buys it with the company fund and -furnishes it to us.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 17.</span> Our brigade was formed at 8:30 -A. M. and we marched down about three miles, -where we found the other brigades drawn up en -mass awaiting us. We were reviewed by McArthur -and everything passed off in style. I think we -never did better. We returned to camp about 2 -o’clock. Capt. Moore (commanding the regiment) -told us he would leave a paper with the Captains -of the different companies, for those not implicated -in the sutler raid to sign. The Negro regiments -are filling up fast. Today I saw one on guard for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> -the first time. There was heavy cannonading for -about four hours last night, and occasionally today. -It is supposed the fleet is trying to run the blockade.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 18.</span> Saturday. Warm and pleasant. Our -brigade is ordered down the river for review. It -was supposed to be done for Gov. Yates, but he did -not arrive, and McArthur took us through, the -same as the day before. I think we did slightly -better than we did the other time. A little after -dark we had an awful storm of wind and rain. I -got up and dressed, thought surely the tent was -going over, but it was all right.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 19.</span> Sunday. We got four months’ pay -today—no pay was deducted. I expressed home -$55 and Frank sent $45.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 23.</span> Thursday. On picket at the Negro -quarters of the 8th La. Leavitt volunteered to -stand my guard. We got orders this evening to -prepare three days’ rations for a foraging expedition -up the river. Capt. Wheeler went home today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 24.</span> Friday. We boarded the “White -Cloud” this morning and started up to Greenville, -where we arrived in the afternoon. A regiment -had just boarded transports and started below. -We lay there until after dark, then started and -landed toward morning, about seventy-five miles -above Greenville.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 25.</span> Buck took Fox, Boggs and I outside -the pickets and we went up about two miles to a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> -fine plantation where we got a lot of butter, a -knife, some forks, a chicken, and all the sweet milk -we could drink. We found the overseer’s account -book hidden in an old chicken coop with some -other things. At night the chickens, goats, sheep -and hogs came in by wholesale, together with a lot -of beeves. The object of our expedition was to -obtain Negroes and supplies.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 26.</span> Sunday. Twenty-one years old today. -How my mind carries me back to those good old -times when I used to welcome this day of all others, -when my sister, aunts, and grandpa composed the -family circle. What a change! That good old -man whose memory I revere and cherish, is gone, -and the old place is sold. On picket today. Mosquitoes -are very thick.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 27.</span> It rained this forenoon. We started -back about 1 o’clock and arrived at Lake Providence. -Found orders there awaiting us, to leave -in the morning for Vicksburg. I took a good wash -and went to bed. The river is rising very fast. -The Captain commanding the expedition did not -want us to take off our live stock, but the boys -threw them overboard and secured them as they -swam ashore.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 29.</span> Wednesday. Making out muster -rolls today. We had dress parade at 5 o’clock. -The “Edward Walsh” came up this morning for -the 95th and us. We are to return to Stevenson’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> -brigade. Stevenson is now Brigadier-General. We -expect warm work shortly. The river is falling -rapidly. It is a number of feet below where it was -in the spring when we first came down here. I -was walking on the bank this evening when whom -should I see but Coon, the little Negro who used -to cook for Capt. Williamson. A new iron clad -boat and hospital boat went down the river yesterday. -I wrote two letters today, one to Rosalie, -and one to George Butterfield.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">April 30.</span> Thursday. Major Peats returned -last evening and at 8 o’clock this morning, mustered -us for pay, after which we boarded the -steamer “Edward Walsh” for Milliken’s Bend. -Most of the boys bought what was called blackberry -jam, but it was merely liquor in cans and -created a drunken row in which some were hurt, -one officer and two privates. Arrived at the Bend -before dark. The troops have all left, except the -convalescents. They took one tent to each company -and loaded the train with commissaries, hard-tack, -pork, coffee, salt and sugar. I took a towel, -one pair of socks, my oilcloth and blanket. This -evening we heard heavy and continued firing up -the Yazoo, supposed to be Sherman attacking -Hams Bluffs.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 1.</span> Friday. Up at 4, and started on our -march at daylight, accompanied by the 95th and -a big train of commissaries. A fine road has been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> -made by Bush’s engineering corps. We passed -through Richmond, a small country town. It is a -beautiful country and the planters are wealthy. -The plantations range from six hundred to twenty-four -hundred acres. The land is low and level and -the soil is rich. The roads have been very bad, but -are better now. We made a hard march of nineteen -miles.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 2.</span> Marched fifteen miles, very tired. We -passed McArthur’s division this forenoon. Weather -awfully hot.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 3.</span> Started at 5 o’clock, as usual. The -country through which we are now passing is the -most beautiful I have ever seen. The plantation -mansions are grand, and the grounds and outbuildings -are fitted up in fine style. Each plantation -has a splendid steam gin, and some have steam -cane-mills as well. The mills must have cost -between ten and twenty, possibly thirty thousand -dollars. The inhabitants have but recently left. -They put in their corn crops, and some cotton, -before going. The corn is nearly two feet in height. -The boys have destroyed a number of gins and a -good deal of furniture. The roads have mostly -followed the banks of bayous, and alligators, turtles -and snakes abound. The boys have shot a -number of alligators. We marched twenty miles -today. I became overheated and completely -exhausted.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 4.</span> We started early and after marching -eight miles, arrived at the landing called “Hard -Times,” where we took the steamer “Silver Wave.” -We crossed the river and landed four miles below -at Grand Gulf. There is a high promontory and a -range of bluffs here which the Rebels had forfeited -with nine guns. It commanded the entrance to -the Black River as well as the Mississippi. It was -a fort of nature’s own construction. We have had -a fatiguing march and a good many have given -out. Grant’s headquarters are eighteen miles back. -We hear that Logan’s division is in advance and -has done good fighting, also that many prisoners -have been taken. I should like to hear from home -very much just now.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 5.</span> Gov. Yates and Adjt. Gen. Thomas are -here. We are detailed to remain here and do -fatigue duty. The burning barges loaded with -provisions came down this evening. The town of -Grand Gulf is entirely destroyed. I didn’t know -there had been a town there until told.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 6.</span> We hear that McClernand’s troops are -advancing. One hundred and twenty-eight prisoners -came in this morning. We are having a very -cold snap for this time of the year.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 7.</span> Thursday. Very cold again today. -Had to stand around the fire to keep warm. Seventy-four -more prisoners came in today. A good -many of our boys found old friends or acquaintances<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> -among them. They have been very poorly -dressed and fed. There is general activity today, -Steele’s division is crossing over—also Tuttle’s. -Gunboats and transports are engaged in the work.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 8.</span> Friday. All quiet. Sherman’s corps -moved out this morning. An exorbitant price is -demanded for everything. A sheet of paper and -envelope are five cents each. Twenty-five cents for -a lemon; six dollars for a canteen of whisky; milk -costs a dollar a quart, and other things in proportion. -At 5 o’clock we boarded the “Empire City” -for the lower landing, fifteen miles below, to protect -the hospital and bring off the wounded.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 9.</span> Saturday. We disembarked early this -morning and went back in the country three miles -where we found about three hundred of our -wounded in a splendid country mansion. The -books show that the house cost over one hundred -thousand dollars. We lay here in the shade during -the day while the ambulances were carrying the -wounded down to the river.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 10.</span> Sunday. We were awakened last -night at 11 o’clock and ordered to fall in with all -possible speed. We hurried back to the river and -returned to Grand Gulf, which was supposed to -be in danger of an attack. Flats and transports -brought down shipping teams which sent food to -the front. Cumbersworth, Hagan and Hunt each -got a barrel of flour last night when they were on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> -extra duty, burying a soldier.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 11.</span> Monday. Made out muster rolls this -forenoon. Blair’s division came down this afternoon.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 12.</span> Tuesday. On brigade guard. Jim -Chester and I went outside the pickets and picked -dewberries and mulberries, all we could eat.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 13.</span> Wednesday. I made a raise on commissary -last night. Boggs, Schultz and I ran the -pickets and got some mulberries this morning, and -brought back four quarts of which we made pies -this afternoon. McArthur’s division is coming in. -Hooker is fighting a great battle in the East. We -cannot get the particulars.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 14.</span> Thursday. We got orders this morning -to be ready to move at a moment’s notice. We -hear that Grant has had another battle. The “Gen. -Price” came up this morning from Red River. We -were ordered on the march at 8 o’clock. It rained -just enough to lay the dust and make good marching. -We marched ten miles and camped on a small -stream. The country is rough and hilly. The -roads follow the ranges of hills, so there are few -to climb. Every patch of ground that is tillable is -tilled and planted to corn.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 15.</span> Friday. Marched twenty miles, saw -some fine fields of wheat that are just turning. We -heard the cheering news today that Richmond, the -Rebel capital, is captured, and also that Jackson,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> -Miss., is taken. The country is the same as yesterday—rough -and hilly.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 16.</span> Saturday. We had a hard march of -twenty-five miles today. We passed through Utica -and camped at Raymond. We heard cannonading -in the direction of Big Black Bridge. A battle is -supposed to be taking place. The hills have gradually -disappeared and the face of the country is -quite smooth. I saw wheat nearly ready for the -reaper. The boys are tired tonight. I keep up -fine. We passed a number of hospitals filled with -the wounded and also passed a large number of -prisoners.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 17.</span> Sunday. We started for Big Black -Bridge early. Nine miles out we came upon the -road leading from Jackson to Vicksburg, and were -upon the battle ground of yesterday. The horrors -of war were everywhere visible. The dead and -wounded were scattered around over the ground. -Here we came upon Bill Stafford, who said -McPherson’s corps took seventeen hundred prisoners -and thirteen pieces of artillery, but were badly -cut up. They are burying the dead. It is rumored -that Pemberton was killed. In one place the horses -of nearly a whole battery were killed. We marched -five miles, joined our old brigade, and camped on -Black River. Our advance has reached the bridge, -and taken three thousand prisoners, and seventeen -cannon. McPherson says we have taken seven<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> -thousand prisoners and sixty-eight pieces of light -artillery since crossing the Mississippi. We saw -Stevenson and Logan this afternoon. I saw -Quimby when we stopped for dinner. A number of -fellows swam the Black River and captured chickens, -pigs, etc. The Rebels have chosen their own -ground and have been badly whipped each time. -We draw <i>scarcely any rations</i>. Engineers are -bridging the river.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 18.</span> Monday. We lay in camp until 1 -o’clock, when the bridge was completed and orders -came to advance. We crossed in the rear of Blair’s -division and marched to within six miles of Vicksburg. -The country is nothing but a succession of -hills. Sherman’s corps was in the advance. The -roads were very dusty, but we marched six miles -before we bivouaced for the night, tired, hungry.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 19.</span> Tuesday. Arose early and advanced -three miles and formed our line of battle, our -brigade on the left of Smith’s. We held this line -until afternoon. On the right they fought a little, -some balls passing over our heads. About 1 o’clock -we moved up and formed a line. Shells passed -over our heads, one man in our regiment was -wounded and three horses killed. By this time our -batteries were planted and the cannonading became -general. It lasted until 3 o’clock and then slackened -and we moved to the right about half a mile. -McPherson, Logan and Stevenson are in the thickest<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> -of it. We hear that Sherman’s right rests on -the Mississippi, and McClernand’s left, below. If -so they have them completely surrounded. All -praise to Gen. Grant. The country is rough and -hilly, and the hills steep and rugged, and run in -ranges parallel around the town. At 1 o’clock we -moved still further to the left and a little forward. -Wounded men are being brought in rapidly. We -lay here till morning.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 20.</span> Wednesday. We were astir early and -took breakfast. Cannonading began at daylight. -We were ordered back to our brigade and moved -up to the road. Shells were thrown over, so we -moved to the right and were drawn up. Here we -were protected by a hill, and awaited orders. We -were soon ordered to the left, and advanced about -half a mile or more, and lay under the brow of a -hill which protected us from the enemy’s fire. Their -line of works are but forty rods in advance.</p> - -<p>10 o’clock—Batteries on our right have opened -and there is a regular artillery duel going on over -our heads. There is an occasional premature burst, -one of which seriously wounded Dare. Doty and -Shaw each got a slight rap. Our line of skirmishes -are on the hill above. I went up and skirmished a -while and fired fifty-nine rounds. While there, -word was brought me that Frank was slightly -wounded. The ball hit a pocket, which was full of -things, broke a looking glass, the handle of a toothbrush,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> -and a thick letter from Cousin Sarah. It -merely broke the skin, making a bruise. He had -not fired a single shot. Seven of our regiment were -wounded today. We lay here all night. A singular -incident happened during the night. We struck up -a conversation with the Rebels. One of our boys, -after talking a long time, found he was talking -with an old friend. Inquiries were made for -mutual acquaintances, and they had a real social -time. Finally they laid down their arms and came -together. The line of fire that followed the shell -from our gunboats and mortars sent over that ill-fated -town was a grand sight.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 21.</span> Thursday. At daylight the implements -of death and destruction were opened once -more. I saw some splendid work done by our -artillery and there were many little incidents -worthy of note. Three shots came very near hitting -me, one went between Doty’s head and mine, which -were about a foot apart. Brisk fighting all day. -Bill Stafford came here and I wrote a few lines -home and sent them by him to mail. At dark the -firing ceased and a lively chat was again opened -by the contending parties. It looked singular to -see men fighting with deadly aim during the day, -and then spending the night in friendly conversation. -I slept in the same hollow. Gunboats and -mortars fired at regular intervals.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 22.</span> Our line of skirmishes opened at daylight<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> -as usual. 7 o’clock—Scaling ladders are -being brought around. 10 o’clock—Deployed for -the charge. Terrific cannonading going on over our -heads. Shells are prematurely bursting, wounding -our own men. Night—The day has finally passed -away. The 81st Ill. and the 7th Mo. made the -charge and were repulsed. Charging was done -along the whole of the lines, but it was not a concerted -movement and proved a total failure, owing -probably to the nature of the grounds. Our boys -charged up to the works in splendid style but were -not supported. The Confederates raised and poured -deadly volumes among them and swept their ranks -with grape. We left a good many killed and -wounded upon the field. Among the officers, the -Colonel of the 81st was killed and Humphries of -the 95th. Our regiment made no charge, but -advanced close to the works and acted as sharpshooters, -and when our charging column was -repulsed, we were ordered to retreat. J. R., fool-like, -gave the order loud and distinct, and as we -fell back they poured the musketry and grape -among us. We finally returned to the old camp, -having lost eighteen, killed and wounded. The -Rebel works extend as far as the eye can see. They -are a succession of forts and rifle pits.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 23.</span> Saturday. Rainy. How I wish I had -a clean shirt or time to wash this! We were up in -good time and moved toward the scene of action.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> -We again acted as skirmishers. No charges were -made today. We lost two men. As soon as it was -dark, Sweeny, Chester and myself dug a fort on -the brow of the hill, and also a line of retreat. -While we were at work the Rebels struck up a -conversation. They were lively and sociable. They -wanted to meet us half way and have a sensible -chat. They appeared quite confident of holding the -place. They made a great many inquiries after old -friends and acquaintances. They are tired of war, -generally and said they wish old Abe and Jeff Davis -had to fight it out. They said they would give anything -for a little coffee. The conversation became -too general and our batteries opened and put a -quietus on it by sending over a few quiet reminders.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 24.</span> Sunday. Up early and took our position -behind the works. I had fired but one shot -when we were relieved by the 80th Ill., and returned -to camp for a day’s rest. Toward noon -Grant issued an order for each man to wash and -clean up. The order was quickly and gladly obeyed. -Captain Wheeler’s company returned today. Bill -was here but a short time when he was wounded. -Two of our men were wounded. The rumor is -afloat that Joe Johnston is coming up in our rear. -It had the effect of closing up a lot of miserable -stragglers. We have a line of rifle pits dug within -five or six rods of the Rebel works, running parallel, -from which the 20th Ill. is trying to undermine<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> -the main fort. The Rebels are no doubt -suspicious of their intentions, for they began to -rain down grenades upon them. About this time -a sad accident happened. One of the thirty-two -pound parrots threw a shell among the 20th, which -took off the legs and an arm for one poor fellow, -a leg and an arm for another, killed two, and -wounded several others. This double attack was -too much for them and they fell back. This encouraged -the Rebels and they rose and poured a heavy -and continued fire upon us, which was finally -silenced by our sharpshooters and artillery. Lavonan’s -division has been sent back to take care of -the rear. We are confident of success. I stood -one hour picket tonight.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 25.</span> Monday. A good deal of firing and -some cannonading up to 3 o’clock, when a flag of -truce came out. I was over the hills after plums -at the time. There was a cessation of firing along -the whole line. Dispatches were sent to Gen. Grant. -Logan went down to the Hollow where he met the -Rebel Colonel Montgomery, a major and a number -of other officers. Hostilities were suspended till 8 -o’clock and we went over and buried our dead of -the day of the charge. They had lain three days -in the sun and had turned black. Firing had no -sooner ceased along the line than the contending -parties mingled like a flock of sheep. A great -many found friends and relatives, and two or three<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span> -found brothers. The Rebels were very anxious to -exchange for coffee. They are, taken altogether, -the finest looking lot of Confeds I have seen. We -mingled to such an extent that their officers -ordered them back, I think that they were afraid -to trust them, for a good many did desert. When -they turned back they bade us good-bye and said -it was hard to open hostilities again. Frank is -around. I got a letter from home.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 26.</span> Tuesday. Very little artillery firing -this forenoon. I went down to Cook’s quarters, -got some paper for Buck, and wrote home. They -are connecting headquarters with telegraph wires. -One man was wounded this afternoon. One brigade -from each division is moving back to the rear. -They moved about 11 o’clock at night, under the -command of Gen. Frank Blair. Heavy details are -at work entrenching.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 27.</span> Wednesday. Moved back to the next -hollow in the night. This morning Brophy was -wounded. The day was mostly spent in fixing up -cane brake shanties or shades. Toward night, -Wood of Co. A was killed.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 28.</span> Thursday. We were ordered sharpshooting -this morning. Nothing extraordinary -happened. Dick Stephens was killed this afternoon—shot -through the head. I was on guard last -night. They threw three or four shells over us. -Were busy all the fore part of the night issuing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span> -rations, and bringing water from the river. Col. -Smith came back today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 29.</span> Friday. We were relieved and returned -to camp early this morning. Jim Chesher -was wounded. The ball passed through our shanty -and over me. Our artillery along the whole line -opened this morning and it was a grand sight. The -Rebels dare not reply. They did not show a piece. -We fired one hour this morning and one this evening—giving -them their daily rations, also opened -in the night pouring hundreds of shot and shell -among them.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">May 31.</span> Sunday. Today ends one month of -active campaign, which has so far been successful, -and I do not see why it should not end more -brilliantly than it has begun. I hope to Heaven it -will. Bill Stafford brought over the news this -morning that Joe Johnston is fortifying Jackson. -Our knaps came in from Young’s Point today all -right. The weather is hot and sultry. Some artillery -firing. I went upon the hill this evening to -see the mortars shell the town. The sight is beautiful, -but it is sad to think of those deadly missiles -so faithfully doing their work of destruction. Many -a family tie has no doubt been severed. We hear -that a great many women and children have been -killed. Surely the instigators of war ought to -suffer.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 1.</span> Monday. A terrific cannonading was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> -opened and kept up a long time from our line last -night. I think it must have awakened some of the -Rebels from their slumbers. Rumors are afloat this -morning that the Confeds tried to cut their way -through but were driven back. We had inspection -of arms this morning, by Reynolds, at 10 o’clock. -The artillery are getting a heavy supply of ammunition -ready at their batteries and are preparing -for operations. The weather is hot. We have a -well dug in the quarters, which furnishes good -water.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 2.</span> The mortar boats were unusually -active last night, and part of the town was burned. -It made a grand illumination. Towards morning -infantry firing opened, also artillery. We were -immediately formed for action, not knowing what -was coming, but we thought it was the Rebs. It -finally died down and we lay ready to fall in at -a moment’s notice, but were not disturbed until -morning. We were up before the sun, preparing -to be out sharpshooting. Our artillery opened the -middle of the afternoon and poured a perfect torrent -of shot and shell over us. A good many burst -among us. One man was wounded and we thought -ourselves very lucky that no more were hurt. At -night our boys tried to strike up a confab with -the enemy, but not a word could be drawn from -them. They were as silent as their works.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 3.</span> Wednesday. We were relieved early<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> -and returned to camp. Quiet during the day. -Siege guns are coming up and heavy details are at -work, entrenching and fortifying. About 8 o’clock, -just as I had gone to bed and gotten to sleep, after -a good wash, we were awakened by the boom of -musketry, and ordered to form our line of battle -immediately. We did so. Co. K and one or two -others were held in reserve while the others were -at work digging rifle pits. The firing gradually -died away as it did the night before, and we lay -down at 2 o’clock in the morning, dressed and -equipped so as to be ready to fall in at a moment’s -warning. It was rumored that the Rebs were making -a desperate effort to cut their way through the -net Grant completely enclosed them in, but the -rumor proved false.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 4.</span> Thursday. All quiet. Heavy details -were made to work on fortifications. One detail -was at work digging a magazine which caved in -and killed one man and wounded another from our -regiment. I was on the detail that worked on the -big fork of the road. I worked for over an hour in -plain view of the Rebel sharpshooters on the right. -They were not more than one hundred and fifty or -two hundred yards distant. I expected a ball every -minute, but for some reason they didn’t fire until -our relief came on and then they sent a volley over. -The work we are constructing here is on an eminence -not more than twenty rods from the main<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> -Rebel fort. From here one can see the river, town, -and a large hospital camp, also three lines of works, -mostly rifle pits. We have heard that the fire in -town the other night was their commissary depot -and that the citizens set it on fire to end their -sufferings, which were beyond their power of -patriotism and fortitude to endure. It is rumored -that they first requested Pemberton to cut out or -surrender. The Rebels called over the line the -other night for us to look out as they had a new -General. We asked who it was and they replied: -“General Starvation.” Blair’s expedition is returning -from the rear; they went within sixteen miles -of Yazoo City, but old Joe was nowhere to be found. -A division has just come down from above. I wrote -home today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 5.</span> Friday. All quiet today, I went out -with Boggs and picked some blackberries. At dusk -I went up to look at the fort, and after dark got -over to look at the “land gunboat” as it is called. -Frank went over to the Point after some of the -Captain’s things.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 6.</span> Saturday. There was a little skirmish -last night on the left. Drove in the Rebel outposts -and captured one prisoner. A number of deserters -came in today. Six siege guns are coming up from -the river. Today is the quietest we have had since -we took up our position before the town.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 7.</span> Sunday. Up early, regiment formed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> -and went out skirmishing. The Rebels command -a hollow which we were obliged to cross. They -poured in quite a fire, but no one was hurt. The -regiment came across all right.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 8.</span> Monday. The company formed before -daylight and we crossed the exposed hollow before -light, leaving three men at the rifle pits. Artillery -firing tonight. Boggs and I went up to the big fort. -It is progressing finely. We were fired at from -there. After dark they had a regular moonlight -skirmish and in the fracas our “land gunboat” was -burned. We succeeded in running it nearly up to -the fort.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 9.</span> Tuesday. Went back about one and -one-half miles with Doty and Boggs, got three -quarts of berries, and took a good wash. Very hot -and dusty. We are anxiously looking for rain. -Our eighty-four pound siege gun has arrived.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 10.</span> Wednesday. We had not more than -finished our early breakfast when the flood gates -of heaven, with all its artillery opened. The rain -poured down on our houseless heads in torrents. -We covered up our things with oilcloths as best -we could and sat on them to keep them dry. Some -of the boys were located in the ditch, but they -were doomed to a complete rout. The water came -sweeping down in torrents, bearing shanties, rails, -and every obstruction before it. The ditch was no -sooner filled than it overran the bottom, sending<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> -the occupants skadaddling to higher ground. It -rained all day in showers, not giving us time to dry -our blankets. It has most effectively laid the dust. -The Rebs have taken advantage of the rain and -tried to plant a battery, but our artillery poured in -round after round, slightly deranging their plans. -We have our eighty-four pounder mounted. Was -detailed for guard at the ammunition magazine just -before night. We had another heavy shower after -dark.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 11.</span> Thursday. It cleared off in the -course of the day but the ground is muddy. We -had another man wounded today, making thirty-nine -in all. Our big gun threw over some shell -and did splendid work. Our division has about -forty cane breakers, none from our regiment. They -have to work at fatigue. There is talk of working -them into a pioneer corps. It is reported that -Grant has gone up the Yazoo and left McPherson -in command. McPherson is gaining the good will -of his corps rapidly. He is almost universally -liked and esteemed. We were relieved early and -returned to camp. I exchanged my minnie for an -Enfield.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 12.</span> Friday. Some artillery along the -line. The old gun occasionally sends over its dirt -disturbers. We have had a beautiful day. The -Rebs sent over a few shells, one of which burst -over our regiment, but hurt no one. Doty, Schultz<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> -and I went after blackberries this morning. I got -five or six quarts. Troops are coming up the landing -and going up to the Yazoo. Huron’s command -went up yesterday. They had an engagement at -Milliken’s Bend. Negro troops were in action and -are reported to have done well. Frank Bishop was -killed.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 14.</span> Sunday. Another fine day. Rebs -unusually active, throwing shell. They have one -gun that is causing us considerable trouble. It is -back in the rear and our artillery cannot disturb -it. I wrote home today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 15.</span> Monday. We were aroused at 3 -o’clock this morning. The company was formed -and went out sharpshooting. The enemy were -rather quiet, but they had a piece of artillery or -mortar directly opposite from which they sent over -shell all day. It was out of sight, but we had our -artillery loaded and ready and as soon as we could -see the smoke from their guns the shells were put -in from all directions. A number burst prematurely. -They killed Milligan of Co. A, and -wounded three others. Boggs got a slight rap. It -hit his gun first and spoiled that, and then hit him -on the arm. As soon as it was dark we struck up -a conversation. Uncle Ben and four of the others -went down and met an equal number of Confeds. -They had quite a chat, but could get no satisfaction -from it. They say they have lain in rifle pits<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> -nearly a month. The 36th Miss. is opposite us. -They all tell us the Tenn. and Mo. troops are kept -in the rear because they cannot trust them on the -outposts. Two or three deserted and came over -to headquarters last night. They showed three -days’ rations, it would have done for one meal, such -as it was—a small strip of thin pork and a chunk -of bread baked out of peas. They came to the -conclusion they would rather die cowards than -martyrs.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 16.</span> Tuesday. Up at 5 o’clock and returned -to camp. Doty and I started for blackberries. -I picked a gallon. Davis got an order -for flour and sugar. Ragan baked pies. Frank -and I got a letter from home.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 17.</span> Wednesday. Cool and pleasant. -Rebs threw over a good many shell from their -guns. We always knew when it was coming for -it was heralded by six or eight shots from our -batteries. I helped make out muster rolls today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 18.</span> Thursday. I worked at muster rolls -almost all day. About noon I was agreeably surprised -to be accosted by Pat Gallegher and George -Hissung. Pat is Captain, and George is about to -be Second Lieutenant. I was extremely glad to -see them. They both look the same as ever and are -bodyguards of Smith, who is on our left. Frank -got a pass and went over to Hovey’s division to -find A. B. Knight, but he was wounded at Champion<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> -Mills, caught and paroled by the Rebs and -sent north, and I expect by this time he is at home. -He was a good soldier.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 19.</span> Friday. We were called from our -slumbers by bursting shells and they continued to -come at regular intervals all day. They were -shrapnel filled with a handful of small balls, which -rained down in a perfect shower among us, but -fortunately no one was hurt. Their guns are in -hollows and used as mortars out of range of ours -and we can do no better than let them shoot. A -good many of our boys are burrowing into the -hillside. We received the melancholy news last -evening of the death of Dare. Poor fellow! he -was a good soldier and a true patriot. One shell -from the Rebs’ old mortar fell directly into the -tent of Stolbrand (chief of artillery on Logan’s -staff) bursting in the ground, tearing everything -to pieces, and scattering dirt on the writing desks -in other tents, but strange to tell, no one was hurt. -Stolbrand was out.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 20.</span> Saturday. Last night deserters came -in reporting another massing of troops, and about -2 o’clock in the morning our brigade formed and -were ordered up to the rifle pits. The pits were -filled without Co. K, and we marched back to camp -as reserve, so I lay down and slept until morning. -About 4 o’clock Logan’s old whistling Jack sent -over its eighty-four pound messenger. This was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> -the signal for the whole line to open. From six to -eighty-four pounders now united in pouring over -a perfect shower of shell on doomed secession. This -continued until 10 o’clock, six long hours. When -we were through they opened their old mortar -and another gun. The shell from the small gun -burst over our brigade, throwing numberless pieces -among us. One shell struck on the left of the 7th -Mo., in the midst of a crowd standing around a -well. They immediately fell down and rolled away. -The shell burst, tore up the ground, and hurt no -one. Such accidents are constantly occurring, but -the boys are not always so fortunate. We partly -expected a charge today. Sappers and miners are -digging into the fort; we can see them from above. -Gen. McClernand is relieved and O. E. Ord takes -command of his corps.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 21.</span> Sunday. We were ordered out at -3 o’clock for skirmishing. We had a six pounder -planted between Co. C’s pits and ours. Johnny -Moe, 1st Lieut. Co. C, was shot through the leg, -and had it taken off. The Rebs continue to be quite -active and use their mortar considerably. One of -their shells struck one of our big guns, beside -which one of the Generals was standing. It -glanced down the side opposite him, battering the -carriage, but hurt no one though it exploded. There -is a place between picket post and camp where five -or six Red sharpshooters have a fine range. Mail<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> -came in early this morning. I received letters from -Uncle P., Aunt C. and Rosalie. Papers also came -in, and with them the report of another invasion of -Pennsylvania. Report said the Rebs were already -at Chambersburg. I got a pass and went over to -Smith’s division to see Hissung and the boys. I -found them all well but Bill H. I had a good -time and returned to camp the middle of the afternoon. -Two men were wounded in camp today. We -had roll call this evening. Gen. Johnston has at -last crossed the Black with a force variously estimated -at from thirty to seventy thousand. Divisions, -brigades, and batteries are being detached -and sent to meet him. It is reported that Grant -and McPherson have gone to the rear in person. -If the Rebs wrest Vicksburg from us now they -must pay dear for it.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 23.</span> Tuesday. Sweeny and I went to -work remodelling our shanty this morning and at -11 o’clock were detailed on fatigue to fix Gen. -Logan’s bomb-proof underground cellar. We finished -it about noon. I took a knife from his -culinary department. The regiment was called on -for numerous details of fatigue duty today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 24.</span> Wednesday. I was awakened about -10 o’clock last night by the roars of artillery and -musketry. An incessant fire was kept up for two -hours. We learned today that the Rebs made a -sortie but were driven back. They wanted to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span> -hinder us advancing our lines but did not succeed. -Day before yesterday I saw some of the cavalry -bring in ripe peaches and green corn.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 25.</span> Thursday. We hear the forces in -our rear have had a slight engagement. Our forces -fell back until they had their position and then -repulsed the Rebs and drove them back in confusion. -The cheering and acceptable rumor of the -capture of Port Hudson has reached us. It is said -to be official. The latest news from the east is that -the Rebel raid is rapidly progressing and they are -within forty-seven miles of Harrisburg, the capital -of Pennsylvania. Lee and his generals are surely -adopting Napoleon’s tactics. It yet remains to be -seen whether they have the genius to carry out the -bold and fearless plans. It is now 2 o’clock. The -artillery is getting busy, and it is rumored that we -shall have work before night. The brigade was -formed in rifle pits at the brow of the hill. Gen. -J. Leggett’s brigade was formed in the rear of the -fort. We lay here an hour before the explosion -took place. It was followed by four others that we -could see, and a general opening of artillery along -the whole line, and also the mortars and gunboats -and fleet. As soon as it occurred, regiments filed -up parallel with the fort and poured a close and -deadly fire into the enemy’s face. Hand grenades -were freely used on both sides. We lost severely -and did not accomplish our object. The fault must<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> -have been the engineers’. The fort was not destroyed, -the concussion was not near what we -expected it would be. We lay there all night. The -throwing of hand grenades was kept up. At dusk -I went and drew a new gun.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 26.</span> Friday. We were ordered out on -picket early this morning. The Rebs on our front -were very shy. I only caught an occasional glimpse -of them, but fired fifty rounds, mostly at their port -holes and works. A good many shells and pieces -came among us, but no one was hurt. Our boys at -the fort had warmer work and finally fell back.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 27.</span> Saturday. There were a number -wounded this morning and ambulances continually -passed through camp. The day is hot and sultry. -At dusk Doty and I went within a few feet of the -Rebels’ fort. We have sunk another shaft and are -again undermining their works. We climbed the -observatory and took a good look at Vicksburg, the -river, and its surrounding works.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 28.</span> Sunday. Hot and sultry. Went -after blackberries alone this morning and picked -four quarts. Had a good wash and returned to -camp. Johnston gradually closing up.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 29.</span> Monday. Hot and sultry, and very -dusty. Rebels unusually quiet. News from the -east very meager. Hooker has ordered a seal to -be put on the press, but from what we can hear a -terrible battle is imminent. May the great Ruler<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> -of the Universe grant us success.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">June 30.</span> Tuesday. Hot and sultry. Our regiment -was paid this morning. I received twenty-three -dollars. A stoppage of three dollars for the -premium which Phelps paid me at Memphis was -detached. Co. L, 2nd Ill. Vol. Artillery came in -this evening with rifles and James guns, direct -from Memphis. It is the same battery which was -sunk in the river this side of Grand Gulf while -crossing over. They had occasion to stop below -Lake Providence and shell a squad of Rebs. Our -regiment is not in as good health as a week ago. -This evening we were ordered out for picket.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 1.</span> Wednesday. Regiment out on picket, -but I worked at pay rolls. The brigade was formed -and preparations were made to blow up the fort. -I went over the hill and up the hollow to watch -for the explosion. I waited a moment before the -shock of the explosion was felt, and it looked as if -the whole inside of the fort was torn out. It threw -out several people, one Negro was thrown a hundred -and fifty feet, lighting on his head and shoulders, -scarcely hurting him. He attempted to run -back, but a half dozen leveled muskets brought him -back. He and others were digging on the inside -to weaken the blast, which it did to a considerable -extent. No charge was attempted and all resumed -the old quiet again. The regiment returned from -picket after dusk.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 2.</span> Thursday. Mail came in late last -evening. Got a letter from Father, Mother and -Rosalie. I went after blackberries and picked a -gallon. I had a good wash. Nothing of interest, -but a good many shells which the Rebs threw over.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 3.</span> Friday. There was a brisk skirmish -on our left last night. The Rebs came out of their -works and attempted to drive in our picket, but -were driven back with a loss of nearly one hundred -men whom they left on the field. At 10 o’clock a -flag of truce came out and the bearer was escorted -to Gen. Grant’s headquarters. As to the object, -every one has his own opinion. I hope to Heaven -it is to propose terms of surrender. Most of the -boys think it is to bury the killed of last night. -Neut. Davis and I took advantage of the cessation -of hostilities and crossed the hill to the old fort. -We slipped the guard and reached the far end of -the works within a few yards of those of the Rebels, -who lined their parapets as far as the eye could -see. We stood face to face with them, almost near -enough to shake hands, yet not a word was spoken -on either side until their officers ordered us down -as we were inspecting their works too closely. Gen. -Leggitt ordered us to go outside the guard and their -officers drew off their men. Hostilities were suspended -until 2:30, when a few shells came over -and burst, banishing for a while our fond illusions. -But at 3 o’clock! Hail Columbia, Happy Land!<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> -Vicksburg is ours! General rejoicing along the -line. Gen. Grant and his cavalry are to go in and -capitulation commences. Thus ends one of the -most brilliant campaigns the world has known -since the days of Austerlitz. No one but Napoleon -has equalled it. It has resulted in the complete -destruction of the Rebel army at Vicksburg. They -have lost without doubt about forty thousand men. -The boys are beginning to think Grant is a Napoleon. -He has completely wiped out his Shiloh -affair. Papers of the 29th in camp show very discouraging -news from the East. The Rebs are -throwing heavy columns into Pennsylvania, and -are threatening Pittsburg, Harrisburg and Baltimore. -Northern papers give no account of the -army movements. Hooker has been superseded by -Gen. Meade of the 5th Army Corps.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 4.</span> Saturday. The sun rose bright and -clear to usher in this most eventful day to the -American people, but a sad accident happened -early in the morning, which served to mar in no -slight degree our rejoicing. A shell which had been -lying around the quarters for two weeks with the -cap taken off and most of the powder knocked out, -and some of the time filled with water, was put in -a post fire with the intention of scaring a certain -shaky individual, and had been forgotten. Dreggs -of Co. E lit it and watched the post fire burn for -a while and then he picked it up and carried it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> -and threw it over into the quarters. It no sooner -touched the ground than it burst, and as good luck -would have it, only one man was hurt. Brown, of -Co. E, a fine fellow and a good soldier, was hit in -the side, it going through and tearing off part of -the lung. He lived but a short time. At 10 o’clock -terms were concluded. The Rebs are to be paroled -and the officers are to retain their side arms and -personal property. Between 10 and 11 o’clock the -Rebs marched outside and stacked their arms, after -which they returned to camp. At 2 o’clock the -troops on the left began marching in. At 3 we -formed, and after marching a while in the broiling -sun and suffocating dust, our division moved in -and up to the courthouse. We passed a large number -of Confeds. They are as good a looking set of -Reb. troops as we have seen. Most of them are glad -they have surrendered. Only a few look sober and -sullen. They had holes dug into the side hill to -protect them from our shells. They look as if it -were a sorry 4th of July for them. Their burial -grounds in the different hollows testify to the number -they have had killed. The ground back of their -camps is badly torn up by our mortars, the trees -are all marked up, and the limbs cut off by our -shot and shell. Minnie balls, whole shells and -pieces, and solid shot cover the ground. They have -defended the place bravely and I say “All honor -to them.” We marched around the courthouse,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span> -stacked arms, and lay there about three hours. -Citizens had nice little caves dug into the banks -where they took their families and lived during -the siege. The mortars have nearly destroyed the -town. Large buildings were torn to pieces, each -by a single shell. Some went straight through, -and some exploded inside and tore them. A few -citizens were killed. Citizens are moving back to -their ruined dwellings. They look down-hearted -and sad, I suppose that in their hearts they wish -that the ordinance of secession had never been -passed. Two shells struck the courthouse. One -took a pillar from the observatory and just nicked -the roof as it descended. The other passed down -the roof, burst, and killed eighteen. Some of the -boys, together with several Confeds, broke into a -store and stole a large quantity of tobacco and -some other things before the guard came around. -A number of gaily dressed Confed officers passed -us, among them being Col. Montgomery, chief of -Pemberton’s staff. The Confeds and our boys -mingle together like old friends and have apparently -forgotten that but a short time ago they were -engaged in deadly strife. About 6 o’clock we were -formed and marched back and camped inside the -works, close behind where their old mortar had -been fired. Also where their big siege gun had -been planted and was afterward dismounted. The -ground around the two pieces is all torn up by our<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> -shot and shell. I went up to the right and saw a -beautiful English gun which our boys used to call -“Whistling Dick.” It is a Whitworth and some of -the Confeds told us it was the gun they had at Fort -Pemberton, that sunk the Chillicothe. The works -are full of artillery, most of which they never fired. -I saw between the Whitworth and the fort, a distance -of three-quarters of a mile, twenty-eight guns. -Just at dark I was detailed to go over to camp and -help fetch the supper. The Rebs have been living -on one-fifth rations and are nearly starved. They -mingled with us freely and we have divided our -rations with them. They tell us they hope we may -never know want while life lasts. Some of their -regiments actually had mule meat issued to them -on the morning of the 3rd, and it was in market -at fifty cents a pound. We saw a shoulder of it -dressed. Details are at work picking up small -arms and accoutrements, of which they had a large -number. Each man had two guns, one new Enfield -(drawn since coming here) for long range and -sharpshooting, and the other loaded with cartridges -of their own make and fifteen buckshot, of which -each man had forty rounds. If we had charged we -should have lost heavily. We found glass bottles -filled with powder and balls, with fuses in the ends, -which were used as hand grenades. Grant dispatched -Sherman’s and part of Ord’s corps to the -rear this evening.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 5.</span> Sunday. Buck and I took a stroll -over the works to the fort that was blown up this -morning, returning about noon. While we were -gone the regiment moved camp down to the -hollows. We walked around the works with the -Rebs. They told us where their best shots were -fired, also where the most annoying ones came -from. They are very friendly and our boys treat -them well. I believe they will hate to fight us -again. They are very anxious to get home. Frank -and I went out and got a fly to put over our cook -shed this afternoon. The boys are gathering tents, -flies and cooking utensils from the different camps. -Our tents and dishes came up from the river this -afternoon, and the evening was spent once more -in arranging a camp and digging a well.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 6.</span> Monday. I wrote home this morning. -At 9 o’clock our regiment was ordered out on -picket. We have a strong picket guard around -the works to keep the Rebs in. Our company was -out at the big fort which was blown up. My post -was on the parapet beside it. This fort commands -a view of the works on either side as far as the -eye can reach. In the afternoon Boggs and I went -over to our old camp and took a good wash. Nothing -of importance happened until about 5 o’clock, -when a thunderstorm passed over. It was preceded -by an awful wind which nearly blew me off -the parapet. Rebs drew rations.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 7.</span> Tuesday. We were relieved about 9 -o’clock and returned to camp. The day was very -hot and sultry. The Rebs are very anxiously awaiting -their parole so they can go home. We had news -of a skirmish in our rear; there were about two -hundred prisoners brought in. I saw the Reb today -who fired the grape and canister at us when we -were behind the log on the 22nd. He is a fine fellow -and gave our boys credit for making some good -shots. He was anxious to know if he had hurt any -of us. He said we had actually dismounted some -of their pieces with our musketry. It weakened the -spokes so that they would not stand the reaction -when fired. The pieces are all dented up by Minnie -balls. The top of his gun had been knocked off. -He is from Tennessee. He gave me the name and -rank of each of the generals we had captured at -this place. They are: Gen. Pemberton, Tenn.; -Maj. Gen. Smith, Va.; Forney, Ala.; Brigadier -Generals Hober, La., Lee, Va., Green, Mo. (killed), -Reynolds, Ga., Taylor, Ky., More, Ky., Wauld, La., -Bowen, Mo., Vann, Tenn., Barton, Ala.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 8.</span> We had quite a rainstorm last night -and today it is cool and pleasant. The Rebs are -around trading the company sugar for coffee and -preparing to leave. Just after tattoo, orders came -around to be ready at 4 o’clock tomorrow morning, -armed and equipped.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 9.</span> We were up and stacked arms early<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span> -this morning and awaited orders but none came. -News came into camp this evening of a fight in -Helena. Gen. Price attacked the place with sixteen -thousand troops and came very near taking -it, but with the assistance of the old wooden gunboats -the Rebs saved the day and drove him back, -taking over a thousand prisoners. Price left his -killed and wounded on the field. The Negro troops -are said to have fought like tigers. The news from -the East is fair. Meade met the enemy at Gettysburg -on the 3rd and they are still fighting. It is -reported that he repulsed two of the grand army -corps under Longstreet and Hill. Rosencrans has -advanced and occupies Tallahoma, Bragg’s stronghold.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 10.</span> Friday. We had another rain last -night, and the water ran into our tent. Doty and -I ran the blockades this morning and went over to -see our blackberry patch. I stopped at our old -camp on the way back and took a wash. We had -our berries baked into pies. Capt. Wheeler bought -a keg of beer this afternoon for the boys to celebrate -the victory. Nearly all of Co. K are drunk. -Columbus Patterson started home on his furlough -today.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 11.</span> Saturday. We were aroused from -our slumbers at an early hour this morning, (between -3 and 4 o’clock) with orders to be ready to -move at 5 o’clock. Breakfast was over and we had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> -our canteens filled and accoutrements on at the -required time. The brigade moved up the road to -the main entrance and deployed in line. The Rebs -were formed in their different camps and marched -between our lines, were halted, brought to a front, -and ordered to unstring their knapsacks. Our -commissioned officers, except one to a company, -were set to work examining paroles to see if they -were genuine, and the baggage to see that it contained -nothing contraband. A number, when they -saw this, slipped out from the ranks and threw -away packages of powder. Our company picked -out of the ravine a dozen packages or more. Our -company was on guard along the line. We had a -guard to stop Negroes. It was a touching sight to -see some of them part from their masters—they -loved them sincerely. Very few besides the officers -had them. A few women passed out. The officers -carried their swords and revolvers slung by their -sides. I saw Gen. Pemberton, Maj. Gen. Bowen, -Brig.-Gen. Hebay, of the C. S. A. pass out. We -passed out some four or five thousand on this road. -The weather is hot and sultry. A sick surgeon -came out and while they were examining the regiment -he became worse. I brought him some fresh -water and he asked me to call on him, as he was -carried back to a small tent on the hill in plain -sight. I did so after we were relieved, and took his -Nig to camp with me and sent him back with warm<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> -cakes and tea. About 3 o’clock I was on a detail -which was sent up the road to relieve a guard who -had been out since morning. We had been on post -but a few moments when we were relieved, and I -returned to my protegee. He had been in all the -eastern engagements, from the battle of Winchester -to that of Antietam, he having been with Stonewall -Jackson. He was perfectly familiar with all -the country around Winchester, Bunker Hill, Martinsburg, -Williamsport, and Harper’s Ferry. He -was an assistant surgeon in Gen. Ewell’s division -hospital, and helped amputate Gen. Ewell’s leg -above the knee, at the second battle of Bull Run. -He complimented our eastern troops quite highly, -and also Gen. McClellan. He said he heard Jackson -and Lee say that McClellan was the man they -feared most. He was speaking of what a cruel -thing this war was and remarked that most of his -friends and relatives were in the North, his mother -was in Warsaw, Ind. There I halted him, as a -matter of course, and let him know our Indiana -company was raised in that identical place. He -made a good many anxious inquiries, but I was -not enough acquainted in that city to give him -any satisfactory information. He afterwards spoke -of Havana, Ill., and said he had practiced medicine -in that town. He was greatly surprised when I -told him our company was from Havana, Mason -County, Ill., and he was acquainted with a good<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> -many of the boys as I named them over. I bolted -off for the company and sent up Boggs, who was -much surprised to hear that his father’s old partner -was a prisoner in our hands. Papers of the -7th came in this evening, bringing enthusiastic -accounts of a great battle and victory of Gen. -Meade’s army over the Rebs under their gallant -General at Gettysburg. Gen. Meade’s dispatches -proclaim a great victory and the utter rout of the -Rebs, with heavy losses of prisoners and colors. -A boat came up from Port Hudson this evening, -bringing news of the surrender of the place and -garrison. Hurrah for Banks!</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 12.</span> Sunday. After dinner, roll call. I -mounted a mule which the boys had caught and -saddled, and started for town. The place is very -quiet. At the wharf you can see transports as far -as the eye can reach in either direction. The river -is quite low. I came around the Rebel works and -in coming back was surprised to see so little artillery -commanding the river. Only four guns and -one mortar, and a one hundred and twenty-eight -pounder, manufactured in Richmond, Va. In the -land defenses from the river to the English -Whitworth gun there are twenty-six pieces, making -in all from Fort Hill around to town fifty-nine -guns. Most of the troops have gone to the rear -and there is less than an army corps here at the -present.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 13.</span> Monday. Our forces in the rear are -gradually closing up and skirmishing near Jackson.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 14.</span> Tuesday. The paymaster is here, -working on the pay rolls and quarterly returns.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 15.</span> Wednesday. A heavy detail from -our regiment was dispatched to work on Fort Hill -today. They are gradually changing the looks of -that once important fort, from a rude, unshapely -mass of dirt to large neat and substantial works. -This afternoon our boys, in filling up the hole made -by the blast, dug out a number of bodies. They had -been crowded into the hole and covered up. Heavy -details are at work repairing the old line of Reb -works, also in filling up and destroying our old -ones. The famous covered way from the White -House to Fort Hill is nearly destroyed. It seems -too bad to destroy the works that we spent weeks -of hard labor and exposure to construct. It seems -to us that they should stand as monuments for -future generations to look upon, but still we have -implicit confidence in the good judgment of Gen. -Grant.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 16.</span> Thursday. I am on duty again today. -The duty is very heavy now as all the troops -excepting two divisions have gone to the war. I -helped unload ammunition today without any relief -and was tired out when night came. They are -running a large supply of ammunition back to the -rear as rapidly as possible.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 17.</span> Friday. Early this morning we -moved our camp over about one mile nearer town. -We tore down some houses to get boards for our -table and to fire up our mess quarters. About 1 -or 2 o’clock we were paid again. I received forty-five -dollars and fifty-five cents. Frank and I expressed -home fifty dollars each. Stafford was -around and gave me a Secesh song written in the -ditches.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 18.</span> Saturday. On duty at Fort Hill carrying -gabion baskets. Our old covered way -is nearly destroyed. I got some peaches and apples -today and we had some pies. I also had an ear of -corn, but it was too hard to be good. Couriers -came in today with the news that Joe Johnston -had cut through our lines and was retreating. We -get no late news from the East, and are on the -tiptoe of anxiety. I wish Grant was on the Virginia -side of that river for a short campaign. -Papers on the 11th are here but no news only that -Meade is concentrating.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 19.</span> Sunday. Hot and sultry. Had -inspection at 10 o’clock. The order has come for -granting furloughs, two go from our company—G. -Ross and A. J. Van Auken. Got a Free Press but -no letters from home. Dress parade this evening. -A funny incident took place. One of the poor, -half-starved horses that overrun the camp, preceded -the band as it led the regiment, just in good<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span> -kicking distance. We got the New Orleans Sun -the evening of the 15th. It has the particulars of -the surrender and occupation of Port Hudson with -five or six thousand prisoners.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 20.</span> Monday. Very hot and sultry. On -fatigue, digging a well for headquarters. Got a -number of papers which I culled from a cartload -of them. Two months ago today the siege of Vicksburg -began and was continued through forty-seven -long, dreary days, and ended that glorious old day, -the 4th of July.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 21.</span> Tuesday. Boats came in last night -and brought Northern papers of the 14th. No -particular news from the East, only Meade concentrating -at Hayes. John Morgan is making a -raid into Indiana. I hope he will succeed in arousing -the people and then get himself captured. No -news today from the rear. Jim Chesher came in -this morning.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 22.</span> Wednesday. The furloughs have come -this evening, approved. I send this north to be -mailed by D. D. Ross. Our regiment registered -two hundred and ninety men at the beginning of -the siege. The day of the charge and other days -while skirmishing and sharpshooting, our loss, -killed and dead from wounds, was fourteen, forty -wounded, making an aggregate of fifty-four, over -seventeen per cent.</p> - -<p>The order of the different divisions of Grant’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> -army besieging Vicksburg from the right to the -left, June 28, 1863.</p> - -<p>Under the command of Gen. Ord—Herron’s, -Lammaris’, Hovey’s, Osterhaus’ (gone to the rear) -Carris’, A. J. Smith’s.</p> - -<p>Gen. McPherson’s Corps—J. E. Smith’s, Logan’s, -one brigade of McArthur’s.</p> - -<p>Gen. W. T. Sherman’s Corps—Blair’s, Tuttle’s, -Steele’s.</p> - -<p>Rear—Herron, Lammaris, Hovey, Osterhaus, -Covy, A. J. Smith, J. E. Smith, Logan, McArthur, -Blair, Tuttle and Steele.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">July 7.</span> The Generals captured are: Lieut.-Gen. -Pemberton, Maj.-Gen. Stevenson, Tenn.; -Smith, Va.; Forney, Ala., and Bowen, Mo. Brig.-Gen. -Hebert, La.; Lee, Va.; Green, Mo.; (killed -inside works), Reynolds, Ga.; Taylor, Ky.; More, -Ky.; Wauld, La.; Vann, Tenn.; Barton, Ala.</p> - -<p>Different army corps and commanders:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>   1st—Maj.-Gen. Reynolds.<br> -   3rd—Maj.-Gen. D. Sickles.<br> -   5th—Maj.-Gen. Meade.<br> -   6th—Maj.-Gen. Sedgwick.<br> -   9th—Maj.-Gen. Burnside.<br> -11th—Maj.-Gen. Howard (formerly Siegel).<br> -12th—Gen. Stoneman (cavalry).<br> -13th—Maj.-Gen. O. E. Ord.<br> -14th—Maj.-Gen. G. H. Thomas.<br><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> -15th—Maj.-Gen. Sherman.<br> -16th—Maj.-Gen. Hurlburt.<br> -17th—Maj.-Gen. McPherson.<br> -20th—Maj.-Gen. McDowell McCook.<br> -21st—Maj.-Gen. Thos. Crittenden.</p> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i101.jpg" alt=""></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p> - -<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> - -<p>Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.</p> -</div></div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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