Charles came back today --
says he was taken from the
gate by a guard and has
been worked very hard with
sentinels over the gang -- he
looks very worn & haggard -
as does Orjin[?] also, who
never before in his life
had to labor as these his
friends and liberators -- our
enemies -- have made him,
since they came in power.
Great many of our servants
want to go out with us, &
the Federal authorities pro-
mised at first that we
should take such as
wished to go; but this they
have revoked, probably
being surprised & chagrined
at the large number who
desire so to do; but they
say, because the privilege is
being abused -- the neg-
groes are intimidated etc -- a
mere subterfuge. I regret
this very much on account
of the poor boys, who are
very anxious -- many of them
-- to accompany us; and
have found out enough
are -- utterly good for
nothing.
McPherson U.S.A.
came around to see the
Genl tonight -- a pretty heavy con-
versation on the slave question.
Afterwards Genl Forney -
dropped in for a chat -
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
July 6th [1863]
Nathaniel -- my orly [orderly?] called
Nat for short -- the last of
our hopeful free American
lads of African descent took
a notion of leaving today
and accordingly bundled
up, and sparing us the pain
and attendant weeping which
a leave-taking would surely
have inflicted left, a la
Francais -- not however for-
getting to take his traps with
him. We are consedquently
dans domestiques, and in a
very helpless way -- Our
kind little hostess, Mrs
Richeson, has assumed the
honor and dignity of chief
Cook and tried to prepare
the meals for our small
family. I am her chief
asst and I tell you we
put things up in style --
we couldn't however suc-
ceed so well today with
the pea soup, which was
very obstinate and would
not get done; and ex-
hausted entirely our pa-
tience -- leading us to the
conclusion that we were
not born to be cooks; and
though 'twas a very scien-
tific and intellectual pur-
suit, requiring fine judgment
& discrimination, and
therefore calculated to
attract ambitious minds,
it was too far beyond our
reach for us ever to hop
to be proficient in
so high a calling.
The enemy is paroling
our men very slowly --
their excuse is that they
cannot prepare the blanks
more rapidly -- this de-
tention among them is
very galling and I can
now realize what it is
to be a prisoner and have
no doubt that six months
confinement in their
hands would turn my hair
gray or send me to "that
bourne"etc,
preumably meant "That bourne whence no traveller returns," a common 19th century reference to death.
Nat for short -- the last of
our hopeful free American
lads of African descent took
a notion of leaving today
and accordingly bundled
up, and sparing us the pain
and attendant weeping which
a leave-taking would surely
have inflicted left, a la
Francais -- not however for-
getting to take his traps with
him. We are consedquently
dans domestiques, and in a
very helpless way -- Our
kind little hostess, Mrs
Richeson, has assumed the
honor and dignity of chief
Cook and tried to prepare
the meals for our small
family. I am her chief
asst and I tell you we
put things up in style --
we couldn't however suc-
ceed so well today with
the pea soup, which was
very obstinate and would
not get done; and ex-
hausted entirely our pa-
tience -- leading us to the
conclusion that we were
not born to be cooks; and
though 'twas a very scien-
tific and intellectual pur-
suit, requiring fine judgment
& discrimination, and
therefore calculated to
attract ambitious minds,
it was too far beyond our
reach for us ever to hop
to be proficient in
so high a calling.
The enemy is paroling
our men very slowly --
their excuse is that they
cannot prepare the blanks
more rapidly -- this de-
tention among them is
very galling and I can
now realize what it is
to be a prisoner and have
no doubt that six months
confinement in their
hands would turn my hair
gray or send me to "that
bourne"
preumably meant "That bourne whence no traveller returns," a common 19th century reference to death.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
July 5th [1863]
Yankees & Confederates
fill the streets, but
seem to understand the
necessity for it and do
not molest one another.
Many of the negroes
have left their homes,
and the enemy sends
round a guard through
the streets to apprehend
those unwilling to go
with them -- these they
put in corrals & camps
and it seems to be
their intention to make
soldiers of them. All
our servants have left
save one, and we are
sloshing along as best
we may under the cir-
cumstances -- service in
the steamboats seems to
attract some of them &
two from us have I think
gone aboard a transport--
Few of us of the garrison
who wouldn't prefer to
have taken the chances
of cutting out & lose two
thirds of our forces rather
than to have suffered
the humility and indig-
nity we are now subject
to, a the hands of these
miserable miscreants,
whose pleasure we must
await as to our leaving
their despised & detested
presence. They are stealing
everything they can lay
their hands on -- will take
your horse from under you
if you permit it, and
from your stable or your
yard if you haven't a
watch over him; and yet
there's no redress for us -
fair promises of preventing
recurrences of insults &
thefts; and that our ser-
vants be allowed to go
with us if they desire -- &
yet nothing done toward
the former, and less than
nothing in compliance
with the latter; for our
boys are forcibly taken
in the streets against their
will and marched off --
Two of our servants at
the other house taken in
this way sent word to
their masters "For God's
sake to come and get
them out" -- This
is the freedom the abo-
litionist gives the negro--
fill the streets, but
seem to understand the
necessity for it and do
not molest one another.
Many of the negroes
have left their homes,
and the enemy sends
round a guard through
the streets to apprehend
those unwilling to go
with them -- these they
put in corrals & camps
and it seems to be
their intention to make
soldiers of them. All
our servants have left
save one, and we are
sloshing along as best
we may under the cir-
cumstances -- service in
the steamboats seems to
attract some of them &
two from us have I think
gone aboard a transport--
Few of us of the garrison
who wouldn't prefer to
have taken the chances
of cutting out & lose two
thirds of our forces rather
than to have suffered
the humility and indig-
nity we are now subject
to, a the hands of these
miserable miscreants,
whose pleasure we must
await as to our leaving
their despised & detested
presence. They are stealing
everything they can lay
their hands on -- will take
your horse from under you
if you permit it, and
from your stable or your
yard if you haven't a
watch over him; and yet
there's no redress for us -
fair promises of preventing
recurrences of insults &
thefts; and that our ser-
vants be allowed to go
with us if they desire -- &
yet nothing done toward
the former, and less than
nothing in compliance
with the latter; for our
boys are forcibly taken
in the streets against their
will and marched off --
Two of our servants at
the other house taken in
this way sent word to
their masters "For God's
sake to come and get
them out" -- This
is the freedom the abo-
litionist gives the negro--
Monday, July 19, 2010
4th July '63
Vcksburg falls. O God! what a blow
it is to our government!
How can we retrieve so
great a loss?
In the council of war,
on the acceptance or rejection
of terms of capitulation, Genl
Pemberton expressed himself
throughout as in favor of an
attempt to cut our way
out -- deeming it practicable
to carry through at
least ten thousand men, from the
reports of the Generals on
the physique & morale of
the troops; but he yielded his
opinion as to the feasibility
of this undertaking to the
judgment of the more im-
mediate commanders of the men,
whose idea, generally
seemed to be that their troops
would remain in good spirits
and continue in fine fighting
order while in the trenches,
but that on leaving these
and taking up a line of
march in their jaded & worn
condition they would
be little likely to accomplish
the severe task of storming
the enemy's works -- which
are stronger and more extensive
than our own -- and of
combatting and forcing a
passage through a force,
greatly outnumbering them
and perfectly fresh.
At 10 o'c we ride to
the trenches, at the Jackson
road, and witness the galling
sight of our brave
and gallant troops, who
have so nobly and heroicly
defended these works for
forty seven days, marching
out and stacking
their arms and colors to a
foe, who was not able to
overcome us
and bring us to this most unfortunate
pass by good hard fighting
but reduced us by encircling
our garrison with a horde and bringing
it to starvation.
The Yankees were thronging
their works, & their bands
playing the national airs, looking on of course with
much delight and gratification
at the -- to us -- humiliating
spectacle, of our brave
boys abandoning the arms
that they have so
gallantly and effectually
used.
We leave the works
and go to the "Stone House"
to await Genl Grant; who
presently arrives with
a large attendance of officers,
and civilians -- curious
seekers of novelties, a class
that ever forms no in-
considerable portion of
every assembly of Northerners.
Our victors deport them-
selves with dignity and
politeness and acquaintances
on opposing sides are soon
mixing together and con-
versing pleasantly. Would that I
could say that they had continued
their good conduct and
consideration, but no: their
men were soon swarming
into town and committing
all manner of depred-
ations -- breaking into houses
& stores, and appropriating
every thing portable
of value -- insulting the citizens --
tampering with our negroes
and in every way making
themselves as offensive
as 'tis possible for con-
querors to be to their un-
armed prisoners. I
wonder much that there
has been no collision
between our men & those of
the enemy -- they are knocking
together through the town
and in the camps: and
for bitter antagonists to
do this for any time with-
out some difficulty oc-
curring seems to me im-
possible: and I am con-
sequently very impatient
at the slowness of the
enemy in paroling our
men, so that we may
leave the cursed and
oppressive confines of
their camps, and breath
once more freely and un-
restrained in the limits
still held by our own
government -- which limits,
by the way, I fear are
about being, by the results
of this summer campaign,
greatly contracted: but
let the southern people
show the true grit that
is in them,when they are
as it were, driven to
the wall, and rise
superior to every defeat
and difficulty, and stand
up to the colors as long
as their is a vestige of
hope -- remembering that
the darkest hour is that
before dawn.
it is to our government!
How can we retrieve so
great a loss?
In the council of war,
on the acceptance or rejection
of terms of capitulation, Genl
Pemberton expressed himself
throughout as in favor of an
attempt to cut our way
out -- deeming it practicable
to carry through at
least ten thousand men, from the
reports of the Generals on
the physique & morale of
the troops; but he yielded his
opinion as to the feasibility
of this undertaking to the
judgment of the more im-
mediate commanders of the men,
whose idea, generally
seemed to be that their troops
would remain in good spirits
and continue in fine fighting
order while in the trenches,
but that on leaving these
and taking up a line of
march in their jaded & worn
condition they would
be little likely to accomplish
the severe task of storming
the enemy's works -- which
are stronger and more extensive
than our own -- and of
combatting and forcing a
passage through a force,
greatly outnumbering them
and perfectly fresh.
At 10 o'c we ride to
the trenches, at the Jackson
road, and witness the galling
sight of our brave
and gallant troops, who
have so nobly and heroicly
defended these works for
forty seven days, marching
out and stacking
their arms and colors to a
foe, who was not able to
overcome us
and bring us to this most unfortunate
pass by good hard fighting
but reduced us by encircling
our garrison with a horde and bringing
it to starvation.
The Yankees were thronging
their works, & their bands
playing the national airs, looking on of course with
much delight and gratification
at the -- to us -- humiliating
spectacle, of our brave
boys abandoning the arms
that they have so
gallantly and effectually
used.
We leave the works
and go to the "Stone House"
to await Genl Grant; who
presently arrives with
a large attendance of officers,
and civilians -- curious
seekers of novelties, a class
that ever forms no in-
considerable portion of
every assembly of Northerners.
Our victors deport them-
selves with dignity and
politeness and acquaintances
on opposing sides are soon
mixing together and con-
versing pleasantly. Would that I
could say that they had continued
their good conduct and
consideration, but no: their
men were soon swarming
into town and committing
all manner of depred-
ations -- breaking into houses
& stores, and appropriating
every thing portable
of value -- insulting the citizens --
tampering with our negroes
and in every way making
themselves as offensive
as 'tis possible for con-
querors to be to their un-
armed prisoners. I
wonder much that there
has been no collision
between our men & those of
the enemy -- they are knocking
together through the town
and in the camps: and
for bitter antagonists to
do this for any time with-
out some difficulty oc-
curring seems to me im-
possible: and I am con-
sequently very impatient
at the slowness of the
enemy in paroling our
men, so that we may
leave the cursed and
oppressive confines of
their camps, and breath
once more freely and un-
restrained in the limits
still held by our own
government -- which limits,
by the way, I fear are
about being, by the results
of this summer campaign,
greatly contracted: but
let the southern people
show the true grit that
is in them,when they are
as it were, driven to
the wall, and rise
superior to every defeat
and difficulty, and stand
up to the colors as long
as their is a vestige of
hope -- remembering that
the darkest hour is that
before dawn.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
July 3rd [1863]
with a
proposition to Genl Grant
that he appoint three com-
missioners to meet with
three, appointed by us, to
decide on some propo-
sition, to be submitted to
the Comdy Generals,
for the capitulation of Vicks-
burg. Genl Grants written
reply was that as he had
no terms to offer, but an
unconditional surrender of
works & garrison, he saw
no need of appointing com-
missioners; but he at the
same time told Genl Bowen
that he would like to have
a personal interview with
Genl Pemberton. Genl P
though this unadvisable
but was led by some of his
Generals' thinking otherwise
to consent -- He accordingly
met with Genl Grant, who was
attended by a large number
of officers, at about 1 or 2
o'c on the Jackson road
between the opposing works:
The Yankee General's first
remark was that he would
accept of nothing, save an
unconditional surrender. Genl
P's reply to this was very
pointedly & emphatically
"that there was no need of
saying more on the subject
then, for he wouldn't think
of entertaining such a pro-
position" -- On conversing
further and the two Comdy
Generals consulting with
their respective attendant
advisers; -- Genl Grant said
that he would send in at
10 p.m. a proposition for
terms for our consideration
& action.
Thereupon Genl Pemberton
called a council of war
of his Major & Brigadier
Generals to advise, and
to express their several opin-
ions on the terms proffered,
which were in substance as
follows --
That at 8 a.m. tomorrow
he march a division in &
take possession --
that as soon as our
army was paroled it
be allowed to march
out -- officers to retain
their side arms and to
carry their personal bag-
gage; -- those of cavalry & of
staff Depts to take one
horse each --
That we take subsistence
needed for the march &
cooking utensils to prepare
it -- and thirty four-horse
or double the number of
two-horse wagons.
The council expressed
a unanimous opinion that
these terms should be re-
jected; and proposed
-- with only two exceptions --
that in lieu thereof these
following be submitted
to Genl Grant --
That at 10 a.m. tomorrow
we march out of the
works with arms and
colors, and then stack &
abandon them, & return
within the works.
That as soon as rolls
for parole could be pre-
pared we march out
taking subsistence ne-
cessary, & wagons sufficient
for the transportation of
this and the baggage
allowed --
that officers retain their
side arms, and personal
property (this we meant
to include negroes): and
that the citizens be pro-
tected in theri persons
& property.
General Grant acceded
to these with this mod-
ification -- that the officers
take their personal baggage,
as designated in his terms
proposed; and that he
would put himself under
no restraint with regard
to citizens or their property.
General Pemberton with
the concurrence of this Major
Generals accepted the terms
as modified: and this
proposition to Genl Grant
that he appoint three com-
missioners to meet with
three, appointed by us, to
decide on some propo-
sition, to be submitted to
the Comdy Generals,
for the capitulation of Vicks-
burg. Genl Grants written
reply was that as he had
no terms to offer, but an
unconditional surrender of
works & garrison, he saw
no need of appointing com-
missioners; but he at the
same time told Genl Bowen
that he would like to have
a personal interview with
Genl Pemberton. Genl P
though this unadvisable
but was led by some of his
Generals' thinking otherwise
to consent -- He accordingly
met with Genl Grant, who was
attended by a large number
of officers, at about 1 or 2
o'c on the Jackson road
between the opposing works:
The Yankee General's first
remark was that he would
accept of nothing, save an
unconditional surrender. Genl
P's reply to this was very
pointedly & emphatically
"that there was no need of
saying more on the subject
then, for he wouldn't think
of entertaining such a pro-
position" -- On conversing
further and the two Comdy
Generals consulting with
their respective attendant
advisers; -- Genl Grant said
that he would send in at
10 p.m. a proposition for
terms for our consideration
& action.
Thereupon Genl Pemberton
called a council of war
of his Major & Brigadier
Generals to advise, and
to express their several opin-
ions on the terms proffered,
which were in substance as
follows --
That at 8 a.m. tomorrow
he march a division in &
take possession --
that as soon as our
army was paroled it
be allowed to march
out -- officers to retain
their side arms and to
carry their personal bag-
gage; -- those of cavalry & of
staff Depts to take one
horse each --
That we take subsistence
needed for the march &
cooking utensils to prepare
it -- and thirty four-horse
or double the number of
two-horse wagons.
The council expressed
a unanimous opinion that
these terms should be re-
jected; and proposed
-- with only two exceptions --
that in lieu thereof these
following be submitted
to Genl Grant --
That at 10 a.m. tomorrow
we march out of the
works with arms and
colors, and then stack &
abandon them, & return
within the works.
That as soon as rolls
for parole could be pre-
pared we march out
taking subsistence ne-
cessary, & wagons sufficient
for the transportation of
this and the baggage
allowed --
that officers retain their
side arms, and personal
property (this we meant
to include negroes): and
that the citizens be pro-
tected in theri persons
& property.
General Grant acceded
to these with this mod-
ification -- that the officers
take their personal baggage,
as designated in his terms
proposed; and that he
would put himself under
no restraint with regard
to citizens or their property.
General Pemberton with
the concurrence of this Major
Generals accepted the terms
as modified: and this
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
July 2nd [1863]
At 2 p.m. when I came home ^' from'
Lee's line, where the
Yanks have several saps
approaching, I found, in-
stead of a comfortable
resting place and a quiet
dinner, the house knocked
in by a shell and every-
thing in complete confu-
sion -- worse confounded.
The three ladies were in
the room tat the shell
passed through but for-
tunately it didn't burst
until going through the
next -- the dining room,
where it demolished every-
thing there -- table, cup-
board, side board with
their contents -- and tore
out the side of the room.
The furniture in the ad-
joining chambers was
knocked to pieces; and
the ladies covered with
splinters and slightly
stunned -- they have this
afternoon sought refuge
in a cave, as the firing
continues, -- if anything
with increased vigor --
and you may hear now
the shells go crushing &
bursting into the houses
with great noise, de-
noting their course by a
fiendish, diabolical whiz-
zing. The mortars at the
same time continue their
polite attention, and the
land explosions & the
whistling of their fragments
are heard with
little intermission.
At the suggestion of
several of his major Gen-
erals Genl Pemberton tonight
held a council of war on
the propriety, under the
circumstances, of proposing
terms of capitulation to
Genl Grant. It resulted
in Genl Bowen's being
sent out under a flag of
truce at 7 a. m. this
morning
Lee's line, where the
Yanks have several saps
approaching, I found, in-
stead of a comfortable
resting place and a quiet
dinner, the house knocked
in by a shell and every-
thing in complete confu-
sion -- worse confounded.
The three ladies were in
the room tat the shell
passed through but for-
tunately it didn't burst
until going through the
next -- the dining room,
where it demolished every-
thing there -- table, cup-
board, side board with
their contents -- and tore
out the side of the room.
The furniture in the ad-
joining chambers was
knocked to pieces; and
the ladies covered with
splinters and slightly
stunned -- they have this
afternoon sought refuge
in a cave, as the firing
continues, -- if anything
with increased vigor --
and you may hear now
the shells go crushing &
bursting into the houses
with great noise, de-
noting their course by a
fiendish, diabolical whiz-
zing. The mortars at the
same time continue their
polite attention, and the
land explosions & the
whistling of their fragments
are heard with
little intermission.
At the suggestion of
several of his major Gen-
erals Genl Pemberton tonight
held a council of war on
the propriety, under the
circumstances, of proposing
terms of capitulation to
Genl Grant. It resulted
in Genl Bowen's being
sent out under a flag of
truce at 7 a. m. this
morning
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
July 1st, '63
The powder barrel did
not have the effect of
blowing in their gallery
for at between 1 & 2 o'c
today the villans [sic] sprung
a tremendous mine -
estimated to have
been from 5 to 800 lbs of
powder [inserted in pencil (2000 pds)] -- at that place,
which blew up the redan
burying eight negroes and
five or six soldiers & of-
ficers who were sapping
to them; and killing and
wounding some 15 others
who were in the work.
The interior parapet
was a little injured but quickly
repaired by us. At the instant
of the explosion
the enemy opened a terrific
fire of artillery at that
point with considerable
loss to us -- many officers,
especially colonels, have
fallen in this siege, and
God grant that our defence
may not prove futile but
that this point may be
saved to the Confederacy,
since we have labored
so hard in the performance
of our duty, -- to hold it til
the government can succor us.
In the early morning the
enemy kept up for some
hours a heavy fire
with their columbiads from the
peninsula which destroyed
may houses in the lower
part of the city -- "tis thus
they seem to work off
their spleen, -- caused by
our success & probably
the effect of our fire on
the peninsula, -- by ruining
the town and frightening
and killing the women &
children; -- they must be
aware that we have no
troops in the city since all
are required to man the
works.
not have the effect of
blowing in their gallery
for at between 1 & 2 o'c
today the villans [sic] sprung
a tremendous mine -
estimated to have
been from 5 to 800 lbs of
powder [inserted in pencil (2000 pds)] -- at that place,
which blew up the redan
burying eight negroes and
five or six soldiers & of-
ficers who were sapping
to them; and killing and
wounding some 15 others
who were in the work.
The interior parapet
was a little injured but quickly
repaired by us. At the instant
of the explosion
the enemy opened a terrific
fire of artillery at that
point with considerable
loss to us -- many officers,
especially colonels, have
fallen in this siege, and
God grant that our defence
may not prove futile but
that this point may be
saved to the Confederacy,
since we have labored
so hard in the performance
of our duty, -- to hold it til
the government can succor us.
In the early morning the
enemy kept up for some
hours a heavy fire
with their columbiads from the
peninsula which destroyed
may houses in the lower
part of the city -- "tis thus
they seem to work off
their spleen, -- caused by
our success & probably
the effect of our fire on
the peninsula, -- by ruining
the town and frightening
and killing the women &
children; -- they must be
aware that we have no
troops in the city since all
are required to man the
works.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Tuesday [June] 30 [1863]
I have felt constrained
in writing these memoranda
of daily incidents, for my
future gratification and re-
collection, because I have had
the apprehension ever with me
that they might possibly
fall into the hands of some
beastly disciple of old Abe,
who might make dis-
agreeable use of them. A
thousand incidents -- " of moving
accidents, by flood & field: of
hair-breath scapes" -- which
I would like to record, for
reminiscences, in years to
come, on this a more re-
liable and permanent tab-
let than memory, I
do not, lest they should
by ill chance come into the
possession of the aforesaid
follower of the northern
ape and be by him put to
some use that might prove
offensive to the persons
therewith named; and for
lie reason must I be
mum on the military feeling
here and in the sentiment
and acts of the individuals
of our soldier circle.
Some of our garrison
have taken consider-
able gusto to eating mules,
horses, rats etc -- the last
named have been sold for
the last week at $2 1/2 apiece
and are in great demand --
mules are slaughtered reg-
ularly and I'm told some
have been exposed in mark-
et for sale -- horses
are esteemed a great
luxury, and as an instance
how such food is appre-
ciated by our men -- a fine
stallion was shot near
the line a day or two ago,
and no sooner did he fall
than the hungry fellows
were at him, and had
him skinned & quartered
in double quick time, and
he doubtlessly soon went
the way that all such
flesh now goes in this
garrison.
At night the powder
barrel tried against the
enemy's mine at redan on
the Jackson road -- thought
to have accomplished
the purpose.
Quotation is from Othello
in writing these memoranda
of daily incidents, for my
future gratification and re-
collection, because I have had
the apprehension ever with me
that they might possibly
fall into the hands of some
beastly disciple of old Abe,
who might make dis-
agreeable use of them. A
thousand incidents -- " of moving
accidents, by flood & field: of
hair-breath scapes" -- which
I would like to record, for
reminiscences, in years to
come, on this a more re-
liable and permanent tab-
let than memory, I
do not, lest they should
by ill chance come into the
possession of the aforesaid
follower of the northern
ape and be by him put to
some use that might prove
offensive to the persons
therewith named; and for
lie reason must I be
mum on the military feeling
here and in the sentiment
and acts of the individuals
of our soldier circle.
Some of our garrison
have taken consider-
able gusto to eating mules,
horses, rats etc -- the last
named have been sold for
the last week at $2 1/2 apiece
and are in great demand --
mules are slaughtered reg-
ularly and I'm told some
have been exposed in mark-
et for sale -- horses
are esteemed a great
luxury, and as an instance
how such food is appre-
ciated by our men -- a fine
stallion was shot near
the line a day or two ago,
and no sooner did he fall
than the hungry fellows
were at him, and had
him skinned & quartered
in double quick time, and
he doubtlessly soon went
the way that all such
flesh now goes in this
garrison.
At night the powder
barrel tried against the
enemy's mine at redan on
the Jackson road -- thought
to have accomplished
the purpose.
Quotation is from Othello
Monday [June[ 29 [1863]
Nothing unusual or out of
the regular routine occurred
today. same fire kept up in
front of the city -- the enemy en-
deavoring to place more guns
on the peninsula, and we
doing our best to prevent it --
They are a good deal protected
by the woods, but our shot
and shell go crashing and bursting
through the trees and
our friends -- les ennemis -- no
doubt find it a rather warm
place to be performing the
uninteresting and little exciting
work of throwing up batteries.
The casualties among
the women & children are increasing
-- our little paper "The Citizen" pub-
lishes the names of six, as
among those who were badly
wounded & killed last week:
and yesterday the head of
another poor creature
was taken off by a shell.
Alas that these poor help-
less women, should fall here
as martyrs to our cause -- we
cannot blame the enemy
for firing on the city; for surely
the inhabitants had
notice long enough to have been fully
assured that this place was
destined to be the scene of
great conflict between
the two armies -- and they
were at first requested &
then ordered to leave the
town by Genl Pemberton; but
without effect, as many pre-
ferred -- (I scarcely think they
would now prefer) -- to remain
at home, enjoying the comfort
and luxuries attendant there,
and endure the firing & the con-
sequent danger; rather than
to seek some abiding place
elsewhere --- away from friends
and where they would find
little comfort.
the regular routine occurred
today. same fire kept up in
front of the city -- the enemy en-
deavoring to place more guns
on the peninsula, and we
doing our best to prevent it --
They are a good deal protected
by the woods, but our shot
and shell go crashing and bursting
through the trees and
our friends -- les ennemis -- no
doubt find it a rather warm
place to be performing the
uninteresting and little exciting
work of throwing up batteries.
The casualties among
the women & children are increasing
-- our little paper "The Citizen" pub-
lishes the names of six, as
among those who were badly
wounded & killed last week:
and yesterday the head of
another poor creature
was taken off by a shell.
Alas that these poor help-
less women, should fall here
as martyrs to our cause -- we
cannot blame the enemy
for firing on the city; for surely
the inhabitants had
notice long enough to have been fully
assured that this place was
destined to be the scene of
great conflict between
the two armies -- and they
were at first requested &
then ordered to leave the
town by Genl Pemberton; but
without effect, as many pre-
ferred -- (I scarcely think they
would now prefer) -- to remain
at home, enjoying the comfort
and luxuries attendant there,
and endure the firing & the con-
sequent danger; rather than
to seek some abiding place
elsewhere --- away from friends
and where they would find
little comfort.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Sunday [June] 28 [1863]
Enemy, at night, reported to
have sunk a mine under
the redan on the Jackson
road and to be now under
the outer parapet -
sides cross section
[Here follows a sketch of the mined area under a knoll and two hills. Taylor has drawn a small knoll with a valley beyond marked "a" and then two larger hills to the right with a valley between. A "gallery" or tunnel is shown starting just under point "a" and dug completely under the first hill.]
We cannot counter
mine or sink in on them
for they would, most probably,
on hearing the first spade
strike the earth, which
would be perfectly distinct to
them, blow up our work.
We send out dirt augurs
today, 29th, which may be
used without noise, to bore
into them -- also propose
rolling a barrel of powder
down the slope to the point
"a" to destroy their gallery --
These fellows work like
beavers and we have to
keep eyes, ears and mouth
open, and be active and
energetic to thwart their
indefatigable and untiring
efforts to blow up our
works -- no sooner do they
fail at one point than
they appear at another and
remit not a whit their
endeavors on account offailures
want of success -
Their saps are appearing
at many points of our
line, and evince a dis-
position on their part to dirt-
dig in earnest, which
necessarily leads us to be
similarly disposed. At
this, in a physical way,
the Yanks can beat us but
we must make up in
ingenuity ad dash what
they surpass us in labor.
We are down on
very, very low rations now
and in consequence of
this, probably, and the un-
promising prospect we have
ahead, there are some de-
sertions; but no grumbling
that I have heard of comes
from our brave & hardy
men; though they are
much fagged out -- worn &
weak, from the hardships
they have had to endure, on
the very short allowance of
4 oz bacon, ditto flour, do peas
do sugar a day -- a very insuf-
ficient nourishment for men
who are worked. I fear
they would be unable to
march for any distance, in
the weak state consequent
on such a limited diet, and
on the constant strain on
their strength for forty days
in the trenches.
have sunk a mine under
the redan on the Jackson
road and to be now under
the outer parapet -
sides cross section
[Here follows a sketch of the mined area under a knoll and two hills. Taylor has drawn a small knoll with a valley beyond marked "a" and then two larger hills to the right with a valley between. A "gallery" or tunnel is shown starting just under point "a" and dug completely under the first hill.]
We cannot counter
mine or sink in on them
for they would, most probably,
on hearing the first spade
strike the earth, which
would be perfectly distinct to
them, blow up our work.
We send out dirt augurs
today, 29th, which may be
used without noise, to bore
into them -- also propose
rolling a barrel of powder
down the slope to the point
"a" to destroy their gallery --
These fellows work like
beavers and we have to
keep eyes, ears and mouth
open, and be active and
energetic to thwart their
indefatigable and untiring
efforts to blow up our
works -- no sooner do they
fail at one point than
they appear at another and
remit not a whit their
endeavors on account of
want of success -
Their saps are appearing
at many points of our
line, and evince a dis-
position on their part to dirt-
dig in earnest, which
necessarily leads us to be
similarly disposed. At
this, in a physical way,
the Yanks can beat us but
we must make up in
ingenuity ad dash what
they surpass us in labor.
We are down on
very, very low rations now
and in consequence of
this, probably, and the un-
promising prospect we have
ahead, there are some de-
sertions; but no grumbling
that I have heard of comes
from our brave & hardy
men; though they are
much fagged out -- worn &
weak, from the hardships
they have had to endure, on
the very short allowance of
4 oz bacon, ditto flour, do peas
do sugar a day -- a very insuf-
ficient nourishment for men
who are worked. I fear
they would be unable to
march for any distance, in
the weak state consequent
on such a limited diet, and
on the constant strain on
their strength for forty days
in the trenches.
[Sunday June 28 1863]
From Moore's line at
2 a.m. -- there we expect to
spring a mine on Mr Yank
at any moment -- so soon as
his sap is close enough, and
it seems to me now to be
just over us -- probably he
will be elevated this morning, 28th
This work is very curious
and interesting, and affords
experience of incalculable
value to those of us who
would follow a military
live -- our works -- saps, mines
etc -- with those of the enemy
have made very labyrinths
of these hills, and when
quiet and peace reigns over
them again, and the spades
and picks of contending
armies wound them no more,
the curious may make sub-
terranean excursions of any
length, through their bowels -
made historic and renowned
by the contest, that has so
hotly been waged above,
and through them.
3 a.m. two dispatches re-
ceived from Genl Johnston,
& I consequently immersed
in heiroglyphics until sun-
rise, when pretty tired, I
repaired to my
[three lines cut out]
Genl's dispatches -- as it is all
contraband -- but I will say
thus far, that I hope the
prospect is brighteneing for
our relief, and the ultimate
safety of Vicksburg; and let
me here retract anything
I may have said concerning
the tardiness of Genl Joe --
and by his pardon therefore --
his forces do not approach
the number I had imag-
ined to be at his command
[two? line cut out]
Genl Green, Missouri Division,
is added to the list of the
killed during the siege of Vicks-
burg -- he was directing the fire
of a piece of artillery when
the shot of a sharpshooter
struck him in the head and
killed him instantly -- de-
priving the service of a brave
and good man -- and in-
creasing the already numerous
list of officers, who have
fallen in defence of our Gib-
raltar.
2 a.m. -- there we expect to
spring a mine on Mr Yank
at any moment -- so soon as
his sap is close enough, and
it seems to me now to be
just over us -- probably he
will be elevated this morning, 28th
This work is very curious
and interesting, and affords
experience of incalculable
value to those of us who
would follow a military
live -- our works -- saps, mines
etc -- with those of the enemy
have made very labyrinths
of these hills, and when
quiet and peace reigns over
them again, and the spades
and picks of contending
armies wound them no more,
the curious may make sub-
terranean excursions of any
length, through their bowels -
made historic and renowned
by the contest, that has so
hotly been waged above,
and through them.
3 a.m. two dispatches re-
ceived from Genl Johnston,
& I consequently immersed
in heiroglyphics until sun-
rise, when pretty tired, I
repaired to my
[three lines cut out]
Genl's dispatches -- as it is all
contraband -- but I will say
thus far, that I hope the
prospect is brighteneing for
our relief, and the ultimate
safety of Vicksburg; and let
me here retract anything
I may have said concerning
the tardiness of Genl Joe --
and by his pardon therefore --
his forces do not approach
the number I had imag-
ined to be at his command
[two? line cut out]
Genl Green, Missouri Division,
is added to the list of the
killed during the siege of Vicks-
burg -- he was directing the fire
of a piece of artillery when
the shot of a sharpshooter
struck him in the head and
killed him instantly -- de-
priving the service of a brave
and good man -- and in-
creasing the already numerous
list of officers, who have
fallen in defence of our Gib-
raltar.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Sunday [June] 27 [1863]
Usual amount of firing
all around us -- front, rear,
flanks & centre: though we
may be said to have no
front, rear or flanks now
but to be all centre; for
here we are -- poor little
fellows! -- cooped up in
small limit with the horde
of the invaders -- enough to
eat us up -- assailing us
from all sides, with every
conceivable diabolical ma-
chine for destruction; and
employing every device and
mode of attack that their
fertile brains can afford
them, for our overthrow; so
far however in vain -- we
have thwarted them
at every turn; and their assaults
having proved futile -- they
are now devoting their
energies to mining, and
we to countermining -- let
the race be to the prompt
and ready!
We have made a very
handsome defence here
should we ever be over
come now, which there is
no reason in the world to
expect, more than hereto-
fore, except that we are
drawing nearer every day
the end of our tether -- of
provisions; when, or before
which time someting must
be done for our relief, if the
Confederacy would save Vicks-
burg. Forty one days, Mr.
Grant, and we are not yet
quite checkmated -- don't
you feel that you are mor-
ally defeated, by this insig-
nificant little nest of rebels?
all around us -- front, rear,
flanks & centre: though we
may be said to have no
front, rear or flanks now
but to be all centre; for
here we are -- poor little
fellows! -- cooped up in
small limit with the horde
of the invaders -- enough to
eat us up -- assailing us
from all sides, with every
conceivable diabolical ma-
chine for destruction; and
employing every device and
mode of attack that their
fertile brains can afford
them, for our overthrow; so
far however in vain -- we
have thwarted them
at every turn; and their assaults
having proved futile -- they
are now devoting their
energies to mining, and
we to countermining -- let
the race be to the prompt
and ready!
We have made a very
handsome defence here
should we ever be over
come now, which there is
no reason in the world to
expect, more than hereto-
fore, except that we are
drawing nearer every day
the end of our tether -- of
provisions; when, or before
which time someting must
be done for our relief, if the
Confederacy would save Vicks-
burg. Forty one days, Mr.
Grant, and we are not yet
quite checkmated -- don't
you feel that you are mor-
ally defeated, by this insig-
nificant little nest of rebels?
Friday [June] 26 [1863]
The expected assault did
not take place this morning --
usual amount of firing on
the lines and from the river
during the fore-noon -- heavier
firing in the latter part of
the day on our right,
and from the mortars, columbiads, parrott guns & sharpshooters
on the peninsula -- two un-
fortunate women killed.
Magnificent sun-set -- charming
view from "Sky-parlor Hill," com-
prehending considerable ex-
tent of the river and adjacent
country and affording a fine
prospect of the enemy's fire
from the peninsula and the
lower fleet, and our own
from the river batteries; -- all
this with the fleet of Yankee
transports at the "upper bend,"
combining to form a sight
very interesting -- if not
approaching the sublime.
not take place this morning --
usual amount of firing on
the lines and from the river
during the fore-noon -- heavier
firing in the latter part of
the day on our right,
and from the mortars, columbiads, parrott guns & sharpshooters
on the peninsula -- two un-
fortunate women killed.
Magnificent sun-set -- charming
view from "Sky-parlor Hill," com-
prehending considerable ex-
tent of the river and adjacent
country and affording a fine
prospect of the enemy's fire
from the peninsula and the
lower fleet, and our own
from the river batteries; -- all
this with the fleet of Yankee
transports at the "upper bend,"
combining to form a sight
very interesting -- if not
approaching the sublime.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Thursday [June] 25 [1863]
Morning pretty quiet, but in the
afternoon the enemy opens very
briskly on the line and on the
river front, and blows up
by mine the redan on the
Jackson road -- our loss by it
in men slight -- in position little
or nothing, as we had sunk
in the hill just in rear of the
[portion of page torn away]
men will be
better protected and can com-
mand the approach as well.
They advanced for some distance
towards the breach behind logs
but did not assault -- this
there is every indication of
occurring tonight or at day-
light tomorrow morning -- the
enemy having massed his for-
ces in the ravines and his
works in front of the centre
and the left of Stevenson.
Distant firing said to have
been heard -- God grant it may
be Johnston! the unusual ac-
tivity & stir among the be-
siegers is I think indicative
of some movement taking place
on their rear; and if they
attempt an assault it will
strengthen this conjecture; for
if the enemy felt secure in
his present position, and as-
sured of his ability to contin-
ue the siege, until our sub-
sistence be exhausted, which
he must know will be soon,
he would much prefer to wait
quietly and patiently for that
event than to lose the numbers of
men that he knows, by ex-
perience, he will have to,
in storming our works; and
that too with doubtful -- very
doubtful -- chance of success.
Matters are drawing rapidly
to a focus, and a week or two
will decide whether this strong
hold with its garrison is to
[be] saved to the confederacy or
sacrificed by the indifference,
imbecility or ignorance of the
administration, or over
caution and want of dash
in the Genl sent to our relief.
That the powers in Richmond
have never realized the "si-
tuation" in this Dept -- its
requirements, the relation of
its strategical points, and
its difficult and exposed
lines of communications -- is
evidenced by the replies made
to demands, urged as posi-
tive and vital necessities:
and the neglect of, and non-
compliance with our requests
that the cavalry (belonging to
this Dept) which was taken
away only temporarily"! and
for a special service, be re-
turned. This deprivation
left us powerless -- impotent
-- as a man with his arms
lopped off -- utterly unable
to protect our front, rear or
flanks, or to keep our lines
of communication. Here
lies the root and foundation
of all the disasters that
have befallen us -- from
four to five thousand cav-
alry -- or even three -- could
have prevented Grant's debark-
ation at Bruinsburg -- or, if
not his, have rendered his
movement thence into the
state hazardous -- yes, fatal
to his army; and have pre-
vented Vicksburg being be-
leaguered and jeoparded, as
it now is. So small an
additon to our strength, in
that branch of the service,
in which we had been left
so utterly deficient,would,
I am firmly convinced, have
saved us! But
To mourn a mischief that is
past & gone,
Is the next way to draw new
mischief on.
& all will be well if it ends
well.
Have I a right to any opinion
on these matters? I think I
have, but being a young whip-
persnapper, probably I ought
to refrain from expressing them;
however, they haven't much
weight with myself, and I
don't expect them to have any
with other people. I do but
form them after a plan, un-
prejudiced -- perhaps superfi-
cial -- regard of the facts and
circumstances by my judge-
ment; and am not dogmati-
cal in forcing them on others.
Quotation from Shakespeare's "Othello"
afternoon the enemy opens very
briskly on the line and on the
river front, and blows up
by mine the redan on the
Jackson road -- our loss by it
in men slight -- in position little
or nothing, as we had sunk
in the hill just in rear of the
[portion of page torn away]
men will be
better protected and can com-
mand the approach as well.
They advanced for some distance
towards the breach behind logs
but did not assault -- this
there is every indication of
occurring tonight or at day-
light tomorrow morning -- the
enemy having massed his for-
ces in the ravines and his
works in front of the centre
and the left of Stevenson.
Distant firing said to have
been heard -- God grant it may
be Johnston! the unusual ac-
tivity & stir among the be-
siegers is I think indicative
of some movement taking place
on their rear; and if they
attempt an assault it will
strengthen this conjecture; for
if the enemy felt secure in
his present position, and as-
sured of his ability to contin-
ue the siege, until our sub-
sistence be exhausted, which
he must know will be soon,
he would much prefer to wait
quietly and patiently for that
event than to lose the numbers of
men that he knows, by ex-
perience, he will have to,
in storming our works; and
that too with doubtful -- very
doubtful -- chance of success.
Matters are drawing rapidly
to a focus, and a week or two
will decide whether this strong
hold with its garrison is to
[be] saved to the confederacy or
sacrificed by the indifference,
imbecility or ignorance of the
administration, or over
caution and want of dash
in the Genl sent to our relief.
That the powers in Richmond
have never realized the "si-
tuation" in this Dept -- its
requirements, the relation of
its strategical points, and
its difficult and exposed
lines of communications -- is
evidenced by the replies made
to demands, urged as posi-
tive and vital necessities:
and the neglect of, and non-
compliance with our requests
that the cavalry (belonging to
this Dept) which was taken
away only temporarily"! and
for a special service, be re-
turned. This deprivation
left us powerless -- impotent
-- as a man with his arms
lopped off -- utterly unable
to protect our front, rear or
flanks, or to keep our lines
of communication. Here
lies the root and foundation
of all the disasters that
have befallen us -- from
four to five thousand cav-
alry -- or even three -- could
have prevented Grant's debark-
ation at Bruinsburg -- or, if
not his, have rendered his
movement thence into the
state hazardous -- yes, fatal
to his army; and have pre-
vented Vicksburg being be-
leaguered and jeoparded, as
it now is. So small an
additon to our strength, in
that branch of the service,
in which we had been left
so utterly deficient,would,
I am firmly convinced, have
saved us! But
To mourn a mischief that is
past & gone,
Is the next way to draw new
mischief on.
& all will be well if it ends
well.
Have I a right to any opinion
on these matters? I think I
have, but being a young whip-
persnapper, probably I ought
to refrain from expressing them;
however, they haven't much
weight with myself, and I
don't expect them to have any
with other people. I do but
form them after a plan, un-
prejudiced -- perhaps superfi-
cial -- regard of the facts and
circumstances by my judge-
ment; and am not dogmati-
cal in forcing them on others.
Quotation from Shakespeare's "Othello"
Wednesday [June] 24 [1863]
[portion of page torn off]
translucent. As an instance
of the hunger that consumes
and excites them - one of
my comr-aides (de camp)
was riding his emaciated
animal down the street
the other day - the poor
beast getting along as best
he could - when they overtook
a lady, imprudently wearing
a green vail - the horse
no sooner saw this appa-
rition of vegetation and food
than he
instantly charged, -
seized and voraciously
[portion of page torn off]
has
malady -
and fears are entertained
of her recovery.
The enemy is daily strength-
ening his line of works around
us, and should Genl Johnston
be unsuccessful in dri-
ving them away, cutting through
them with our garrison, when
subsistence is exhausted, will
be a most difficult and des-
perate undertaking, in which
many men must be lost.
translucent. As an instance
of the hunger that consumes
and excites them - one of
my comr-aides (de camp)
was riding his emaciated
animal down the street
the other day - the poor
beast getting along as best
he could - when they overtook
a lady, imprudently wearing
a green vail - the horse
no sooner saw this appa-
rition of vegetation and food
than he
instantly charged, -
seized and voraciously
[portion of page torn off]
has
malady -
and fears are entertained
of her recovery.
The enemy is daily strength-
ening his line of works around
us, and should Genl Johnston
be unsuccessful in dri-
ving them away, cutting through
them with our garrison, when
subsistence is exhausted, will
be a most difficult and des-
perate undertaking, in which
many men must be lost.
Tuesday [June] 23 [1863]
Rifle 32 pdr opens on the city
from the peninsula this morning
and the huge shell comes tearing
and crashing through the houses
with utter disregard of all
decency, courtesy; and ignoring
as absurd any discrimination
of quarters or Hdqrs.
The Mortars became
reanimate after several days
silence; and again annoy us
more by the great noise of the
explosion of their shells
than fear of their effect on
life and property. The de-
stuction to the latter has
been terrible, but many of
us can look on that with
a calm and dis-interested
eye; one portion of the city-
that most closely built -
where the range of the mor-
tars has continued longest,
is terribly demolished and
presents a sad scene of destruction-
scarcely a single exception
of a house not struck-
most of them being so torn
as will render them useless
and beyond repair. The
shells do not utterly ruin
them when they enter &
fail to burst, but when
they do explode the house
is demolished and often
torn asunder - one of brick
and pretty strong and sub-
stantially built, I noticed
that had two sides blown
out and the floor knocked
to pieces -
from the peninsula this morning
and the huge shell comes tearing
and crashing through the houses
with utter disregard of all
decency, courtesy; and ignoring
as absurd any discrimination
of quarters or Hdqrs.
The Mortars became
reanimate after several days
silence; and again annoy us
more by the great noise of the
explosion of their shells
than fear of their effect on
life and property. The de-
stuction to the latter has
been terrible, but many of
us can look on that with
a calm and dis-interested
eye; one portion of the city-
that most closely built -
where the range of the mor-
tars has continued longest,
is terribly demolished and
presents a sad scene of destruction-
scarcely a single exception
of a house not struck-
most of them being so torn
as will render them useless
and beyond repair. The
shells do not utterly ruin
them when they enter &
fail to burst, but when
they do explode the house
is demolished and often
torn asunder - one of brick
and pretty strong and sub-
stantially built, I noticed
that had two sides blown
out and the floor knocked
to pieces -
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Monday [June] 22 [1863]
The enemy seems to be mas
sing a considerable force at
Warrenton for some purpose
-unknown to us- probably
to be sent down the river for
operation in rear of Big Black
or at Port Hudson, where
Banks is reported to have
been worsted and forced to
abandon the siege; they are
also stated to be moving
some troops up the Yazoo
-Both these movements should
I think result to our ad
vantage and render more
feasible the discomfiture of
the enemy immediately be
sieging Vicksburg, by John
ston; who I sincerely hope
will make a most deter
mined - and if necessary des
perate - attempt to relieve
this garrison and retain oc
cupation of this most vital
position to the integrity of the Confederacy
Some of the ladies here deserve
great praise for the heroism
they have displayed in this
ordeal, and may well be styled
veterans after having endured
for so long a time such a
fire as has been showered
upon this devoted city-
the fire from the enemy is
borne with almost indiffer
ence by many, who seem to
regard it as a matter of course
and scarcely worthy of mention
though we frequently hear of
some female who has met her
death or been maimed thereby
They have made up their minds
to take their chances -- take
into consideration the relative
size of their corporal dimensions
-so mall- in comparison with
the area of fire from the mor
tars; and then disturb them
selves no further, but deport
themselves in true philosophic style. this rule
doesn't hold good with all
the feminines but a few
-the best; for many, when the
bugle is sounded "the mortars
commence! to your caves, O
Israel!" hasten to their holes
and evince a most sincere
and enduring affection for
our common mother, Earth - &
"Tis most fortunate that
we have the hills so conve-
nient for burrowing retreats
for the helpless women and
children, who would other
wise have suffered terribly
from the incessant fire; and
thereby would have been
added another horror to this
already sufficiently trying siege.
sing a considerable force at
Warrenton for some purpose
-unknown to us- probably
to be sent down the river for
operation in rear of Big Black
or at Port Hudson, where
Banks is reported to have
been worsted and forced to
abandon the siege; they are
also stated to be moving
some troops up the Yazoo
-Both these movements should
I think result to our ad
vantage and render more
feasible the discomfiture of
the enemy immediately be
sieging Vicksburg, by John
ston; who I sincerely hope
will make a most deter
mined - and if necessary des
perate - attempt to relieve
this garrison and retain oc
cupation of this most vital
position to the integrity of the Confederacy
Some of the ladies here deserve
great praise for the heroism
they have displayed in this
ordeal, and may well be styled
veterans after having endured
for so long a time such a
fire as has been showered
upon this devoted city-
the fire from the enemy is
borne with almost indiffer
ence by many, who seem to
regard it as a matter of course
and scarcely worthy of mention
though we frequently hear of
some female who has met her
death or been maimed thereby
They have made up their minds
to take their chances -- take
into consideration the relative
size of their corporal dimensions
-so mall- in comparison with
the area of fire from the mor
tars; and then disturb them
selves no further, but deport
themselves in true philosophic style. this rule
doesn't hold good with all
the feminines but a few
-the best; for many, when the
bugle is sounded "the mortars
commence! to your caves, O
Israel!" hasten to their holes
and evince a most sincere
and enduring affection for
our common mother, Earth - &
"Tis most fortunate that
we have the hills so conve-
nient for burrowing retreats
for the helpless women and
children, who would other
wise have suffered terribly
from the incessant fire; and
thereby would have been
added another horror to this
already sufficiently trying siege.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Sunday [June] 21 [1863]
Not a mortar shell sent by the
enemy during the day -- the
first instance that we
haven't been mortified -- as
M - puns - in that period
since the siege.
Desultory firing kept up on
the lines -- no material result.
Enemy has dis-continued work
in sap on Graveyard road
for last two days.
Council of war held on the
subject of the dispatches
last night received.
enemy during the day -- the
first instance that we
haven't been mortified -- as
M - puns - in that period
since the siege.
Desultory firing kept up on
the lines -- no material result.
Enemy has dis-continued work
in sap on Graveyard road
for last two days.
Council of war held on the
subject of the dispatches
last night received.
Saturday [June] 20 [1863]
Most terrific bombardment we
have yet sustained commenced
at daylight, from nearly their
whole line, and continued
without cessation for three
hours and a half -- Mortars
and a columbiad kept up
also an uninterrupted fire
from the peninsula -- The effect
on us not very severe though
many of the shells from the
lines came into the city.
This furor was very probably
intended as a prelude to
an assault, which we were
expecting on our lines for
some hours; but they did
not attempt it and the
natural conclusion is that they
were unable to get their men
up, after the heavy losses they
sustained in the charges of the 22nd
ulto.
At night two couriers arrive,
in about three hours of each
other, from Genl Johnston --
they bring cipher dispatches,
which being very important
are sub rosa
have yet sustained commenced
at daylight, from nearly their
whole line, and continued
without cessation for three
hours and a half -- Mortars
and a columbiad kept up
also an uninterrupted fire
from the peninsula -- The effect
on us not very severe though
many of the shells from the
lines came into the city.
This furor was very probably
intended as a prelude to
an assault, which we were
expecting on our lines for
some hours; but they did
not attempt it and the
natural conclusion is that they
were unable to get their men
up, after the heavy losses they
sustained in the charges of the 22nd
ulto.
At night two couriers arrive,
in about three hours of each
other, from Genl Johnston --
they bring cipher dispatches,
which being very important
are sub rosa
Friday [June] 19 [1863]
Many complain of fatigue &
impatience at the siege being
protracted to such length and
Genl Johnston not moving
to our relief; but as I regard
his not having yet moved
towards us as no evidence
that he will not do so, but
rather as an assurance that
he is endeavoring to render the
attainment of his object sure, and
turning every stone for that
purpose, before essaying the
accomplishment of the huge
task that lies before him, I
am not a whit depressed
at the seeming delay, nor fear-
ful that he will abandon the
attempt for our relief; but
more hopeful for the issue
as his tarrying evinces greater
preparation for the work to
be accomplished -- Few I think
realize what difficulties Genl
J. must overcome in order
to come to our assistance --
he will first have to meet an
army probably trebly his
own in the open field with
chosen position -- overcome
this and drive the enemy
to his entrenchments (who
has beyond a doubt now a
line of contravallation) --
then storm their works, which
we may rely upon as being
very strong, and put to
complete rout the host
threatening it, before Vicksburg
can be again considered out
of the clutches of the foe-
But apart from
this consideration of the prob-
able cause of Genl Johnston's
delay, I am not impatient
of the time we are thus
passing in our beleaguered
city -- we are going through
one of the most interesting
passages in a man's life,
and paying not-at-all
dearly for an experience
which is common to the
fortunes of few -- one which
many of us, I doubt not,
will hereafter often revert
to with pleasure and grate-
ful recollection.
impatience at the siege being
protracted to such length and
Genl Johnston not moving
to our relief; but as I regard
his not having yet moved
towards us as no evidence
that he will not do so, but
rather as an assurance that
he is endeavoring to render the
attainment of his object sure, and
turning every stone for that
purpose, before essaying the
accomplishment of the huge
task that lies before him, I
am not a whit depressed
at the seeming delay, nor fear-
ful that he will abandon the
attempt for our relief; but
more hopeful for the issue
as his tarrying evinces greater
preparation for the work to
be accomplished -- Few I think
realize what difficulties Genl
J. must overcome in order
to come to our assistance --
he will first have to meet an
army probably trebly his
own in the open field with
chosen position -- overcome
this and drive the enemy
to his entrenchments (who
has beyond a doubt now a
line of contravallation) --
then storm their works, which
we may rely upon as being
very strong, and put to
complete rout the host
threatening it, before Vicksburg
can be again considered out
of the clutches of the foe-
But apart from
this consideration of the prob-
able cause of Genl Johnston's
delay, I am not impatient
of the time we are thus
passing in our beleaguered
city -- we are going through
one of the most interesting
passages in a man's life,
and paying not-at-all
dearly for an experience
which is common to the
fortunes of few -- one which
many of us, I doubt not,
will hereafter often revert
to with pleasure and grate-
ful recollection.
Thursday [June] 18 [1863]
The enemy has placed in
battery two parrot guns on
peninsula just opposite the
city, and with them annoys
us a good deal, having range
raking the streets; and is so
well protected by the levee
that we have been as yet
unable to silence him with
our heavy guns. the mor-
tars have fired compara-
tively few shots in the
last two or three days.
At night had a con-
siderable picket fight in
front of Cummings -- the
enemy brings in two reg-
iments and a section of
artillery, but we are suc-
cessful, and keep the line
contended for.
Brigadier General Alfred Cumming
battery two parrot guns on
peninsula just opposite the
city, and with them annoys
us a good deal, having range
raking the streets; and is so
well protected by the levee
that we have been as yet
unable to silence him with
our heavy guns. the mor-
tars have fired compara-
tively few shots in the
last two or three days.
At night had a con-
siderable picket fight in
front of Cummings -- the
enemy brings in two reg-
iments and a section of
artillery, but we are suc-
cessful, and keep the line
contended for.
Brigadier General Alfred Cumming
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday [June] 17 [1863]
Thirty one days since the com-
mencement of the siege, and not
relieved yet. Should we not be
succored before we have to surren-
der for want of subsistence I
think the onus of the blame for
the loss of this stronghold -- so vastly
important to the confed-
eracy -- should rest with the
administration or Genl Johnston;
for surely if ever garrison be-
haved well and nobly under
trying circumstances, and
endured fatigue and hard-
ships on reduced rations with-
out murmuring, these soldiers
have; and really deserve the
highest praise for the man-
ner in which they have ac-
cepted and complied with the
necessity of remaining con-
tinually in the trenches for
thirty one days consecutively --
receiving the incessant fire of
artillery and sharpshooters from
the enemy, and laboring to
repair the damage done their
works. The length of time that
our men have had to undergo
this continual strain upon
their powers of endurance, with
the prospect of having to con-
tinue to bear it for some time
longer, is I think without a
precedent in the annals of
war, when we take into con-
sideration -- the relative forces
of the enemy that beleaguers
us and our small garrison --
that almost any portion of
our small area within the
works may be crossed fired
on by them from land and
river -- and that there is no
relief for the men at all but
they have to remain in the
trenches uncomfortably crowded
day in and day out. Credit
and honor for such patient
endurance should hereafter be
awarded them by the country.
mencement of the siege, and not
relieved yet. Should we not be
succored before we have to surren-
der for want of subsistence I
think the onus of the blame for
the loss of this stronghold -- so vastly
important to the confed-
eracy -- should rest with the
administration or Genl Johnston;
for surely if ever garrison be-
haved well and nobly under
trying circumstances, and
endured fatigue and hard-
ships on reduced rations with-
out murmuring, these soldiers
have; and really deserve the
highest praise for the man-
ner in which they have ac-
cepted and complied with the
necessity of remaining con-
tinually in the trenches for
thirty one days consecutively --
receiving the incessant fire of
artillery and sharpshooters from
the enemy, and laboring to
repair the damage done their
works. The length of time that
our men have had to undergo
this continual strain upon
their powers of endurance, with
the prospect of having to con-
tinue to bear it for some time
longer, is I think without a
precedent in the annals of
war, when we take into con-
sideration -- the relative forces
of the enemy that beleaguers
us and our small garrison --
that almost any portion of
our small area within the
works may be crossed fired
on by them from land and
river -- and that there is no
relief for the men at all but
they have to remain in the
trenches uncomfortably crowded
day in and day out. Credit
and honor for such patient
endurance should hereafter be
awarded them by the country.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday [June] 16 [1863]
[Stamped on page: Headquarters Department, Miss. and East La., Jackson, Miss. Official Business]
Enemy's heavy artillery keeps
up continuous fire -- their
attention specially directed
to work on Jackson road, --
which is consequently battered
very much: as the parapet
is knocked away we sink
a pit just in rear of it to protect
the men. They can knock down
in half an hour all the repairs
that we could put up in a night.
The sap on Graveyard road
has now reached to within 25 feet
of us -- our countermine is pro-
gressing well and it is now
reduced to the question who is
going to be the smarter and
blow up the other first. A
curious state of things at this
point: by cautiously looking
over you can see their gabion
within a few feet of you -- and
distinctly hear them pick as
they work. they are also work-
ing up by sap on the Jackson
road and on Lee's front, but
have not as yet advanced so
near our work.
It requires untiring energy
and most incessant labor to
keep the works in a defensible
state; and Lockett deserves much
credit for the promptness with
which he meets every emergency
that arises, and overcomes with
his small corps of sappers and
miners, and very limited means,
every endeavor of the enemy
as yet made to destroy our
works.
Major Samuel H. Lockett, chief engineer.
Enemy's heavy artillery keeps
up continuous fire -- their
attention specially directed
to work on Jackson road, --
which is consequently battered
very much: as the parapet
is knocked away we sink
a pit just in rear of it to protect
the men. They can knock down
in half an hour all the repairs
that we could put up in a night.
The sap on Graveyard road
has now reached to within 25 feet
of us -- our countermine is pro-
gressing well and it is now
reduced to the question who is
going to be the smarter and
blow up the other first. A
curious state of things at this
point: by cautiously looking
over you can see their gabion
within a few feet of you -- and
distinctly hear them pick as
they work. they are also work-
ing up by sap on the Jackson
road and on Lee's front, but
have not as yet advanced so
near our work.
It requires untiring energy
and most incessant labor to
keep the works in a defensible
state; and Lockett deserves much
credit for the promptness with
which he meets every emergency
that arises, and overcomes with
his small corps of sappers and
miners, and very limited means,
every endeavor of the enemy
as yet made to destroy our
works.
Major Samuel H. Lockett, chief engineer.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday [June] 15 [1863]
Same routine -- with probably
a little more severe artillery
fire on some portions of our
line than usual --
At night when we were
posting our pickets in front
of Lee - the officer in charge
found the enemy posting his
at the same time -- when they
had come with their men to
within two or three yards of
one another -- said the Confed-
erate officer "Don't come any
nearer". "Don't you come any
nearer: replied the Yankee.
"Well, I'm ordered to place my
pickets here and I must do
it -- so keep off"
"But I've got this part of the
line now" said the Yank "let's
make an agreement not to fire
on each other"
"I can't do that" said the
Confed -- "but don't come any
closer", and there by a sort
of tacit agreement the pickets
of the opposing armies stood
all night so close to each
other that they could have
crossed bayonets. Conver-
sations are carried on every
night from the trenches by our
troops with the enemy -- those
on each side exercising their
wits at repartee &c--
a little more severe artillery
fire on some portions of our
line than usual --
At night when we were
posting our pickets in front
of Lee - the officer in charge
found the enemy posting his
at the same time -- when they
had come with their men to
within two or three yards of
one another -- said the Confed-
erate officer "Don't come any
nearer". "Don't you come any
nearer: replied the Yankee.
"Well, I'm ordered to place my
pickets here and I must do
it -- so keep off"
"But I've got this part of the
line now" said the Yank "let's
make an agreement not to fire
on each other"
"I can't do that" said the
Confed -- "but don't come any
closer", and there by a sort
of tacit agreement the pickets
of the opposing armies stood
all night so close to each
other that they could have
crossed bayonets. Conver-
sations are carried on every
night from the trenches by our
troops with the enemy -- those
on each side exercising their
wits at repartee &c--
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday [June] 14 [1863]
Day opens pretty brash on
the lines. Mr. Mortar has
little to say, till afternoon,
when he opens more briskly.
Expedition put on foot to
complete the burning of the
gunboat Cincinnati -- the
water having fallen so much
as to leave more wood work
above, and the enemy
being reported moving the guns
from her -- After keeping up a
fire of 15 minutes intervals
on the boat & adjacent
woods until about 9 o'c they start,
but fail in the carrying out
of their object as they find
the boat guarded --
"Policy may be allowed to
govern us, in matters of interest,
rather than "principle"' when no
infraction of moral law is in-
volved in following the line of
conduct indicated by it.
One is not to be Pickwickian
enough to go to a debtors' prison
on "principle" when funds in
hand can keep him out.
Though you may dislike
and even despise those
under you, who may be made
instruments of your advance-
ment; yet they should not
be made your sworn enemies
by your line of conduct, but
rather conciliated and used -
as a matter of policy.
the lines. Mr. Mortar has
little to say, till afternoon,
when he opens more briskly.
Expedition put on foot to
complete the burning of the
gunboat Cincinnati -- the
water having fallen so much
as to leave more wood work
above, and the enemy
being reported moving the guns
from her -- After keeping up a
fire of 15 minutes intervals
on the boat & adjacent
woods until about 9 o'c they start,
but fail in the carrying out
of their object as they find
the boat guarded --
govern us, in matters of interest,
rather than "principle"' when no
infraction of moral law is in-
volved in following the line of
conduct indicated by it.
One is not to be Pickwickian
enough to go to a debtors' prison
on "principle" when funds in
hand can keep him out.
Though you may dislike
and even despise those
under you, who may be made
instruments of your advance-
ment; yet they should not
be made your sworn enemies
by your line of conduct, but
rather conciliated and used -
as a matter of policy.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Saturday [June] 13 [1863]
Unusually quiet during day.
In the night a heavy gun
that they have erected across
the river in front of the city,
and their guns on our ex-
treme left of land front
kept up a pretty continuous
fire. A sap on Genl Smith
has reached within 50 feet
of our work -- we tried hand
grenades against them, but
with ill success -- are now
counter mining and will
endeavor to blow up the
devils --
Capt Sanders with another
man, bringing 200,000 caps
arrived tonight from Genl
Johnston -- he has been nearly
two weeks en route -- had with
him 15 men, to carry the caps --
left 14 over in the swamp
between here and Yazoo river.
They had a severe time of it
coming through -- had to march
for great distance through im-
practicable swamp and drag
their canoe with them -- sub-
sisting as best they could on
berries and craw fisth -- S.
starts back tomorrow
night.
In the night a heavy gun
that they have erected across
the river in front of the city,
and their guns on our ex-
treme left of land front
kept up a pretty continuous
fire. A sap on Genl Smith
has reached within 50 feet
of our work -- we tried hand
grenades against them, but
with ill success -- are now
counter mining and will
endeavor to blow up the
devils --
Capt Sanders with another
man, bringing 200,000 caps
arrived tonight from Genl
Johnston -- he has been nearly
two weeks en route -- had with
him 15 men, to carry the caps --
left 14 over in the swamp
between here and Yazoo river.
They had a severe time of it
coming through -- had to march
for great distance through im-
practicable swamp and drag
their canoe with them -- sub-
sisting as best they could on
berries and craw fisth -- S.
starts back tomorrow
night.
Friday [June] 12 [1863]
Since the 10th we have had
the usual amount of
firing on land and river
fronts -- on 11th the mortars
were particularly furious
and spiteful -- seven shells
being in the air at once,
sometimes -- an average of
two a minute. The enemy
has opened with a colum-
biad, on Hébert -- battered
his works a great deal;
but as our parapets are
destroyed we sink lower
into the hill and thus
each night repair the
effects of their fire during
the day -- no nearer reduc-
tion than we were three
weeks ago -- in deed if any-
thing stronger, except that
so unprecedented a length
of time for the men in the
trenches necessarily wearies
them: and the reduced
rations very naturally also
tells upon them; but, as
far as I am informed on
the subject, their spirits
are still good and their
determination to hold out
and withstand the enemy
as long as our supplies
last, is strong. In a day
or two the beef gives out and
we must come down to
mules, cats and dogs et id
omne genus -- if we would
eat meat at all. I think
I would refrain from it
but that it will hereafter
add to the interest of our
siege here to think of our
having become such epicures
as to get up such dishes
as barbecued cat, dog-
steaks, rat soup &c
Two of our heavy guns on
extreme right of river bat-
teries, near left of entrench-
ments, badly battered by
the enemy's heavy
artillery [-] of their
parapets all knocked to
pieces and burnt.
Courier arrived from
Genl Johnston today --
gave us great gratifica-
tion to hear once again
from the outside world --
The papers he brought
were greedily devoured
by us all: and from
them the principal news
was taken and reprinted
on small sheet here for
the benefit of the soldiers.
Sheet -- editorials &c - gotten up
by Louis Montgomery, who
has before been at the busi-
ness of newspaper editing.
the usual amount of
firing on land and river
fronts -- on 11th the mortars
were particularly furious
and spiteful -- seven shells
being in the air at once,
sometimes -- an average of
two a minute. The enemy
has opened with a colum-
biad, on Hébert -- battered
his works a great deal;
but as our parapets are
destroyed we sink lower
into the hill and thus
each night repair the
effects of their fire during
the day -- no nearer reduc-
tion than we were three
weeks ago -- in deed if any-
thing stronger, except that
so unprecedented a length
of time for the men in the
trenches necessarily wearies
them: and the reduced
rations very naturally also
tells upon them; but, as
far as I am informed on
the subject, their spirits
are still good and their
determination to hold out
and withstand the enemy
as long as our supplies
last, is strong. In a day
or two the beef gives out and
we must come down to
mules, cats and dogs et id
omne genus -- if we would
eat meat at all. I think
I would refrain from it
but that it will hereafter
add to the interest of our
siege here to think of our
having become such epicures
as to get up such dishes
as barbecued cat, dog-
steaks, rat soup &c
Two of our heavy guns on
extreme right of river bat-
teries, near left of entrench-
ments, badly battered by
the enemy's heavy
artillery [-] of their
parapets all knocked to
pieces and burnt.
Courier arrived from
Genl Johnston today --
gave us great gratifica-
tion to hear once again
from the outside world --
The papers he brought
were greedily devoured
by us all: and from
them the principal news
was taken and reprinted
on small sheet here for
the benefit of the soldiers.
Sheet -- editorials &c - gotten up
by Louis Montgomery, who
has before been at the busi-
ness of newspaper editing.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday [June] 8th [1863]
Comparatively quiet on the
lines -- mortar fire severe
at intervals through the
day & night. Nothing
positive heard of Johnston;
a report from the enemy
says he has been skirmishing
with them for three days,
and had captured about
a regiment of their cavalry.
Various rumors afloat --
that Price has Helena --
Smith at Milliken's bend --
Lee has Arlington Heights --
one doesn't know what to
believe.
Prospect of our soon having
to eat mule meat, unless
relieved.
lines -- mortar fire severe
at intervals through the
day & night. Nothing
positive heard of Johnston;
a report from the enemy
says he has been skirmishing
with them for three days,
and had captured about
a regiment of their cavalry.
Various rumors afloat --
that Price has Helena --
Smith at Milliken's bend --
Lee has Arlington Heights --
one doesn't know what to
believe.
Prospect of our soon having
to eat mule meat, unless
relieved.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Sunday [June] 7 [1863]
Mortars renew their fire
with ncreased range and
fury -- throw their shells
beyond the city and almost
into the trenches. Usual
fire kept all day and
night on land front -- Miss:
river falling rapidly -- enemy's
gunboats seem to stand in
very wholesome awe of our
heavy batteries, since the
sinking of the Cincinnati:
The larger boats of the fleet
below will soon be aground,
unless they risk the gaunt-
let of our river guns, to
get above.
with ncreased range and
fury -- throw their shells
beyond the city and almost
into the trenches. Usual
fire kept all day and
night on land front -- Miss:
river falling rapidly -- enemy's
gunboats seem to stand in
very wholesome awe of our
heavy batteries, since the
sinking of the Cincinnati:
The larger boats of the fleet
below will soon be aground,
unless they risk the gaunt-
let of our river guns, to
get above.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Saturday [June] 6 [1863]
Three weeks since the unfor-
tunate battle of Baker's Creek!
There is every prospect of our
being able to hold out here
so long as our subsistence
and ammunition last -- God
grant that Johnston may
overcome the enemy before
either is expended.
No fire from mortars today --
quite a relief! Artillery &
sharpshooters fire kept
up all the day on the line,
with about usual loss to
us. Distant firing said
to have been distinctly heard
during the night in the
direction of Snyder's Mills --
conjecture is that our
cavalry is there operating
on rear of enemy.
tunate battle of Baker's Creek!
There is every prospect of our
being able to hold out here
so long as our subsistence
and ammunition last -- God
grant that Johnston may
overcome the enemy before
either is expended.
No fire from mortars today --
quite a relief! Artillery &
sharpshooters fire kept
up all the day on the line,
with about usual loss to
us. Distant firing said
to have been distinctly heard
during the night in the
direction of Snyder's Mills --
conjecture is that our
cavalry is there operating
on rear of enemy.
Friday [June] 5 [1863]
Fire from mortars ceased --
it is said they have been
carried up the river -- more
probable they are out of
ammunition -- We make
reconnoisances along the
whole line and endeavor to
throw our [-] through
them to the rear -- unable
to do so. Apparently enemy
is nearer the attainment of
his object than he was two
weeks ago -- they are however
daily strengthening and en-
larging their works. I wonder
that they have not brought
mortars to bear on our land
front -- "twoud I fear greatly
demoralize our men. No
news from Johnston.
it is said they have been
carried up the river -- more
probable they are out of
ammunition -- We make
reconnoisances along the
whole line and endeavor to
throw our [-] through
them to the rear -- unable
to do so. Apparently enemy
is nearer the attainment of
his object than he was two
weeks ago -- they are however
daily strengthening and en-
larging their works. I wonder
that they have not brought
mortars to bear on our land
front -- "twoud I fear greatly
demoralize our men. No
news from Johnston.
Wednesday [June] 3 [1863]
Very quiet during the day.
Brief gunboat attack at
night, with no important
result -- they retiring after
becoming satisfied. Fire
kept up in the line of en-
trenchments through the
night -- caused by our
pushing reconnoitring par-
ties on their lines. Fire
from mortars slackened greatly.
Brief gunboat attack at
night, with no important
result -- they retiring after
becoming satisfied. Fire
kept up in the line of en-
trenchments through the
night -- caused by our
pushing reconnoitring par-
ties on their lines. Fire
from mortars slackened greatly.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Monday 1st June [1863]
On the lines pretty quiet --
mortar firing continues.
Opinions seems to prevail
that the enemy has diverted
the bulk of his force to the
rear to meet Johnston.
Ten couriers sent to us with
20,000 caps apiece said to have
been taken by the enemy --
Unfortunate! we need
musket caps very much.
The Yankees are well in-
formed of all our wants
& appointments -- one of
their pickets called to our
men "how do you like pea-
bread" -- we had, for economy,
been only for a day or two,
mixing ground peas with
the meal -- Deserters from
us have informed them.
Terrific fire at mid-night --
work of an incen-
diary -- destroyed a whole
block, many foods and
stores -- loss very heavy --
Whilst the fire was raging,
and all our efforts to
arrest its progress futile,
the shells from the river
and land fronts added to
the interest and excitement
of the occasion; and led
us to congratulate ourselves
on being so fortunate as
to participate in the gaie-
ties and festivities of a
beleaguered city.
A spirit medium in town
has a good deal to say as
to what will be the devel-
opments of the future -- pre-
dicts that Johnston will
come Wednesday next -- will
whip the enemy capturing
many prisoners -- that
we will participate in the
battle and Montgomery &
Withers be killed. Gammn!
Colonel Louis M. Montgomery, one of Pemberton's staff officers?
Colonel William Temple Withers (1825-1889)?
mortar firing continues.
Opinions seems to prevail
that the enemy has diverted
the bulk of his force to the
rear to meet Johnston.
Ten couriers sent to us with
20,000 caps apiece said to have
been taken by the enemy --
Unfortunate! we need
musket caps very much.
The Yankees are well in-
formed of all our wants
& appointments -- one of
their pickets called to our
men "how do you like pea-
bread" -- we had, for economy,
been only for a day or two,
mixing ground peas with
the meal -- Deserters from
us have informed them.
Terrific fire at mid-night --
work of an incen-
diary -- destroyed a whole
block, many foods and
stores -- loss very heavy --
Whilst the fire was raging,
and all our efforts to
arrest its progress futile,
the shells from the river
and land fronts added to
the interest and excitement
of the occasion; and led
us to congratulate ourselves
on being so fortunate as
to participate in the gaie-
ties and festivities of a
beleaguered city.
A spirit medium in town
has a good deal to say as
to what will be the devel-
opments of the future -- pre-
dicts that Johnston will
come Wednesday next -- will
whip the enemy capturing
many prisoners -- that
we will participate in the
battle and Montgomery &
Withers be killed. Gammn!
Colonel Louis M. Montgomery, one of Pemberton's staff officers?
Colonel William Temple Withers (1825-1889)?
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Sunday [May] 30 [1863]
Remarkably quiet all
day. At 3 at night fierce
bombardment of city by
Parrrott guns -- their line
of fire about 2 miles --
much injury done to the
houses, --comparatively little
loss of life thereby.
day. At 3 at night fierce
bombardment of city by
Parrrott guns -- their line
of fire about 2 miles --
much injury done to the
houses, --comparatively little
loss of life thereby.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday [May] 29 [1863]
Heavy artillery fire, of
Parrott guns, at daylight,
has more effect on the town
than the works. Numbers
of animals killed since the
siege, in and outside of town --
carcasses are dragged to river
daily. Mortar firing severe
at intervals. Courier from
Genl. Johnston -- he will come
to our relief as soon as he
can collect a sufficient
force -- Come Joe! Come
quickly!
Parrott guns, at daylight,
has more effect on the town
than the works. Numbers
of animals killed since the
siege, in and outside of town --
carcasses are dragged to river
daily. Mortar firing severe
at intervals. Courier from
Genl. Johnston -- he will come
to our relief as soon as he
can collect a sufficient
force -- Come Joe! Come
quickly!
Thursday [May] 28 [1863]
Enemies busy in making bat-
teries and trenches -- completing
their line of circumvallation.
Firing not very vigorous
until late in afternoon,
when they open with artillery --
very heavy on the left --
They bombard severely with mor-
tars till dark -- continue
through the night firing
at intervals of 1/2 hour.
teries and trenches -- completing
their line of circumvallation.
Firing not very vigorous
until late in afternoon,
when they open with artillery --
very heavy on the left --
They bombard severely with mor-
tars till dark -- continue
through the night firing
at intervals of 1/2 hour.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday [May] 27 [1863]
the day commenced with the
habitual sharp shooting &
artillery fire. From the first
their sharp shooters have
been so numerous & the
fire so accurate that on
any limb being exposed 'twas
certain to be struck. About
9 o'c the gunboats below
moved up and opened on
lower works -- mortars bom-
bard furiously. The Cin-
cinnati, a turreted gunboat,
largest class, attacked upper
batteries and was sunk after
3/4 hour engagement. Lower
boats driven off --
After this it was quite quiet. Engin-
eers at work as usual, at
night, repairing and improving
the works.
habitual sharp shooting &
artillery fire. From the first
their sharp shooters have
been so numerous & the
fire so accurate that on
any limb being exposed 'twas
certain to be struck. About
9 o'c the gunboats below
moved up and opened on
lower works -- mortars bom-
bard furiously. The Cin-
cinnati, a turreted gunboat,
largest class, attacked upper
batteries and was sunk after
3/4 hour engagement. Lower
boats driven off --
After this it was quite quiet. Engin-
eers at work as usual, at
night, repairing and improving
the works.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday [May] 26 [1863]
The firing of the enemy continues
throughout the day without in-
termission, but with not much
vigor -- Heavy bombardment
at night from mortars. Works
on river front and Warrenton
road pushed ahead rapidly.
Rumors of fighting being heard
towards Big Black. Nothing
positive from without.
throughout the day without in-
termission, but with not much
vigor -- Heavy bombardment
at night from mortars. Works
on river front and Warrenton
road pushed ahead rapidly.
Rumors of fighting being heard
towards Big Black. Nothing
positive from without.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday [May] 25 [1863]
Enemy appears in force on War-
renton & Hall's Ferry roads. Firing
kept up till 6 o'clock -- when flag
of truce is sent to allow them
to bury dead of Friday's fight.
Working party sent to obstruct
flat on our fight, below town --
guard captures 100 prisoners --
enemy prevents the work.
Nothing from outside world.
renton & Hall's Ferry roads. Firing
kept up till 6 o'clock -- when flag
of truce is sent to allow them
to bury dead of Friday's fight.
Working party sent to obstruct
flat on our fight, below town --
guard captures 100 prisoners --
enemy prevents the work.
Nothing from outside world.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday [May] 24 [1863]
Firing of the enemy unusually
slack nearly all day -- artillery
heavy just before dark. Mortar
boats bombard fiercely all day.
Enemy attempts to sap out-
work on Jackson road -- are
run out by hand grenades.
Engineers at work at night
throughout the line strengthening
and repairing. No assault
attempted. rumors of John-
ston's approach current --
obtained from Yankee prisoners.
Prospect brightens.
slack nearly all day -- artillery
heavy just before dark. Mortar
boats bombard fiercely all day.
Enemy attempts to sap out-
work on Jackson road -- are
run out by hand grenades.
Engineers at work at night
throughout the line strengthening
and repairing. No assault
attempted. rumors of John-
ston's approach current --
obtained from Yankee prisoners.
Prospect brightens.
Saturday [May] 23 [1863
Unusually quiet. Not much
arty fire until late in eve-
ning -- sharpshooters more
cautious. Enemy evidently
staggered by yesterday's repulse --
many of their dead lying in
sight of our trenches -- Mor-
tar boats still bombard
the city day & night -- Engineers
at work at night repairing
Moore's Hiberts & Lee's works --
which are much shattered.
arty fire until late in eve-
ning -- sharpshooters more
cautious. Enemy evidently
staggered by yesterday's repulse --
many of their dead lying in
sight of our trenches -- Mor-
tar boats still bombard
the city day & night -- Engineers
at work at night repairing
Moore's Hiberts & Lee's works --
which are much shattered.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Friday [May] 22 [1863]
Enemy's fire of artillery &
sharpshooters incessant &
heavy until noon, when it
slackened. Gunboats
make an attack -- no im-
portant result. Enemy makes
determined assaults in force
on Moore's, Hébert's and Lee's
lines -- reach the entrench-
ments & gain the parapet
at some points but are
repulsed with heavy loss.
We take some stands
of colors & some few
prisoners. At 4 o'c as-
sault made on Genl Smith --
handsomely repulsed.
Heavy bombardment of
mortars - considerable in-
jury to town
Brig. Gen. John C. Moore
Brig. Gen. Louis Hébert
Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Lee
Brig. Gen. Morgan L. Smith
sharpshooters incessant &
heavy until noon, when it
slackened. Gunboats
make an attack -- no im-
portant result. Enemy makes
determined assaults in force
on Moore's, Hébert's and Lee's
lines -- reach the entrench-
ments & gain the parapet
at some points but are
repulsed with heavy loss.
We take some stands
of colors & some few
prisoners. At 4 o'c as-
sault made on Genl Smith --
handsomely repulsed.
Heavy bombardment of
mortars - considerable in-
jury to town
Brig. Gen. John C. Moore
Brig. Gen. Louis Hébert
Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Lee
Brig. Gen. Morgan L. Smith
Thursday [May] 21st [1863]
Enemy continues incessant
fire of artillery & musketry
on our lines -- we rarely
reply -- hoarding our am-
munition. several of our
guns dismounted -- our
casualties considerable.
Cols Ivy, Hall & Patton
wounded. In afternoon mortar boats and gunboats
open on the city -- fire
scattered all over town --
women & children pretty
generally "caved in". No
perceptible progress as yet
towards reduction. Nothing
from Genl Johnston
Colonels Edward Ivy and Isaac W. Patton of the 21st Louisiana ?
Colonel Winchester Hall of the 26th Louisiana?
fire of artillery & musketry
on our lines -- we rarely
reply -- hoarding our am-
munition. several of our
guns dismounted -- our
casualties considerable.
Cols Ivy, Hall & Patton
wounded. In afternoon mortar boats and gunboats
open on the city -- fire
scattered all over town --
women & children pretty
generally "caved in". No
perceptible progress as yet
towards reduction. Nothing
from Genl Johnston
Colonels Edward Ivy and Isaac W. Patton of the 21st Louisiana ?
Colonel Winchester Hall of the 26th Louisiana?
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday [May] 20 [1863]
enemy continues to move
towards our right -- heavy
cannonading kept up from
the left -- to the R.R. -- several
of our guns disabled &
some loss incurred, chiefly
officers. Shelling begins
from the mortar boats upon the city. No as
saults --
towards our right -- heavy
cannonading kept up from
the left -- to the R.R. -- several
of our guns disabled &
some loss incurred, chiefly
officers. Shelling begins
from the mortar boats upon the city. No as
saults --
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday [May] 19 [1863]
Heavy skirmishing on the
left of centre, on Graveyard
road -- brisk artillery fire
kept up by enemy all
day -- assaults made on
Smith's right and Forney's
left -- repulsed with severe
loss -- Sharpshooters
& arty open on Jackson and
Baldwin's Ferry roads.
Major General John Horace Forney (1829-1902)
left of centre, on Graveyard
road -- brisk artillery fire
kept up by enemy all
day -- assaults made on
Smith's right and Forney's
left -- repulsed with severe
loss -- Sharpshooters
& arty open on Jackson and
Baldwin's Ferry roads.
Major General John Horace Forney (1829-1902)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday [May] 18 [1863]
Troops placed in trenches --
Everything put in readiness
for a siege. Enemy reported,
about noon, on Jackson
road -- skirmishing commenced
on the Brown's ridge and Grave
yard road. Exterior line
of works left by Genl
Smith, by order, the interior
line being much stronger --
Enemy much elated by this
next morning.
Everything put in readiness
for a siege. Enemy reported,
about noon, on Jackson
road -- skirmishing commenced
on the Brown's ridge and Grave
yard road. Exterior line
of works left by Genl
Smith, by order, the interior
line being much stronger --
Enemy much elated by this
next morning.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Saturday [May] 16 [1863]
"Battle of Baker's Creek"
Enemy's skirmishers open
early on our right -- near Mrs.
Ellliston's house. Line of
battle formed between two
Raymond roads, on cross
road. Battle fairly opened
on left about midday.
Enemy flanks our position
by vastly superior numbers,
and forces us to retire
about 4 p.m. Tilghman
killed late in the action --
Loring covers retreat -- is
cut off -- carries his command
to Jackson.
General Lloyd Tilghman (1816-1863)
General William Wing Loring (1818-1886)
Enemy's skirmishers open
early on our right -- near Mrs.
Ellliston's house. Line of
battle formed between two
Raymond roads, on cross
road. Battle fairly opened
on left about midday.
Enemy flanks our position
by vastly superior numbers,
and forces us to retire
about 4 p.m. Tilghman
killed late in the action --
Loring covers retreat -- is
cut off -- carries his command
to Jackson.
General Lloyd Tilghman (1816-1863)
General William Wing Loring (1818-1886)
Friday [May] 15 [1863]
Army moved from Eds
Depot on the Clinton road
in afternoon -- cross to
Raymond road -- encamp
on cross road and Ray-
mond road -- Head of
column near Mrs. Elliston's
house on the latter.
March much confused
by bad road and darkness
of night.
Depot on the Clinton road
in afternoon -- cross to
Raymond road -- encamp
on cross road and Ray-
mond road -- Head of
column near Mrs. Elliston's
house on the latter.
March much confused
by bad road and darkness
of night.
Thursday [May] 14 [1863]
Army drawn up in line
of battle at Edwards
Depot -- Raining all
day -- Bakers Creek
reported swimming on
the Raymond road -- Several
prisoners captured by our
pickets report Smith's
Division near Dillons --
and it is gleaned from
them that Grant has been
reinforced from Rosecrans
of battle at Edwards
Depot -- Raining all
day -- Bakers Creek
reported swimming on
the Raymond road -- Several
prisoners captured by our
pickets report Smith's
Division near Dillons --
and it is gleaned from
them that Grant has been
reinforced from Rosecrans
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday [May] 13 [1863]
Jackson taken by the enemy.
Genl Johnston with about
6000 men falls back
towards Canton. Army
moves from Big Black
to Edward's Depot. This
move made by P. in o-
bedience to instructions -- con-
sidered by himself "suici-
dal" -- all his general
officers were in favor of
the movement.
Genl Johnston with about
6000 men falls back
towards Canton. Army
moves from Big Black
to Edward's Depot. This
move made by P. in o-
bedience to instructions -- con-
sidered by himself "suici-
dal" -- all his general
officers were in favor of
the movement.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday [May] 12 [1863]
Main part of army ordered
towards Big Black bridge.
Genl P. goes to Bovina.
Genl Gregg falls back
before the enemy, who
is pressing him, towards
Jackson.
towards Big Black bridge.
Genl P. goes to Bovina.
Genl Gregg falls back
before the enemy, who
is pressing him, towards
Jackson.
Monday [May] 11 [1863]
"Battle of Raymond"
Genl Gregg with one brigade
fights Logan's Division
near Raymond - has to fall
back towards Jackson -
Few reinforcements arriving
at Jackson - under Gist
and Walker
Brigadier General John Gregg (1828-1864) Later killed during Grant's Overland Campaign.
Major General John A."Black Jack" Logan (1826-1886) later a Congressman and Senator for Illinois and unsuccessful candidate for Vice President in the election of 1884.
General States Rights Gist (1831-1864) After Vicksburg he was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee and was killed in the Battle of Franklin during Hood's invasion of Tennessee.
Major General William Henry Talbot Walker (1816-1864) Later killed in the battle for Atlanta.
Genl Gregg with one brigade
fights Logan's Division
near Raymond - has to fall
back towards Jackson -
Few reinforcements arriving
at Jackson - under Gist
and Walker
Brigadier General John Gregg (1828-1864) Later killed during Grant's Overland Campaign.
Major General John A."Black Jack" Logan (1826-1886) later a Congressman and Senator for Illinois and unsuccessful candidate for Vice President in the election of 1884.
General States Rights Gist (1831-1864) After Vicksburg he was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee and was killed in the Battle of Franklin during Hood's invasion of Tennessee.
Major General William Henry Talbot Walker (1816-1864) Later killed in the battle for Atlanta.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday [May] 10 [1863]
All quiet in front of
Vicksburg. Enemy moving
towards Raymond -- they
appear at Halls and
Baldwins Ferries.
Line of battle still kept
in Warrenton road. For-
tifying on Signal Hill &
Smedes[?] point.
Vicksburg. Enemy moving
towards Raymond -- they
appear at Halls and
Baldwins Ferries.
Line of battle still kept
in Warrenton road. For-
tifying on Signal Hill &
Smedes[?] point.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
[May] 6th [1863]
From this date until the fight
at Raymond nothing of im-
portance transpired -- all were
busy making preparations
for meeting the enemy at
Big Black bridge and along
the Warrenton road.
Reconnaissances are made
in all directions, but
little information can be
gained of the movements
of enemy on account of
great deficiency in cavalry.
Greatest mistake that was
ever made -- depriving us
of our cavalry in this dept.
as well take the arms off
a man and expect him
to defend himself.
Wirt Adams' cavalry regiment
watching enemy's line of
March towards Raymond &
Jackson
We are anxiously expect-
ing reinforcements from the
East.
at Raymond nothing of im-
portance transpired -- all were
busy making preparations
for meeting the enemy at
Big Black bridge and along
the Warrenton road.
Reconnaissances are made
in all directions, but
little information can be
gained of the movements
of enemy on account of
great deficiency in cavalry.
Greatest mistake that was
ever made -- depriving us
of our cavalry in this dept.
as well take the arms off
a man and expect him
to defend himself.
Wirt Adams' cavalry regiment
watching enemy's line of
March towards Raymond &
Jackson
We are anxiously expect-
ing reinforcements from the
East.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
[May] 5th [1863]
Our army still
in line along the Warrenton
and Baldwin's Ferry road.
Enemy still reported moving
towards Raymond & Jackson
in large force and in several
columns.
in line along the Warrenton
and Baldwin's Ferry road.
Enemy still reported moving
towards Raymond & Jackson
in large force and in several
columns.
[May] 4th [1863]
In statu quo. Enemy reported
moving on the Rocky Springs
road and crossing in small
parties at the lower Big Black
Ferries.
moving on the Rocky Springs
road and crossing in small
parties at the lower Big Black
Ferries.
Monday, May 3, 2010
[May] 3rd [1863]
Our army takes line of
the Big Black, covering
the Ferries. Bowen at
Big Black bridge. Loring
at Edward's Depot --
Forney & Smith at V'burg
and Snyder's Mill.
the Big Black, covering
the Ferries. Bowen at
Big Black bridge. Loring
at Edward's Depot --
Forney & Smith at V'burg
and Snyder's Mill.
[May] 2nd [1863]
Loring joins Bowen and
they continue to retire to
Big Black. Genl Pemberton
goes to Vicksburg. Our troops
reach Hankinson's Ferry
and cross on bridge of boats.
Enemy does not pursue.
Lt. General John C. Pemberton (1814-1881)
they continue to retire to
Big Black. Genl Pemberton
goes to Vicksburg. Our troops
reach Hankinson's Ferry
and cross on bridge of boats.
Enemy does not pursue.
Lt. General John C. Pemberton (1814-1881)
May 1st [1863]
Bowen sends Flag of Truce
to bury his dead -- permis
sion not granted by the
enemy -- Loring and Steven
son on way to reinforce
Bowen. He falls back, before
they arrive, in direction of
Hankinsons's Ferry, Big Black
river
General William Wing Loring (1818-1886) who had lost at arm in the Mexican War and was known as "Old Blizzards" after an engagement on March 16 at Fort Pemberton, Greenwood, Miss., in which he stood on a parapet shouting "Give them blizzards boys."
General Carter Littlepage Stevnson, Jr. (1817-1888)
to bury his dead -- permis
sion not granted by the
enemy -- Loring and Steven
son on way to reinforce
Bowen. He falls back, before
they arrive, in direction of
Hankinsons's Ferry, Big Black
river
General William Wing Loring (1818-1886) who had lost at arm in the Mexican War and was known as "Old Blizzards" after an engagement on March 16 at Fort Pemberton, Greenwood, Miss., in which he stood on a parapet shouting "Give them blizzards boys."
General Carter Littlepage Stevnson, Jr. (1817-1888)
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday 30th [May 1, 1863]
Battle of Port Gibson
Heavy skirmishing commen
ced at 1 o'clock a.m. Battle
opens early in the morning.
Enemy in vastly superior
numbers held in check by
Bowen with 5000 men all
day. Bowen withdraws
across Bayou Pierre. Genl
Tracy killed -- our loss about
1000 all told. Reinforece-
ments were immediately
sent to Bowen on his inform-
ing Hayes [?] of the enemy's
landing at Bruinsburg -- were
unfortunately too late to save his position --
this was the turning point of the cam
paign
General Edward Dorr Tracy (1833-1863)
General John Stevens Bowen (1830-1863)
The Battle of Port Gibson was fought on May 1, 1863. Both Taylor's misdating and his last sentence indicates that this may be a later clean copy of his diary.
Heavy skirmishing commen
ced at 1 o'clock a.m. Battle
opens early in the morning.
Enemy in vastly superior
numbers held in check by
Bowen with 5000 men all
day. Bowen withdraws
across Bayou Pierre. Genl
Tracy killed -- our loss about
1000 all told. Reinforece-
ments were immediately
sent to Bowen on his inform-
ing Hayes [?] of the enemy's
landing at Bruinsburg -- were
unfortunately too late to save his position --
this was the turning point of the cam
paign
General Edward Dorr Tracy (1833-1863)
General John Stevens Bowen (1830-1863)
The Battle of Port Gibson was fought on May 1, 1863. Both Taylor's misdating and his last sentence indicates that this may be a later clean copy of his diary.
[April] 29 [1863]
Enemy in force at Bruins
burg -- move upon Port
Gibson. Part of Green's
brigade skirmish with
their advance -- Fall
back to Port Gibson
burg -- move upon Port
Gibson. Part of Green's
brigade skirmish with
their advance -- Fall
back to Port Gibson
28th [April 29, 1863]
Heavy bombardment of
Grand Gulf -- continues half
the day -- one boat disabled.
Batteries not injured -- Col
Wade, Cap Arty, killed. Boats
ran past Grand Gulf at
night -- Enemy lands his
troops at Bruinsburg.
Taylor's diary is off by one day in his later recopying of an earlier volume. The action at Grand Gulf actually occurred on April 29.
Colonel William Wade, commander of Wade's Missouri Battery, was decapitated during the bombardment [Terrence J. Winschel]
Grand Gulf -- continues half
the day -- one boat disabled.
Batteries not injured -- Col
Wade, Cap Arty, killed. Boats
ran past Grand Gulf at
night -- Enemy lands his
troops at Bruinsburg.
Taylor's diary is off by one day in his later recopying of an earlier volume. The action at Grand Gulf actually occurred on April 29.
Colonel William Wade, commander of Wade's Missouri Battery, was decapitated during the bombardment [Terrence J. Winschel]
[April] 27th [1863]
Grierson's raid through the
state kicking up a thun-
dering rumpus
Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson with 1700 cavalry left La Grange, Tenn on April 17 on a raid into Mississippi to divert attention from Grant's Vicksburg offensive. By the 27th they were deep in Confederate territory.
state kicking up a thun-
dering rumpus
Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson with 1700 cavalry left La Grange, Tenn on April 17 on a raid into Mississippi to divert attention from Grant's Vicksburg offensive. By the 27th they were deep in Confederate territory.
Monday, April 26, 2010
[April] 26 [1863]
Heavy skirmishing on La
shore between enemy and Maj.
Harrison's cavalry -- continues
nearly all day. Small tug
passes Vicksburg -- not hurt.
Enemy still pressing down
on the Louisiana shore.
Lt. Colonel Isaac Harrison of the 15th Louisiana Cavalry Battalion.
shore between enemy and Maj.
Harrison's cavalry -- continues
nearly all day. Small tug
passes Vicksburg -- not hurt.
Enemy still pressing down
on the Louisiana shore.
Lt. Colonel Isaac Harrison of the 15th Louisiana Cavalry Battalion.
Friday, April 23, 2010
[April] 25th [1863]
Enemy appears at Thompson's
Hill and in the Ballard plan
tation -- Fire an occasional
shot at the batteries with long
range rifle piece -- 5 gunboats
in sight. Enemy appears on
land at Hard Times.
Hill and in the Ballard plan
tation -- Fire an occasional
shot at the batteries with long
range rifle piece -- 5 gunboats
in sight. Enemy appears on
land at Hard Times.
[April] 24th [1863]
Enemy begins to fire occasio
nal shots at the Grand Gulf
batteries. Batteries established
at Winkler's Bluff and Thomp
son's Hill. Rifle pits erected to
cover river front at Grand Gulf.
nal shots at the Grand Gulf
batteries. Batteries established
at Winkler's Bluff and Thomp
son's Hill. Rifle pits erected to
cover river front at Grand Gulf.
April 22 [1863]
Enemy reported passing from
Young's [?] Point to Hard Times
and St. Joseph's on La shore -
5 gunboats in sight above
Grand Gulf. Six transports
pass Vicksburg --two disabled
"In front of Vicksburg a Federal flotilla of six transports and twelve barges attempted to pass the batteries. One transport and six barges were sunk, but the remainder carried....supplies to Grant's men below the city." Long Civil War Day by Day
Young's [?] Point to Hard Times
and St. Joseph's on La shore -
5 gunboats in sight above
Grand Gulf. Six transports
pass Vicksburg --two disabled
"In front of Vicksburg a Federal flotilla of six transports and twelve barges attempted to pass the batteries. One transport and six barges were sunk, but the remainder carried....supplies to Grant's men below the city." Long Civil War Day by Day
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