The trite saying of Gen. Sherman that “war is hell” cannot be fully
appreciated by the people of this generation; only those who have been
through the horrors of war on the battle field and in the hospitals,
can fully realize the horrors of war. Let me tell you how one brave man
of my company lost his life through the most reckless foolishness. One
day during the siege he succeeded in procuring some whisky from some
unknown source and drank enough of it to make him half drunk. While in
this condition he took it into his head to go out in the open and march
out towards Fort Hill, and finding something of interest in the open
field, he brought it to camp and boasted to the boys where he got it.
Some one went and reported to the First Sergeant that E---- was drunk
and had said that he was going to walk right up on top of Fort Hill.
The Sergeant detailed a Corporal to watch E---- and keep him in camp,
but the soldier having enough whisky in him to make him reckless and
without reason or sense, escaped his watch and went boldly up to Fort
Hill and climbed the fort, but when on top a bullet from the enemy
laid him low. As we boys got the body of our comrade that night and
buried it, we could not help but say, that if poor E---- had let the
accursed whisky alone he would have been living, and we then declared
that liquor was a greater enemy than the men who opposed us with their
muskets.
On the 3rd day of July, 1863, a white flag was seen, nearly opposite
to the “White House.” Firing ceased in that vicinity and presently
several Confederate officers approached our lines to confer with Gen.
Grant. The General declined meeting them, but sent word he would meet
Gen. Pemberton at 3 o’clock in front of Gen. McPherson’s lines. Soon
after Gen. Pemberton came out and met Gen. Grant under a big tree,
about midway between the two lines, where they had a conference as to
the surrender of Vicksburg, “The Gibralter of America.” After a talk of
an hour, possibly, Gen. Pemberton returned inside the fortifications,
and then after correspondence lasting until the next day, terms of
surrender were finally agreed upon, and on Saturday, July 4, 1863, the
anniversary of American Independence, the garrison of Vicksburg marched
out of the works it had defended so long, and stacking their arms,
hung their colors on the center, laid off their knapsacks, belts and
cartridge boxes, and thus shorn of the accoutrements of the soldier,
marched down the road into the city. They went through the ceremony
with that downcast look, so touching on a soldier’s face. Not a word
was spoken, save the few words of command necessary to be given by
their officers, and these were given in a subdued manner. What an army
it was--30,000 men and 172 cannon. Gen. J. B. McPherson, commanding
the 17th Army Corps, addressed a letter to Col. Rawlins, chief of staff
to Gen. Grant, saying, “If one regiment goes in advance to the court
house to take possession, I respectfully request that it be the 45th
Illinois. This regiment has borne the brunt of the battle oftener than
any other in my command and always nobly.” Col. Rawlins endorsed this
letter, stating that it was left to Gen. McPherson to designate such
regiment as he saw proper to go forward and take possession of the
court house. Gen. McPherson then sent a letter to Gen. John A. Logan,
commanding the third division: “I suggest that the 45th Illinois take
the advance in going into the city.” Now the boys in blue take up their
line of march into the city. Gen. Badeau, in his history of Gen. Grant
says: “Logan’s division was one of those which had approached nearest
the works, and now was the first to enter the town. It had been heavily
engaged in both assaults and was fairly entitled to this honor. The
45th Illinois Infantry marched at the head of the line and placed its
battle-torn flag on the court house in Vicksburg. Gen. Grant and Gen.
Logan rode into the town at the head of Logan’s division.”
When inside the works, and in the city, the men of the two armies
affiliated at once. Groups of Union and Confederate soldiers could
be seen wherever there was a shady place; the Union soldier pumping
the rebel and giving him in return for the information hard tack and
bacon, which the poor famished fellows accepted with a grateful look.
The Confederates reclined on the glass and while munching their hard
tack, tell what they “reckon” is their loss; how long they “allowed” to
hold out; how our sharpshooters killed “right smart” of their men and
they wish “we’uns” and “you’uns” could have this war ended and all live
together in peace. Many of the Union and Confederate soldiers were
seen walking arm in arm; they felt they were countrymen. Five days’
rations were issued to the prisoners, consisting of bacon, hominy,
peas, coffee, sugar, soap, salt and crackers.
Here is what one of the Confederates wrote about it: “How the famished
troops enjoyed such bounteous supplies, it is needless to state. For
once the brave boys were now objects of their enemy’s charity. They
grew jovial and hilarious over the change in their condition. The
Yankees came freely among them and were unusually kind. They asked
innumerable questions and were horrified at the fact of the men eating
mules and rats.” After feeding and paroling this large army of men, for
it took several days to parole them, they silently and sadly marched
out and off to their homes, while the boys in blue and the people of
the North were full of rejoicing. Here is a few lines, composed by one
of the boys in blue at the time:
“The armies of the Union
’Round Vicksburg long had lain,
For forty-seven days and nights,
Besieging it in vain.
Then came the morning of the Fourth,
Our nation’s jubilee.
Ah, could the news this hour go forth,
In Vicksburg soon we’ll be.
The siege is done, the struggle past,
On this eventful day;
Glad tidings crown us as at last
Our thanks to God we pay.”
Yes, Old Glory floated over Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, and what
rejoicing there was throughout the North when the news came to your
homes that Vicksburg had fallen. Yes, Old Glory still floats there,
and may we earnestly hope it will continue to wave as long as the city
remains. We can rejoice today that we live to see a reunited people
with one country and one flag. But while rejoicing, let us not forget
those who have died on fields of honor, and while the years glide
on, let the dead of Raymond, Champion Hills and Vicksburg never be
forgotten. Let us think of them as standing guard over our dearly
won prize, until the bugle sounds for silence, while the angel calls
the roll. The third largest national cemetery in the United States is
located at Vicksburg. Each of the small head stones marks the resting
place of a hero. Seventeen thousand Union soldiers are buried in the
50 acres in this consecrated spot, of which 12,957 have the simple
inscription, “Unknown,” marked on their head stones. But they are not
unknown to Him who cares for all. He takes cognizance of the heroes who
fell fighting for their country and for freedom. Although their names
are missing from the roster of the city where their ashes lie, still
the great Jehovah keeps the record of the brave, and He will reward
them in His own good time.