line of battle, our brigade on the left of Smith’s. We held this
line until afternoon. On the right they fought a little, some balls
passing over our heads. About 1 o’clock we moved up and formed a line.
Shells passed over our heads, one man in our regiment was wounded
and three horses killed. By this time our batteries were planted and
the cannonading became general. It lasted until 3 o’clock and then
slackened and we moved to the right about half a mile. McPherson, Logan
and Stevenson are in the thickest of it. We hear that Sherman’s right
rests on the Mississippi, and McClernand’s left, below. If so they
have them completely surrounded. All praise to Gen. Grant. The country
is rough and hilly, and the hills steep and rugged, and run in ranges
parallel around the town. At 1 o’clock we moved still further to the
left and a little forward. Wounded men are being brought in rapidly. We
lay here till morning.
MAY 20. Wednesday. We were astir early and took breakfast. Cannonading
began at daylight. We were ordered back to our brigade and moved up to
the road. Shells were thrown over, so we moved to the right and were
drawn up. Here we were protected by a hill, and awaited orders. We were
soon ordered to the left, and advanced about half a mile or more, and
lay under the brow of a hill which protected us from the enemy’s fire.
Their line of works are but forty rods in advance.
10 o’clock--Batteries on our right have opened and there is a regular
artillery duel going on over our heads. There is an occasional
premature burst, one of which seriously wounded Dare. Doty and Shaw
each got a slight rap. Our line of skirmishes are on the hill above.
I went up and skirmished a while and fired fifty-nine rounds. While
there, word was brought me that Frank was slightly wounded. The ball
hit a pocket, which was full of things, broke a looking glass, the
handle of a toothbrush, and a thick letter from Cousin Sarah. It
merely broke the skin, making a bruise. He had not fired a single
shot. Seven of our regiment were wounded today. We lay here all
night. A singular incident happened during the night. We struck up a
conversation with the Rebels. One of our boys, after talking a long
time, found he was talking with an old friend. Inquiries were made for
mutual acquaintances, and they had a real social time. Finally they
laid down their arms and came together. The line of fire that followed
the shell from our gunboats and mortars sent over that ill-fated town
was a grand sight.
MAY 21. Thursday. At daylight the implements of death and destruction
were opened once more. I saw some splendid work done by our artillery
and there were many little incidents worthy of note. Three shots came
very near hitting me, one went between Doty’s head and mine, which were
about a foot apart. Brisk fighting all day. Bill Stafford came here
and I wrote a few lines home and sent them by him to mail. At dark the
firing ceased and a lively chat was again opened by the contending
parties. It looked singular to see men fighting with deadly aim during
the day, and then spending the night in friendly conversation. I slept
in the same hollow. Gunboats and mortars fired at regular intervals.
MAY 22. Our line of skirmishes opened at daylight as usual. 7
o’clock--Scaling ladders are being brought around. 10 o’clock--Deployed
for the charge. Terrific cannonading going on over our heads. Shells
are prematurely bursting, wounding our own men. Night--The day has
finally passed away. The 81st Ill. and the 7th Mo. made the charge
and were repulsed. Charging was done along the whole of the lines,
but it was not a concerted movement and proved a total failure, owing
probably to the nature of the grounds. Our boys charged up to the works
in splendid style but were not supported. The Confederates raised and
poured deadly volumes among them and swept their ranks with grape. We
left a good many killed and wounded upon the field. Among the officers,
the Colonel of the 81st was killed and Humphries of the 95th. Our
regiment made no charge, but advanced close to the works and acted
as sharpshooters, and when our charging column was repulsed, we were
ordered to retreat. J. R., fool-like, gave the order loud and distinct,
and as we fell back they poured the musketry and grape among us. We
finally returned to the old camp, having lost eighteen, killed and
wounded. The Rebel works extend as far as the eye can see. They are a
succession of forts and rifle pits.
MAY 23. Saturday. Rainy. How I wish I had a clean shirt or time to wash
this! We were up in good time and moved toward the scene of action.
We again acted as skirmishers. No charges were made today. We lost two
men. As soon as it was dark, Sweeny, Chester and myself dug a fort on
the brow of the hill, and also a line of retreat. While we were at work
the Rebels struck up a conversation. They were lively and sociable.
They wanted to meet us half way and have a sensible chat. They appeared
quite confident of holding the place. They made a great many inquiries
after old friends and acquaintances. They are tired of war, generally
and said they wish old Abe and Jeff Davis had to fight it out. They
said they would give anything for a little coffee. The conversation
became too general and our batteries opened and put a quietus on it by
sending over a few quiet reminders.
MAY 24. Sunday. Up early and took our position behind the works. I had
fired but one shot when we were relieved by the 80th Ill., and returned
to camp for a day’s rest. Toward noon Grant issued an order for each
man to wash and clean up. The order was quickly and gladly obeyed.
Captain Wheeler’s company returned today. Bill was here but a short
time when he was wounded. Two of our men were wounded. The rumor is
afloat that Joe Johnston is coming up in our rear. It had the effect
of closing up a lot of miserable stragglers. We have a line of rifle
pits dug within five or six rods of the Rebel works, running parallel,
from which the 20th Ill. is trying to undermine the main fort. The
Rebels are no doubt suspicious of their intentions, for they began to
rain down grenades upon them. About this time a sad accident happened.
One of the thirty-two pound parrots threw a shell among the 20th, which
took off the legs and an arm for one poor fellow, a leg and an arm for
another, killed two, and wounded several others. This double attack
was too much for them and they fell back. This encouraged the Rebels
and they rose and poured a heavy and continued fire upon us, which was
finally silenced by our sharpshooters and artillery. Lavonan’s division
has been sent back to take care of the rear. We are confident of
success. I stood one hour picket tonight.
MAY 25. Monday. A good deal of firing and some cannonading up to 3
o’clock, when a flag of truce came out. I was over the hills after
plums at the time. There was a cessation of firing along the whole
line. Dispatches were sent to Gen. Grant. Logan went down to the Hollow
where he met the Rebel Colonel Montgomery, a major and a number of
other officers. Hostilities were suspended till 8 o’clock and we went
over and buried our dead of the day of the charge. They had lain three
days in the sun and had turned black. Firing had no sooner ceased along
the line than the contending parties mingled like a flock of sheep.
A great many found friends and relatives, and two or three found
brothers. The Rebels were very anxious to exchange for coffee. They
are, taken altogether, the finest looking lot of Confeds I have seen.
We mingled to such an extent that their officers ordered them back, I
think that they were afraid to trust them, for a good many did desert.
When they turned back they bade us good-bye and said it was hard to
open hostilities again. Frank is around. I got a letter from home.
MAY 26. Tuesday. Very little artillery firing this forenoon. I went
down to Cook’s quarters, got some paper for Buck, and wrote home. They
are connecting headquarters with telegraph wires. One man was wounded
this afternoon. One brigade from each division is moving back to the
rear. They moved about 11 o’clock at night, under the command of Gen.
Frank Blair. Heavy details are at work entrenching.
MAY 27. Wednesday. Moved back to the next hollow in the night. This
morning Brophy was wounded. The day was mostly spent in fixing up cane
brake shanties or shades. Toward night, Wood of Co. A was killed.
MAY 28. Thursday. We were ordered sharpshooting this morning. Nothing
extraordinary happened. Dick Stephens was killed this afternoon--shot
through the head. I was on guard last night. They threw three or four
shells over us. Were busy all the fore part of the night issuing
rations, and bringing water from the river. Col. Smith came back today.
MAY 29. Friday. We were relieved and returned to camp early this
morning. Jim Chesher was wounded. The ball passed through our shanty
and over me. Our artillery along the whole line opened this morning and
it was a grand sight. The Rebels dare not reply. They did not show a
piece. We fired one hour this morning and one this evening--giving them
their daily rations, also opened in the night pouring hundreds of shot
and shell among them.
MAY 31. Sunday. Today ends one month of active campaign, which has
so far been successful, and I do not see why it should not end more
brilliantly than it has begun. I hope to Heaven it will. Bill Stafford
brought over the news this morning that Joe Johnston is fortifying
Jackson. Our knaps came in from Young’s Point today all right. The
weather is hot and sultry. Some artillery firing. I went upon the hill
this evening to see the mortars shell the town. The sight is beautiful,
but it is sad to think of those deadly missiles so faithfully doing
their work of destruction. Many a family tie has no doubt been severed.
We hear that a great many women and children have been killed. Surely
the instigators of war ought to suffer.
JUNE 1. Monday. A terrific cannonading was opened and kept up a long
time from our line last night. I think it must have awakened some of
the Rebels from their slumbers. Rumors are afloat this morning that
the Confeds tried to cut their way through but were driven back. We
had inspection of arms this morning, by Reynolds, at 10 o’clock. The
artillery are getting a heavy supply of ammunition ready at their
batteries and are preparing for operations. The weather is hot. We have
a well dug in the quarters, which furnishes good water.
JUNE 2. The mortar boats were unusually active last night, and part
of the town was burned. It made a grand illumination. Towards morning
infantry firing opened, also artillery. We were immediately formed for
action, not knowing what was coming, but we thought it was the Rebs.
It finally died down and we lay ready to fall in at a moment’s notice,
but were not disturbed until morning. We were up before the sun,
preparing to be out sharpshooting. Our artillery opened the middle of
the afternoon and poured a perfect torrent of shot and shell over us. A
good many burst among us. One man was wounded and we thought ourselves
very lucky that no more were hurt. At night our boys tried to strike up
a confab with the enemy, but not a word could be drawn from them. They
were as silent as their works.
JUNE 3. Wednesday. We were relieved early and returned to camp. Quiet
during the day. Siege guns are coming up and heavy details are at work,
entrenching and fortifying. About 8 o’clock, just as I had gone to bed
and gotten to sleep, after a good wash, we were awakened by the boom of
musketry, and ordered to form our line of battle immediately. We did
so. Co. K and one or two others were held in reserve while the others
were at work digging rifle pits. The firing gradually died away as it
did the night before, and we lay down at 2 o’clock in the morning,
dressed and equipped so as to be ready to fall in at a moment’s
warning. It was rumored that the Rebs were making a desperate effort to
cut their way through the net Grant completely enclosed them in, but
the rumor proved false.
JUNE 4. Thursday. All quiet. Heavy details were made to work on
fortifications. One detail was at work digging a magazine which caved
in and killed one man and wounded another from our regiment. I was on
the detail that worked on the big fork of the road. I worked for over
an hour in plain view of the Rebel sharpshooters on the right. They
were not more than one hundred and fifty or two hundred yards distant.
I expected a ball every minute, but for some reason they didn’t fire
until our relief came on and then they sent a volley over. The work
we are constructing here is on an eminence not more than twenty rods
from the main Rebel fort. From here one can see the river, town, and a
large hospital camp, also three lines of works, mostly rifle pits. We
have heard that the fire in town the other night was their commissary
depot and that the citizens set it on fire to end their sufferings,
which were beyond their power of patriotism and fortitude to endure. It
is rumored that they first requested Pemberton to cut out or surrender.
The Rebels called over the line the other night for us to look out as
they had a new General. We asked who it was and they replied: “General
Starvation.” Blair’s expedition is returning from the rear; they went
within sixteen miles of Yazoo City, but old Joe was nowhere to be
found. A division has just come down from above. I wrote home today.
JUNE 5. Friday. All quiet today, I went out with Boggs and picked some
blackberries. At dusk I went up to look at the fort, and after dark got
over to look at the “land gunboat” as it is called. Frank went over to
the Point after some of the Captain’s things.
JUNE 6. Saturday. There was a little skirmish last night on the left.
Drove in the Rebel outposts and captured one prisoner. A number of
deserters came in today. Six siege guns are coming up from the river.
Today is the quietest we have had since we took up our position before
the town.
JUNE 7. Sunday. Up early, regiment formed and went out skirmishing.
The Rebels command a hollow which we were obliged to cross. They poured
in quite a fire, but no one was hurt. The regiment came across all
right.
JUNE 8. Monday. The company formed before daylight and we crossed the
exposed hollow before light, leaving three men at the rifle pits.
Artillery firing tonight. Boggs and I went up to the big fort. It is
progressing finely. We were fired at from there. After dark they had
a regular moonlight skirmish and in the fracas our “land gunboat” was
burned. We succeeded in running it nearly up to the fort.
JUNE 9. Tuesday. Went back about one and one-half miles with Doty and
Boggs, got three quarts of berries, and took a good wash. Very hot and
dusty. We are anxiously looking for rain. Our eighty-four pound siege
gun has arrived.
JUNE 10. Wednesday. We had not more than finished our early breakfast
when the flood gates of heaven, with all its artillery opened. The
rain poured down on our houseless heads in torrents. We covered up
our things with oilcloths as best we could and sat on them to keep
them dry. Some of the boys were located in the ditch, but they were
doomed to a complete rout. The water came sweeping down in torrents,
bearing shanties, rails, and every obstruction before it. The ditch was
no sooner filled than it overran the bottom, sending the occupants
skadaddling to higher ground. It rained all day in showers, not giving
us time to dry our blankets. It has most effectively laid the dust. The
Rebs have taken advantage of the rain and tried to plant a battery, but
our artillery poured in round after round, slightly deranging their
plans. We have our eighty-four pounder mounted. Was detailed for guard
at the ammunition magazine just before night. We had another heavy
shower after dark.
JUNE 11. Thursday. It cleared off in the course of the day but the
ground is muddy. We had another man wounded today, making thirty-nine
in all. Our big gun threw over some shell and did splendid work. Our
division has about forty cane breakers, none from our regiment. They
have to work at fatigue. There is talk of working them into a pioneer
corps. It is reported that Grant has gone up the Yazoo and left
McPherson in command. McPherson is gaining the good will of his corps
rapidly. He is almost universally liked and esteemed. We were relieved
early and returned to camp. I exchanged my minnie for an Enfield.
JUNE 12. Friday. Some artillery along the line. The old gun
occasionally sends over its dirt disturbers. We have had a beautiful
day. The Rebs sent over a few shells, one of which burst over our
regiment, but hurt no one. Doty, Schultz and I went after blackberries
this morning. I got five or six quarts. Troops are coming up the
landing and going up to the Yazoo. Huron’s command went up yesterday.
They had an engagement at Milliken’s Bend. Negro troops were in action
and are reported to have done well. Frank Bishop was killed.
JUNE 14. Sunday. Another fine day. Rebs unusually active, throwing
shell. They have one gun that is causing us considerable trouble. It
is back in the rear and our artillery cannot disturb it. I wrote home
today.
JUNE 15. Monday. We were aroused at 3 o’clock this morning. The company
was formed and went out sharpshooting. The enemy were rather quiet,
but they had a piece of artillery or mortar directly opposite from
which they sent over shell all day. It was out of sight, but we had our
artillery loaded and ready and as soon as we could see the smoke from
their guns the shells were put in from all directions. A number burst
prematurely. They killed Milligan of Co. A, and wounded three others.
Boggs got a slight rap. It hit his gun first and spoiled that, and then
hit him on the arm. As soon as it was dark we struck up a conversation.
Uncle Ben and four of the others went down and met an equal number of
Confeds. They had quite a chat, but could get no satisfaction from it.
They say they have lain in rifle pits nearly a month. The 36th Miss.
is opposite us. They all tell us the Tenn. and Mo. troops are kept in
the rear because they cannot trust them on the outposts. Two or three
deserted and came over to headquarters last night. They showed three
days’ rations, it would have done for one meal, such as it was--a small
strip of thin pork and a chunk of bread baked out of peas. They came to
the conclusion they would rather die cowards than martyrs.
JUNE 16. Tuesday. Up at 5 o’clock and returned to camp. Doty and I
started for blackberries. I picked a gallon. Davis got an order for
flour and sugar. Ragan baked pies. Frank and I got a letter from home.
JUNE 17. Wednesday. Cool and pleasant. Rebs threw over a good many
shell from their guns. We always knew when it was coming for it was
heralded by six or eight shots from our batteries. I helped make out
muster rolls today.
JUNE 18. Thursday. I worked at muster rolls almost all day. About noon
I was agreeably surprised to be accosted by Pat Gallegher and George
Hissung. Pat is Captain, and George is about to be Second Lieutenant.
I was extremely glad to see them. They both look the same as ever and
are bodyguards of Smith, who is on our left. Frank got a pass and went
over to Hovey’s division to find A. B. Knight, but he was wounded at
Champion Mills, caught and paroled by the Rebs and sent north, and I
expect by this time he is at home. He was a good soldier.
JUNE 19. Friday. We were called from our slumbers by bursting shells
and they continued to come at regular intervals all day. They were
shrapnel filled with a handful of small balls, which rained down in a
perfect shower among us, but fortunately no one was hurt. Their guns
are in hollows and used as mortars out of range of ours and we can do
no better than let them shoot. A good many of our boys are burrowing
into the hillside. We received the melancholy news last evening of the
death of Dare. Poor fellow! he was a good soldier and a true patriot.
One shell from the Rebs’ old mortar fell directly into the tent of
Stolbrand (chief of artillery on Logan’s staff) bursting in the ground,
tearing everything to pieces, and scattering dirt on the writing desks
in other tents, but strange to tell, no one was hurt. Stolbrand was out.
JUNE 20. Saturday. Last night deserters came in reporting another
massing of troops, and about 2 o’clock in the morning our brigade
formed and were ordered up to the rifle pits. The pits were filled
without Co. K, and we marched back to camp as reserve, so I lay down
and slept until morning. About 4 o’clock Logan’s old whistling Jack
sent over its eighty-four pound messenger. This was the signal for
the whole line to open. From six to eighty-four pounders now united
in pouring over a perfect shower of shell on doomed secession. This
continued until 10 o’clock, six long hours. When we were through they
opened their old mortar and another gun. The shell from the small
gun burst over our brigade, throwing numberless pieces among us. One
shell struck on the left of the 7th Mo., in the midst of a crowd
standing around a well. They immediately fell down and rolled away.
The shell burst, tore up the ground, and hurt no one. Such accidents
are constantly occurring, but the boys are not always so fortunate. We
partly expected a charge today. Sappers and miners are digging into the
fort; we can see them from above. Gen. McClernand is relieved and O. E.
Ord takes command of his corps.
JUNE 21. Sunday. We were ordered out at 3 o’clock for skirmishing. We
had a six pounder planted between Co. C’s pits and ours. Johnny Moe,
1st Lieut. Co. C, was shot through the leg, and had it taken off. The
Rebs continue to be quite active and use their mortar considerably. One
of their shells struck one of our big guns, beside which one of the
Generals was standing. It glanced down the side opposite him, battering
the carriage, but hurt no one though it exploded. There is a place
between picket post and camp where five or six Red sharpshooters have
a fine range. Mail came in early this morning. I received letters
from Uncle P., Aunt C. and Rosalie. Papers also came in, and with them
the report of another invasion of Pennsylvania. Report said the Rebs
were already at Chambersburg. I got a pass and went over to Smith’s
division to see Hissung and the boys. I found them all well but Bill
H. I had a good time and returned to camp the middle of the afternoon.
Two men were wounded in camp today. We had roll call this evening. Gen.
Johnston has at last crossed the Black with a force variously estimated
at from thirty to seventy thousand. Divisions, brigades, and batteries
are being detached and sent to meet him. It is reported that Grant and
McPherson have gone to the rear in person. If the Rebs wrest Vicksburg
from us now they must pay dear for it.
JUNE 23. Tuesday. Sweeny and I went to work remodelling our shanty this
morning and at 11 o’clock were detailed on fatigue to fix Gen. Logan’s
bomb-proof underground cellar. We finished it about noon. I took a
knife from his culinary department. The regiment was called on for
numerous details of fatigue duty today.
JUNE 24. Wednesday. I was awakened about 10 o’clock last night by
the roars of artillery and musketry. An incessant fire was kept up
for two hours. We learned today that the Rebs made a sortie but were
driven back. They wanted to hinder us advancing our lines but did not
succeed. Day before yesterday I saw some of the cavalry bring in ripe
peaches and green corn.
JUNE 25. Thursday. We hear the forces in our rear have had a slight
engagement. Our forces fell back until they had their position and then
repulsed the Rebs and drove them back in confusion. The cheering and
acceptable rumor of the capture of Port Hudson has reached us. It is
said to be official. The latest news from the east is that the Rebel
raid is rapidly progressing and they are within forty-seven miles of
Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania. Lee and his generals are
surely adopting Napoleon’s tactics. It yet remains to be seen whether
they have the genius to carry out the bold and fearless plans. It is
now 2 o’clock. The artillery is getting busy, and it is rumored that we
shall have work before night. The brigade was formed in rifle pits at
the brow of the hill. Gen. J. Leggett’s brigade was formed in the rear
of the fort. We lay here an hour before the explosion took place. It
was followed by four others that we could see, and a general opening
of artillery along the whole line, and also the mortars and gunboats
and fleet. As soon as it occurred, regiments filed up parallel with the
fort and poured a close and deadly fire into the enemy’s face. Hand
grenades were freely used on both sides. We lost severely and did not
accomplish our object. The fault must have been the engineers’. The
fort was not destroyed, the concussion was not near what we expected
it would be. We lay there all night. The throwing of hand grenades was
kept up. At dusk I went and drew a new gun.