I rejoined my command at Morton station on the M. & O. Railroad. The
object of the second fight at Jackson, as I understood it, was to get in
the rear of the investing army of Vicksburg under General Grant. General
Joseph E. Johnston expected a reinforcement, sufficient so as to cut off
supplies from the invading army, and to attack it in the rear, while
General Pemberton might make a sortie and attack it in the front, and
thus save Vicksburg from capture. Our reinforcement never came. We then
moved to Vaughn Station and thus hung in the rear of Grant, but not
strong enough to venture an attack, unless in concert with General
Pemberton who was defeated at Big Black and bottled up in Vicksburg, his
stronghold. A very sad incident happened in our camp. Lieutenant Ruben
Bland, a very kind officer and beloved by all his men, died. His brother
Sim, as stated, was killed at the first fight at Jackson. They were very
much attached to each other and brooding over his misfortune, some
thought he took opium with suicidal intent, others thought otherwise.
The writer was sitting on a box on the railroad platform, smoking his
pipe. Close to the platform stood the Company's ambulance. In passing me
Lieutenant Bland remarked, "Well, Ike, you seem to enjoy your pipe," I
answered, "I do, I smoke the pipe of peace," he smiled and said, "Yes,
everything looks peaceable here, I believe I am going to take a nap in
this ambulance." About a quarter of an hour after, Quinten Dudley who
was Hospital Steward, had cause to get some medicine out of the medicine
chest that Dr. Stewart kept in the ambulance. He immediately gave the
alarm that Lieutenant Bland was dead. I could not believe it. I jumped
off the platform into the ambulance, and there lay Lieutenant Bland
stretched out in full length, his face purple. Dr. Stewart, who at once
was on hand opened an artery on top of his head. He bled freely. He
tried to get up artificial respiration by working his arm back and
forth, but to no avail. Bland was dead beyond recovery and mourned by
every member of the Company.
It was on a very warm June day when I concluded to have a general
cleaning up. It must be remembered that we lost all of our personal
effects, which we destroyed to keep them from falling into the enemy's
hands, and our wardrobes only consisted of what we carried on our backs
and filth begot what we called "creepers", and one not used to such made
him feel most miserable, so I took a camp kettle which also served for
our culinary purposes to boil my clothes in, and while they were drying
in the sun, I crept into the bushes in the shade and fell asleep. During
my repose some miscreant stole my shirt, and for several weeks I did not
have a shirt on my back, so one day it came to my knowledge that Gen. W.
H. T. Walker, our Division Commander, having been promoted, and Colonel
Claude Wilson, was appointed as Brigadier General in his place, offered
a reward of thirty days furlough and a fine saddle horse to ride during
the war to any man that would carry a dispatch to General Pemberton who
was then besieged in Vicksburg. I told Sergeant Hines if any man needed
a furlough I did, in the fix I was in. I believe I will go and offer my
services. He laughed and said, "Well, good luck old fellow." So I
started to headquarters which were in an abandoned farm house, about a
quarter of a mile distant from where our battery was in camp. I walked
to the sentinel who halted me. I want to see Gen. Walker. "You can't get
in." "Call the officer of the guard," says I, which he did and the
Lieutenant came up. I stated to him that I wanted to see Gen. Walker.
"Follow me," says he, which I did. There were at least from twenty to
twenty-five officers of all grades sitting in a large room, engaged, it
seemed to me, in social conversation. I walked straight up to General
Walker and stated my business, and what I had heard he offered to any
man who would successfully carry a dispatch to General Pemperton at
Vicksburg. "I thought, if any man needed a furlough, it was I." Opening
my jacket which was closely buttoned, although it was a hot day in July,
I displayed my nakedness. "I have not even, as you see, a shirt to
wear." It raised a giggle among some of the officers, while others
looked upon me in sympathy. I stated how I lost that only shirt I
possessed. Just at that time entered Major Martin. Recognizing me, he
said, "Hermann, you here?" He seemed rather surprised. I stated the
object of my visit. He turned to General Walker, saying, "General, I
stand sponsor for this man. He belongs to my battery, and he is one of
the best." I inclined my head in recognition of the compliment paid me,
and he extended me his hand. In the meantime, General Walker called me
and said, "You see that small trunk in yonder corner. Therein is my
wardrobe. I believe I have three shirts therein; that is all I have--I
divide--go and get you one. We are about the same size. I hope it will
fit you." I made for the little hairy trunk, no bigger than a good hand
valise and slightly oval, opened the lid, saying, "Beggars ought not to
be choosers. I will take the first I come to," which was a clean white
shirt, with cuffs and collars attached. Off went my jacket in the
presence of the company; into the garment I went, feeling a thousand per
cent. better. I said, "Well, General, I've heard of some stepping into
other men's shoes, but never before have I known of a high private
slipping into a General's shirt at one jump." This brought a big laugh
from the assembly, the General joining heartily. I thanked him and
extended my hand in token of my appreciation. He remarked, "You are
surely welcome, come around tomorrow at eleven o'clock A. M., and we
will talk matters over." He asked, "Have you ever been to Vicksburg."
"No Sir." "Do you know anything about the country around, and about the
City?" "This is my first experience in these diggins." "How would you
manage?" "I'll be governed by circumstances as they present themselves."
After a pause he repeated, "Come around tomorrow at eleven o'clock." I
gave the military salute and started towards the door, when he called me
saying, "Do you ever drink anything?" I answered, "General, this is a
strange question. Why didn't Jack eat his supper? I've not seen a drop
since we left Jackson," and I stated how I got that. He laughed and
said, "Go in that room," indicating the door with his index finger. "You
will find a table in there with liquors, I think a good drink will do
you good." One invitation was sufficient. I stepped into the next room,
and there I beheld a round table loaded with all kinds of bottles,
containing different liquors, some labeled different kinds of whiskies,
brandies, gin, schedam, schnapps, etc. I took the square bottle of
schedam and poured me out a stiff drink, thanked the General and
departed for my camp, but not being in the habit of drinking, I felt the
effects of the liquor. I felt somewhat, what I may call buoyant, and in
for any fun. I met Sergeant W. H. Hines. He said, "Ike, what luck?" "The
best in the world," tapping myself on the breast. "You see that shirt,
this once was General Walker's, now it's mine." I told him all that
passed at headquarters. The next day I reported as directed. The General
said, "Well, Hermann, the jig is up. While we were talking about the
matter yesterday, Pemberton surrendered, and I therefore do not need
your services." I said, "well, I wish he had held out until some other
day than the fourth of July." The General said, "Yes."
As I started to camp, the General said, "Well, Hermann I thank you
anyhow for your offer and you shall have a furlough all the same. I give
you two weeks. I hope you will have a nice time." Major Martin who was
present said also, he hoped I would have a nice time. I replied, "Major,
I have not a cent of money, how can I have a nice time. We have not been
paid off since we left Savannah. Have you some money? If so I would like
to borrow until I get mine from the Government." He said, he had a fifty
dollar bill. If it would do me any good, I could have it. He handed me
the bill which was then worth about two or three dollars in specie. Such
was the depreciation of our currency. I went into the interior about ten
miles from camp. The people were downcast. They did not know what would
become of them. Jackson, the capital of the State, in the hands of the
enemy. Vicksburg, a large and well fortified city and defended by a
large army had surrendered and its defenders taken prisoners. The people
were in despair, not knowing what evil awaited them. I soon found out
that camps among the boys was the more congenial place for me, so after
an absence of three days I returned.