Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-06-10
Letter from Capt. Jas. NJ. Bull OF the
23d Wisconsin. &
The following is an extract from let
ter written by Capt. Bull of the 23d Reg
it..eut TO his wife:
iaent to his wife:

The following Is an extract ffoin let
ter written by Capt. Bull of the 23d Reg
iIlent To bis wife:
BEFORE VICKsBURG, May %.
Since landing on the Mississippi shore
we have been at work, with scarcely any
cessation. Marches by night. battles by
day, and victories have been our lot. The
God OF Battles has been with US and
granted Us victories, splendid and COM
pLete. Since my last, we have beaten the
enemy at Raymond, Edwards Ferry,
Black River Bridge, and now have him
penned liz at Y,cksburg. Sherman har
possession of Halnes and Chickasaw Bluffs.
and our lines are drawn very closely
around the rebel works here. We have
him fast, he cannot escape, Vicksburg
must fall, and that right early. In the
battle at Raymond We were Dot eng aged,
our division was making a diversion IN
another direction, though we were near
enough to know what was going on. The
enemy was completely routed and driven
from the field, and we took several hun
dred prisoners. The battle OF Edwards
Ferry was tocght on the Is h-the fight
Ing being mostly done by Osterbaus' d.
vision. Our division held the enemy III
check and kept him from going 60 Ray
mond. We held III check about twice
onr own number, all day. My company
was sklrmlshIpg most OF the time, and
though we were In a very hor place only
one of my nen, Evan Barnes, was wound
ed, and he slightly. 1t was a splendid
triumph. We took a large number OF
prisoners, and considerable quantity OF
Cannon.
OsIerhaus is a brave general. &c led
several Charges on The enemy's works In
person, and his men fought like heroes.
The next day was fought the battle OF
Black River Bridge. Here the enemy
was most terribly beaten. In his hasty
retreat he lett behind him II cannon and
a great many prisoners. Since the en-
gagement ut Grand Gulf up to this time
We had taken go pieces of ARTILLERY, beside
many hundred, perhaps | might say thou
sand prisoners.
On the 10Th, having crossed the Black
River, We commenced the siege of Nlcks
burg Day before yesterday we attempt
ed TO carry their works by storm. 1t was
terrible. | thought | had been before
where the bullets flew thick and fast, but
nothing In comparison with that. The
rebels fought with perfect desperation,
aud poured their fire Cpon US from every
direction. We reached the base OF one
of the forts. Many OF our troops were
getting into the ditch around the fort, but
We could get 10 farther. The walls Ci
the fort Were too high and steep. But at
Ter we had been there while, we kept
the rebels pretty still. As soon as but
ternut would show the top OF his head or
any portion of his body above the breast
works or rifle pits, 1t would be pierced by
a score or nore OF bullets.
towards evening we were obliged 10
retire TO our old position, it being perfect
Iy useless 10 attempt to do any thing there.
Our loss was heavy. Since then we have
doue noGhlng but sit still! and bewaIl our
Jolly IN making such charge.
Our regiment has lost in all about ntty
killed and wounded. Very fortunately on
this day | hau but one man hurt-Chas.
NetheTwoOd-a piece OF Ills jaw Was taken
out. The 18th Wis, suffered severely IN
the assault; as near as [ can learn, near
zoe. It Is said that the assault was made
contrary 10 the wishes and advice OF Gen.
Grant. Ii is thought that another such
al attack will not be made, but we will
heslege and reduce them. The rebel cup
plies are now very limited and must SOON
tail ; they cannot hold out much louger.-
| heard that rebel messenger was cap
tured last evening, bearing orders tor
Gen. Joe JOhneton's force To come to their
relief immediately, otherwise they could
not hold out five days. Osterhaus Is
watching. There Is no danger OF John
eton or any other force coming to rein
force them. Hurlbnt Is here with large
force. Every thing looks favorable tor US.