Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-06-19

The boys Of the different regiments brought
in enough port wine, Irish whisky, apple
brandy and tobacco to last us over night, and
being wet and tired we rested until morning.
The 18th was beautiful day, and if you
could have seen us you would have thought
that we had lost the run Of time and were
celebrating the 4th Of July with detcrmin.
alton not to be cxcclled by the people Of any
other city. The fire works were grand, wines
and other liquors excellent, and other things
in proportion. There was large number Of
stores and groceries in the city pretty well
filled with goods; but by noon the soldiers
had helped themselves, with the assistance
Of Qnartermasters, to what they needed, and
what they did not need was given to the poor
Of the city. A very large cotton factory, in
operation, was put down as the first piece
on the programme Of fireworks. Then fol-
lowed foundries, machine shops and many
other buildings in which articles were made
for the Confederate government. We heated,
bent and destroyed the Rail Road iron on
three different tracks for three miles from
the city, besides half dozen bridges, ,--one
of them being very high and long one over
Pearl river. In the evening very large
brick block was accidentally fred by the Sc
cesh whisky in some soldier, and burned to
the ground. 1t was also evident that the
Governors mansion and large hotel, styled
Confederate House," were not fire proof,
as they burned beautifully. only saw a
part of the elephant, as l was ordered out to
assist in destroying railroad track, yet had
time to visit the State House and the city gen.
orally. On the morning of the 10th, we
started for Vicksburg leaving smoky city
behind us. From the Mississippi river to
Jackson, the soil is yellow clay. The face
of the country for ten miles from the river
is remarkably bluffy, and towards jackson
from the point where we destroyed the bridge
on Black river, gently rolling. A large pro.
portion of the land between Grand Gulf and
Jackson is under cultivation, and now pro
ducing sickly looking crop of corn Or
this side OF the Mississippi river there is Q
greater variety Of timber than I have seer
heretofore in the South. Here the beautiful
Magnolia grows wild in the woods. 1t is
now in full bloom and towers as high as 9th
er forest trees. Some of the inhabitants thro
this section of country are very poor; but
few are rich, "a large proportion being mer
of moderate means. On the 10Th inst. Gen
McClernand met large force of the enemy
from Vicksburg, at Black river X. X. bridg.
and after hard days fight defeated then
badly, besides capturing between five an6
six thousand prisoners, and large number
of field pieces. Tho railroad bridge owe,
Black river was very long and has been de-
stroyed. ...
On the 18th we arrived within three miles
of Vicksburg, and in the afternoon there
was considerable skirmishing. During the
following night the enemy Withdrew to the
works which they now occupy. On the 10th
like serpent we coilcd around the city and
during the day the cannonading was very
heavy, accomplishing but little on either side
On the same day Lyman Tondro, of Co. B.
was severely wounded in the thigh, but the
surgeons now think that he will recover. On
the 22d part Ct our brigade and the 9th
and 3Oth Iowa regiments were ordered to
take the enemy's works by assault. Before
the charge could be made it was necessary
to run two gauntlets, one of about 25 rods
and the other l5 rods in length. In running
them our regiment lost ten men in killed and
wounded. Co. B went through without a
scratch. The balls flew like hail, and as
many shells as were desirable. The 9th, and
three companies Of the 3Oth Iowa regiments,
and the 18th Missouri, attempted the assault
but were repulsed with q loss of about 225
in killed and wounded. As they failed we
were not ordered up, and under cover of night
we removed to our original position immedi-
ately above the city and near the river. Gen.
Grant says he wishes to save his men, and
that the -enemy's works are so strong that
no more charges shall be made. He means
to starve them out. Desertcrs say that they
are now nearly out of supplies. During the
entire march of $50 miles we were obliged
to live on three-fifth rations. During the en-
tire trip our army has been in the best OF
spirits. We feel confident in regard to two
things, to wit: That Vicksburg will soon be
ours, and that Grant is the right man in the
right place. The rebellion will soon be
crushed aud the foulest and meanest Of all
animals (copperheads) receive the punish.
ment which they deserve. Poor, filthy dev !.
lis, they certainly do not know how low and
despcably mean they appear in the eyes OF
Northern soldiers and loyal men generally.
Ny fervent prayer is that I may be spared
to teach my children to hate peace Democrats
and coppcrheads generally. They shall, they
must be kept down! and it is the duty of all
loyal citizens to give them special attention.
AT the present time it is very warm and very
healthy here. We have now, and will here
after have f,ll rafionc