Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-06-23
L.ettar from Yickshnrg.

The following letter was sent to us by
Mr.. McLin, Of Fennimore, for publication.
II was written by his son, who is now be-
fore Vicksturg, to his brother at Tafton
CAMP IN REAR or yicKsBURG,
June LIST, 1863
After long and tedious march and 8
successful battles am still among the liv-
ing. After leaving Milhken's Bend we
moved in the direction Of Vicksbu 9, and
soon arrived at Port Hudson, where we
found the enemy in heavy force We at
tackled them at 2 o'clock the next morn
inc, and by night had them completely
thrashed. We moved on neer Raymond,
where they had been strongly reinforced,
and again whipped them. We moved for
ward to jackson, met and whipped them,
and then moved into the city, burned the
State House, Depot and the principa. part
Of the place. We then moved toward
Vcksburgh-40 miles distant When we
arrived at Champions Hill we met force
coming from Vicksburg, estimated to be
| 40, 900 strong. We met them about noon
when the fight commenced, and lasted till
s o'clock that night. This was the hard
est fight we have yet had, being more than
one hundred thousand men engaged, and
no end, apparently, TO artillery. 1t was
impossible to see more than one hundred
wards ahead because Of the dense clouds OF
smoke caused by the artillery and musket-
~. We took large number Of prisoners
and q pieces Of artillery.
We then marched to Edwards Station
here the rebels were trying to go 10
Vieksburg by railroad. We took 4 pieces
of artillery, a large number Of prisoners
and eight car loads Of shell. We next
moved to Black River where we found the
rebels entrenchng themselves. We made
charge on them and took five thousand
prisoners, and all of their artillery; they
fled to their rifle pits at Vcksburg; we fol-
lowed them to Vicksburg and run them in
to their own works. The next morning
we made charge on their Notifications,
but were obliged to fall back.
We are now within 20 yards of their
strongest works, and have them surrounded
by land and water, so Ghere is no possible
chance for their escape. We are strongly
entrenching our position. They have no
artillery, while we have 500 pieces all at
work. Every morning we feed them With
so charges from each gun of solid shot,
shell, grape and canister. Their supplies
are completely cut off. They are whip
ped nothing but their pride keeps them
from sumendering 60 600 men. Report
saws they have but three days rations Of
corn meal.
/ Although Sunday morning | can hear
the roaring Of artillery in every direction,
and when the r.oltar boats open upon The
town it is frightiul TO hear the crashing of
buildings.
Since / commenced WHITING this letter
the Colonel Of our Regiment savs Gen.
johnson tried to cut bis way into Yicks-
burg to reinforce the enemy, and has been
1 badly whipped, losing a number Of men,
and several pieces Of artillery.
We have been here Is days and have
been Smelling them ali The time. On the
9th, they sent out flag OF truce to bury
their dead. During the berial many Of
their men came out and sat upon their
breastworks. / saw two men whom
knew at St. Joseph, Mo. Some Of our
officers have brother officers in their army
who then met and shook hands. Next
morning the bali again opened, we played
the music and they danced. At Raymond
we killed 500 rebels, and at Champion
| Hill 300.
! have only given you the outlines Of
these battles through which have passed
urscathed. can assure you that when
return home can say that | have done
justice and duty to my God and country
/ have made hard marches with but one
hard cracker per day, through mud and
rainfall this for NV country.
j M.aNcIIN. CO. X. 18th Ill.