Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-07-03
LETTER FROM NICKSBEEG

| 'NNNN
in the Knoxville Register" dated Nick::burg
June 18th:
1t has now been twenty-scren days since
the Yankees first made their appearance il
front of our works. and commenced what they
term the "IIermctical siege"-the effect o
which can be easily discovered, if this epistlt
runs the gauntlet and arrives ut its dcstina
ton.
From the Northern papers You have doubt
less seen an account, and learned the result
Of the different assaults made upon our works
by the cncmy--trst on Tuesday May 18th
in which we rcpul>ed them three times in sue
ccSsion. and lastly, on Friday, the ODD May
| Tuesday was the second day the enemy had
hccn before cur lines, ami when they made
the charge, which was done on our lcft they up.
parently possessed more confidence than almos,
any men | ever saw. But alas in few
moments neither confidence, life nor anything
else but dead Yankees remained. very few
being able to escape from the murlerous fire
that was sent into their ranks by our well
directed guns. Tie great loss sustained by
the enemy is owing chiefly to our men having
received orders to reserve their fire until the
Yankees were within short distance Of the
trenches, when Il calling fire OF muSkctry. To-
yethcr within grape and canister, was poured
into their ranks, moving them down rapidly,
AMI completely annihilaring their column
In some instances whole companies were
swept away. After three consecutive assaults.
with the SAME success attending each, the enc
| my dcsisted and remained quiet, except sharp
| shooting, which was very heavy until Friday
| following. when they determined ONCE more TO
test our strength and courage by charging the
| centre.
They were permitted to advance very close
before We opened fire upon them, and some
were allowed to get Into moat just outside
of our trenches. Those who GOT. into the ditch
remained until night, when we rolled in few
hand grcnades, and they very quickly sur
rendered. The main body that was engaged
in the charge suffered greatly. A raking fire
| broke their ranks and threw them into confu-
sion. from which they were no: extricated until
| one half had bit the dust.
Being severely rcpulsed at this point, and
sustaining as great loss us on Tuesday prcvi-
ing the place, and very quietly resigned them
out.
The fleet Of mortar boats keep up Il con-
tinual fire during the night and all day,
per hour. but so far. little or no damage has
been done, either To the city or our men, which
is miracle indeed.
The sharpshooting continues the same,
throughout the day and night, together with a
heavy fire from several batteries of artillery,
which arc planted in front Of our lines. For
several nights. inccndiurr shells were thrown
from the water side, but did no damage !;
though one very extensive fire and several
smaller ones have occurrcl-Ihcy were entire
" the mol-cDGtcatS, and not shrls-as some
assert. 1t is computed. and think lair 10
promise. that over 500.00n shells have heen
thrown into the city since the 18th day of May,
which seems sufficient u batter down all crca-
ton.
The gunhoatS have been badly used by our
batteries or two occasions, and they
| arc consequently, very shy Of the river bate
rics The Cincinnati, flag ship, with Com.
Porter on board, attempted To get Il position
| and silence our batteries. hut after an engage
| mcnt Of fifteen minutes, she was sunk-;. por-
| ton of the crew escaping in boats.
The others, not almiring the manner III
| which she was received and disposed Of. keep
ut Il proper and discreet distance.
The inhumanitv Of the Yankees surpasScs
anything believe | ever heard said of the
| widest barbarians of the Fast. As an in
stance, | will relate what really occurred here
! after the repulse on the left and the centre
Subsequent to the engagement their killed
1 and wounded were left on the field for several
| days-except some few of the latter who Wcre
| brought in by our mcn-until the putrelaction
| became so offensive that our men could scarce
| " remain in the trenches; in fact, some of
| them did sickcn and were compelled to leave.
| Gen. Pemberton. who, en- p0SSanf, has proved
himself to be General, and in every way IL
fgood officer, and Rtrust the public will do him
ustice-though | learn he is much abused
| outsidc-actually had 10 send out flag of
| truce and request General Grant to bury
| his dcad-a thing unhcard Of in the annals OF
war.
During the suspension Of hostilites, which
lasted four hours, the officers confessed to q
loss of 5000 men in the two days that they
charged our works Our loss. it is needless
to say, was small, Inc men beng very little
exposed.
The enemy calculate strongly on starving us
into a capitalization in fact, it is their hobdy !:
but if they could get a glimpse of our conf
missarv they would speedily Danish That idea,
for awhile at least What | know. have =
right to assert, and that is simply that we
have several months supply on hand YET; and
when that'is exhausted. the men express a
Willingness to eat mule meat and sugar for
which purpose the former is now being fat
tened. and of the latter We have the greatest
abundance.
Great credit is due, and learn has already
been accorded, to Gen. Gillespie, of Tennessee.
by Cen Pemberton, for his indefatigable en-
ersy and uniting industry in securing and
storing supplies sufficient to stand asicse such
as is on us at present.
Until to-day we have not heard one word
from the States for three weeks, the invest
ment being so perfect that couriers couhl not
get in. You can imagine then the JOY it crea-
ted amongst the troops and the citizens, whom
are very tew,) to know that the world was
still wagging on, and that we had not been for
gotten by those outside.
The Tcnnesseeans have not lost a single OPP
portunity, as yet, of dealing to the Yankees in
their wonted style; what they term the COM
pliments of a-'last ditcher," in the form of
leaden slup