Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-07-23

House. Then came in the troops.
The 45th Illinois, as the regiment sus-
tanning the brunt of the siege, led the
column. As they entered, the band
first played the Confederate tune,
Bonnie Blue Flag" and as the notes
died away from the instruments they
burst forth with glorious " Yankee
DOODLE" and nearing the Court House
where waved their flag, they gave
cheer after cheer with q vigor seldom
equalled.
Then down the river came the feet
of Admiral Porter, headed by the gun.
boat Rather. and as they caught sight
Of the flag, broadsidc after broadside
Numbered forth salute. All this
time the streets were filled with Sc
cesh soldiers, seemingly well satisfied
to cease fighting and look to Uncle
Sam for provisions. Such was the
entry Of the Union army into the City
of Vicksburg.
The city has been terribly injured
by our shot and shell, and nearly eve-
ry house more or less torn to pieces.
The citizens had made holes in the
high bluff in the city. and used them
as escapements from the fire of the
feet. Some of these artificial caves
were finished off with elegance. But
no tongue or pen can describe the
sufferings of the people, especially
the poorer classes. Hunger had CON-
PEELED them to subsist upon every
thing eatable, and in their great
straight they had eaten rats! Mule
beef sold readily for two dollars per
pound. A hanful Of peas and beans,
ground together, was their principal
food. Such reduced, emaciated set
of beings l trust l may never see
again. When our army first enter
ed they we're eagerly asked for food
Let no one say hereafter that the gar
rison at Vicksburg did not make a
heroic resistance. There has been
nothing equal to this siege since Mas
seDa was besieged in the city of Ge-
noa. Gen. Grant was not to be with
stood. 1t was not in the power of any
army to withstand the /" fire Internal !"
of our guns, and the determined valor
of our troops. 1t was not in the
power of any army to withstand hun
ger and famine.
The defenders of Vicksburg, now
paroled prisoners, comprised four Di-
visions, or seventy-five Regiments,
and the total number of prisoners pa
rolled is 81, l66, of whom about 20, 900
are effective men, the balance being
either sick or wounded, whose suffer
ings no one can adequately describe.
There were 100 guns mounted and I
disabled, making l27 captured. They
are mostly heavy guns composing the
water defence.
Among the distinguished Generals
surrendered were, Lieut.. Gen. Penn.
berton. Maj. Generals Bowen, Taylor,
nephew of old Zach, Forrey, Steven
son, Lee and Smith. Besides those
mentioned, there were several minor
men of importance"
The men will all be paroled by the
9Th, and allowed to 60 home where it
is obvious good many will remain.
To prevent this the rebel officers are
trying to play sharp. They wish us
to keep their troops all together until
JEFF. Davis can place other troops ov-
er them to guard them, in paroled
prisoners camp, until exchanged. To
thwart them in this the men are being
paroled in the utmost haste.
The 18th Army Corps comprise the
only force now around yicksburg. The
18th Corps, Gen. Ord. forming ths
right wing, moved on the railroad
The 18th Corps, Gen. Sherman, form
ing the centre, moved up the Bridge
port and jackson road while the
9th Corps, Gen. Parker, forming the
left wing, took the Bolton road.
These three columns are driving 10
Johnston before them, who will en-
deavor to cross Pearl river. The COL
umns will form a junction at Canton,
26 miles from jackson. Johnston had
80, 600 men, mostly ten day militia.
1t was reported at Headquarters last
night that Sherman had cut off the
rebel rear guard and captured 5000
prisoners. General Mcpherson is in
command of the District, Gen. Logan
commands the post. OF course Uncle
Samuel has to issue rations now to all
his degenerate people.
l ask If there has ever been cam.
paign. save the campaign of Maren.
go, that equalled Gen. Grants cam.
paign of Vicksburg? Fighting eight
battles in succession, defeating the
enemy every time, he winds up the
affair with capturing whole army
with all their arms and munitions o.
war. 1t corroborates the truth Of his
remark when he said Tell my
friends that considered the campaign
| half over when | landed at Bruins