The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-08-27
From Vicksbur3.

NCkSbuhG. MISS. July ZItn, 1868.
RESPECTED SISTER Your welcome let
ter, hearing date July 14th, is before me
and now take pie ,sure in answering it.
will say in the beginning, that l am in
very good health at present better than
have been for some weeks heretofore.
Your son, Henry c. Haydock, was we'll and
hearty few days ago. He has not been
to see me for some time, in consequence of
his duty beirg so combining. He is the only
Sergeant in the Company now, and both
Lieutenants being absent, he has to stay
close about.
You wanted me to write something about
the siege and surrender of this place. and
tie personal appearance of the rebels, &c.
Well, it is hardly worth my while to give a
description of events that transpired here,
Tor the reason that so many sma rter men
than |, have tried it and failed to do Justice
TO all parties concerned, therefore, I think
it would be supcrhnous in me to attempt il
at all. However, will mention few lit.
tie incidents, that may, or may not be Of
interest to you In the first p ice will tel
y'u abou my first and only adventure out
sklrmishing, for you are aware that l, be.
ing musician, never carry gun in battle
nor 60 out diminishing, unless I want to
Well it come our regiment turn to 60 pick
ct on the night Of the ID of July and con-
cluded would g. long, So borrowed q
gun and accoutcrments of one of the sick
boys, and we set out. We soon came to
the picket line, and relieved tho old guard,
Our company being on the reserve, I did not
get into the rifle pits till morning. as soon
it was light enough 10 see loaded nv gun
and went up and got in one of the pits. the
orders was 70 keep a sharp lookout and
when you see grey hat crack away did
not wait long until saw one raise his head
above the works when took as good aim
as could under the circumstances and fred
Mr.. reb lodged, bnt whether | hit him or
not is more than know, then amused
myself shooting at their horses and at them
when then they showed themselves until
had fired about forty rounds. win tell
you that few days previous to this time
while was sitting on my bunk, rebel
min ME ball came over, and striking a tree
glanced and fell on blanket beside me-
had this with ne, so put it in my gun
anc fred it back at them. making enc OF
them do some responsible lodging, at the
distance OF seven hundred yards. About
. O'clock a. IN, while we were firing sway
at An awful rate, we seen flag of truce
coming cut, and the order was given to
cease firing, and in ten minutes we were
all standing upon our works, talking to the
rebels. Here we were within two hundred
yards of each other, chatting and laughing
as If nothing was the matter. think they
are getting very tired OF war from the way
they talk. and would willingly come back
into the union if it was not for their officers
Yet there are some who say they viii fight
as long as they have man, but the great
majority of the privates would willingly lay
down their arms, had they an opportu nifty.
They know if they take the oath of allegi
ance they dare not 60 home, for there they
would be considered traitors and treated &C
cordingly. The consequence is they follow
their leaders blindly, not caring much
whether they beat or get beaten. The pris-
oners taken here, with few exceptions
were very sociable and gentlemanly in tn cir
intercourse with US, and they were con-
stantly run ling around among our men,
waning to exchange capteens, or some 9TH
er little trinket. in order, they said, to get
a yankee relic TO take home with them.
Lirgc numbers Of the Louisiana aud Texas
troops tried to ferry themselves across the
river. They said they we're determined to
g home. Pemberton knew if they crossed
the river they were "gone up" as far as the
COME leracy was concerned, so he complain.
ed to Gen. Grant about it, saying it was
a yio! .tion Of the cartel and asked for
guard to prevent their crossing but Grant
did not feel disposed to make them fight
against the government aud refused
Fcur companies of our regiment are guar
ding 500 Of the prisoners taken by Sher-
man. at Jackson.
They are conscripts, and they appear
glad to take the oath and go north. Some
Df them are volunteering in the various
Union regiments h:re.
Vicksburg at present exhibits the quint-
essence Of filthiness. A hog pen is credit
q il, aud ifSamsthing is not done speedily