Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-07-08
he necessary route of most of the


day and night, with trains of mule teams,
!. hose number cannot readily be CON-
puted. At the point where it strikes the
bluffs-most happy circumstance two or
three springs of clear water break out,
and furnish an adequate supply of that
article; the only drawback
on it being that it is by no means cold.
Having pretty much gone without drink
for some days. made free use of it.
From hence the road rises rapidly up the
rough bills, until after a long effort we
reach the top, and from hence for several
miles follow the crests (mere "hogs'
backs'' in all their windings and tu,nings,
the route bounded by deep gorges on
either hand, and then descend into some
what lower grounds, where, after miles of
turnings among ravines, we finally reached
the camp of the 23d Wisconsin, where a
most hearty welcome awaited US.
Much OF this road is under traitor fire.
and spent balls or fragments of shells not
unfrequently fall in it. Let it be remem.
bered that there is no level country back
of Vicksburg, but high, broken ridges
the country everywhere scsrified by deep
gorges and vertical cuts; nothing in Wis.
consin, except the head waters of the La
Crosse, bears any comparis on to it, and
that is tame compared with this. The
toughest lands about Blue Mounds are
level by contrast. The wonder here is
not that Vicksburg has not fallen. but
how our army ever reached its present
position. With determined enemy, the
advance might have been delayed for
months. Every ravine is rifle pit; while
every hill is commanded by its neighbor,
each atfording perfect screen for sharp
shooters. Let our people take comfort :;
Johnson cannot relieve Vicksburgh
In the afterno On, went with Lieut.
Col. Villas, to visit the rife pits and bat
teries. An incessant cannonade goes on
about ali the time, and the roar in the ad-
vance might well disturb a timid mans
nerves. l was duly cautioned to keep
well under cover. The men have knack
of calling out, "look out there, a man was
killed just where You stand, yesterday" or
''the other day." as the case is. As we
walk along the ditch, the sharp shooters
keep up an incessant fire, and we hear the
sharp whistle of secesh lead. You go up to
without thinking where you
are, when crash goes off a whole battery
great cloud of smoke hides the works
or moment, you put up your head to
'eep over, and see great pile of dirt from
! traitor breastwork fly in the air, but you
lon't look long. 1t is only rifle range,
nd the propensity to "bob down" is ire
istable to raw hand. Great holes are
orn in their works, and the sharp shoot
rs who line the parallels you see stretch
ng away in front, won't let them fire
annon, except at long intervals. and tt en-
t proper cost. Our men are up within |
u yards of their batteries, in one or two
laces, and still the ditching goes on night
nd day. There is a whisper-just
Gen. Grant will get in, say
bout next Sunday. l hope so.
After going long way through the |
works, the boys wanted me to get rear
lew of the Court House, but the dis
barge of several batteries at the moment
Il around me, decided the point; looked |
yer and saw the steeples, but concluded |
was warmish, and | would slightly get |
ut. We passed into the railroad cut,
eeping closely to the high banks, follow
lg the curve with some care, for partly ]
fenced battery commands it, and entered |
new battery, in which some immense
annon were being put in position. From
lis point we had a safer view of the main
ebel works. Our return was through ra-
ines filled with soldiery, who have liter
lily Durrowed into the banks all along the
de nearest the rebel works. My tent is
ct up within half mile of a rebel battery,
D sheltered spot, so that their hardware
asses over when they fire, and we are
OF disturbed by it. On The other side of
he hill, within twenty rods, our batteries
eep up an incessant firing, so much so
hat | have already become so accustomed
o 1t as to work up the rolls without the
sast excitement, and while l write, the
ent vibrates with the conclusions.
Before | leave, | want to write you that
has fallen. The boys are very
comfortable. 1t is much healthier than
be Mississippi bottoms-the water is tol.
rable-the air clesr, cool and bracing so
ar, but hot day in these narr,w gorges
aust be very oppressive.
June 19th.-I wrote the stove two DAYS
go. Nothing new has occurred. Our |
arties hourly gain on the rebel works. It
definitely ascertained that they are re-
uced to nine ounce rations of meal and |
cas- mixed, and that the supply must be
otaily exhausted on or before the 18th of |
uIy. The cannonading goes on uninter-
uptedly day and night. I am in a ravine |
My half mile from the rebel works |
he way the shells pass over at times can't |
e beat. An immense affair came over
bout an hour ago, and hit the bank on |
!