Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-06-18
4 Trip to Vicksburs.

4 Trip to Vicksburs.
A Nsss0 Qf tie Doomed Ci.g-TAs E,;o
jro" Asmphfs-- Wssconsta friends-Lt.
Faarohisd-Gusrril'as Firing on Steamer
SaH'saTy Ssores-Grant's entire Lose A. 900
CoHsspondencs Of the State Journal
CSiG e,w BAYOU, Miss, Up TIE YAzoo.
s' os'eS haines Bluff, May 81, 1868.
We have seen Vicksburg,-not vet in
possession Of our forces, but as we believe
doomed city. in the remembrance of
the past and our hope of the future. il
was with no common interest that we
saw from the deck of our stesmnost in
the light OF a setting sun, the beanrifnl
public and private buildings, the taryat
towards which, at frequent Intervals .
water battery was huIling its deadly mis-
siles. In making the lower lapding a.
Young's Point, just below the mouth of
the Yazoo, bend in the river brings Won
in full view of Vicksburg, distant from
three to five miles, and affords foe Wow
Of the city, and, with the aid of a fisd
glass, of the forces of our right resting
upon the river and extending back 90 the
bluffs. .-... -,
Remaining a half hour we steamed ND
the Yazoo where We now are, awaiting
the morrow and its developments.
But to follow the line of our travel |
should date back at Memphis, where we
arrived ON the morning of the Goth, and,
during the time We were coaling, visited
portion of the hospitals, where our
wounded are arriving. We found some
Wisconsin men, most of whom are doing
we'll; and after making arrangements Tor
their comfort with our excellent State
agent, &. Q. Smith, left, to call again on
our return. We here met Colonies Howe
Lewis, Stephens, and many other of our
Wisconsin friends. Among them were
Mr.. and Mrs. N. W. Dean, and Lieut.. Col.
Casslus Fairchild who took passage for
his regiment at Lake Providence.
We were somewhat surprised on the
morning of the 30th to find our state
rooms barricaded with bundles OF quilts
and whatever would prove protection
against musketry, and ascertained that we
were hailed by an up boat with the infor.
nation that some supposed straggers from
Marmaduke's force had found their way to
the river, at two Or three points, and were
firing upon passing boats-in some in.
stances with artillery. We passed safely,
however, to the mouth of the White rig-
er, where we were brought to by the
Federal gunboat Tyler, and, with a halt
dozen other boats, conveyed past the at
! lacking points by an ron-clad.
A boat following US without escort.
few hours later, was fired upon and one
man wounded. The rebels along the
western shore of the Mississippi seem to
be getting desperate under their defeats
and our close investment of Vicksburp.
Stopped at Lake Providence only to put
off Col. Fairchild, who bore the Journey
| without extra fatigue, and rejoins his rcgi
nlent in health and good fighting pluck.
Had time but to take Maj. Reynolds by
the hand and see that he was well con-
ditioned.
Our trip was entertained by musical
troupe from Chicago, including the Lum.
bard brothers as principals, who propose
to stay around these parts until they can
sing "Rally round the Flag, Boys" as
| they only can sing it, in what may be lett
of the Court House at Vicksburg. There
| are many current rumors as to the condi-
ton of Vicksburg. 1t is completely sur
rounded by our army, the right and left
wings resting upon the Mississippi, at
distance of about five miles. A continued
| tombardment is carried on BY mortars
below Young's point, and some heavy
ordnance in the rear of the CITY, The
| women and children are reported to be
sheltered in excavations made in the bluffs
| in the rear OF the city. Continued ap-
proachos are being made by our forces.
Very little reply is made from the rebels
other than by musketry or sharpshooters,
giving evidence of economy, if not scar.
city of ammunition.
Gen. Grant and the whole army are in
| the best of spirits, and feel confident of
success. Those of our wounded which
| have not been sent up the river, are still
| at the division hospitals, in the rear OF
the srmy, and are being brought into this
point daily, put on boats and sent up the
river. There are now three hospital boats
| here with ample sanitary an6 medical sup.
plies, surgeons and nurses. We shall visit
the division hospitals tomorrow, if We
can get transportation out.
Weather hot, Enthusiastically. G.
P. S. The rumor of our losses in the
series of battles prove to have been great.
exaggerated. DR.. Hof, the Surgeon in
charge at this place, and to whom all re-
ports are made, assures US that the entire
loss in killed and wounded in the series of
battles since April 9th, to this date, does
not exceed forty six hundred, nineteen
hundred of which have been brought in
and distributed in hospitals up the river;
those most seriously wounded being left
at Memphis. This statement as to num-
bers is official, and may be relied upon as
correct. G..
The Illinois Legislature-Prorogucd by
Gov. Yates.
Gov Yatoa of Illinnia hu uirtno nf tho