The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-06-12
INCIDENTS OF THE SIEGE OF
VICKSBURG.
REAR OF VIoKsBURa, MISS, !
May 25, 1868. {

REAR OF VICKsBURG, MISS.
May rs, 1868.
wrote you two days ago that the
city had surrendered. 1t was a prema-
ture announcement Its fate is sealed
1t is only question of time. Military
men say that it 0ure as any thing can
be that is unconsummated. We had
taken all things before us up to the last
abattiS and line of forts that remain be-
tween us and the beleaguered. There
are Of these q complete crescent, extend
ing from the upper to the lower side Of
the town. They are connected with each
other all that distance.
On the 10th, at 2P. NJ, it was agreed
to storm them. The bitches in front Of
them are from ten to twenty feet wide,
and ten deep; beyond the ditch is an
earth-work of. canes and the soil-in
most places twenty or thirty feet high.
Our men charged but could get no foot
hold; many of them fell there, but the
sharpshooters, who covered the ground,
would pick off each rebel artillerist as he
showed himself, so that it was impossi-
BILE for their guns to fire often on u.s.
While forty men of an Iowa regiment
were in the ditch, to all appearances lost,
they captured seven ConfederateS, and
held out for five hours before they would
yield. At last hand grenades were
thrown over the rebel parapets into the
little band, which sealed their fate. 1t
was death to remain longer. Many
deeds of chivalry we're done here.
Captain Theo. Yates, of the 18th In
fantry, led his men to the pit, over it,
planted the glorious old banner-the
banner that makes loyal hearts throb, the
patriots eye glow, the hero's leap with
chivalric ardor-upon the battlements ;
and as its grand folds-untarnished even
by this Administration-aoated grace
fully upon the traitors stronghold, his
right arm was paralyzed by ball that
passed through the flesh; lie drew his
sword with his left, and that was shat
tered; as he fell, men were sent to carry
him off; "No, no, they need you, on P'
1t was day after ere his wounds could
be dressed. Yesterday he sat smoking
while water was being applied to his
wounds. Lieutenant D. E. Bates, of the
same regiment, lost an arm. They are
very cheerful and true heroes.
l should like to give you many OF
these incidents, but have not space. l
was forced by their GOODNESS to note it,.
do not know them; my attention was
called to three officers in the shade. -
One was complaining, but to me he
seemed well enough, save that he was
somewhat frightened. The other two
smoked in silence; one of them held a
stump of an arm up to the light and
squeezed water from sponge upon it.
The other was bathing terrible cash in
his left arm (twelve pieces of bone had
been taken out there) with the right
hand, while ball still lay lodged in the
bone above it. Ever hail to heroes
Johnston is reported at jackson. He
can render Pemberton no aid. Banks is
below the city. He is not needed. Wo.
men, who were warned out of the city
and refused to 60, now dwell in caves
The shells from our mortars fall directly
in the town. Yesterday l sat upon the
shore opposite Vicksburg for six hours,
with glass that rendered things in the
streets of the doomed city, as plain as
Covington from your city. Several
houses were injured. The Jail was struck
once. One fell upon street corner and
dispersed the gossipers.
The place looked almost deserted. -
The town clock upon the Court House
points to one silent hour all day. The
explosions have broken it.
While I sat, three rebel skiffs came
across with forty. one prisoners, whom
they had captured and paroled These
are all unconstitutional. 1t is not in
accordance with the cartel. 1t is done
to save food and for fear Of recapture.
They have in all, Of ours, about 23O;
while we have now here, and on their
way to Island No. 10, S,542. We have
4,O26 Enfield rifles, seventy-two pieces
Of cannon, shot guns and sabers in
abundance. Among the ammunition
captured are several thousand enfield
Cartridges, Birmingham, England"
Our army rests in crescent form, Nc
Pherson, - strong, in center; Sber-
man, - strong, on the right; Nc
Clernand, strong, onthe left. There
is no loop-hole left for escape, except
through the bottom of the river.
NewSboys is o feature here; they all
ride horses of their o,Oni No one knows
where be gets any thing. Look at his
boots-made for man! Look at that
coat-Skirts reach the ground, or per-
haps they are cut off just back of his
ears. Nothing like him. If a new sect
wish to dodge the first commandment, he
may be their worship. He carries wa.
ter to the wounded; bread to the sharp
shooters; tells the truth where he has no
inducsment to lie; spends his money free
ly, and dies early. To-day all Others
are forbidden the lines. He goes Pro-
vost guards he affiliates. Whisky is the
grand "open sesame" he carries that,
and knows where to spill it. He buys it
on the boat at three dollars a canteen;
bribes all the guards from here to head
quarters with q "nip," sells the balance
for teu dollars; trusts to luck; is regard
ed beDefactoF, M .r. a' syrn
. -. Jackson, Miss.
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