The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1866-03-24
No. 81

OF defence withdrawn nearer on the North.
SO that then, there was no egress or ingress
to or from the city, and the siege became at
once a necessity and fort In antieipa-
tion Of bombardment the citizens had pru-
dently dug large commodious caves in the
hills and bluffs, for the protection of women
and children, and as Ehough to initiate the
example of these non-combatants many Of
the laggards and demoralized soldiers like
wise sought safety for themselves in such
excavations as they could hastily construct.
and took refuge in these skulking resorts Of
cowardice. Thus stood affairs for several
days after the siege commenced. Not SO.
however, with the majority of the troops
On Tuesday, the third day Of the siege, Gen
eral Grant marshaled his troops in solid pha-
lanx and concentrating ca nlasse at deterrent
points, made several desperate assaults to
carry the works. Never was garrison
more anxious to learn the results of such
movements, and happily for the fate Of the
place did the result prove. With despera-
tion only equaled by the hardihood of the
assaultng parties, our gallant men met and
repulsed the enemy with heavy loss, driving
his broken columns in confusion beyond the
range of their well directed vollies. This
success came like a God-send to our troops,
and thus encouraged, they received with like
result, similar demonstrations for four con
secutive days. On Friday, the 29th inst,
the enemy made very desperate charge,
coming up to and planting their colors upon
our works, but such a terrific and deadly
shower of lead and iron was poured into
their ranks, that they retreated hastily, leay-
ing the ground strewcd with their dead and
wounded. Their loss thisday was immense,
and the the lesson taught them. was not soon
forgotten. Their men refused to charge at
all, and finally all such attempts we're aban-
-dQned, 50 that General Grant afterwards re-
sorted to his old plan of parallels. Dur
ing this period our batteries on the river
were likewise employed, resulting each time
with great success. On the 9th the large
and powerful ironclad Cincinnati, carrying
12 guns engaged our upper batteries, but
was 80 hotly resisted as only to be able to
fire eight shots, and retire so crippled that
she sunk within half mile Of our guns.
Her loss Of life was reported great. only few
escaping. Besides our batteries, our sharp
shooters on the river bank poured such
rain Of ball into her portfolios as to prevent
her sgunpers from controlling their pieces,
thus showing another method Of contending
with these formidable monsters During
these various engagements, so great had been
the loss of life and so disagreeabie the
stencil, that on the 25th inst an armistice
was concluded which lasted Eve hours and
only. ceased as darkness came on. During
this time the belligerents met on neutral
ground, and discussed at length the events
of the siege, and were apparently as friendly
as soldiers under the same banner and in
the same cause. Bat soon the signal was
given and as the echo died deep and sOnor-
Gus on the twilight air, each army retired
within its respective lines and again began
this dreadful work Of human destruction.
Such is the life of a soldier, such the scenes
which all the waves Of time cannot erase
from his memory. During the first ten days
of this siege it was RnxiouslY supposed that
relief from without would be speedily fur
nished, aad the widest speculations as to
time and mode were evoked. Rumor with
her thousand tongues ceased not to work on
the excited fancy with all manner Of tales,
both probable and improbable. These gain
ed credence, according as the mood Of the
besieged happened at the time to be sangu-
inc OF despondent First upon the pro-
gramme were announced very plausible rn-
mors of the approach Of Gen.. J. Z john
ston with an irresistible force to drive Grant
of, and this was heralded by that ubiquitous
parsonage, the reliable gentleman, who had
come directly as 2 " special courier from
Johnston We were not permitted to phi
Iosophise as torwhetber he came by wind or
water or through come proyidential cavern
under ground. The fact was announced
and straitway believed, each time the @courr
ier bringing gun caps, or some other earn
est Of good viii, which was sufficient to cx-
plain the motive Of this visitation and saved
to the eeredulous the object Of his story These
messengers related marvellous and wonder
full accounts Of the wide world shut from
our weary. eyes" At one time it was re-
ported that a great victory had been won by
our army in Virginia, that fighting Joe .
Hooker had been swept into annihilation-
Longstreet held possession Of Arlington
Heights-Bragg had chased OF Rosencrans
to the Polar sea and occupied Memphis en-
route to johnson, who.was about to emass
100000 men in and around Canton Price
had captured Helena, and General Magruder
with the 4 Chinese feet" had taken New
Orleans, with gentle interlarding about
French recognition and English interfer-
ence Much Of this which came at differ
ent times, Of course was received as sensa-
ton rumors, living their brief period, and
giving place TO others IN turn. Some Of It
seemed probable, none Of It was declared
certain. When the day CT - couriers was
over, and the hostile forces approximated
closer, then dawned upon Us tiie day Of de
serters from the Federal lines, who like