The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1866-03-24
"Reminiscences of the Siege Of vioks-
burg.
BYAS Eye wITSEss.-5. ). D

cluded with deScrI p1on- OF, the battle OF
3. Bakers Creek" or Champion Hill. This
fight resulted with a loss to the Confederates
of near $500 killed, wounded and missing
to the Federals probably a similar num-
ber-and very few prisoners. Having ex-
trieated his troops as best he could from this
field of misfortune. the commanding Gener-
al withdrew rapidly to the Notifications on
the Big Black river, which on the morrow
became the scene of another defeat to our
arms. This fortifcation extends across a
bend in the river, on the south side, the dis
tanee of a mile. In front of it, extended a
large and deep lagoon or bayou to strengthen
and protect the approach-which opened
for a half mile over broad plains, under rich
culture, over which it was necessary for an
attacking party to come, before they could
scale the works. Thus situated on the
morning after the last battle, at early dawn
our artillery was stationed and the works
manned, to await the approaching thousands
who had followed up our retreat and were
now seen in the distance. To casual OBJ
server this may have seemed the proper plan
of defense, but with inferior numbers, and
these discouraged by the previous days dis
aster, it was scarcely to be expected that
they would be able to prevent fanking move
ments above and below which would have
inevitably forced our lines into Yicksburg.
Nevertheless, the same evil genius overshad-
owed and controlled our destiny, and SO our
troops had the modification forced upon
them of fighting another useless battle. AT
ter several hours manuevering in front, du-
ring which time hanking movements were
made on either side, the Federals made a
heavy charge upon our extended line, at the
centre, which gave way before their fierce
assault which so intercepted the retreat of
our troops, that very few escaped, and. many
were drowned attempting to swim the rapid
current This disaster fell heavy upon our
shattered forces. Our loss here was report
ed to be l8 guns and about 9, 900 prisoners.
This fight should have been avoided, and
this loss saved, by an earlier retreat into the
trenches around Vicksburg, which was. now
ordered and rapidly accomplished, pursued
hotly by thevictoriors Federalsl And thus
commenced the siege. as ssg..s4 a (.
To acquire a proper understanding and
Of this notable event, it be-
comes necessary to notice the military ca
pabilities of the position This city; now
faaeus for its natural adefences, may rightly
be called the ts Cityof HiHs,e which even
superior to the /" Seven HiIIed City that
ruled the world, numbers its hills by scores
Situated on an elevated bluff which slopes
gradually back from the waters edge, and
rises in broken undulations as it reeedes,
the city presents a beautiful collection of
terrauess tier on tier, to its outer suburbs.
Extending for several miles. to the rear, tho
same description of eountry7-yer broken,
and wooded with primitive forest, t,--marks
the characteristic features Of the surround
ing country. as-a-
Along the highest range of these hills,
and 0, erlooking the approach, were built in
q complete semicircle, aroundthe city q long
and threatening line Of fortifcations, ez-
tending FIVE miles, from the right, resting
on the Mississippi river below the city, to
the left near the mouth of the Yazoo, above
the city. Along the course of this winding
line of Notifications, from hill top to hill top
were built strong redouts, separated every
half a mile or less, mounted with guns Of
various sizes and calibre, overlooking the
elevations to the front The heavy timber
on, the outside Of these trenches for some
distance had ali been felled, aud this, to-
gether with the thick cane and undergrowth
rendered the approach Of the beseigers. very
difficult and almost impracticable These
works once filed with brave men, and brist-
ling with cannon and cleaning bayonets
presented an angry view to the assaulting
party, whenever they felt disposed to test
their strength or doubt their availability.
Nor did they delay long to try their PROV
ess. Buoyed up with victory at other points,
and speeulating upon the decentralization Of
cur jaded disheartened soldiers, who had
scarcely reached the positions assigned
them, the jubilant foe soon hove in sight
and. commenced an attack by cannonade.
This was on Monday the 18th day Of May
1868. No direct assault was yet made, and
this gave time fer the despondeat gloom
which seemed at first to have. settled ike
pail over the army, to be dispelled, and hope
once more to cheer our hearts. 1t is impos-
sible to illustrate the real heaviness and ap-
parent despair that momentarily cucumber
ed our troops. Baned, foiled and defeated
at every. point and only fallen back to Viclzs-
burg as a de77t5er resort, where near an hun
dred thousand Of the epemy environed, and
like the boa. constructor, wound their serpen-
tine folds about them, there were fearful
forebodings and dark anticipatipns FREEDOM
iuant in the minds Of all The doubt was
generally expressed Of our inability, not
withstanding the advantages Of position, to
hold the place against such odds, and every
variety Of scheme was evoked in anticipa-
ton Of speedy surrender, for escaping the
horrors Of Northern prison. Such sen
timent was Of course unfortunate and con
tFibuted very much to weaken the real
strength of the garrison The Importance
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