The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1866-03-10


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whole is complete, such material as viii add
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fered in this number
ENUMBrR l.
The siege of vieksburg, Miss, which
commenced properly on the night of the 18th
of May, 1868, will claim and secure an i'm
portant place in the future history of the
Southern Confederacy; its Importance will
gain interest from the fierce and unceasing
efforts of the Federals for twelve months
previous to reduce this stronghold and the
indomitable courage and successful efforts of
the Confederates, during that period to hold
it. About one year before the commence
ment Of this siege the last stronghold of the
Confederates on the Mississippi river above
Yicksburg had been abandoned, and this
great inland sea from its source to its outlet
seemed likely to fall into the hands of the
Federal Government The bloody field of.
Shiloh was yet fresh in the minds of the peo-
pie Blood had been poured out like water,
and the fower,spirits of the South had bit
the dust before an overwhelming force of
Northern troops, and the cry was, still they
come" The Confederates rallied again at
Corinth, and rapidly fortified this position.
Nothing daunted, the Union forces threw
their bristling lines around the place, zeal
ously. expecting to crush out the anxious
garrison Anxiety stood on tip-toe, and held
her breath Nearer and nearer together
came the hostile armies-and two nations
watched in silence their skiIful movements.
For the South, hope for moment bid the
world farewell, when one memorable dark
and silent Right, so dark and SO silent, itseem-
ed portentous of a boistrous morrow, as the
calm before storm, the Confederates quietly
with muTied drums and whispering breath
under the leadership of the peerless Beau
regard, withdrew from the trenches, not
| daring to hazard battle against such num-
bers as opposed them. With the evacuation
of Corinth, also Fort Pillow fell. Memphis
was given up and the line of military oper-
ations transferred further South. In the
meantime New Orleans had met similar
fate as the Bluff City, and given place to the
reign of Beast Butler Dark indeed was
the day for the Confederacy, the mind reeled,
the heart grew sick at its contemplation
! When all for a moment seemed lost, the
Star of Hope, like the Morning Star of Beth
lehnn, dawned out full and clear IN the po-
litical horizon, pointing our wise men to
| Vicksburg. Intuitively, its natural defences
and military capabilities seemed to loom up
before them, and with a rush the position was
secured, heavy batteries planted, and an in-
domitable spirit Of determination evineed to
hold this place at all hazards. Port Hudson
likewise, below was fortified. thus checking
the Federal fleets which threatened to sweep
away every obstacle and establish undivided
sway over this great thoroughfare. This
timely energy on the part Of the Confeder-
ates stayed the tide Of invasion and redeemed
the fairest portion Of the South from deyast
alton. 1t not only preserved the State OF
Mississippi and jackson, its capital, from
falling into the hands of the Federals, but
maintained the mutual communication SO
necessary between the States of the Con-
federacy on either side of the Mississippi
river" a communication deyouty to be
wished" The Importance Of maintaining a
| safe communication with the Trans-Missis
sippi States was then TOO plain to require
comment. Thence came large supplies from
! the fertile plains of Texas, the sugar plant
ations Of Louisiana, and the rich loan land.
+ of Arkansas Besides this in military
point of view, the severance of the Confed
eracy, by permitting the enemy to contro
; and occupy the Mississippi river, would work
: untold mischief to the Southern cause, no
only cutting of that mutual dependence anC
concert Of action, so desirable in war, bl
rendering each section necessarily sef-sus
/ tanning. No patriot could contemplate sucl
a disaster without emotions of fear and deel
G concern. These potent considerations Ob
t tanned a heaiChfuI influence with the author
ties at Richmond, and every effort was mad,
[ ! to render the heroic city Of Yicksburs a
irnpregnable as possible. Not only were tn
! numbers, ealibre, and positions of the heav.
: guns, defending the river, selected with. car
and deep interest but the Engineering Corp
! were called upon to select and construct th
most available line of fortifcations in tn
i rear of the city. The result Of the sieg
will prove how well their duties we're pei
f; formed, Besides the fortifcations immed
:, ately arouud the place, attention was like
: wise directed to the ulterior approaches