, 1885-01-25
IasIDE5HeKsBURG.
REcoLLEcTloNs or All Ex-coNFED.
crate cAPrtiN.
Settled Down for = Regular siese-Bom-
bardmenf by Land and water-Ex-
piosion Of n nnne-The flag OF
Truee-surrendered-


Isl. Louis Republican,
The enemy settled down TO a regular siege.
He increased his forcs OF silrmishers, en-.
larged his rifle pits, erected new batteries
and opened a steady FIRE along the entire line
OF works. He made no st.aihpt TO bury the
brave fellow that gave up their lives in the
charge, Ind after two days the bodies u his
dead iecame 10 offensive that at last he was
compelled 10 grant a truce OF a few hour. 10
perform this act OF humanity. This work
done, the firing wa resumed and kept up iy
the enemy day and night for about six
weeks His force was 80 great and his al
vantages by land and water SO many that he
was able by reliefs and enforcement to
keep up a continuous lre on Vicksburg from
all points At night this bombardment from
the mortar feet was fearful. Large shells
were thrown high into the air, where their
lighted fuses looked like large sky-rockers.
Then they would burst like a clap Of thunder,
and the fragments would DO hurled down
into the place, frequently killing and wound
ing the mem Others would plunge down
into the streets and explode after entering
the ground, tearing up the earth and leaving
Immense holes. Shells would tear through
houses, causing dreadful destruction Hos
pitfalls we're struck time and again, and many
OF the sick and wounded killed.
Notwithstanding the dreadful situation,
tho b~ombardment by land and water was
kept up, the defenders were determined.
During the first week our rations were issued
in the usual quantities. After that they
were cut down TO fourteen ounces Of food
daily. This at last was changed when our
beef and bacon gave out and mule meat sub
stituted- For several days it was hard to
get the troops 70 touch it, but hunger re-
quires no sauce Sickness prevailed 10 an
alarming extent Famine and want were
ever present. We hoped against hops for
Joe Johnston's command to relieve us. We
heard SO much by the grapevine route
about the mighty army under Johnston that
had been organized at Jackson, how Lee and
Bragg had sent on their veterans TO rescue
US 1t kept up our hearts and hopes, and
every day We expected to hear their guns
The enemy, in the meantime, had drawn
his line closer and closer, until only a few
yards separated us. He invented about this
time a DEVILS mortar, made Of wood and
bound with iron. 1t held just enough pow
der 10 throw a shell over our works, when Il
would burst right in our midst, killing and
~wounding our men dreadfuliy. We re.
sponded with hand -grenades, and learned,
after the siege, with the same deadly effect
upon the enemy. Nevertheless, this wooden
mortar was a terror to us.
Then we mined and could hear the enemy
in their tunnels at the same work. This con
tinued until the first day Of July at noon,
when an Immense mine was exploded in
front Of the Sixth Missouri, Col. Sen
tiny. 1t seemed as II he'll itself had Joined
the efforts OF the enemy to dislodge US. The
ground about us fairly trembled; clouds Of
earth were thrown high into the air with an
appalling roar. The dreadful loss Of life II
arfaf1ol n.I flo H. AZ
pieces Of the enemy's artillery concentrated
on this spot. it was thought would make oui
troops abandon this point On the contrary,
they stood firmer than ever. We moved
into that awful breach, supporting the gal
liant Second Missouri, Col. Cockrill, who
rushed to the front of his regiment
saying: "Al of us must die here
before this point is carried. Men Of
Missouri, stand firm; the fate of VIcksburg
depends ON you" We answered him with a
cheer: stand to your ground, colonel, the
First Missouri will die with you too" Our
colonel, RELY, was at his side in a moment
to assure him Of our help. For two hours
those two regiments lay in that breach, with
bursting shells and kissing bullets all around
US. The rounded from the explosion and
those buried In the ruins were dug out under
this dreadful fire. 1t was horrible to look
1k0A 49, IAAa Vi
taken out Of this place. Tho wounded were
cared for as tenderly as possible. All this
time we were expecting a charge, but 1t was
not made.
At dark this part Of the line was repaired
and the following morning the line presented
a very good defense. During the day we
understood Johnston had arrived at Big
Black river, and was fighting his way to
ward us. Great excitement prevailed, and
the troops desired to be led over the works
and cut our way to Johnston's command.
The next morning, July 3, about o o'clock,
a flag of truce was sent out by Gen. Pember-
ton. The firing ceased. and shortly after
Gen. Bowen and Col. Montgomery passed
out OF the works. The interview that was
held was not satisfactory, for they returned
about an hour later, and the firing was re-
sumed. About the middle OF the afternoon
another truce took place. Gems Pemberton
and Bowen and Col. Montgomery went out
aud held another interview with Gems.
Grant, MCPHERSON and others in plain view
of the regiment. 1t was then settled and
Vicksburg was surrendered.
The formal surrender was to take place
tho following day. The storm had passed
and quiet reigned hat night, the first In al
most fifty, and wo passed amidst the horrors
of war. The silence was at first so unusual
that it became in a manner painful, and pro-
duced a feeling of restlessness. This liz
time passed away and we slept that night
without danger. About noon the next day,
July 4, the troops marched out and stacked
arm in front OF the works. We returned
to our former position and the Federal forcss
marched In a division AMI took formal pos
session OF the city.
About a week after the surrender we were
ready for the march. Paroles had been
furnished to all. aud we bid a LEA to our
captors, who treated Us royalty indee l.
There wal nothing too good for the defenl-
efs Of Vicksburg. We fraternizsd as
reality as il no troubls had ever existed
between US.