The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-04-23
INSIDE VICKSBURG.
REcoLLEcTioNs OF AN Ex-coNFEO-
ERATE CAPTAIN.
Settled Down for a Regular Siege-BOm
bardment by Land and Water-Ex-
pIosion of a 8Tine-The Flag of
Truce-Surrendered.
rst. Louis Republican,

The enemy settled down TO q regular siege.
He increased his force Of skirmishers en-
larged his rifle pits, erected new batteries
and opened steady fire along the entire line
of works. He made no attempt to bury the
brave fellows that gave up their lives in the
charge, and after two days the bodies OF his
dead became offensive that at last he was
compelled to grant a truce Of few hours TO
perform this act of humanity. This work
done, the firing was resumed and kept up oy
the enemy day and night for about SIX
weeks. His force was so great and ms ad-
vantages by land and water so many that he
was able by reliefs and achievements to
keep up a continuous fire on Vicksburg from
all points At night the bombardment from
the mortar feet was fearful. Large shells
were thrown high into the air, where their
lighted fuses looked like large sky-rockets.
Then they would burst like clap of thunder,
and the fragments would be hurled down
into the place, frequently killing and wound
ing the men. 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 were struck time and again, and many
Of the sick and wounded killed.
Notwithstanding the dreadful situation,
the bombardment 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 to touch it, but hunger re-
quires no sauce. Sickness prevailed to an
alarming extent. Famine and want were
ever present. We hoped against hope 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. It 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 few
yards separated US He invented about this
time devils mortar, made Of wood and
bound with iron. 1t held just enough pow
der to throw shell over our works, when it
would burst right in our midst, killing and
wounding our men dreadfully. We re-
sponded with and-grenades, and learned,
after the siege, with the same deadly effect
upon the enemy. Nevertheless, this wooden
mortar was terror to u.s.
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 It seemed as if hell itself had Joined
the efforts of the enemy to dislodge u.s. The
ground about us fairly trembled; clouds of
earth were thrown high into the air with an
appalling roar The dreadful loss of life it
entailed and the deafening roar of fifty
pieces of the enemy's artillery concentrated
on this spot, it was thought would make our
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. CoclTill, who
rushed to the front of his regiment
saying: "An 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 wounded from the explosion and
those buried in the ruins were dug out under
this dreadful fire. 1t was horrible to look
upon the blackened and mutilated bodies
taken out of this place. The wounded were
cared for as tenderly as possible All this
time we were expecting charge, but 1t was
not made.
AT dark this part of the line was repaired
and the following morning the line presented
understood Johnston had arrived at Big
Black river, and was fighting his way to
ward u.s. 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'clock,
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
and 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
the following day. The storm had passed
and quiet reigned that night, the first in al
most fifty, and we 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 In
time passed away and we slept that night
without danger. About noon the next day,
July 4, the troops marched out and stacked
arms in front OF the works. We returned
to our former position and the Federal forces
marched in division and took formal pos
session of the city.
About a week after the surrender we were
ready Tor the march. Paroles had been
furnished to all, and we bid adieu to our
captors who treated US royalty indeed.
There was nothing too good for the defend
ers Of Vicksburg. We fraternized as
readily as if no trouble had ever existed
between US.