Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-02
r DURING THE SIEGE.
THE PLUcKY LITTLE CONFEDERATE
DAILY PUBLISHED IN ViCKSeURG.

Printed on Wall Paper when the supply
Of White Paper Was Exhausssd-A Plea
for Mule MeA4-Hopefnl 10 the Last.
Exchanging for Northern Paperx.
"The Vicksburg Daily Citizen" WAS the
pretentious sitle ef . little sheet issued
IN the besieSed city, never much for size,
but always as full Of fight as a little
onion is of pungeucy. When white paper
ran ont. The Citizen appeared on the white
side Of wall paper. When successes were
gained, it glorifed them; when Lone could
be- heard Of it invented some, and just as
the situation grew darker In Vicesburg the
tone Of the little daily grew more defiant and
hopeful 1t is said that there are now but
two complete files Of this paper in existence,
and most appropriately one is owned by a
Federal and the other by a Confederate
officer, both survivors of the iege. Toward
the last the paper got out only semi
weekly, and this article Ia ore of the late
issues was read in the Federal lines within
two hours after 1t was issued:
I'VE are indebted to Maj Gillespie for .
steak OK Confederate beef-alias mule meat
We have tried it and can assure our friends
that they need have no scruples at eating tho
meat It is sweet and tender, and 50 long as
we have a mule left, we are satisfied our
soldiers viii be content to subsist on it"
This paper was exchanged for northern
papers daily on the picket lines of tie two
armies In every besleged city since history
began there has been q popular cry that
some citizens had concealed stores Of food !;
and so We find this in The Citizen:
Eve are satisfied that many people have
breadstuhs secreted, and that they are doing
it out at most exorbitant prices 1t is
charged that some are selling -four at IS a
pound; corn SO, and molasses $40 If this il
proved, let the brand be placed On their
brow, that humanity may sccrn and shuo
them as they would the portals Of hell"
Pretty soon after things began to look blue
in Vicksburg; 50 the editor announced that
be had received late New York, Richmond
and Chattanooga news, and sums it up thus
chearily;
4 HOPEFUL VIEW.
"Today the mongrel administration of
Lincoln is like Japhetsin search Of Q Father,
for their Old Abe has departed to p.rts I'M
known. We lay before our readers an 40
count Of the brilliant onslaught On Mary
land upon the Lincoln hordes, and show,
OWN AO-A< oASAA WA AoSSAS0S AfSW eAk0 b0x-
LIANT boys Of our cavalry have flashed their
swords to tho hilt with tho rant;ng foes and
how each musket Of our infantry has told
its fatal ieaden tale. Success and glory to
our arms. God and right arc with u.s.
When the fatal day came the publisher
had this article set for the next issue:
ION dit: That the great Ulysses Cen
eralissimo, surnamed Grant, has ex-
pressed his intention OF dining in Vicksburg
on Saturday next, and celebrating the 4th Of
July by grand dinner, etc. When asked if
he would invite Joe Johnston to Join him no
said, NO, for fear there would be q row at
the table Ulysses must get into the city
before he dimes in it. The way to cook .
rabbit is first catch your hare etc"
That number, however, was not issued by
the publisher. It 80 happened that the first
Fcderals to reach the centsr Of the city were
printers. They took possession of the COM
pleted "forms," lifted" the last article In
the page, inserted the following and struck
OF several copies:
July 4, 1868
Two days bring about great changes he
banner of the Union floats over VichsburK
Gen. Grant has caught the rabbit" He has
arrived in Vicksburg and he did bring his dinner
with him. The Citizen lives 70 SEQ it. For the
L. No. "a