The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-03-05
Read "Bctter than Pension" on page 5.
SIEGE OF VIcKsBURG.
DIggInE and FIshlInE. aId poe Great sarrtndsr.

Digging and Fighting, and the Great Sure nder.
EDITOR NATIOSAL TRIBUNE: At the request
Of a number of my old comrades Of the 29th
| No. readers of The NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
will give a brief account of our experiences
and participation in the memorable campaign
and siege OF Yicksburg.
The morning Of May Is 1863. our First Bril-
Eade, First Division, Fifteenth Corps, left
Jackson Miss, for VicksbuTg, via Clinton and
camped the same evening on the bloody battle
field of that day, near Champion Hills. The
following morning we moved forward 10 Black
River, seven miles above the railroad bridge,
where we met with stubborn resistance TO
our crossing; but, after a furious Smelling for
an hour, the enemy gave way, our pontoons
were laid, and we crossed before daylight the
morning of the 18th Rnd advanced on the road
TO Vicksburg, some IS miles distant, and
reached the outer works about shutdown.
Here we were met By heavy force Of the
enemy, and severe skiTmish ensued, in which
our regiment lost a number Of men killed and
wounded. The next day we were assigned a
position on the extreme right Of tho army,
near the Mississippi River, where we were Wig
orOusly sheled day and night for sometime.
On the afternoon Of the 22d Of May il become
apparent that we wero going to have a battle,
and our Colonel James Peckham, ordered our
regiment into line and made us speech, in
forming us that we were expected to make
NnAIHt on INC NOIkH Ol the enemy, anu Tt-
questiBg that il there was n man in the ranks
that did not propose TO go forward at tho com
mand for him 10 step out. Two men only
stepped forward, when they were quickly
jerked back aud driven out Of tho regiment
with threats that IL they ever returned they
would be shot on sight.
We were soon moved forward in support Of q
battery, and the troops 30 our lefr ~ far as we
could see advanced in line Of battle across the
low uallev IN bn formidable nf al
hills and eaTthworks occupied by the enemy.
From our position IL presented grand but
awful sight when both lines became engaged
in deadly conflict. For some minutes il seemed
rs If our men would surely reach the rebel
works; but we were sorely disappointed as
the smoke OF battle cleared up little To find
! our line in full retreat repu sed and broken.
Col. Peckham now ordered Cos. A and F for
ward 10 a bridge across a wide raviDe. driving
from a small earthwork lot of rebel sharp
shooters. While defending this work the Colo
mel was severely wounded in the shoulder and
went TO the rear. Our regiment sustained hut
little loss in this engagement, but We stood
ready to go forward in the grand charge when
over ordered to do 20.
On tho following day a flag Of truce was
out for two hours to recover our wounded
and bury our dead, and many of the soldiers
OF both sides met at spring between the
lines in our front 10 all their canteens aud
do little swapping Of tobacco and consider
ablo amount Of friendly Dragging Of the
strength Of each army, when the signal-ggn
announced the close Of this truce and the
spring was soon deserted. A few days later our
regiment was moved farther to the left and in
rear Of the marine battery Of two g. Founders,
taken from the wreck Of the gunboat Cincinnati.
Here we remained during tho siege. On the
2Jth OF June a terrific bOmbardment was kept
up forsix hours from every available gun on
our line, without any visible effect, except to
completely silence the. rebels for the time
being, while our men exposed themselves all
along the line; but as soon as the lombard
mSnt ceased We hunted cover, and the usual
desultory firing Of small-arms was resumed on
each side.
The 4th Of July opened up clear and
hot. Tho soldiers crowded the lines TO talk
with one another, aud il Was with some diff
Guilty they were kept apart. Not a gun uss
heard along the line, to remind US Of this our
natal day. But re had program prepared,
which Was carried out 70 the letter. About 10
a. m, while we were all waiting for the pro-
ccssion to move, the enemy marched out out
between the lines, $1,000 strong, with banners,
aud stacked arms. Theu the bands began N
play, aud cheers rent tho air from ono end Of
the line 10 the other. The victory was ours.
All honor to the genius Of our noble com
mander, Gen. u. 8 Grant and the whole
army. r. TIsDALE, Principal Musician,
29th No. Ihillicothe Mo