The National tribune., 1901-10-17

GRANT AT vICKsBURG.
May 13.-We are glad to learn that
Grants army at VickSburg is making good
progress towards the complete investment
of the city. His columns are fighting their
way in the rear of the city, and If not
checked very soon will completely sur
round and starye out the garrison, that
cannot be driven out on account Of the
great strength of the Notifications.
May 14.-There is a contingency that
may draw us out of our Notifications at
any moment, the contingency of Braggs
army leaving our front to go to the relief
of Vicksburg. Then it would become our
duty to follow the procession and keep
Bragg from interfering with Grant.
May 16.-The continued work in which
our brigade is engaged is having a very
beneficial effect on our health. We have
plenty of good rations and splendid APP
petites to consume them. We could feel
very well cOntented if we could realize
that our work is necessary. We are only
postponing the day of conflict that must
come sooner or later.
May 21.-Ail baggage in the regiment
and clothing of the men in excess of the
allowance prescribed by General Orders
from Department Headquarters were
packed today, marked, and sent to Mar
freesboro to await shipment to Nashville,
where they will he stored until the APP
light marching order.
May 22.-The news from Virginia is
all quiet on the Potomac Gen. Hooker
since his defeat at Charlottesville has not
given the Confederates any trouble. We
are equally considerable, and are giving
Bragg no cause for worry. Grant alone
at Nicksburg is marching, manuvering
and fighting with a welldefined object,
and steadily accomplishing his plans, while
the whole Nation is watching him with
deepest anxiety.
May 23.-The latest news from Grant
is not so favorable. He tried to capture
the stronghold by assaults on the 21st and
22d, and failed, with a heavy loss of life.
He will now resort to Il regular siege, and
starve the garrison into submission. The
Confederates will doubtless try to relieve
Vicksburg by dispatching n force from
some other quarter against Grant, but it
will be our duty to prevent such move
ment.
May 24-During the last week we
have erected a church, where we meet to
worship God. Our church has no walls,
but it has a roof Of green boughs sup
ported by fOrked stakes. We nave no
pews. but we have rough benches. Ser
vice has been held in it during the week,
and many soldiers show a great interest.
Two hundred have joined from our brigade
during the last two weeks, and others are
ready.
May 2j.-Vallandgham, the Copper
head who made himself obnoxious to the
loyal people of Ohio, and who was
ordered by the President to be expelled,
arrived here yesterday, and was escorted
to the Confederate lines under flag OF
truce. The officer in charge at first re-
fused to receive him, but finally consented
to do so. Vallandigham's FIRST remark was
addressed to this officer: Il am a citizen
of Ohio, of the United States, and come
within your lines against my will; consider
me n prisoner
MAY 26.-Another change has been
made in the working hours on the fortifi-
cations, by which the men are allowed
more time in the middle of the day, the
iiUiIrs from 6 to IL a. IN. and from $3.50 to
$50 p. m. However pleasant it may be
at midday it, is far from agreeable to be
turned out so early in the morning or to
work so late in the evening. The fact is,
the working hours are unpopular, what
ever portion of the day is allotted to them.
May 27.-The monotony of our plod-
ding work with pick and spade was broken
at noon today by an order to hold our
selves in readiness to march at a moments
warning, with five days rations and for
age. This vigilant attitude on our part is
necessary to counterfeit any movement on
Braggs part to send reinforcements to the
relief Of Vicksburg. ANY weakening of
the forces opposing us will simply be an
invitation to us to pouacs upon them and