The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-02-08
WAR OF THE REBELLION.

9Co6Gnue0 ID
fought all the time with the utmost
obstinacy, and only succumbed when II
had been fought to a finish by the un-
conQuerable resolution Of the Yankees.
The garrison did not surrender because
Vicksburg fell, but because 1t could no
longer resist the savage pounding day
and night of the tenacious Yankees,
who hourly forced themselves nearer
and nearer, and at the last were within
only q few feet, and preparing for an
assault which could hardly have help
ed becoming a massacre. We have few
official reports Of the conditions inside,
but much is told in a diary kept by
John A. Kennedy, list Ala. who was
captured June IL, while attempting to
dispatches from Gardner to Gen. Joe
Johnston. The entries read:
The Rebels Diary.
long after night yesterday evening.
The fight has opened-it opened at
daybreak. The fight has been very
warm to-day. ! received shot in the
foot. but it is slight. The Yanks at
tempted to charge the works but was
raining. We have a muddy time-a
very wet time for sleeping.
MAY 30.-The fight opened at day
light. Our company has three wound
ed in the hospital The Yanks have
been sharpshooting all day. We have
lost but one man belonging to Co. B.
The Yanks are building -pits-they
fire very close. / have been sharp
shooting some to-day The boys are
very lively.
last night. We have quit living like
men and are living like hogs. The
Yanks have built rifle-pits with port
holes. Our battery was silenced this
morning; five of Co. A was wounded.
Our regiment has lost 26 killed and 40
from our position by Miles's Legion.
We will return to our position, / guess.
tomorrow. The Yanks are Smelling
from the lower fleet. Ten of us are go
Ing at a time to camps to get clean
clothes.
June IL was on guard last night
The Yanks shelled us last night, but
did no damage. Sam Hagin and Bob
Bailey was killed by rifle cannon-shot
this morning. The Yanks are still
lery. They have dismounted all our
guns. They are the best artillerists I
ever saw. The lower fleet has pitched
us few shots from Long Tom.
"June 2.-The lower fleet shelled us
last night. I am a little unwell this
morning. There has not been much
fighting to-day. The artillery is BOOM
Ing occasionally, and the sharpshooters
are still popping away. The Yanks
threw few balls at one of our bat
teries near us to-day. 1t is reported
that we have reinforcementS between
Clinton and Ostrica.
June 3.-The Yanks has been shoot
Ing all around us to-day. The Hessions
seem to be rather afraid to attempt to
storm our works again: but seem rath-
er inclined to starve US out. / hope
we will receive reinforcements in time
to prevent it. Heaven help us!
June fl am very unwell this
morning. The lower fleet shelled us
last night. The shells made the boys
hunt place of safety; such as bitches.
rat-holes, trees, etc. We are going to
our old position. I am sick at camp.
June 5.-We are still besieged by
the Yanks Another day has passed
and no reinforcements. Sim Herring
was wounded in the head to-day. The
Yanks are still sharpshooting, also
using their artillery with but little eff
feet. We hear a great many different
reports.
June s.-The river is falling very
fast. 1t is very, very hot weather.
Several shots from 'whistling Dick
came over our camp to-day. Sewell is
Smelling the Yanks. / expect to go to
the breastworks in the morning. Sew
eral of the boys are at camp. sick.
June 7.-Another day has dawned
and no reinforcements. I shall go to
the breastworks this morning. The
Yanks are still popping away from
their rifle-pits. One Of Co. was
killed to-day while looking over the
breastwork. 1t is very. very hot. and
we have lain in the ditch all day.
June 8.-The Yanks began to sharp
shoot at daybreak. We had two men
killed yesterday. I am afraid some of
our company will get shot next. An
forcements, but / hope we will receive
them soon. The Yanks have been
Smelling our breastworks but no dam
age done. 1t is very disagreeable sit
ting in these dirty ditches-but this the
Confederate soldier expects and bears
cheerfully; but another long hot day
has passed, and who knows what may
be our situation at this time tomorrow
evening?
June s-The Tanks attempted a
charge last evening but was repulsed
Whistling Dick is at work to-day, 1t
has played a full hand too. Whistling
Dick is tearing our camps all to pieces
Charles Dixon and Berry Hagin was
wounded by fragments of our cook
shelter, which was shot down. Our
sick has been removed to the ravine
1t is difficult to get something to eat
The Yankee artillery Is playing upon
US all around. The Heshians burned
our commissary with a shell to-day.
June 10-Another day and night
has passed, and this poor, worn-out
garrison has received no assistance
We have lain in the bitches 90 days.
and still there Is no prospect Of succor
but / truly hope we will soon receive
reinf0rcements. The men is getting
sick very fast. The Yankee artillery is
keeping up dreadful noise. and Nor
mon have been detailed for some ex-
ira duty. The Hessions gave us q few
rounds as we were crossing the field
] received dispatches from the General
IN person.
June 1.-THE Yanks used their
artillery at tremendous rate last
night. I went to or attempted to visit
Col. Steedman's headquarters. / had
gay time trying to find them: falling
In rayines etc. I was in hot place
shure- We captured a Yankee Captain
and Lieutenant last night. The Yanks
seemed disposed to make a general as
eault last night" .
At this point. the journal suddenly
stops; the author having been taken
prisoner.
Close Work.
Col. Twins History continues:
las the saps in front of Bainbridge's
and Duryea's batteries drew every day
In hn ha nd