The Bossier banner., 1911-06-29
Forty-Eieht Years Ago atVicksburG.

hearty breakfast on fried rats, whose flesh
he found very good, and fully equal to that
of squirrels. The thought of such food
may be actually nauseating to many OF the
readers of this record, yet, let starvation
with its skeleton form visit them. and all
qualms would speedily vanish, and any
food, to satisfy hunger, be voraciously de-
voured, and considered as sweet mama.
The firing on the lines was not SO brisk
as usual. The enemy were once more un-
dermining the works held by the Third
Louisiana Infantry, and the men went
spiritedly at work digging countermine.
The laborers were so near each other that
the strokes of the pickaxes could be dis
tictly heard, as we'll as the sound of the
voices. The Federal sharpshooters
very impudently wished to know how we
liked mule-meat, proving conclusively that
they were constantly informed of every
event which occurred within the lines.
Their question however, was responded to
in not very flattering or complimentary
language. Thus affairs daily grew darker,
and the men actually raved at the idea OF
surrendering, after their long, gallant and
horoic defence. Their spirits were un-
conquered-unconquerable.
3Oth The last day Of fJune. Thesun shone
brightly, while, groups of summer-clouds
f1oated gently across the heavens. The
sharp-shooting was slow but constant
unceasing all day. The gun-boats ap-
preached the terminus of the lines below,
and poured concentrated fire of shells
into the intrenchments, doing little damage
or injury. Across the river, the peninsula
looked lonely and deserted. The general
apathy in fighting appeared omnious, and
dull, leaden weight unaccountably OPP
pressed the mind, and gave gloomy hue
to every object. The hospitals were sad
scenes Of agony, suffering and death, with
their numerous occupants. Misery, such
as one cares seldom to witness, was seen
on all sides-these heroic men slowly vast
ing away under disease, the agony of tor
turing wounds.
July 1st. Again the gun-boats below
opened a lively cannonading upon the in
trenchments. Elsewhere around the lines
everything was comparatively quiet. AT
2 p. m. the enemy exploded the mine be-
meath the works occupied by the Third
Louisiana Infantry. A huge mass of earth
suddenly, and with tremedous force and a
terrible explosion, flew upwards, and de-
scended with mighty power upon the gal
liant defenders, burying numbers beneath
its falling fragments, bruising and mang-
ling them most horribly. It seemed as il
all hell had suddenly yawned upon the de.
voted band, and vomited forth its sulphur
Gus fire and smoke upon them. The rigi.
ment at this time, was supported by the
First, Fifth and Sixth Missouri Infantry
and upwards of hundred were killed and
wounded. Numbers were shocked and
bruised, but not sufficiently to more than
paralize them for a few moments. The
scene that followed beggared description
At first there was general rush to escape
the huge mass of descending earth. Their
the survivors, without halting to inquire
who had fallen, FASTENED to the immense
gap in the works to repel the anticipated
assault. The enemy, taught by dearly
bought experience, made no attempt t.
enter the opening, not daring to assault ths
intrepid defenders. An immense number
of,12-pounder shells, thrown from wooder
mortars, descended among the troops, do
ing fearful execution.
July I'd. The morning dawned clea
amid the roar of guns, the explosion
Of shells and the angry scream of sole
shot. The enemy opened very briskl.
from mortars, columbiads and Parrot guns
and kept up hot fire on the city and lines
Provisions were very scarce, and murmur
of discont began to be heard, only among
few, whose patriotism and devotion gav'
way under the accumulating horrors ant
the cravings of hunger.
Killed: Lieutenant Jake Horn, Shreve
port Rangers.
July Sd. The cannonading was terrific
and storm of iron hail was poured upor
the city, and the hospitals seemed specia
mark for the enemy's shot and shell. II
the afternoon heavy storm-cloud gather.
cd north and northeast, hanging like 1