380 "THE REBS TRYING TO PEPPER US." shower. Turned in, and slept in the water all night, but knew nothing of it till morning. Hot -hot-hot! We're getting cooked down here, and the rebs, knowing it, keep trying their hand at peppering us. Got nine letters from home to-day. Other boys got more. great deal about home. There is scarcely an that does not record some event with a touch of humor in it, a frolic, or, at least, a gay social time that enlivened the gloominess of army life. We talked, and sang low, a No sleep all night." entry in one of the diaries They reached the army just in time to be incorporated with the troops whose efforts were directed to the re-opening of the Mississippi, and first to the reduction of Vicksburg, as the direct means to that end. They accompanied General Sherman on the Tallahatchie march, which was "mere fun," as the roads were good, the country new to them, and very pleasant. Then they went in his command to Chickasaw Bluffs, where they stood ready to aid in an immediate attack, for three days and nights. The horses were ready harnessed, and standing, and the men sleepless and expectant; the rain pouring, the mud of the swamp-land where they were stationed deepening, the execrable bayous about them becoming hourly more dangerous and impassable. Baffled, beaten back, and repulsed with great slaughter, Sherman returned up the river to Milliken's Bend, and our boys, incorporated into the Thirteenth Corps, in which they afterwards remained, were ordered thither also. Under command of General McClernand, they next went on an expedition against Arkansas Post, or Fort Hindman, up White River, fifty miles from CAME DOWN THE TREE IN A HURRY. 383 the Mississippi, which fell into the hands of our troops, with five thousand prisoners. The following entries from two of the diaries briefly tell the story of their share in this engagement: "January 9, 1863. Started up White River on steamer Louisiana, which received our men, horses, and guns. Left our sick men on the Adriatic, in charge of Corporal Dyer (the excellent nurse we have before mentioned), as we are bound on an expedition of some sort against the enemy. Sent two short notes to father and friends, not knowing what may happen. Men in excellent spirits, spoiling for a fight." "Jan. 10.-Left the boat, and travelled three miles towards the Fort, against which we are proceeding. Received an accession of five men to our squad from the One Hundred Thirty-first Illinois Infantry. Horses remained harnessed to the guns all night. Passed a line of rebel rifle-pits. The gunboats shelled the woods and Fort all the evening." "Jan. 11.- Our battery ordered into action. Started about nine o'clock. Passed the second line of rifle-pits, and halted near a grave-yard. At noon the ball opened. We were drawn up within three hundred yards of the Fort. Early in the engagement a shell exploded over and around us, giving Hugh Wilson a big scare, who, boy-like, had climbed a tree, standing right in the range of the enemy's guns, hoping to see what was being done in the Fort. He was covered with broken branches, cut off by the explosion of the shell, and came down in a hurry, uttering a prayer or an oath, he says he does not know which. The artillery thundered around the Fort in all directions. We fired about forty rounds 384 CAPTURE OF VICKSBURG. from 'Old Abe,""- for so they had named one of their guns," when the rebs ran up the white flag. Amid tremendous cheering, that seemed to rend the heavens, we swarmed into the Fort, and took possession. We camped on the field that night." Our boys were highly complimented by their officers for their gallant behavior on this occasion. The papers trumpeted their praises, and on the next Sunday, when Mr. T thanked God for their preservation, in the prayers of the morning service, every heart uttered a voiceless but fervent and devout "Amen!" Next came the siege of Vicksburg, when they marched from Milliken's Bend down the west bank of the Mississippi nearly seventy miles, to a point opposite Grand Gulf. Here they crossed with other troops, and, under the lead of General Grant, marched to the rear of that seemingly invincible city. Until its surrender, they were active in the various measures that led to its capitulation on that glorious Fourth, when the nation surrendered itself to a delirium of joy over the success of our armies at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. Hitherto we had been able to keep up constant communication with the boys. There was an uninterrupted procession of boxes going down to them, filled with everything for which they asked and with many things for which they never thought of asking. Letters, papers, periodicals, clothing, writing materials, postage-stamps, photographs of persons, places, and scenes, everything which seemed likely to amuse, comfort, or assist, was sent on its way to their encampment. Very many of their friends obtained passes within the lines, and visited them, returning |