June 21, 1863 Vicksburg
Siege of Vicksburg,June 21st 1863.
Mr. Editor:
The 34th day of the siege has come with but little change in
the situation. In accordance with an order from Gen. Grant, our
batteries all along the lines opened on the enemy's works yesterday
morning at four o'clock, and continued to pour in the shot and
shell into rebel camps and the city until 10 o'clock A.M. It must
have made it terribly hot for them. Seventy shells were seen to
burst in one of their forts. During all the six hours of
cannonading they did not dare to raise their heads to reply from
their fort, and the only evidence of any rebels being there was a
ball from their rifle pits whizzing over our heads occasionally.
The evening previous they fired a few rounds of grape and shell at
the 76th from one of their forts on the hill opposite us, but they
did not get them close enough to hurt anybody. It stirred us up
some however for it was the first salute of the kind we had heard
from them for several days. This thing of fighting all day by the
month, is getting to be a very irksome business, but the obstinate
rascals across the ravine won't hoist the white flag yet, and I
think we can endure it a little longer than they can, with their
short rations and iron hail storms. They hold on to the beleagured
garrison with an endurance and obstinacy worthy of a better cause.
There has been no casualties in the regiment since Holtsbury was
killed, and the sick list is moderate in number.
Our situation on these high hills, where we can get a purer
atmosphere, is much more conducive to good health than in the
lowlands and in the neighborhood of the malarious pools and bayous
of Young's Point and Milliken's Bend. Our camp equipage left behind
at Milliken's Bend, has all been brought over to the Yazoo landing,
but only a few tents have been brought here yet, as we have not
room enough to lay out a regular camp on the hillside we occupy
behind our rifle pits. What tents we have get balls put through
them frequently. The boys have dug pits in the side hills, and
covered them over with pieces of old tents left behind by the
rebels when they were driven in. Cane grows abundantly in the
ravines, and by platting a few of them together with bark and
placing something under the ends to raise them a few inches from
the ground, quite a springy and comfortable bedstead is made, which
is much better than lying on the ground, especially when the
weather is wet. As there are now no hopes of being able to
celebrate the 4th of July with our friends at home, we cherish the
hope that we may be able to celebrate it in the city of Vicksburg.
Opinions are various as to how much longer the rebels can hold out,
some think only a few days while others think they might hold out
weeks, but all agree that they must put up the white flag and
submit finally to an unconditional surrender. There is the greatest
confidence in Gen. Grant's ability to prevent the siege being
raised by Johnston, Bragg, or anybody else who may attempt it, and
the heavy reinforcements that are coming in make us feel doubly
sure that there is no question about holding our position.
Captain Landgraeber, better known by the Soubriquet of the
"Flying Dutchman" was severely wounded this morning while standing
near his battery taking a survey of the enemy's works. His battery
is on the hill we occupy. A detail of 40 men in charge of Captain
Wheeler has been at work on the gunboat "Cincinnati" today, making
an effort to get off her guns, but they have been discovered by the
rebels and one of their batteries is throwing shells at them, so
they will probably have to withdraw till after dark. She has 13, 7,
8, and 9 inch guns on her. The river is rising rapidly. Advise your
readers to send the soldiers plenty of newspapers, for all are
eager for the news and we cannot always buy newspapers here. But
hold, I am spinning out too long and must close.
Lieut. R.W.Burt.
Note: Letter to the Newark True American Found at Vicksburg National Military Park
Copyright © 1995-2000 Larry Stevens