CHAPTER XIII.
The trite saying of Gen. Sherman that “war is hell” cannot be fully appreciated by the people of this generation; only those who have been through the horrors of war on the battle field and in the hospitals, can fully realize the horrors of war. Let me tell you how one brave man of my company lost his life through the most reckless foolishness. One day during the siege he succeeded in procuring some whisky from some unknown source and drank enough of it to make him half drunk. While in this condition he took it into his head to go out in the open and march out towards Fort Hill, and finding something of interest in the open field, he brought it to camp and boasted to the boys where he got it. Some one went and reported to the First Sergeant that E—— was drunk and had said that he was going to walk right up on top of Fort Hill. The Sergeant detaileda Corporal to watch E—— and keep him in camp, but the soldier having enough whisky in him to make him reckless and without reason or sense, escaped his watch and went boldly up to Fort Hill and climbed the fort, but when on top a bullet from the enemy laid him low. As we boys got the body of our comrade that night and buried it, we could not help but say, that if poor E—— had let the accursed whisky alone he would have been living, and we then declared that liquor was a greater enemy than the men who opposed us with their muskets.
On the 3rd day of July, 1863, a white flag was seen, nearly opposite to the “White House.” Firing ceased in that vicinity and presently several Confederate officers approached our lines to confer with Gen. Grant. The General declined meeting them, but sent word he would meet Gen. Pemberton at 3 o’clock in front of Gen. McPherson’s lines. Soon after Gen. Pemberton came out and met Gen. Grantunder a big tree, about midway between the two lines, where they had a conference as to the surrender of Vicksburg, “The Gibralter of America.” After a talk of an hour, possibly, Gen. Pemberton returned inside the fortifications, and then after correspondence lasting until the next day, terms of surrender were finally agreed upon, and on Saturday, July 4, 1863, the anniversary of American Independence, the garrison of Vicksburg marched out of the works it had defended so long, and stacking their arms, hung their colors on the center, laid off their knapsacks, belts and cartridge boxes, and thus shorn of the accoutrements of the soldier, marched down the road into the city. They went through the ceremony with that downcast look, so touching on a soldier’s face. Not a word was spoken, save the few words of command necessary to be given by their officers, and these were given in a subdued manner. What an army it was—30,000 men and 172 cannon. Gen.J. B. McPherson, commanding the 17th Army Corps, addressed a letter to Col. Rawlins, chief of staff to Gen. Grant, saying, “If one regiment goes in advance to the court house to take possession, I respectfully request that it be the 45th Illinois. This regiment has borne the brunt of the battle oftener than any other in my command and always nobly.” Col. Rawlins endorsed this letter, stating that it was left to Gen. McPherson to designate such regiment as he saw proper to go forward and take possession of the court house. Gen. McPherson then sent a letter to Gen. John A. Logan, commanding the third division: “I suggest that the 45th Illinois take the advance in going into the city.” Now the boys in blue take up their line of march into the city. Gen. Badeau, in his history of Gen. Grant says: “Logan’s division was one of those which had approached nearest the works, and now was the first to enter the town. It had been heavily engaged in both assaultsand was fairly entitled to this honor. The 45th Illinois Infantry marched at the head of the line and placed its battle-torn flag on the court house in Vicksburg. Gen. Grant and Gen. Logan rode into the town at the head of Logan’s division.”
When inside the works, and in the city, the men of the two armies affiliated at once. Groups of Union and Confederate soldiers could be seen wherever there was a shady place; the Union soldier pumping the rebel and giving him in return for the information hard tack and bacon, which the poor famished fellows accepted with a grateful look. The Confederates reclined on the glass and while munching their hard tack, tell what they “reckon” is their loss; how long they “allowed” to hold out; how our sharpshooters killed “right smart” of their men and they wish “we’uns” and “you’uns” could have this war ended and all live together in peace. Many of the Union and Confederate soldierswere seen walking arm in arm; they felt they were countrymen. Five days’ rations were issued to the prisoners, consisting of bacon, hominy, peas, coffee, sugar, soap, salt and crackers.
Here is what one of the Confederates wrote about it: “How the famished troops enjoyed such bounteous supplies, it is needless to state. For once the brave boys were now objects of their enemy’s charity. They grew jovial and hilarious over the change in their condition. The Yankees came freely among them and were unusually kind. They asked innumerable questions and were horrified at the fact of the men eating mules and rats.” After feeding and paroling this large army of men, for it took several days to parole them, they silently and sadly marched out and off to their homes, while the boys in blue and the people of the North were full of rejoicing. Here is a few lines, composedby one of the boys in blue at the time:
“The armies of the Union’Round Vicksburg long had lain,For forty-seven days and nights,Besieging it in vain.Then came the morning of the Fourth,Our nation’s jubilee.Ah, could the news this hour go forth,In Vicksburg soon we’ll be.The siege is done, the struggle past,On this eventful day;Glad tidings crown us as at lastOur thanks to God we pay.”
“The armies of the Union’Round Vicksburg long had lain,For forty-seven days and nights,Besieging it in vain.Then came the morning of the Fourth,Our nation’s jubilee.Ah, could the news this hour go forth,In Vicksburg soon we’ll be.The siege is done, the struggle past,On this eventful day;Glad tidings crown us as at lastOur thanks to God we pay.”
“The armies of the Union
’Round Vicksburg long had lain,
For forty-seven days and nights,
Besieging it in vain.
Then came the morning of the Fourth,
Our nation’s jubilee.
Ah, could the news this hour go forth,
In Vicksburg soon we’ll be.
The siege is done, the struggle past,
On this eventful day;
Glad tidings crown us as at last
Our thanks to God we pay.”
Yes, Old Glory floated over Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, and what rejoicing there was throughout the North when the news came to your homes that Vicksburg had fallen. Yes, Old Glory still floats there, and may we earnestly hope it will continue to wave as long as the city remains. We can rejoice today that we live to see a reunited people with one country and one flag. But while rejoicing, let us not forget those who have died on fields of honor, and while the years glide on, let the dead of Raymond, Champion Hills and Vicksburg never be forgotten. Let us think of them as standing guard overour dearly won prize, until the bugle sounds for silence, while the angel calls the roll. The third largest national cemetery in the United States is located at Vicksburg. Each of the small head stones marks the resting place of a hero. Seventeen thousand Union soldiers are buried in the 50 acres in this consecrated spot, of which 12,957 have the simple inscription, “Unknown,” marked on their head stones. But they are not unknown to Him who cares for all. He takes cognizance of the heroes who fell fighting for their country and for freedom. Although their names are missing from the roster of the city where their ashes lie, still the great Jehovah keeps the record of the brave, and He will reward them in His own good time.