Part 4

On the 2d day of May we left the mouth of this canal as it had proved of but little use and all our work was to no purpose, and we gave up the project as no use. The division left their camps, and owing to delays, the roads being bad, they had to stop to repair them, so teams could pass as we had to transport our provisions on wagons. They did not get but a short distance from camp the first day and the next day they marched about fifteen miles. They followed the course of the canal all the next day, and at last we arrived at Richmond, Louisiana, where we encamped for one night, and next morning resumed our march and camped as before, and the division kept marching from day to day until they arrived at Hard Times Landing. The water was getting low in the canal and a number of barges could be seen all along the route. Our forces followed the course of the canal until they came to a lake or bayou, and they followed this thirty miles below Vicksburg. A bridge had to be constructed for our forces to cross, and here we were delayed part of a day, and we remained all night waiting to cross a bayou that ran into Black Bayou. At length we arrived at Grand Gulf, on the opposite side of the river, where we were delayed in crossing for several hours. Several boats were busily engaged in transporting troops across the river, landing them on the shore. Our turn came at last, and the 11th Missouri soon got on board and were landed on the opposite shore, and here they remained over night, the weather being pleasant we enjoyed a good night's sleep, and awoke quite refreshed from our weary marches.

On the march from Duckport through the State of Louisiana, there were several fine plantations passed, and corn was growing finely, and indications of a good crop. Some splendid dwellings and gardens, and every convenience to make a person comfortable. Before this war broke out the owners of these plantations were living in luxurious ease, nothing to do, slaves to do their bidding and obey their commands, and they became so wealthy that they did not know what to do with their gold, they hardly knew the value of money, they had nothing to do but to get rich, and when this rebellion broke out they were ripe for anything that tended to mischief. They had all left their homes and engaged with their hearts and hands carrying on this unjust war, the almighty negro was the cause. Many valuable lives are lost on both sides, and many more will be lost before this unholy rebellion is crushed. All of these splendid dwellings were destroyed with fire by the soldiers. I will fail in describing the splendor of these dwellings and gardens. All were destroyed, costly furniture and pianos shared the same fate of the other things, nothing was left but smouldering ruins. Many thousand dollars worth of valuable property was destroyed, every deserted dwelling of any value was destroyed on this march, but we were not destined to remain at this place long. There was once a town here but there was nothing but the brick chimneys standing to mark the place, as it had been destroyed by a force of our men before the rebels were driven from this stronghold, as it was a very strong natural position, but a force of our men got in the rear of them and they left everything and fled. Tuttle's division did not arrive in time to take any part. A small force of our men were there to hold this position, as it was situated on a very high bluff it did not require a strong force to hold it.

Everything being in readiness for a forward movement the order was given and the division was soon on the move towards Jackson, the capital of Mississippi. We had to march up a very high hill and kept going from one hill up another until we had gone about two miles, and then it became easier marching.

We did not suffer for want of bacon, hams, sugar or molasses. Some of it was found hid away in the brush. This was taken by the soldiers and very little was left for the owners to use after our forces had passed.

Our advance had a short skirmish with the enemy on the march to Raymond, and five men were killed and wounded on our side. They met with no more opposition until they arrived near Raymond, when Greggs' brigade encountered our advance, and after a desperate resistance they were forced to give way and leave us in possession of the ground. The loss was about equal as they occupied a ditch. The 20th Ohio and 20th Illinois charged upon them and drove them from the ditch at the point of the bayonet. They fired a volley into our advance as they were marching past a heavy piece of timber and took our men partly by surprise, but they soon recovered and drove the enemy from the timber. They could not stand cold steel, as our men rushed with impetuosity right forward, and drove the rebels wherever they tried to make any resistance to our advancing columns; they were bayoneted in the ditch without mercy. Our division did not arrive in time to participate in this battle as the rebels had torn up a bridge we had to cross and burned it, and here we were delayed several hours waiting for the bridge to be repaired. At length the division got started again but the battle was over before we could get to our men's assistance. After passing through Raymond there were indications of an enemy being in advance, when the 5th Minnesota regiment was ordered in front to examine the timber. A line of battle was formed and the advance commenced, the 11th Missouri following the skirmishers. They soon gained a heavy growth of timber. It was with difficulty we could proceed. We had advanced but a short distance into this timber when the order was given to halt, and it being evening, the regiment remained here all night. Some rain fell during the early part of the evening, but it did not last long. As most of us had rubber blankets we did not suffer from the rain, and after preparing our coffee we lay down and slept until morning. Next morning very early the brigade was ordered to fall in, and we were soon on the way towards Jackson. We expected the rebels would dispute our possession of a certain spring, but they did not interfere with us here, as there was a force of cavalry here when the brigade passed in the morning. We halted here long enough to fill our canteens with good cool water. The roads were quite good for marching, as the rain had settled the dust. The bugle was sounded for the command to move forward, and every regiment was soon in motion. On to Jackson, was the word, where the rebels were supposed to be in strong force.

May 14th, the morning was cloudy, and had every appearance of a storm--Our forces had proceeded within about six miles of Jackson, when the rain commenced falling in torrents, and the roads soon became almost impassable, but still they moved onward until they arrived within about two miles of Jackson, when the 5th Minnesota regiment was ordered to halt, and the 11th Missouri was put in advance, and company B and F were sent in front to act as skirmishers, and some of the 47th Illinois. Company F, commanded by Captain Clealand, and company B, Lieutenant Weber. They deployed as skirmishers and Clealand ordered them to advance. The rebels had opened from one of their batteries and were getting the range pretty well, when the 2d Iowa battery was ordered forward, and they opened with shot and shell and soon silenced the rebel's guns at this place, and killed the Lieutenant of the battery. They were shooting at our men at a long range and the order was given to advance, and they had to cross an open field, when a volley was fired from the rebel skirmishers and the balls whistled pretty close to us, but did no injury to any of the company. As fast as the skirmishers advanced the rebels fell back until they reached a very deep ditch in front of the rebel's works, and here they had a pretty good position, when the order came to fall back to the reserve, which was steadily advancing. A sharp fire by artillery was kept up on both sides, but their shots passed over our heads, doing but little injury to us. The order was given for the skirmishers to advance again, and they moved forward again and held their position until the 95th Ohio regiment flanked the rebels and found but few men inside the rebel works, and the rebels had fled. There were but few prisoners taken. The citizens of the town engaged in the defense of their capital. There were about one hundred prisoners taken and several pieces of cannon, with all the equipments belonging to them. Our loss on the left was severe, and it was here that the rebels had advantage of position.--Logan's division charged a battery and in spite of the heavy fire from the rebel guns drove them from their guns at the point of the bayonet, and for fear of being surrounded they left everything and fled, leaving nothing but a few artillerists to defend their works. The ground where Logan's men charged across was quite level, and the enemy's batteries was placed to take any part of it, and it was in crossing this that our forces met with the heaviest loss. Mowers' brigade marched to the court house and stacked arms. It rained most of the time and tents were discovered in a warehouse, and they were soon appropriated to our use. Every regiment was supplied. This was a place of great importance to the rebels, the capital of Mississippi, and in time of peace contained nearly five thousand inhabitants, and a great deal of business was done.

There were mills for the manufacture of cotton goods, an arsenal for the making of arms, and everything requisite to carry on this cruel war. Tobacco, whisky, sugar, molasses, and flour were found in great abundance. Confederate scrip would pass for full value with the inhabitants of the town. As soon as the soldiers gained possession of the town commenced the work of plunder, breaking open stores, everything of value was taken, and most every soldier in the brigade was dressed in citizens' clothes. Whisky was plenty, and a good many of the boys got tight. Guards were placed over the town, but they were of no avail, and the soldiers distributed shoes to the citizens, and almost every thing that could be got was given to them, as these things were owned by speculators, and were sold to the people of the town at the highest prices. But the soldiers did not long enjoy their new suits, for the order came to wash and dry their uniforms, as they could not wear citizens' clothes any longer than was necessary. They came very acceptable, as our clothes were wet and muddy, having been in the rain all day.

The brigade remained two nights and one day here, and I was detailed to go as a guard to protect some citizens. One was a preacher, and he treated the guard quite kindly; one was a retired merchant from Massachusetts. He said if he was only able to handle a musket and bear the fatigue of marching, he would be in the rebel army, and four of us were protecting him from insult and his property from being destroyed; The town was being illuminated, and there was a great deal of it on fire, and many public buildings were being destroyed. The soldiers had received marching orders to leave the next day, and the object was to leave no building standing, but they were restrained by the guards. When morning came we returned to our regiment, and the order was given to burn the tents and break every gun not in use.

After everything was prepared the order came to leave the town, as the rebels were advancing in strong force to drive us out. The railroad was all torn up, and burned to the bridge at Black Water, by our forces. We soon left the town with the bands playing Dixie. The Confederate House, which had but recently been built, was burned down. The people were glad to see us leave. A good many of the boys remained behind, and the division had got but a short distance from town when a rebel force of cavalry entered it, and all that had remained behind were made prisoners and paroled or taken to Richmond to be exchanged. A Colonel of the 47th Illinois went back to town on some business connected with his men, when he was ordered to surrender, whereupon he drew his revolver and commenced shooting, when he was shot dead. He was a prisoner once, and said he never would be taken again.

The division marched until evening, when they were allowed a short time to prepare some coffee; had barely time to finish drinking coffee when the bugle sounded. The advance had to fall in, take arms, and the command was soon on the move again. They came to a halt late in the evening, and next morning were on the move again. By some mistake we missed the right road, and after marching two miles the command was halted. The heavy thundering of cannon and small arms could be distinctly heard. The news came that our forces had driven the rebels from the railroad bridge across the Black Water after an obstinate resistence.

After halting here for a short time, the order was given to forward, march, file right, and we had to retrace our steps until we got back to where we stopped over night. There we turned to the left, and marched until the heat of the day, and then halted for dinner. After eating, the march was resumed until we arrived at Black Water, and after staying here one night and part of a day before crossing the stream, a fine horse was purchased by the privates of the 11th Missouri and presented to Gen. Mowers. He had several horses shot while engaged in battle. He made a few remarks--it was unexpected to him, and took him by surprise. After this was over the division crossed the river on a pontoon bridge, and the bridge was taken up as soon as we crossed. Here the division bivouacked for the night. Next morning most of the division moved forward with the exception of part of the 11th Missouri, which was detailed to guard some ammunition and artillery which had been captured from the rebels. Soon after the ammunition and artillery were removed, and we left the river to rejoin the brigade. Several hundred confederate prisoners who had been taken in the late battles, brought up the rear.

We rejoined the brigade, and quite late in the evening arrived in front of the rebel works. Here the army stopped, and the lines extended all around the city of Vicksburg. Here we remained until the evening of the 21st, when an order was read with reference to storming the rebel works on the following day. Meanwhile several batteries were busily engaged throwing shot and shell into the rebel works from morning until night, and it was not safe to go within sight of the rebel works and expose ourselves to their sharpshooters, as several of our soldiers were struck over 800 yards from the fort.

From Black river there is a range of high hills, of deep valleys, and heavy timber, until arriving within half a mile of the rebel works. The timber had all been cut down, and there was no way of approaching the rebel works except by roads, and these were well protected by artillery, and the forts were so built that they commanded every road with stockades.

The morning of the 22d of May, a day long to be remembered by many was, dark and cloudy. Our lines were formed, and the brigade marched a short distance from the enemy's works and ordered to stop; and here they lay until four o'clock in the afternoon, when the order was given to fall in line, and not speak a word, as the brigade was going to make an effort to get inside of the rebel works. The 11th Missouri was in advance. Up they went on double-quick to within 300 yards, when the rebels opened on us with shot and shell, and their sharp-shooters from behind their works were pouring volleys of rifle bullets into our ranks as they advanced. Whole ranks were shot down, either killed or wounded, and only about 30 reached the works. The Colonel of the 11th led the charge, and reached the outer ditch. While there the rebels threw a hand grenade and it tore off the front of his cap, doing him no other injury. The colors were planted on the outer works, and there they had to remain until evening, when, under cover of darkness, the Colonel got away, with the men that had regained the works. At night the brigade returned to our old camping place. It was a terrible day, for the regiment was exposed to a heavy fire, failing back with heavy loss without accomplishing any thing. The loss was over a hundred men in killed and wounded. After remaining a few days after the storming of the enemy's entrenchments, order came, and the 2d brigade had to move again; and early in the evening our lines were formed, the command was given, and every regiment was soon in motion--destination not known. After marching until quite late, halted, and camped for the night near a creek. The night being warm, we had a comfortable sleep with our blankets and the sky above to cover us. We were not disturbed until morning. Next morning after eating breakfast we resumed our march, until we arrived at Snyder's Bluffs, and here we came to a halt, and remained one night and part of a day. This was a strong position, held by the rebels, but on the approach of our forces was vacated, as there was danger of being cut off from the main army at Vicksburg. It was a place of little importance, as there was nothing but hills and valleys and some rebel entrenchments. A very small portion of the land could be cultivated. There were some people living in these hills, and seemed to enjoy themselves. But few men were to be seen at home, as they were gone into the rebel army.

Orders came at last, and the brigade was soon in motion again on the road to Yazoo City. After marching up one hill and down another, the brigade arrived at Mechanicsburg, where our cavalry fell in with a force of rebel cavalry and there was a short skirmish. The infantry went to the cavalry's assistance, when the rebels broke and fled. Our casualties were slight; not much loss on either side. The cavalry did not pursue the enemy far, but returned and camped for the night at Mechanicsburg, where the infantry had kindled fires. You could see where each regiment was halted and were resting from their weary day's march.

At the sound of the bugle in the morning every soldier seemed to spring into life again, and were soon all interested in the work of preparing their meal. This work was soon over, most of the boys being their own cooks, and carried their cooking utensils along with them. Water was not very plenty, and most of it cistern water.

Mechanicsburg was a small town with a few old houses in it, and no business worth mentioning being done there. Everything appeared desolate and forsaken. Next morning we left this place for Haines' Bluff. Our road lay through a heavy timber; it was a road not much traveled at this time. We followed this road until we came to a very large plantation, and here the command halted for a short time. Finding plenty of chickens here, the soldiers took most of them, and when the command moved forward there was not a rooster left to crow on the plantation. There were a great many negroes on this place, their master in the rebel army, and he very wealthy, owning three large plantations. After staying here a short time the command was ordered to move forward, and each regiment was soon in motion again. After emerging from the hills we struck a flat open country along the Yazoo river, where corn was growing finely, and would soon make good forage. The command halted for dinner, after which we moved forward again, and late in the evening came to a halt near a creek of clear water; here the command bivouacked for the night. Next morning the march was resumed again, and then commenced the work of climbing a very high hill, and leaving the Yazoo bottoms. At length the whole army reached the summit of Haines' Bluffs.

The weather had become very warm and it was almost impossible to march, but there was a cool breeze stirring on the hills, and if it were not for this the command would have had to halt, as the heat was almost suffocating.

Haines' Bluffs was on the Yazoo river and had been in possession of the rebels, who, for some cause, had left. After blowing up the magazine they went into Vicksburg, and our forces soon took possession. It was a place of vast importance to us, as we could get our supplies from the river, and provisions could be hauled by teams and wagons to the besieging army very easily, as it was but a short distance to the landing. The army got plenty to eat here, but we were not suffered to remain long.

One morning early the brigade was ordered on board steamboats, which were in waiting to receive us on board. There were several of them in the river, and one was a gunboat which was to accompany us on the expedition. This day was passed on the boat, everything ready and waiting the signal to move. At last we got under way and the boats moved up the river.

The Yazoo river is a long narrow stream, full of short turns; our largest boats could not navigate it. Our destination was unknown to us at that time. At daylight next morning the boats landed us at a place called Setorsia, a small town, containing one church, a few stores and groceries. As soon as the boats stopped the soldiers were soon on shore, the stores plundered of everything they contained, which was not much. Gen. Mower ordered them on board again. Returning to the boats the order came to form in line on land. Signs of an enemy were to be seen, and skirmishers were thrown out to see if the road was clear. The 8th Wisconsin was in advance, and had moved but a short distance from the town, when the advance fell in with some of the enemy's cavalry, and they commenced to fire on the 8th. The skirmishers and brigade halted on the side of a hill, when the rebels fled before them as they advanced, keeping it up all the way to Mechanicsburg. Two of the 8th were severely wounded. Here they resolved we should go no further. They formed their line of battle about one mile and a half from town, and there awaited our approach. A battery was ordered forward, and they opened fire where the rebels were supposed to be; after shelling them a short time, the rebels returned the fire, doing no injury to our men, as they shot too high. A battalion of the 5th Illinois cavalry was ordered to make a charge, which was done in gallant style. They bore down on the rebels with sabres glistening in the sun, rushing at full speed upon the enemy, which was in line of battle to receive them; but what could withstand such a charge? The sabre was the principle weapon used. This was too close work for them, and they broke and fled, taking their artillery with them. The cavalry took 70 prisoners. Their loss in killed not known; a large number were wounded with the sabre. The infantry moved forward to the support of the cavalry, but the rebels were dispersed before the infantry could render any assistance. The rebels were supposed to be about 3,000 strong, mostly mounted infantry. They could not stand but a short time before the impetuous valor of our brave men, fighting for the right. They made several ineffectual attempts at resistance, but they were at last forced to flee and leave us victors.

The cavalry pursued the retreating rebels several miles, cutting them down with their sabres whenever they overtook them. Some of the men were quite old and gray. The infantry went about a half a mile from town and there camped for the night.

Company B, 11th Missouri, and a company of the 47th Illinois, were sent out in front to act as a grand guard; and here we remained for twenty-four hours, when we were relieved by company C, and returned to the regiment. Order was then given to draw two days' rations, as we were to march next morning. At six o'clock next morning we made preparations to march, drawing another day's rations, and began our return to Haines' Bluff. Our knapsacks had arrived but were returned again to the boats.