 |
Mortar from the river in front. “During the siege
of Vicksburg, sixteen thousand shells were thrown
from the mortar gunboats, and
naval batteries
into the city."—Hamersly.
|
Last night mortar-shells, fired from the boats on the river
in front of the city across Point Louisiana, fell thick over all parts of
Vicksburg, and at three o'clock this morning every cannon along our line
belched its shot at the enemy. Nothing could be heard at the time but the
thundering of great guns—one hundred cannons sent crashing into the town
—parrot, shrapnell, cannister, grape and solid shot—until it seemed impossible
that anything could withstand such a fearful hailstorm. It was indeed a terrible
spectacle—awfully grand.
At ten o'clock we had orders to advance. The boys were
expecting the order and were busy divesting themselves of watches, rings,
pictures and other keepsakes, which were being placed in the custody of the
cooks, who were not expected to go into action. I never saw such a scene
before, nor do I ever want to see it again. The instructions left with the
keepsakes were varied. For instance, “This watch I want you to send to my
father if I never return”—“I am going to Vicksburg, and if I do not get back
just send these little trifles home, will you?”—proper addresses for the
sending of the articles being left with them. Not a bit of sadness or fear
appears in the talk or faces of the boys, but they thought it timely and proper
to dispose of what they had accordingly. This was done while we awaited orders,
which (it last came in earnest, and in obedience to them we moved up and took
our place in the rifle pits within a hundred yards of Fort Hill, where we had
orders to keep a diligent watch, and to tire at the first head that dared to
show itself. The air was so thick with the smoke of cannon that we could hardly
see a hundred yards before us. The line to our right and left was completely
hidden from view except as revealed by the flash of guns, and the occasional
bursting of shells through the dense clouds. About eleven o'clock came a signal
for the entire line to charge upon the works of the enemy. Our boys were all
ready, and in an instant leaped forward to find victory or defeat. The seventh
Missouri took the lead with ladders which they placed against the fort, and
then gave way for others to scale them. Those who climbed to the top of the
fort met cold steel, and, when at length it was found impossible to enter the
fort that way, the command was given to fall back, which was done under a
perfect hail of lead from the enemy. The rebels, in their excitement and haste
to fire at our retreating force, thrust their heads a little too high above
their cover,—an advantage we were quick to seize with well aimed volleys. In
this charge a severe loss was met by our division, and nothing gained. What
success was met by the rest of the line I can not say, but I hope it was better
than ours. Thus ended another day of bloody fight in vain, except for an
increase of the knowledge which has been steadily growing lately, that a
regular siege will be required to take Vicksburg. This day will be eventful on
the page of history, for its duties have been severe, and many a brave patriot
bit the dust under the storm of deadly fire that assailed us.
SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story
of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 31-2
No comments:
Post a Comment