Having had some
business with the Colonel of the 12th Wisconsin which is stationed on our
extreme right in Sherman's corps, and as near the river as we can get, he
advised me to go over to where the gun boat Cincinnati was sunk in the
Mississippi and from where you could get a splendid view of Vicksburg. He
offered me his field glass and off I started. There was considerable danger in
going as you have to cross an open plain which exposed you to the fire of the
rebel sharp-shooters if you were on horseback, but if you went on foot the
rifle pits protected you. I went on horseback and was fired at several times
but escaped. I was fully repaid for my trouble and risk and staid over two
hours. The Cincinnati was sunk by the rebel batteries and lies partly submerged
near the shore. I went on board of her and while there a rebel shell struck the
water about ten feet from the boat. Vicksburg was in full view; there laid the
city to gain, and which thousands of lives had been sacrificed, and doubtless
thousands more before we could capture it. I could see General Pemberton's, the
rebel commander's headquarters, their hospitals, the court house and other
public buildings, and had a full sight of their water batteries. I started back
home fully satisfied with my visit, dined with the Colonel and started for camp
at once.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 18
