Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, February 28, 1864

The supply trains started on ahead for Vicksburg, taking with them about six thousand contrabands and refugees — men, women and children, both white and black, of all sorts and sizes. The rebels drove in our pickets today, but did not come any closer. The report is that it is Wheeler and his cavalry.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 170