The familiar "Attention, battalion!" was heard
from our Colonel, when we marched back upon the same road that had led us to
Jackson, camping as usual at dark. We passed through Clinton, and the
inhabitants were surprised to see us returning so soon, for they fully expected
to hear of our being defeated and driven back. But they did not know our metal.
The last few days have been full of excitement, and although we have marched
and fought hard, and lost some of our best men, besides getting tired and
hungry ourselves, we are more resolved than ever to keep the ball rolling. The
thinner our ranks are made by fighting and disease, the, closer together the
remnants are brought. We shall close up the ranks and press forward until the
foe is vanquished. Soldiers grow more friendly as they are brought better to
realize the terrible ravages of war. As Colonel Force called us to
"Attention!" this morning, one of the boys remarked, "I love
that man more than ever." Yes, we have good reason to be proud of our
Colonel, for upon all occasions we are treated by him as volunteers enlisted in
war from pure love of country, and not regulars, drawn into service from
various other motives, in time of peace.
SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story
of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 22
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