Still banging away. I took a horseback ride around the line
to the left in the rear of McClernand's corps. Everywhere I went I was met with
the familiar zip, zip, of rebel bullets flying promiscuously through the air. I
read a northern rebel paper, received by a member of the 96th Ohio, filled with
false statements about the soldiers around Vicksburg. It said a great many of
Grant's soldiers were deserting. This is of course false, for I have heard of
but two deserting their flag in time of need. Those two will never be able to
look their old comrades in the face, for if they escape the penalty of death,
disgrace and ignominy will not only follow them through life, but stamp their
memories and lineage with infamy. The scorn of every loyal soldier will follow
these cowards who have deserted in the face of the foe. No true-hearted mother
or father can welcome the return of such recreants, who not only disgrace
themselves but all their kindred. This paper also stated that the soldiers
around Vicksburg are dying off like flies. This is another falsehood, for the army
is in good health and spirits, and looking forward to victory with assurance.
SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story
of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 45-6
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