Last Wednesday we
moved from our encampment at Mound Bluff Church, and after two days' marching,
came to this place, and we are now encamped on ——— Creek, between Canton and
Edwards' Depot, and twelve miles from the latter place. The enemy's out-posts
are only three miles off, beyond the Big Black, and a collision is expected at
any hour. The situation at Vicksburg is unchanged, as far as we know, but
General Price is in possession of Helena, Arkansas, which will create a
diversion in favor of the besieged, as he is in a position to cut off Grant's
supplies. The "Fourth" passed off very quietly with us, there being
an order against making any loud noise. A speech was made by some one in a
brigade just across the creek from us. Night.—We have just received orders to
march at 3 o'clock to-morrow morning with this additional injunction: "On
this march there is to be no loud hallooing, firing of guns, or cutting down of
large trees. The men are to march in their files, and company officers are to
see that this order is enforced or they will be cashiered. Penalty for the
disobedience of this order is death." This order, signed by the Commanding
General, together with the various reports of the enemy's movements, put us on
the tip-toe of expectation as to what was up. The very latest is to the effect
that General Pemberton has surrendered to General Grant. The news comes so
direct, and bears such a good face, that we all believe it. We are now
satisfied we are to begin a retreat in the morning; whither, we know not.
SOURCE: Edwin L.
Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western
History, Vol. 1, p. 216
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