Roads terribly dusty
and weather hot. Marched quick time; water scarce, rations reduced, consisting
of two pieces of hard tack and half rations of coffee a day since leaving Grand
Gulf. Sherman's corps got ahead of us. Reached our long-looked-for destination
at last, the rear of Vicksburg. We arrived about dusk a mile outside of the
rebel fortifications. Sherman's corps marched to the right of the Jackson Road,
the one on which we entered, their right extending to the Mississippi River
(north of Vicksburg), McPherson's corps coming next, and Ransom's brigade being
in the front. took position on Sherman's left, and McClernand's corps coming in
on another road took position on McPherson's left, and at last we had the
rebels hemmed in Vicksburg, the goal of our hopes for months past, the object
of so many hard marches, the rebel stronghold in the West, the only point that
kept the Mississippi River from being free to the North. The 72d Ill. was
thrown out as advance guard that night and myself as officer of the guard.
Although completely worn out I did not dare to sleep, but kept moving from
point to point all night. At one time a party of cavalry came riding along the
road on which I had posted some men, and although dressed in our uniform my men
would not let them pass until they had sent for me. I recognized one of the
officers and permitted them to go through. A large fire was burning in
Vicksburg, but we could not discover what it was. We knew there would be bloody
work for the morrow, as we would have to assault their works to get into
Vicksburg.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 15
