Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 5, 1863

We were annoyed some little through the night, by the rebels firing, but they didn't hit anybody. Two regiments of infantry with some cavalry crossed the river for a little scout. I do not think there are many rebels over there, but what few there are, ought to be whipped. They will have to fall back at the approach of our men, but that is easily done, and, when our forces return, they will be right back firing from behind the trees.

The army is marching on around Vicksburg, and we are very anxious to take our place in this grand column. We are quite tired of the duties assigned us here, and have had orders to move several times, which were as often countermanded.

Had chicken for dinner. Uncle Sam doesn't furnish chickens in his bill of fare, but they will get into the camp kettle. We have to be very saving of the regular rations, consequently must look outside for extras—chickens, ham, sweet potatoes, etc., all taste good. I walked down the river a short distance, viewing the scenery, when a bullet flew through the trees not far from my head. I looked across the river from whence it came, but could not see anybody. Did not stay there long, but got back to camp, where I felt safer.

Our camp is in the bottom, close to the river bank. – The enemy at Grand Gulf spiked their cannon and retreated to Vicksburg. If that place could not be taken by the gun-boats on the river in front, the infantry marching in their rear made them hustle out in a hurry. When the people in Vicksburg see their retreating troops returning to the town they went out to protect, they will think Grant's marching around them means something.

While writing a few letters to-day I was amused to notice the various attitudes taken by the boys while writing. One wrote on a drum-head, another on his cartridge-box; one used a board and several wrote on the top of a battery caisson. These letters would be more highly appreciated by the recipients if the circumstances under which they were prepared were realized.

SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 7-8

Captain Charles Wright Wills: June 13, 1864

June 13, 1864.

The rain continued until 5 p. m. Everything and everybody thoroughly soaked. Our division moved about one-half mile to the left this p. m. Strategy! We moved out into an open ploughed field. You can imagine the amount of comfort one could enjoy so situated, after two days' constant rain, and the water still coming down in sheets.

The field is trodden into a bed of mortar. No one has ventured a guess of the depth of the mud. It is cold enough for fires and overcoats. My finger nails are as blue as if I had the ague. There is one consolation to be drawn from the cold, it stops the “chigres” from biting us. I would rather have a bushel of fleas and a million of mosquitoes on me than a pint of “chigres,” — don't know the orthography — They are a little bit of a red thing, — just an atom bigger than nothing; they burrow into the skin and cause an itching that beats the regular “camp” all hollow. Some of the men have scars from “chigre” bites that they received at Big Black last summer, and will carry them across the Styx. The ants here also have an affinity for human flesh and are continually reconnoitering us. I kill about 200,000 per day. Also knock some 600 worms off of me. Great country this for small vermin. I pick enough entomological specimens off me every day to start a museum. I do manage to keep clear of greybacks, though.

Every time I commence talking about chigres I feel short of language. I am satisfied of one thing, if my finger nails don't wear out, there'll be no flesh left on my bones by autumn. The case stands finger nails vs. chigres, and skin is the sufferer. Notwithstanding rain, cold or chigres, we are in excellent spirits. Sherman don't tell us anything (in orders) good or bad, but every man feels that we have “a goodly thing” and is content to work and wait. I never heard less complaining, or saw troops in better spirits. If we get to Atlanta in a week all right; if it takes us two months you won't hear this army grumble. We know that “Pap” is running the machine and our confidence in him is unbounded.

We have so far had abundance of rations, but if it comes down to half, we will again say “all right.” Our army is stronger to-day than it ever was in numbers and efficiency. I am sure that there is not a demoralized company in the command. There has been considerable shooting along the front to-day, and the lines have been advanced some, but we are nearly a mile back, and being constantly ready to move. I have not been out, and don't know much about the exact situation. Its something new for our division to be in reserve. Time passes much more quickly in the front. The general opinion is that we are gradually working to the left, and will cross the Chattahoochie about east or northeast of Marietta. We are now 26 miles from Atlanta by railroad and something nearer by pike.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 259-60

Captain Charles Wright Wills: September 22, 1863

Camp at Messenger's Ferry, Big Black River, Miss.,

September 22, 1863.

I wrote you a few lines from Vicksburg on the 18th inst. to notify you that I had escaped the perils of navigation (sandbar and guerillas) and of my safe arrival. I had a delightful trip down the river. A splendid boat, gentlemanly officers, not too many passengers, and beautiful weather. Major General Tuttle and wife and Mrs. General Grant were of our number. I think Mrs. Grant a model lady. She has seen not over thirty years, medium size, healthy blonde complexion, brown hair, blue eyes (cross-eyed) and has a pretty hand. She dresses very plainly, and busied herself knitting during nearly the whole trip. Believe her worthy of the general. Vicksburg is a miserable hole and was never anything better. A number of houses have been burned by our artillery firing, but altogether the town has suffered less than any secesh village I have seen at the hands of our forces. But very few buildings escaped being marked by our shot or shell, but such damage is easily repaired in most cases. No business whatever doing in the town, except issuing orders by generals, obeying them by soldiers and the chawing of commissary stores without price by the ragged citizen population. I was of the impression that I saw some rough country in Tishomingo County, Miss., and in the mountains in north Alabama, but after a day’s ride in the vicinity of Vicksburg and to our present camp, I find I was mistaken. They call it level here when the surface presents no greater angles than 45 degrees. I found only one officer to a company present here, and the colonel is also on leave. There is a great deal of sickness but the health of the regiment now is improving. We have lost a large number by disease since I left the regiment. Anyone who saw us in Peoria would open wide his eyes at the length of our line now, and think we'd surely passed a dozen battles. The greater part of the material this regiment is made of should never have been sent into the field. The consolation is that these folks would all have to die sometime, and they ought to be glad to get rid of their sickly lives, and get credit as patriots for the sacrifice. We are now in the 2d Brigade 4th Division 15th Army Corps, having been transferred from the 16th Army Corps. We are camped on the bluffs of Black river, which we picket. Our camp is the finest one I ever was in. There are two large magnolias, three white beeches, and a half dozen holly trees around my tent. I think the magnolia the finest looking tree I ever saw. Many of the trees are ornamented with Spanish moss, which, hanging from the branches in long and graceful rolls, adds very much to the beauty of the forest. Another little item I cannot help mentioning is the “chigger,” a little red insect much smaller than a pin-head, that buries itself in the skin and stings worse than a mosquito bite. Squirrels skip around in the trees in camp, and coons, owls, etc., make music for us nights. Capt. Gus Smith when on picket several nights, saw a bear (so he swears) and shot at it several times. The enemy's cavalry are maneuvering around on the other side of the river, constantly making it unsafe for our boys to straggle much over there. Sabbath evening we, our brigade, moved out across the river about four miles to meet a party of Rebels, but as usual they were not there. We ate our supper while waiting for them and returned by moonlight, 8 o'oclock p. m. We've had a brigade review and a short brigade drill, and I've eaten a very hearty supper since finishing the last period. I feel perfectly well once more. Much better than I did any day while North. Did I tell you that I had the ague for a week or so before I started South? My continued ill health more than anything else is what started me off for the regiment so suddenly. The general wanted me to stay until after the fair, but I wouldn't have done it for a horse. Altogether, I feel very happy over getting back to my company. The boys profess being very glad to have me with them again, and I assure you that such compliments do me good. I didn't know that I could take as much interest in any strange humans as I feel in these men of my company. While I was in Central Illinois I wished many times that this war was over, and that I could settle in one of the many good points I saw for trade. I know that I could do well selling goods in any of a half dozen towns that I visited there, and even in Decatur. But I know I could not be satisfied out of the army while this war lasts. I am glad to be out of staff duty for several reasons. One of the most important is that it costs all my pay to keep me. I did not make a cent while with the general, and have only two months' pay due me now. It has been very cold here. Night before last I had six blankets over me, last night five and will use four to-night. ’Twas quite warm this p. m., but the nights are very cold. We will have hot weather yet. There is a great deal of ague here.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 187-9

Charles A. Dana to Edwin M. Stanton, June 22, 1863 – 9 a.m.

NEAR VICKSBURG, MISS., June 22, 1863 — 9 a.m.,

VIA MEMPHIS, June 28 — Noon.

(Received July 1 — 11 p.m.)

Joe Johnston's plan is at last developed. He began yesterday to throw his army across the Big Black at various points above Bridgeport, and principally in the vicinity of Birdsong's Ferry. A squadron of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry had a fight at Bridgeport with about 500 rebel horse, and lost 40 or 50 killed, wounded, and captured, besides one mountain howitzer. At once on the receipt of this intelligence the troops prepared for Sherman here, with the division at Haynes' Bluff, proceeded to move out, and before 11 a.m. to-day all will be at their destination on the heights and beyond the bottoms in the headwaters of Clear Creek. Johnston must move up mainly by the Benton or Jackson road, which makes a detour from Oak Ridge Post-Office to the northeast, until in the region of his crossing it nearly touches the Big Black; but the greater part of this road winds along very narrow and precipitous ridges, heavily wooded, where a column cannot deploy, and where the advance can easily be checked or its attack repulsed. On this side of Oak Ridge, about the head of Clear Creek, there is a broad, open region, extensively cultivated, where a great army might deploy and fight advantageously — at least on equal terms. The effort of Sherman will be to settle the question before Joe Johnston can get to this open place. Sherman has in all about 30,000, besides cavalry. General Grant holds in readiness to march to re-enforce him five brigades more, under A. J. Smith and Herron, while Osterhaus, with one brigade stationed at the Vicksburg and Jackson Railroad crossing of Big Black, is to join him in case of need. As to the strength that Joe Johnston commands, we have no new information. If he pushes his advance, a battle may be fought to-day or to-morrow. The roads he has before him have all been obstructed.

Nothing to report here except steady progress in the siege. Ord is working very hard to bring up the lines where McClernand left them behind, but it will take some time to remedy the disorder which that incompetent commander produced in every part of the corps he has left.

Allow me to represent the very great necessity that some first-rate officer, with suitable energy, patient in character, should be sent here, or found here, to take the place of General J. P. Hawkins, and conduct the organization of the African forces. Hawkins is sick, and very probably will not again be robust enough to efficiently resume his duties in this climate, and the public service is suffering terribly in this most delicate matter in consequence of his absence. I do not know here an officer who could do the duty half as well as he, so that I make no recommendation; but none but a man of the very highest qualities can succeed in the work. I am happy to report that the sentiment of this army with regard to the employment of negro troops has been revolutionized by the bravery of the blacks in the recent battle of Milliken's Bend. Prominent officers, who used in private to sneer at the idea, are now heartily in favor of it.

C. A. DANA.

Hon. E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 1 (Serial No. 36), p. 105-6

Captain Charles “Edward” Putnam to Mary “Ella” Fawcett, July 17, 1863

Camp 13th Iowa Infantry

Clinton, Mississippi

July 17th 1863

Dear Friend Ella:

I had begun to think Ella had forgotten her absent friend, Ed — until a few days ago when a letter came from her with the date of June 28th. I am always very anxious to hear from you and when a long time passes without the receipt of a letter, I imagine a thousand things, wondering if you are tired of our correspondence, or if I have failed to please you. As regards your showing my letters to your friends, I have no objections if there is anything in them of interest to others. I do not intentionally write anything of which I am ashamed to have anyone read; perhaps there are things in them occasionally which had not better be too widely circulated, but I leave the matter to your discretion.

My Fourth of July passed off very quietly. Our brigade lay at a ford on Black River all day watching the movements of  Gen. Johnston’s troops on the opposite side of the river.

Frank has never shown me your miniature nor have I seen a likeness of you taken since I came away since I have been in the army. I expect you have changed very much since I left you and am anxious to know how you look; but presume I shall have to wait until my return. I was greatly surprised to learn that you had not imagined what possesses a woman to shear her head of her greatest ornament — and you had such beautiful hair that it seems a pity that you should have done it.

Evening, July 19th

Do you begin to think that after all the promises I have made about going home this summer that I am not going to fulfill them? It really looks so now — but I assure you that were it possible, I should have been at home ‘ere this. It is very true that many officers are going home all the time; and it looks singular that among so many chances, I cannot obtain the privilege of leaving. But to get a leave of absence one must be sick, or pretend to be, and my principles will not allow me to resort to false statements to obtain even so great a wished for pleasure.

To say that I am contented would be false, for I have anticipated so much happiness from a visit that to be deprived of it makes me quite discontented — and you know that, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick” — and certainly I have hoped long enough to go home, as my letters will testify. However, I still hope on believing that my turn will come after awhile.

You don’t know how much I want to see you and I am afraid that when I get a chance…

[unsigned letter; missing second sheet]

Click on photo to enlarge.

Click on photo to enlarge.

SOURCE: This letter was put up for auction on Ebay. Accessed August 5, 2017.

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 30, 1863

The newspapers have a dispatch, to-day, from Jackson, Miss., which says the enemy have fallen back from the position lately occupied by them in front of Vicksburg. It adds, that they will be forced to retire to the Big Black River, for want of water. Gen. G. A. Smith, who is here, and who resigned because he was not made lieutenant-general instead of Pemberton, says he “don't know how to read this dispatch.” Nevertheless, it is generally believed, and affords much relief to those who appreciate the importance of Vicksburg.

Mr. Botts was offered $500 in Confederate States notes, the other day, for a horse. He said he would sell him for $250 in gold, but would not receive Confederate notes, as the South would certainly be conquered, and it was merely a question of time. This information was communicated to the Secretary of War to-day, but he will attach no importance to it.

Among the papers sent in by the President, to-day, was a communication from Gov. Vance, of North Carolina, inclosing a letter from Augustus S. Montgomery, of Washington City, to Major Gen. Foster, Newbern, N. C., found in a steamer, captured the other day by our forces, in Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, It informed Gen. F. that a plan of servile insurrection had been adopted, and urged his co-operation. All the Yankee generals in the South would co-operate: they were to send smart negroes from the camps among the slaves, with instructions to rise simultaneously at night of the 1st August. They were to seize and destroy all railroad bridges, cut the telegraph wires, etc., and then retire into the swamps, concealing themselves until relieved by Federal troops. It is said they were to be ordered to shed no blood, except in self-defense, and they were not to destroy more private g property than should be unavoidable. The writer said the corn would be in the roasting-ear, and the hogs would be running at large, so that the slaves could easily find subsistence.

The President thanked Gov. Vance for this information, and said our generals would be made acquainted with this scheme; and he commended the matter to the special attention of the Secretary of War, who sent it to Gen. Lee.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 336-7

Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, February 3, 1864

We started this morning at 8 o'clock and marched to the Black river, where we bivouacked for the night. Our brigade was train guard for the provision train. Our entire expedition is supposed to have about twenty-five thousand men, composed of infantry, artillery and cavalry, with one engineers' corps in charge of a pontoon bridge. The weather is fine for marching. General Crocker's Division has started ahead.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 166

Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, January 31, 1864

Regimental inspection today and the usual dress parade. All things are quiet in camp and no news. I attended church services in the afternoon. Since the arrival here of the large number of reinforcements, the rebels have all left this vicinity, retiring beyond the Black river. In all probability they are informed as to our contemplated expedition and are concentrating their forces to dispute every mile of the way to Meridian.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 165

Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, November 7, 1863

I was on fatigue duty again today. Two brigades of General Logan's Division went out to the Black river post to relieve General Tuttle's Division, which came in and is to take boat for points up the Mississippi river.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 151

Brigadier-General Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, March 5, 1864

Headquarters First Brigade,

Fourth Div., Seventeenth Army Corps,

Camp Hebron, Miss., March 5, 1864.

My Dear Wife:

I have only time to write a single line giving the assurance of my personal safety and the crossing of my command over Black River, with but few casualties, after one of the most extraordinary marches known to modern warfare. The particulars I will give you as leisure serves hereafter.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 355

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Brigadier-General Nathan Kimball, June 5, 1863

Head Quarters, Dept. of the Tn.

Near Vicksburg, June 5th/63

Brig. Gen. N. Kimball,

Comd.g Advance Forces,

Mechanicsburg Miss.

GEN.

Your dispatch is just received. I will renew my instructions not to run any risk of having your forces cut off from the main body. If Mechanicsburg is not safely tenable fall back to Oak Ridge Post Office or Hain’s Bluff as necessity may dictate. Should you move back of course you will direct the transports and Gunboats at Satartia to fall back to such position as will be most advantageous to you.

I am exceedingly anxious to learn the probable force of the enemy on the West side of the Black River. Keep me constantly informed of all you may be able to learn.

Very respectfully

U. S. GRANT

Maj. Gen. Com

SOURCE: John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 8: April 1-July 6, 1863, p. 316

Brigadier-General Nathan Kimball to Lieutenant-Colonel John A. Rawlins, June 5, 1863

HEADQUARTERS KIMBALL'S PROVISIONAL DIVISION,

Satartia, Miss., June 5, 1863.

COLONEL: I find the enemy in force at Yazoo City. About 6 miles above here are 8.000, at Liverpool. The whole force on this (the Big Black) river is 20,000 infantry and cavalry and twenty-five guns. The force between the Yazoo and Black Rivers is under [W. H. T.] Walker. Johnston's headquarters are still at Canton, where he is massing troops; rumor says 60,000.

My cavalry penetrated to the Big Black River yesterday, and burned the ferries east of this place, but I find it impossible to go farther north on the Big Black as the enemy hold the country in force.

General Mower is occupying Mechanicsburg, and I am doing everything possible to obstruct an advance should one be made by the enemy. Should it be desired to hold this place in such a case, more force will be required and more artillery. Should I not be able to beat or repulse them, I shall hold to the very last.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 NATHAN KIMBALL,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Lieut. Col. JOHN A. RAWLINS,

Assistant Adjutant-Genera1.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 2 (Serial No. 37), p. 387

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, July 23, 1863

We were off by 4 o'clock this morning and reached Big Black river bridge by noon. It had rained very hard here yesterday and last night, overflowing the river and causing the deep dust to become deep mud. This made our traveling very heavy, and since the rain set in again this afternoon, we moved on only about three miles and went into bivouac.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 131

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Brigadier-General Nathan Kimball, June 3, 1863

NEAR VICKSBURG, MISS., June 3, 1863.

Brig. Gen. NATHAN KIMBALL,

Commanding Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps:

You will proceed with your command* to Satartia, on the Yazoo River, thence to Mechanicsburg, 3 miles distant. You will find General Mower there with one brigade, and a force of 1,200 cavalry in addition. Being the senior officer, you will have command of the whole force.

Instructions have been given for a movement to destroy Black River bridge, on the Mississippi Central Railroad. General Mower will inform you of the instructions given.

The object of placing troops at Mechanicsburg is to watch the movements of the enemy, who are said to be collecting a large force in the vicinity of Canton.

With your cavalry you will watch all the ferries over Big Black, north of Bridgeport. Obstruct all roads leading west from the river, not wanted by yourself, in every way possible. Collect all the forage, cattle, and provisions you can, and destroy what you cannot bring away. It is important that the country be left so that it cannot subsist an army passing over it. Wagons, horses, and mules should be taken from the citizens to keep them from being used with the Southern Army. All negroes coming into your lines send to Haynes' Bluff, unless their services are required with your command. One gunboat and one transport, besides the commissary boat, should be kept at Satartia at all times.

The chief quartermaster at Chickasaw Bayou Landing, and ordnance officer at same place, will supply everything required for your command from their respective departments. It is desirable that all possible information should be acquired of the movements of the enemy, and sent promptly to these headquarters.

You are, therefore, authorized to employ spies, and send orders on the chief quartermaster, Lieutenant-Colonel Bingham, to be approved at these headquarters, for payment.

U.S. GRANT.

_______________

* Troops from the Third and Sixth Divisions, Sixteenth Army Corps.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 379

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Brigadier-General Joseph A. Mower, June 2, 1863

NEAR VICKSBURG) MISS., June 2, 1863.

Brig. Gen. JOSEPH A. MOWER,

Commanding Advance Forces:

Move your brigade, together with all the cavalry assigned to your command, to Mechanicsburg. Take with you the commissary boat and one other boat, which the chief quartermaster is directed to send up to you to-day. Admiral Porter has been requested to send the gunboats now at Haynes' Bluff up with you. These, with the steamers, will probably be able to carry your infantry to Satartia; if not, let the transport steamer make additional trips until your troops are all up. The cavalry, artillery, and such land transportation as you want with you can be moved up by the bottom road. Keep the extra steamer with you to use in case of need.

When your troops are posted at Mechanicsburg, keep the cavalry actively employed in watching the movements of the enemy. Should a large force get to your rear, move to Satartia, and, with your transports, move to the west bank of the Yazoo, from which withdraw to Haynes' Bluff by land and water, as best you can. Whilst stationed in the advance, obstruct all the roads leading to the Big Black River in every way you can. Destroy or bring in for your own use all the forage, provisions, and transportation you can reach.

In a few days I will be able to send an entire division, or move to re-enforce you, when I think you will be able to make excursions up through the rich Yazoo bottoms, and keep me well informed of all information collected.

 U.S. GRANT.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 375

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, July 14, 1863

We lay here in bivouac at Black river bridge all day, and we are glad for the chance to rest and clean our clothes. The cars from Vicksburg can run only to the river, since the bridge is burned and the railroad track is torn up for five miles east of the river. A train load of provisions came out from Vicksburg today, and a part of the provisions and ammunition have been loaded upon wagons and started with an escort for Jackson.¹

___________

¹ The men generally dreaded this kind of service, for it was exceedingly dangerous. Then, too, much of the journey had to be made on the run — but it is a soldier's business to obey orders and do the best he can. — A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 129

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Henry W. Halleck, May 25, 1863

NEAR VICKSBURG, MISS., May 25, 1863.

VIA MEMPHIS, TENN., May 29.

 Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:

There is evidence of a force collecting near Big Black River, northeast of here about 30 miles. I have ordered all the force that can be spared from West Tennessee, and communicated with General Banks, asking him to come with all the force he can. I can manage the force in Vicksburg and an attacking force on the rear of 30,000, but may have more to contend against. Vicksburg will have to be reduced by regular siege. My effective force here is about 50,000, and can be increased 10,000 more from my own command.

 U.S. GRANT,

 Major-General, Commanding.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 1 (Serial No. 36), p. 39

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, July 5, 1863

We came in this morning at 10 o'clock from an all night picket along the Big Black river. We were relieved by General Tuttle's Brigade. Our brigade then fell back a mile and went into bivouac in heavy timber. The rebels all left last night, it is thought, for Jackson, Mississippi, with the forces of Sherman and Ord in pursuit of them. Sherman passed us, crossing the Big Black at Messenger's ford, while Ord's army crossed the river over the railroad bridge. There is great rejoicing in camp over the fall of Vicksburg and the boys are singing songs and celebrating.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 127

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, July 3, 1863

We received orders to be ready to march at a moment's warning. Getting the orders we started about 10 o'clock at night for Messenger's ford on the lower Big Black river, about four miles from our bivouac, and reached the ford at midnight. We are to stop Johnston from crossing the river, as it is thought he is making an effort to cross at the ford to strike Sherman's right flank.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 125

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, July 2, 1863

We loaded up our baggage and started at 8 o'clock to join our regiment and brigade in camp on the Big Black river, about ten miles distant. We found our command cutting away the trees which were cut down to keep General Johnston from coming in our rear after Vicksburg should surrender.¹

__________

¹ It was reported that Pemberton had raised the white flag, asking for terms of surrender. This being the case, our forces were set to work clearing the road for our artillery; for we understood that upon the surrender of Vicksburg, we were to pursue Johnston's army.—A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 125