We were aroused by the bugle call, and in a few minutes on
the march again. Halted at noon on a large plantation. This is a capital place
to stop, for the negroes are quite busy baking corn-bread and sweet potatoes
for us. We have had a grand dinner at the expense of a rich planter now serving
in the southern army. Some of the negroes wanted to come with us, but we
persuaded them to remain, telling them they would see hard times if they
followed us. They showed indications of good treatment, and I presume their
master is one of the few who treat their slaves like human beings.
I must say—whether right or wrong-plantation life has had a
sort of fascination for me ever since I came south, especially when I visit one
like that where we took dinner to-day, and some, also, I visited in Tennessee.
I know I should treat my slaves well, and, while giving them a good living, I
should buy, but never sell.
We left at three o'clock P. M., and just as the boys were
ordered to take with them some of the mules working in the field, where there
was a large crop being cultivated, to be used, when gathered, for the
maintenance of our enemies. As our boys, accordingly, were unhitching the
mules, some “dutchy” in an officer's uniform rode up, yelling, “mens! you left
dem schackasses alone!” I doubt whether he had authority to give such an order,
but whether he had or not he was not obeyed. When we marched off with our
corn-bread and “schackasses,” some of the darkies insisted on following. We
passed through some rebel works at Haines' Bluffs, which were built to protect
the approach to Vicksburg by way of the Yazoo river. Sherman had taken them on
the nineteenth instant, when our boats came up the river and delivered rations.
May has now passed, with all its hardships and privations to
the army of the west—the absence of camp comforts; open fields for dwelling
places; the bare ground for beds; cartridge boxes for pillows, and all the
other tribulations of an active campaign. Enduring these troubles, we have
given our country willing service. We have passed through some hard-fought
battles, where many of our comrades fell, now suffering in hospitals or
sleeping, perhaps, in unmarked graves. Well they did their part, and much do we
miss them. Their noble deeds shall still incite our emulation, that their proud
record may not be sullied by any act of ours.
Camped at dark, tired, dirty and ragged-having had no chance
to draw clothes for two months.
SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story
of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 39-40
