Several companies from our brigade were detailed to go out
last night and work as sappers and miners on the rifle pits. Our forces are
working their way closer to the rebels' works every day, and Vicksburg is now
almost completely surrounded. The rebels are running short of provisions, it is
said, and are anxious for reinforcements to break the siege. They made attacks
today on our outside lines at four or five different points, driving in our
pickets.
Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B.,
Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 120
