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Whitworth Projectile |
For a month we have been watching our enemy vigilantly, and
a panorama, consisting of a great variety of war scenes, has, during that time,
passed before us. We have had charging, digging rifle-pits, blowing up forts
and firing all sizes of cannon, to say nothing of percussion shells, spherical
case shot, time shells, parrot, grape, cannister, shrapnel, etc., the memory of
which will be vivid to all, both blue and gray, who have seen the show around
Vicksburg. The terrible noises, too, that have rung in our ears, must echo for
years to come. I may add our endurance of this southern sun, at times being
short of rations, and at no time out of danger, yet all the time nearly
uncomplaining-every one trying to make the best of it, and all as merry as the
situation would admit. Each day some of the Boys have come in relating new
discoveries on reconnoisance, and I do not think there is a foot of ground
about these hills that has not been explored, a well or spring that has not
been tested, or a single object of interest of any kind that has not been
worked until it was stale.
SHELL WITH FUSE.—The fuse is graduated on the outside into
equal parts, representing seconds and quarter-seconds. In the bottom of this
channel is a smooth layer of a composition of lead and tin, with a piece of
wick or yarn underneath it. On this is placed a piece of metal. When ready for
firing, the dial is gauged at the proper point at which the fuse is to burn
through into the shell.
Then each man has had his peculiar view of how a siege like
this ought to be conducted—that is, from the standpoint of rank and file.
However, we are all agreed that the quiet man in command of our forces is still
able to anticipate the requirements of our situation. I call him quiet, for
that is just what he is. There is no dash or glitter about him, but he is
marked by a steady nerve, and piercing glance that seems to be always on the
alert. Many a second lieutenant has fallen a victim to the sharpshooter because
of his fresh uniform, while officers of more experience have escaped under
slouched hats and old blouses. There seems to be no limit, however, to the
experience of some of them.
A cook of the 96th Ohio happened to be cooking beans the
other day, when Gen. A. J. Smith, commanding a division of the 13th Army Corps,
came around on camp inspection. After being properly saluted by the cook, the
general began a colloquy as follows:
Gen. Smith.— What are you cooking?
The Cook. —Beans, sir.
General Smith. —How long do you cook beans?
The Cook. —Four hours, sir.
Gen. Smith (with a look of withering scorn).—
Four hours! You cook 'em six hours!
That cook’s beans were tender enough that day.
"Once again the fire of hell
Rained the rebel quarters,
With scream of shot and burst of shell,
And bellowing of the mortars.”
SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story of the Siege of
Vicksburg, p. 58-9