The morning Men noticed that transpire as did their "misguided brethren." dawned bright and clear upon friend and foe. all the infantry had been brought forward and crowded into the trenches; artillerists stood to their pieces. and the gunboats on the river had taken the best possible position to deliver effective fire. Presently the dread silence was broken by the signal gun, and instantly seven hundred cannons and mortars from their iron throats pour death-shot on the rebel lines; every musket flashed out its spiteful minie-ball, and a crashing hurricane sweept far and wide. From all our ten miles of tortuous line, as it hugged close around the rebel stronghold, the thunder sound, the forward, flashing blaze, and above all the thin white smoke that from the first volley rose toward the calm, blue skies, would have been glorious as a dream—if it had been nothing more Without an instant's cessation the fearful duel continued. The air was filled with startling sounds and stifling vapors; swift death at random plied his vindictive scythe. Nothing daunted, the beleagured men defiantly replied from every fort and rifle-pit, feeling that if nothing else was secure, the earth beneath them at least was steadfast. But an earthquake shudder ran through the hills, and a vast chasm opened beneath massive and impregnable Fort Hill! Between its yawning jaws poured a vast column of dense smoke; the thick-ribbed earth broke into fragments that were hurled high in air, with the unsuspecting victims, who reached the earth bruised, black, dead; or in fragments lay scattered around, sad wrecks of mangled, mad humanity. A vast cloud of earth was thrown upon the line of Federal troops that lay ready to charge into the open breach. They were thus delayed, and with unexampled courage the rebel soldiers, seeing disaster upon them, instantly sprung on top of their works, on either side, and in open view, close before the belching musket and cannon, ran in and filled the gap made by the frightful explosion. But quickly the Federal soldiers advanced to the charge. It was muzzle to muzzle, steel to steel. They were mowed down by the brave men who had rushed into the "imminently deadly breach." A few reached and entered the fort, and hand to hand fought for possession. Rebel artillery in the rear of the fort poured its shot into it, among friend and foe alike. It was a boiling maelstrom, in which the Federal troops were washed to the shore. In connection with this event an incident, attested to me by several eye-witnesses, occurred. In Fort Hill, at the time of the explosion, was a black man, acting as cook or steward. This man, carried up by the explosion, made his flight high through the air, and came down as good as new, within the Federal lines, more than forty rods distant. He did not suffer even a serious concussion or bruise, and went about his business thereafter in total unconsciousness of having been a "party of the first part" in a miracle. Thus day by day passed by, the country watching in painful anxiety, while we, in a strange sort of calm indifference, toiled on with mortar, cannon, musket and spade, resolutely content with our hard-tack and the unceasing chorus of arms. The rebels maintained their position with the greatest determination, defending every point with the utmost gallantry, but a cordon of destruction enfolded them, as inflexible as fate and unfaltering as death. Nothing beneath the skies could avert the doom that hung like a pall above, around and about them. They finally read aright the lesson of fate, and on the 3d of July two rebel officers bore the white flag of peace to our picket line. the instant that it rose above the rebel works, the solemn silence of awe respected the regrets of brave men. Gen. Bowen and Col Montgomery, presenting themselves, under its protection, to Capt Leonard, 96th Ohio, were conducted by him to the headquarters of Gen. A. J. Smith. 66 On Of course, we knew little of the actual condition of the enemy, but noticed, with deep curiosity, these not now over-haughty Southrons" as they passed by us, and conjectured that all was not well over thar." This conjecture was verified on the following day, when the hosts that had battled with such stubborn bravery stacked their arms, prisoners of war, and Gen. Grant presented Vicksburg and its traitors a 4th-of-July gift " to the country. They know little of joy who have not reveled in the ecstacy of a battle-field victory. Like it there is no other intoxication. We forgot our losses, our sufferings and our sorrows, and all that vast army "In a bliss so divine, Reeled and swooned like a foolish man From this delicious frenzy we were awakened on the following morning by orders to march for Jackson, Mississippi. This proved a brief campaign, in alternating rain and scorching heat, with occasional rough encounters with the enemy, resulting in the evacuation of the place on the 16th, they having, themselves, applied the torch that destroyed much of the city. A return march brought us to Vicksburg on the 23d, and on the 30th many of "the boys," with light hearts, started home on furlough. Those that were not thus fortunate went into camp immediately below the city, on the bank of the river. The duties were not severe, and all in preparation for further service. The only incident worthy of note was the explosion of the steamer City of Madison. This vessel was loaded with ammunition, the value of which was over one million dollars, designed for campaigning on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. A detail from the 96th was engaged in loading the steamer with wood, and had just been relieved; a part of them had laid down on the deck to rest and sleep, when, by some mishap, probably the dropping of a box of fixed ammunition, a combined earthquake and volcano sent a thrill of terror far and wide. The boat, with all her valuable treasure, was. for an instant, a lurid blaze, enshrouded in black, with every form of fragment flying in the air. Of all on board, consisting of the detail referred to, as well as quite a number from other regiments, not one escaped. Several bodies were found in an adjacent street, having been carried there over a block of lofty building. Regrets for lost comrades, however deep and earnest, fades away in camp as in battle. It is not the business of the soldier to corrode his soul with regrets. Giving an occasional thought to those who, at home on furlough, were whiling the hours away with loved and loving ones, we sought to make our stay in camp as nearly as possible an imitation of theirs, and thus glided by unnoticed the anniversary of our first year of service. In connection with these events, the following order will interest the soldiers of the 96th, as well as all others belonging to the complimented command: HEADQUARTERS IST BRIGADE, IOTH DIVISION, 13TH ARMY CORPS, CAMP NEAR VICKSBURG, July 5, 1863. TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN IST BRIGADE: SOLDIERS: This campaign which culminated so gloriously yesterday, thus adding fresh interest to that memorable day, has proven you to be in every sense worthy of the name I address you by: SOLDIERS! You have endured privations and fatigue, and braved the dan gers of the battle-field, with a cheerfulness, energy and gallantry which has made you conspicuous, even in this army; have won the admiration and confidence of all who have witnessed your career, and endeared you to your commanding officer. In taking temporary leave of you, in perfect confidence you will maintain your past reputation, and with high hopes for the future mingle sincere congratulations for the past. S. G. BURBRidge, Brig. Gen'l Commanding 1st Brig., 10th Div, 13th Army Corps. SECOND YEAR. CHAPTER V. CARRION CROW BAYOU. Eighteen hundred and sixty-three was dark with battle-smoke and dread uncertainty. The attention of the nation was riveted on the condition of things along the lines. There every community, almost every family, had its representative. Vast multitudes had gone to the front, where the ranks were frightfully thinned by toil, exposure, disease and battle. Comfort or consolation could be found only in the fact that others were ready to fill the vacant places, and that those remaining were iron-hearted men, who had learned to dare and endure. A campaign was before us. On August 23d we embarked on the "Laura Hill," and steamed for New-Orleans, landing at Carrollton, a suburb of the Crescent City, on the 25th. Here we loitered for further preparation. Our situation and surroundings were most delightful. In the balmy air, flowers in profusion smiled at bayonets and cannon. The 29th was made notable by a grand review of the 13th Corps by Generals Grant and Banks, the Corps having been placed under the command of the latter officer. All hearts were light, and the day bright and cheerful. A beautiful plain, bearing the fanciful name of "Champ de Mars," was selected as the scene of the military display. Reviews are usually regarded by soldiers with indifference, if not aversion, but this occasion was much enjoyed. It seemed to be mutually felt that it was no display of holiday soldiers, but of men who had faced the enemy, and who pointed to their banners, soiled in weary marches and rent in battle, as evidence that where the sternest duty called they had not faltered. |