Vicksburg
The battles leading up to the siege of Vicksburg were bloody and had put a strain on Will’s division. He had recently been promoted to captain and was leading a company. Though the position had been offered to him several times before, he had not accepted because he did not want the responsibility of having the lives of other men in his hands. However, after the Battle of Raymond when they had lost their captain, he had been all but ordered to assume the responsibility, so he had reluctantly accepted this time. Now, perched on a hill outside of Vicksburg, congregating with other leaders, he wasn’t sure exactly what he had gotten himself into.
It was May 21, 1863, and the plan they were devising was to be carried out the next day. From the beginning, all involved had known that it would not be an easy assignment. Yet, they recognized that, if they could find a way to force Pemberton and his troops out of Vicksburg, they would have the port city at last, and with it, control of the Mississippi River. Controlling the river meant monitoring supplies, and without being able to use the waterway to transport materials, weapons, and troops, the Confederate Army would be all but defeated in the Western Theater.
The plan was to begin a cannon bombardment at approximately six o’clock the next morning. After that, part of Sherman’s division would advance down a narrow road, known locally as Graveyard Road, and attempt to use ladders and makeshift planks to infiltrate the fortress around Vicksburg. By concentrating all of their attacking forces in a small area, they hoped to overpower the lesser Confederate forces. However, though the Rebels were outnumbered, they held the high ground and were entrenched behind substantial fortifications.
Will was grateful that he had not been included amongst the 150 men chosen to make the primary attack. Instead, his company, under the command of Colonel T. Kilby Smith, awaited orders to attack for quite some time. Once they began to move forward, Brig. Gen. James M. Tuttle’s men were only able to come within about 100 yards of their objective. Smith’s were placed near Green’s Redan, which was near the southern flank of Stockade Redan. From their location, Will ordered his men to pour heavy fire into the Confederate line. Though they were successful in covering the Confederates with plenty of rounds of ammunition, it made no difference for the assault as a whole. A series of miscommunicated information between Gen. Grant and his field commanders led to an unsuccessful attempt from the Union Army in moving the Confederates from their highly fortified position. By the evening of May 22, it was quite clear that Grant and his men needed to prepare for a siege.
May 30th, 1863
Dearest Cordia,
I hope this letter finds you well. We are held fast against the fortifications of Vicksburg, Mississippi, unable to go forward through the Confederate battlements and not inclined to fall back until this city is ours. Gen. Grant seems quite determined to take Vicksburg back into Union hands and regain control of the mighty Mississippi River.
So we are digging in. Our orders are simple—dig. I believe our generals are under the impression that we can find a way to burrow under Vicksburg and poke our heads up near the center of town, sneaking up on the enemy thusly. I don’t suppose this will work, but I do think we are well enough supplied that we can wait the Rebs out. We still have reinforcements cutting off the exits to the south of the city. This will leave Pemberton and his men little choice but to surrender or start an unhealthy diet of stray dogs and shoe leather. While I have little sympathy for the fighting men of the Confederate cause, I do feel very sorry for the citizens of Vicksburg who find themselves trapped between two warring armies. I do hope that none of the innocents are hurt or killed by the bullets and cannon fire we continue to rain down on our enemies.
So, my love, it appears I will be spending the next several weeks, if not months, digging and shooting and praying that the enemy surrenders. Should you have some free time on your hands, please consider visiting Vicksburg. It is a lovely town, if you like the stench of rotting horses. I jest of course. I hope this letter finds you safe at home with your friends and family.
I cannot tell you how badly I long to see your beautiful face, to smell your sweet perfume, to hold your soft hand in mine. If only Lincoln would take our Gen. Grant and let him take his turn against Gen. Robert E. Lee in the east. Then, perhaps, our competent commander could finally successfully end the victories for the Army of Northern Virginia once and for all, and this war would finally be over. As you know, my enlistment is up in a few short months. At this time, I do not know if I will be compelled to stay or if I shall return to Missouri for a spell. I will look to hear from you how my dear sister’s health is treating her before making that decision. As much as I would like to cast this cruel war aside and be done with it, it is very difficult to leave these men who have fought alongside me so bravely.
I have received several letters from you of late, all of which are greatly appreciated. Thank you for sending word of Julia and the rest of my family. I hope to see all of you very soon.
All my love,
Will
August 1863
Julia sounded awful. Even though Cordia had brought letters from Will to read to her, the poor girl had coughed and gasped most of the way through them. Eventually, Margaret had sent Cordia home, telling her it wasn’t safe for her to be in Julia’s presence while she was having one of her spells. Now, with the scorching August sun blazing overhead, she made her way back home, hopeful that Julia would soon recover and considering whether or not she should send word to Will, though she did not want to worry him if she didn’t have to. She knew there was very little he could do for her from Mississippi, and she was hopeful that Julia could hold on until he returned. She believed wholeheartedly that Julia would make a full recovery if only she had the opportunity to see her loving brother again.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
