Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Civil War Diary kept by W. R. Clack, Co. B, 43rd Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers.

June 25 — Four companies of our regiment (Co. B was one of the four) was ordered out last night to reinforce Col. B. as a heavy attack was expected to be made last night. We remained there in the ditches until 11 or 12 o’clock when we were relieved by a regiment and received orders to move back to our old position on the river. Daylight has come and the sharp shooters are at work — an attack is expected here today. The Yankees appear to be pressing upon our lines. Major Guthre was wounded today by a ball from sharp shooters. We had heavy cannonading here on the lower end of our lines this evening. Night has come on and one third of us has to be on watch and while we stand as bold sentinels upon the watchtower around Vicksburg, I pray Heaven’s blessings to rest upon us and that the all seeing eye of Jehovah may watch over us and protect us from all danger and harm. W.R.C.

June 24 — The next regiment to our left charged the Yankee ditches in their front last night and drove them back, but the Yankees occupied their old position today. Sharpshooting as usual today and the Mortar battery is shelling town. W. R. Clack

June 23 — Another attempt was made last night to charge the enemy trenches by six Co’s of our regiment and a squad of Georgians which was successful. We drove them back and filled up their ditch, but our regiment suffered severely. We had twenty one killed and wounded. George Loy of Co. B. was killed and Andy Hughes and Wm. Boles as wounded. Though it is said the Yankees occupy the same ground again today that they did yesterday. Andy Hughes died today. Loy was not killed instantly but die d early this morning. W. R. Clack

June 22 — At 12 o’clock last night Co. B and G. and one Co. of 57 Ga. was ordered outside of our entrenchments to attack and drive the enemy from the ditches which was near our picket post. We succeeded in driving them from their first ditch. But we were forced by over whelming numbers to fallback as their ditch did not give us any protection from the enemies fire; which we did in good order. Lieut. Crookshanks was killed; Sargeant Denton and Gilbert Murray was wounded of Co. G -Capt. Cawood, Sargent Miller and Wm. Brady of Co. B was wounded. One of the Ga. was killed and two wounded. It was with great reluctance that I went into it, but I said nothing. I saw it could not profit us anything for we could not hold it when taken. I thank God that we escaped as well as what we did. Sharp shooting going on as usual today. Oh Lord my heavenly Master deliver us from this unhappy state.Hear my prayer Oh! God and save us from the destruction of our enemies. W.R.C.

June 21 — Another Sabbath morning has rolled around and found us still confined to the neighboring hill of Vicksburg without any better prospects of our deliverance. It is reported that Johnson has attacked the enemy but I doubt it. Sharp shooters are pecking away as usual this morning. Warm firing was kept up all day. WRC

June 20 — Heavy cannonading commenced at daylight this morning and continued until 11 o’clock — While the bombs bursted and the pieces fall all around us and among us but hit none of our regiment. Thanks be to high heaven for our protection. The evening passed off tolerably quiet. WRC

June 19 — We left the trenches at daylight this morning and came back to our old position in the hollow. Things are tolerably quiet this morning — some sharp shooting going on 7 o’clock p.m. — all passed off tolerably quiet today. We commenced drawing flour today. WRC

June 18 — Things passed off tolerably quiet last night. Sharp shooters opened fire early this morning. A Georgan belonging to our picket post was killed today. We were relieved from post at 6 o’clock p.m. by Co. K and retired to our camp and ate supper and lay down to rest. I had just gone to sleep and I was aroused from my slumber by the rattling of musketry. The enemy was attempting to drive in on our pickets and get possession of our post. The remainder of our regiment was ordered out and took a position in the trenches with Col. Barklelew. By this time the firing had pretty well ceased as our boys still occupied their post. We had one man wounded. WRC

June 17 — There was a right smart shooting during the last night. Firing as usual this morning. 6 o’clock p.m. — Co’s B and G now starts out on picket in front of the trenches. 7 o’clock — we have arrived at the picket post. The bullets cut pretty close to us here. Speed — speed the hour that we’ll deliver from this place. W.R.C.

June 16 — Things are going on here this morning as usual. No change in anything as I can see. 7 o’clock p.m. — Warm firing has been kept up all day. I lie down again to rest with the ethereal blue for my covering, and pray the Lord to watch over me while I sleep. W. R. Clack