July 8—We are resting, and, goodness knows, we need it very much. I sold my coat for twenty dollars and a gray jacket. We lost in the last fight in our company eleven killed and twenty-six wounded; three of the latter will not live, and nine of our number became prisoners, besides the wounded. Our three lieutenants are all wounded and prisoners. Katz is also a prisoner. Nothing further up to the 10th.
Monday, July 8, 2013
July 8.—An engagement occurred at Boonsboro, Md., between the National cavalry, under Generals Buford and Kilpatrick, and the rebels, under Generals J. E. B. Stuart, Hampton, and Jones, resulting in the defeat of the latter.— (Doc. 32.)
—The brig W. B. Nash, in latitude 40°, longitude 70°, was captured and burned by the rebel privateer Florida.—At Louisville, Ky., a meeting of the citizens was held to take measures for the defence of that city, then threatened by the rebels, supposed to be under Generals Morgan and Buckner. A resolution was adopted: “That all male citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five be enrolled into companies for service, if required, and that all such who refuse shall be sent to the North.”
—General Burnside, at Cincinnati, Ohio, issued a general order, giving directions for the conduct of the military affairs of his department in cases of habeas corpus.—A Company of General Stahel’s cavalry under Colonel Wynkoop, on a reconnoissance near Hagerstown, Md., succeeded in capturing a rebel company, consisting of two officers and fifty men, who were sent to Carlisle, Pa.—Two rebel schooners were destroyed at the Rio Grande, Texas, by a party of men, belonging to the National gunboat Scioto.—A Detachment of National cavalry, under the command of Captain Greenfield and Lieutenant Kelley, of General Kelley’s command, captured a train of fifteen wagons, sixty mules, two officers and twenty men, with their horses, at a point four miles from Williamsport, Md.—There was a heavy freshet in the Potomac River, which, it was supposed, would prevent the crossing of the retreating army under the rebel General Lee.— General Dabney H. Maury, commanding the rebel department of the Gulf, at Mobile, Ala., issued the following to the citizens of that place and its vicinity:
“The calamity which has befallen our arms at Vicksburgh has a peculiar significance for you. Mobile may be attacked within a very short time, and we must make every preparation for its successful defence.
“All able-bodied men within the limits of the city and county must at once organize into companies, and report for duty in defence of this position. Owners of able-bodied slaves are urged to send them immediately to work on the fortifications.
“Brigadier-General Slaughter will receive the reports of the companies which may be organized, have arms issued to such as have none, give orders for their instruction, and assign them to their stations.
“Reports of slaves for labor on the defences may be made to Brigadier-General Leadbetter, who has made arrangements for their good treatment while in his employ.”—Port Hudson, La., was surrendered to the Union General Banks, by the rebel commander Frank Gardner. — (Docs. 38 and 89.)
Wednesday, 8th—Remain in camp.
July 8th. At eight o’clock in the morning an orderly from General Banks’s headquarters came on board, bringing despatches for the Commodore. Very soon after he had left the ship we started fires and got up steam, as did also all the gunboats and army transports around us. Between the hours of four and six P. M., heavy squalls of wind and rain came up from the northward and westward, accompanied with thunder and lightning. At six thirty, received the news of General Gardner, C. S. A. at Port Hudson, having surrendered to Major-General Banks, U. S. A., “in rear of same.” The event occurred at two o’clock of this day, and was received with great joy. From six to eight o’clock, the army forces at Port Hudson signalized to us, we answering their signals.
Wednesday, 8th.—Marched into town and got our paroles to-day.
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Copy Of My Parole.
Vicksburg, Miss., July 8th A. D., 1863.
To All Whom It May Concern, know ye that; I, R. M. Magill, a private of Company F, of 39th Georgia, Volunteers, C. S. A., being a prisoner of war in the hands of the United States forces, virtue of the capitulation of the City of Vicksburg, and its garrison by Lieutenant-General John C. Pemberton, C. S. A., commanding, on the 4th day of July, 1863, do in pursuance of the terms of said capitulation, give this, my solemn parole, under oath; That I will not take arms again against the United States, nor serve in any military, police or constabulary force in any fort, garrison or field work, held by the Confederate States of America against the United States of America, nor as guard of prisoners, depots or stores, nor discharge any duties usually performed by officers or soldiers against the United States of America until duly exchanged by the proper authorities.
R. M. Magill,
Private, Company F, 39th Regiment, Georgia Volunteers. Sworn to and subscribed before me at Vicksburg, Miss., this 8th day of July, 1863.
J. O. Pollen, Captain and Par oiling Officer,
20th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers.
8th.—Accounts from Gettysburg very confused. Nothing seems to be known certainly; but Vicksburg has fallen! So says rumour, and we are afraid not to believe. It is a terrible loss to us; but God has been so good to us heretofore that we can only say, “It is the Lord.” A victory is announced to the War Department gained by General Loring in the West; and another gained by General Richard Taylor over Banks. For these successes I thank God from my heart. Many troops have passed here to-day, for what point we know not. Our anxiety is very great. Our home is blessed with health and comfort.
July 8 — Wm. Casey was seriously burnt this evening by foolishly setting powder on fire. We have not as yet received our paroles but expect to get them in the morning. W. R. Clack
by John Beauchamp Jones
JULY 8TH.—I am glad to copy the following order of Gen. Lee :
“HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
“CHAMBERSBURG, PA., June 27th, 1863.
“GENERAL ORDERS No. 73.
“The commanding general has observed with marked satisfaction the conduct of the troops on the march, and confidently anticipates results commensurate with the high spirit they have manifested. No troops could have displayed greater fortitude, or better performed the arduous marches of the past ten days. Their conduct in other respects has, with few exceptions, been in keeping with their character as soldiers, and entitles them to approbation and praise.
“There have, however, been instances of forgetfulness on the part of some, that they have in keeping the yet unsullied reputation of the army, and that the duties exacted of us by civilization and Christianity are not less obligatory in the country of the enemy than in our own.
“The commanding general considers that no greater disgrace could befall the army, and through it, our whole people, than the perpetration of the barbarous outrages upon the innocent and defenseless, and the wanton destruction of private property, that have marked the course of the enemy in our own country. Such proceedings not only disgrace the perpetrators and all connected with them, but are subversive of the discipline and efficiency of the army and destructive of the ends of our present movements. It must be remembered that we make war only upon armed men, and that we cannot take vengeance for the wrongs our people have suffered without lowering ourselves in the eyes of all whose abhorrence has been excited by the atrocities of our enemy, and offending against Him to whom vengeance belongeth, without whose favor and support our efforts must all prove in vain.
“The commanding general, therefore, earnestly exhorts the troops to abstain with most scrupulous care from unnecessary or wanton injury to private property; and he enjoins upon all officers to arrest and bring to summary punishment all who shall in any way offend against the orders on this subject.
” R. E. LEE, General.”
We have no additional news from the battle-field, except the following dispatch from Winchester:
“Our loss is estimated at 10,000. Between 3000 and 4000 of our wounded are arriving here to-night. Every preparation is being made to receive them. [click to continue…]
July 8.—The drama of Port Hudson I imagine to be pretty much played out. Yesterday our company had come out from the advance to rest. Suddenly an orderly passed through a group of us sitting near the colonel’s quarters, hurrying with despatches to the different commanders of the brigade. McGill rushed out, and read the despatch as he carried it in his hand. It was, “Vicksburg surrendered on the Fourth! ” Every pale, haggard face lit up with a wonderfully jolly light. Presently the brigadier hurried into the trenches; and a soldier, on duty at the mine, by his command, threw the news over among the rebels. At noon, we had a great firing of salutes. This morning, before light, we heard that a conference of the generals was to be held to agree upon the terms of surrender, and that a truce was to begin at once. The major went off through the dark to order the sharpshooters to stop firing; while we rubbed our eyes, wondering if the day had really come, — if our cause had really gained this great success, and we could go home with credit.
