June 15 — Sharp shooting as usual today. It has the appearance of rain this morning. All the convalesce that are able have come out from the hospital by order of the Brig. surgeon. I judge from this that a heavy attack is expected upon our line. It is reported that the Yankees are receiving heavy reinforcements. 7 o’clock p.m. — This day passed off tolerably quiet. We wait impatiently for the hour of our deliverance. May God speed the hour.
Civil War Diary kept by W. R. Clack, Co. B, 43rd Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers.
June 14 — All around our lines was more quiet than usual last night, but we were awakened from our sleep early this morning by the sharp shooters. 12 o’clock — heavy cannonading to our left. It is supposed a charge is about being made upon our trenches. 7 o’clock p.m. — We have no news yet from the left. Another sabbath has passed and we are still confined to this same unhappy place and almost without any ray of hope of deliverance. Oh! Lord how long shall we remain in this state? Deliver us at once Oh! Lord. W.R.C.
June 13 — Firing at intervals was kept up all last night. The sharp shooters as usual commenced their daily operations very early and in a little warmer manner than usual.
June 12 — Cannonading continued all night. Sharp shooters commenced operations early again this morning and continued all day. W.R.C.
June 11 — Very cloudy and damp this morning. It rained very hard last night and our things are nearly all wet — some sharp shooting going on today. We are liable to be struck with a ball any minute. We are in a position where they fall all around us and in our midst. J. L. Miller was struck with one today. The ball was well spent and didn’t enter his flesh. It is reported that Genl. Grant has called for 100,000 more men to reinforce him, Genl. Price has taken Helena and therefore cut off his supplies. It is said we have in Vicksburg 31,380 men with 30 or 40 days rations. W.R.C.
June 10 — Sharp shooting as usual again today. 4 o’clock p.m. —We have had a fine rain today. 5 o’clock p.m. -cannonading pretty rapidly at this hour. Night has again come on. The wind is blowing hard and a dark cloud is rising, while the bright lightnings play across the heavens and the awful thunder appears to shake the whole earth. Oh! May Jehovah, he who rides upon every tempest protect me tonight. W.R.C.
June 9 — Some shooting continued all last night. Firing going on as usual this morning. Night has come on again and the Yankees are shelling town rapidly from the opposite side of the river. W.R.C.
June 8 — Things are going on as usual this morning. Another man of Co. D. was wounded this morning. 7 o’clock p.m. firing pretty rapid at this hour. We have received intelligence from Johnston and also from other points of a late date by the grapevine telegraph which is very cheering. It is said that an English fleet of boats have come over to our aid and are now in possession of New Orleans and General Lee has nearly destroyed the Yankee army in Virginia. Genl. Price has got possession of Helena above here on the Mississippi river; also that Genl. Loring has retaken Snider’s Bluff on the Yazoo. W.R.C.
June 7 — Several cannons were fired during the night on our line commenced as usual at day dawn. 9 o’clock a.m. W. Adams was just now wounded (thought mortally) by a spent ball. The Feds have just commenced shelling town again after an intermission of two days. W.R.C.
June 6 — The sharp shooters opened fire at daylight this morning but in a milder manner than common — continued all day. Night has come on and the firmament is again decked with the beautiful stars, while we lay us down again to sleep upon the rough ground of Vicksburg. I pray heaven’s blessings to rest upon us. W.R.C.
