Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy, 39th Georgia Regiment of Infantry

Thursday, 9th.—Reported that Johnston and the Yanks have been doing some hard fighting. Drew five days’ rations. Think we will start pretty soon. Very unwell.

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.

Tuesday, 7th.—Signing paroles to-day. Reported that there has been some fighting between here and Jackson.

Monday, 6th.—Drew crackers, bacon, pickled beef, peas, sugar, coffee and vinegar; very unwell to-day.

Sunday, 5th.—Went over to river; saw about one hundred boats drawn up in front of town; among them several gunboats. Talked with a Federal soldier, Rufus Wells, who once lived at Ringgold.

Saturday, 4th.—6 A. M., Federals fired salute. 9:30 A. M., white flags raised on our works; suppose we have been surrendered. 12 M., marched out and stacked our arms in front of our works, leaving our regimental colors with the guns; we then marched back to camp; Yankees immediately put guards in our ditches, and we are now prisoners of war. Treating us very kindly, good many of our boys going out to Federal camp, with one Yankee guard to six or seven prisoners, when the Federals soldiers gave them what rations they could carry back; and so the private soldiers fed us for two days, until rations could be issued to us.

Friday, 3.—Firing ceased, except the mortars over the river; we have orders not to fire any more until further orders. Don’t know what it is for, but think the city will be surrendered soon. 3 p. M., firing began again and continued until 5 P. M. when it again ceased. Issued some mule beef to us this evening. Did not relish it, of course. Think of old, poor mules that had been starving during the siege, until they could hardly stand—and very likely many of them could not—being eaten’; I think I would rather eat my old shoes.

Thursday, 2d.-—Pretty quiet to-day; think the rations are about out, as we have been getting two small biscuits and a pint of pea soup for a day’s rations for several days; no meat, and pea-bread seems to be out. Various rumors. Tom Meek, Company E, wounded; Jones Greene died of sickness; think the siege of Vicksburg is very nearly at an end.

July, Wednesday 1.—Yanks have worked up with their outpost ditches, until they are within forty to one hundred yards almost all around our lines. Tried to blow some of our works, but did not pay them for their trouble. Water getting very low.