The Confederate evacuation of Vicksburg.
The following is an extract from the journal of a Vicksburg soldier, which was kept up after the surrender of the city:
July 9.--Yankee sutlers are doing a thriving business among their own and our soldiers.
Some eight or ten of them are already in the city.
They have large stocks of goods, and sell cheap for hard cash or greenbacks.
They are not allowed to sell clothing to Confederates unless upon special permission to that affect from the powers that be. The stores on Washington street are being cleaned out and filled up with all sorts of wares.
Two express offices,
Adams's and
Parker's, are in full blast.
One store is filled with metallic coffins, others with provisions, others with clothing.
July 10.--Time has passed heavily since the surrender.
We leave, however, to-morrow morning — the following being the prescribed route and "order of march:"
From
Vicksburg by the
Jackson and Baldwin's Ferry roads, via
Bovina, crossing Big Black by the wagon bridge, and thence to
Raymond.
Order of March.--In advance, division of
Major-General Bowen, succeeding as follows, viz:
Col. Higgins's brigade of heavy artillery,
Col. Withers's regiment of light artillery,
Major Gen. Forney's division,
Major Gen. Smith's division,
Major-Gen. Stevenson's division.
The wagon trains to proceed in the rear of the brigades to which they respectively belong.
July 11.--The greater portion of our army passed outside the
Vicksburg lines this morning.
The rolls of the several commands were called and absentees noted.
The inspection of the baggage proved to be quite formal.
The knapsacks were opened, but scarcely any of the wagons were overhauled.
At the Baldwin's Ferry road servants who insisted on going out with their masters were permitted to do so. Not so at the
Jackson road, none, I learn, being allowed to pass out at that point.
A colored teamster having been ordered to dismount, he manifested much joy in having been liberated from the wicked rebels — that it was not his wish to go out with them, etc. Yankees very much delighted.
The team passes outside the lines; when suddenly their colored brother remembers that all his baggage is in the wagon. --Gets permission to go after his good clothes; follows the wagon very slowly, and was traveling, at last accounts, with his back to
Vicksburg.
Gen. Pemberton and staff, and most of the army which passed out this morning, encamped to-night two miles west of
Edward's Depot — thus making a march of 18 miles. Pretty good for men who have been forty-seven days in the trenches, on quarter rations.
But home and its loved ones now occupy their minds and sustains their weary limbs.
Nearly all the Louisianians and Texans, and many of the Mississippians, have already directed their steps homeward.
But few from those States will march to the paroled camp or other rendezvous.
July 12.--Resumed march at an early hour this morning, reaching
Raymond in the evening, where we camped for the night.--We found the ladies of
Raymond patriotic as ever.
On every street corner our weary boys found sweet smiles, encouraging words, and cool, clear water.
God bless the ladies — they're the life of the strife.
The army grows "beautifully less."
July 13.--Resumed march for
Byram this morning, via
Cooper's Wells.
Crossed Pearl river by a flat, and camped on the east bank for the night.
Yankees were at
Byram yesterday, sunk this flat and destroyed several railroad cars.
Our Engineer corps--
Major Samuel H. Lockett, commanding — promptly placed the flat in good condition.
July 14.--The
Alabamians, Georgians, Tennesseeans, Missourians, and several
Mississippi regiments, have passed through
Brandon, en route to Enterprise and
Demopolis.
General Pemberton has established his headquarters at
Brandon, until he hears from
Richmond on the furlough question.
A few Mississippians and Louisianians are here also, waiting to be furloughed in due form.
Gen. Johnston is leaving
Jackson tonight; his wagon train is now passing through
Brandon.
And here I will wind up my Journal of the
Siege of Vicksburg, and prepare to evacuate the beautiful capital of the "free State" of
Rankin.
