I cannot describe my feelings yesterday while passing one landmark after another, that were familiar to my last spring, while on the march around Vicksburg. particularly when we passed Grand Gulf. here I witnessed one of those grand spectacles so rarely witnessed by the Land forces of our army.  The terific canonade at Grand Gulf on the 29th of April 1863 will live in my memory while the power of recollection is given me - Then when we passed the landing - below where our Division steped boldly on the shore of the enemy & marched off toward Port Gibson the large mansion on the hill is in plain view from the river - & as its cupalo faded away in the distance I gave myself up to my own sad reflections - how God in his kind Providence had spared my life through so many perils, while others have fallen like leaves in the storm all around me. Although I may shed the fraternal tear over their memory, it will not bring them back or soothe the anguish of those who mourn their loss - many of them lived the life of a soldier & died like heroes - Yes my noble, brave dead companions, let me cherish your memory with the love of a soldier. You did the work assigned you on earth. may you rest in Heaven O! when will this cruel & unnatural war end, "when men shall cease to learn war any more"
