Siege of Vicksburg July 3rd (1863 
ten (10) feet apart. Fighting commenced lazily this morning, even the crack of the rifle seemed dull.  At 8 A.M. firing ceased along the whole line, and the two parties appeared on their respective fortifications, and talked some to each other.  At 9 A.M. the mortars ceased their thunder and everything became as quiet as at a country residence.  Some rebel general officers have come to Gen'l Grants Hd. Qur's with a flag of truce.  At 12 M. firing commenced again, and con tinued two (2) hours, when another flag of truce appeared, and firing ceased, except the mortars which kep up a thundering untill dark, when every thing became as quiet as death.
 Saturday July 4th Was on picket last night.  At dawn everythin looked smoky, the morning was cloudy, in the east they were of a golden tincture; and the Sun rose, it appeared, with more beauty and splendor than ever before. Everything was as quiet as death all night. At daylight the rebs again appeared on their works in full view.
