1863) Capture of Vicksburg 
At about sunrise several batteries of ours fired national salutes. When the first shot was fired, at an instant, every "Fed." and "Confed." disappeared, but as quick discovered that it was a blank shot and the long lines of blue and butternut again appeared in full view of each other, but old Porter kep shelling from daylight till 9 a.m. At 10 a.m. the glad tidings came that Vicksburg had surrendered with its garrison of 33,000 men. There was great cheering along our whole lines, as the white rags were being planted on the rebel ramparts. When we planted the Old Flag on the rebel forts they actually cheered it in several instances. They had been on quarter rations for ten (10) days, and the last few days they had killed and eaten mules. At 11 A.M. the Rebels formed in line in front of their works and stacked their arms to the Stars and Stripes. Many of the rebel soldiers seemed to part with their arms with reluctance. They had defended their works in a manner worthy of a better cause. As soon as they
