On board the "Imperial" below

Memphis, Ten June 13 1863

           

"My dear Father"

                                    I now take my pen in hand to write a few lines. I am well and hope this will find you the same. I wrote you last sunday at "Cairo" stating we expected to go to "Vicksburg". We left "Cairo" on monday night. This place is situated in a low spot at junction of the "Ohio" and "Mississippi". It is mostly composed of Liquor Shops and such like Dutch, Irish &c. We left on the Imperial 35^th Mass and Co E 2^nd Regular Battery (the one Charley and Reub are in) are with us on this boat. We got aground the first night on a bar where we staid till morning when we got off. We passed "Hickman" and "Island No 10" the next day. Our Reg't was paid on board the next day tuesday but I was disappointed in not getting mine. As I had nothing to show that I had not been paid at the Hospital. So he would not pay me this time. There is one consolation, I will have a larger pile next time. I will get paid probably for 8 months next time if nothing happens 

 

Wednesday We got aground again today was towed off by the Rockett We have had wet weather so far. Arrived at "Memphis" at 6pm. This is a pretty city some very handsome buildings here of brick and stone Everything is high here Calico is 20 and 25 cts a yd Butter 30 cheese 20 and 25. Lemons 8 and 10 cts. And most every thing is double what it is at home. Lieut' Clark took a squad of us in swimming and while we were gone the boat went up the river a ways to coal up and we scattered around the city. There is a pretty square here called "Court Square" with a bust of Andrew Jackson cut out of marble set on a pedestal. there are also a lot of tame gray squirrels playing around on the grass and trees. There are some New England people here A brother of Wm Eastman of Manchester is here. We left Memphis early friday morning. This is a very wooded country. it is covered all the way down to the waters edge with a thick growth, with the exception of a spot now and then cleared by "squatters". Once in a while we pass a village or a plantation with the Negro huts and a [?] I have seen 8 or 9 large steamers out here loaded down with our / troops. We have our Band on board with us and on the "Silver Moon" is a "Caliope" played with by steam and I assure you it is a pretty sight to see our Steamers and 5 or 6 Gun boats sailing along. The bank of the river is more settled since we left Memphis than before. We pass a great many ruins of villages probably shelled by the gun boats. We see but very few inhabitants here. Hardly see a single white man once in a while we pass a few women and Niggers looking at us as we pass. We must now be some over 200 miles from Memphis, expect to reach Vicksburg to morrow We reached "Helena" Ark yesterday noon stopped a couple hours. Major Gen'l Prentiss came on board he is in command at this place, this place has been in our possession about two years. There are about 6,000 troops here There is one Negro Reg't here the first I have ever seen. One of the soldiers here told us that there was a great many troops passed down the river ahead of us. Grant is bound to have "Vicksburg" soon We are probably to hold in check any force that may come in Grant's rear. I sent you a "Memphis Bulletin" thursday. I have not recei / ved but one letter from home since I left "Baltimore". Gill is well as also Charley and Reub. It is quite warm down this way Wilkins and the rest of your acquaintance are well. But I will close for the present from your affect son

William

 

Sherman's Landing La 3 miles

from Vicksburg June 14/63

            Dear Father

                        We landed this morning here. Stopped at Miliken's Bend and left early this morning and Vicksburg is in plain sight. We are here by the "cutoff" canal. There is continual firing from our gunboats. The Rebs do not reply. We even see the shells burst over the city. It is reported that "Grant" opened his lines and let "Johnson" in to the city and then closed them and took his baggage and amunition as by letting him in he would be consuming the food in it. And also that Grant has given them till to morrow morning to surrender and if they do not by that time he will open his batteries I give these only as rumors There was 12 or 13 steamers loaded with [faded] going down I suppose it will be the [faded] Washington. Please send a few stamps when you write next Next time I write I expect to [faded] inform you of the capture of [faded] I do not think but what

SOURCES