No 8                                                                                       

Sunday, May the 24 /63

Camped in the rear

of Vixburg,                                                                                                    

 

Dear Mollie

I received your letter of the 2. last evening & was very glad to get it. it found me as well as usual, my eyes are about the same, they are no worse. I wrote you a fiew lines when we were at grand gulf, the 7. I have not had no chance to write since since then. we have been to Jackson, licked the rebels like thunder captured some rebels 6 pieces of artilery distroyed the railroad burned all the goverment property one very large coton facory where they manufactured all their clothing distroyed the state house & everything that was of importance to them / the boys broke in to the stores got what they wanted throwed clothing & everything out dores. tobaco is no acount with us now, the boys caried it off by the box it laid round like chips on a wood pile. I have anough to last me three months.

 

we left miligens bend the first day of may & came here the 19. we had a long march. the enemy met us 2 or 3 times but we drove them every time. they had about 1200 at Jackson, but they ran like thunder, but I dont think they will run here. we have got them surrounded & I think they will fight like thunder General Blairs division is on our right. he has driven them them from their outer rifle pits captured 4000 prisoners & 28 peaces / of artilery. our brigade made a charge on one of their rifle pits & was repulsed with a considerable of a loss. we were under a heavy fire for more than 40 rods. the led came as thick as eny hale I ever saw, but still we went forward until we got out of range of their fire under the hill. 3 regiments went up the hill to make the charge, the 9, 26, & 12 misouria. they were badly cut up Lieut Jones was killed & severel boys out of company B George Bowers was killed the day before by a shell. Mr John Fergerson was wounded in the leg below the knee, it was amputated above the knee. he died yesterday I think it was from the loss of blood / M J Murry was wounded in the arm slightly, William Walker in the back they were wonded while in camp. the rest of the boys are all well.

 

as near as I can find out General Grant intends to make no more charges. he has got them surrounded & intends to starve them out & shell them we have got their rifle pits next to the river so that we can get suplies without much trouble. their suplies are all cut of & vixburg is surly ours our forces is estimated at one hundred & twenty thousand & the rebels about 6000. if they come out of their holes we can whip them to death

 

you spoke about those pictures you had beter keep them for the present. I would like to have them very much in a month or two / you can send them after we take vixburg. our boys are planting some 30 lb paret guns this morning. they can rake the rebs rifle pits from one end to the other. no more this time write often from your affectionate husband

O Shibly

Mollie C Shibly 

 

tel Josa not to make so meny expenses, but write oftener

 

may this find you all well & harty is my daily thoughts

 

my respects to all who may enquire

O Shibly

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