Wednesday, 8th.–Marched into town and got our paroles to-day. ____ Copy Of My Parole. Vicksburg, Miss., July 8th A. D., 1863. To All Whom It May Concern, know ye that; I, R. M. Magill, a private of Company F, of 39th Georgia, Volunteers, C. S. A., being a prisoner of war in the hands of [...]

8th.—Accounts from Gettysburg very confused. Nothing seems to be known certainly; but Vicksburg has fallen! So says rumour, and we are afraid not to believe. It is a terrible loss to us; but God has been so good to us heretofore that we can only say, “It is the Lord.” A victory is announced to [...]

(Excerpts from a letter written just after the battle of Gettysburg, on the march—dated July 7th, 1863. Camp near Williamsport, Maryland.)           “Dear Papa,          “Since the 13th of June, inclusive, there has not been a day on which we have not marched. Our battery and two guns of McGregor’s were with the cavalry, Fitz and [...]

JULY 8th.—I am glad to copy the following order of Gen. Lee : “HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, “CHAMBERSBURG, PA., June 27th, 1863. “GENERAL ORDERS No. 73. ………………….“The commanding general has observed with marked satisfaction the conduct of the troops on the march, and confidently anticipates results commensurate with the high spirit they have manifested. No [...]

Portland, Ala., July 8, 1863.–My mother ill at her home on the plantation near here–where I have come to see her. But to go back first to my trip home from Flat Rock to Camden. At the station, I saw men sitting on a row of coffins smoking, talking, and laughing, with their feet drawn [...]

Tuesday, 7th–A high wind today ended in rain tonight. Colonel Chambers of the Sixteenth Iowa, who has been commanding our brigade, left for Vicksburg this morning to obtain release from this command in order to return to the regular army. The boys of the brigade are glad to see him leave. Colonel Hall takes charge [...]

7th. Morgan still 20 hours ahead of us. Out at 2 A. M. Passed through Fredericksburg. Forded Rolling Fork and through Bardstown. Got breakfast 2 miles farther on. Rested an hour. Reached Bardstown Junction (Kentucky) near dark. Got supper and fed. Train came in from Louisville, 36 miles with rations, bacon and bread. Issued them [...]

July 7th. The miniature army steamer Bee (General Banks’s despatch boat,) came down from Bayou Sara, at 12 o’clock midnight, bringing the cheering news of the fall of Vicksburg, which she had previously received from the steamer Gen. Sterling Price, just arrived from Vicksburg, and now lying aground off Point Coupée, opposite Bayou Sara. General [...]

Tuesday, 7th.—Signing paroles to-day. Reported that there has been some fighting between here and Jackson. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

I Get Promoted. July 7. Today a sergeant, corporal and eight privates from each company have been detailed to manipulate the big guns. I had the honor of being selected from my company, and was assigned the left gun, a most dangerous and hazardous position. I feel proud of my promotion and am sure I [...]

JULY 7th.—It appears that the fighting near Gettysburg began on Wednesday, July 1st, continued until Sunday, the 5th, and perhaps longer. Up to Friday the Northern papers claim the advantage. This morning at 1 P.M. another dispatch was received from the same (unofficial) source, stating that on Sunday the enemy made a stand, and A. [...]

July 7th. Near where General Reno fell, during the battle of Antietam. Passed down the west side of the mountain into the Antietam country, becoming a part of the 3d Corps, Army of the Potomac, General French commanding, taking part in the battle of Boonsborough, and supporting the cavalry at the battle of Falling Waters. [...]

July 7th, 1863.—I did not enjoy quiet long. First came Martha, who announced her intention of going to search for her sons, as she was free now. I was hardly able to stand since the severe cold taken in the cave that night, but she would not wait a day. A colored woman came in [...]

Monday, 6th–We have had very changeable weather for a week now—hot and sultry, then cool and pleasant, then warm and hazy. The Eleventh Iowa received two months’ pay today. I got $37.25; of this, $11.25 was allowed for clothing not drawn. The Thirteenth Iowa and the Tenth Ohio Battery went out on picket duty.

6th. Aroused early and breakfasted. Marched two or three miles and got forage. Our brigade in advance. Passed through several villages. A beautiful country for farming, good residences. Reached Lebanon at 3 P. M. 20th Ky. 350, surrendered here to Morgan, but not till punishing him. Out a mile, fed and got supper. Passed through [...]

July 6th. At nine in the morning inspected crew at quarters. Ship’s company engaged in repairing fore and main standing-rigging, which has been shot away in action. Between the hours of four and six in the afternoon, U. S. naval batteries were engaged with the enemy at Port Hudson. From eight o’clock till twelve midnight, [...]

Monday, 6th.—Drew crackers, bacon, pickled beef, peas, sugar, coffee and vinegar; very unwell to-day. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Monday Morning.—The hope I expressed in my last line on Saturday night was delusive. About one o’clock I was awakened by E. leaning over me, and saying in a low, tremulous tone, “Mother, get up, the Yankees are come.” We sprang up, and there they were at the telegraph office, immediately opposite. In an instant [...]

 JULY 6th.—Yesterday evening we received Baltimore and New York papers with accounts (and loose ones) of the battle of Gettysburg. The Governor of Pennsylvania says it was “indecisive,” which means, as we read it, that Meade’s army was defeated. The forces (Federal) are withdrawing from the neighborhood of this city, another indication that Lee has [...]

July 5th. Left camp very early this morning. A heavy downpour of rain. Passed through Georgetown, on through Washington. The mud in Pennsylvania Avenue was ankle deep. Marching very hard and disagreeable, so much so that we were obliged to take off our leggins and throw them away. Our first time in Washington. Boarded a [...]

Sunday, 5th–We came in this morning at 10 o’clock from an all night picket along the Big Black river. We were relieved by General Tuttle’s Brigade. Our brigade then fell back a mile and went into bivouac in heavy timber. The rebels all left last night, it is thought, for Jackson, Mississippi, with the forces [...]

5th. Aroused at daylight. Marched very soon, roads quite muddy. Crossed Green River about 7:30 and camped one mile out. Fed and breakfasted. Got a good meal at a large white house. Passed through a now almost wilderness till reaching the Green River. Some day this will be a rich country, good pine timber. Several [...]

July 5th. At ten A. M., ship and crew inspected by the Commodore. Performed Divine service on the quarter-deck. Occasional firing at Port Hudson all this day.

Sunday, 5th.—Went over to river; saw about one hundred boats drawn up in front of town; among them several gunboats. Talked with a Federal soldier, Rufus Wells, who once lived at Ringgold. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)