Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/winchell-edward-a/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned: Vicksburg, Mississippi
Historical Figures: Joseph E. Johnston , Ulysses S. Grant
Camp near Vicksburg 20 June 1863
Dear Mother
I hardly know what to think of the folks at home. It has been just two months today
(by my diary) since I have heard a word from home although I have written to every
one. I think it is bad for I know it is harder for me to write than it is for them at
home.
At last we have got into a large army again. We left Kentucky on the 6
th of June
and arrived at Vicksburg on the 14
th. We are now about twelve miles in the rear of
Vicksburg watching Johnson.
It is very warm down here and good water is very scarce. We have all of the black
berries and blumbs we want to eat and in about a week we will have green corn
and potatoes.
General Grant feels perfectly confident of taking Vicksburg. The other day while he
was out on our line of works he was asked by an officer what he was doing in front
and he answered that he was guarding prisoners meaning that he was guarding
those in Vicksburg.
We had a very good time on the way. The ladies of Illinois seemed very patriotic and
at several places we received refreshments from their hands. We stayed in Cairo one
day before we embarked and we remained at Memphis one day but was not allowed
to leave the boats. We were fired into twice by Guerillas on our way down from
Memphis. We had two wounded. The rebels layed behind the levee out of sight of
our men. All of the boats fired as they passed the spot but I guess we did not do any
damage to them. Our boat was the only one fired into.
I am troubled a good deal by an ulcerated tooth which I have in my head. One side
of my face is swollen up so that I can hardly see out of my eye. I think it will break
on the outside. I poultice it with hard tack. They ain’t very good but are better than
nothing.
Mother I wish you would ask Add if he could not mail me a small pocket diary. The
one I have is about worn out and I can’t get one here. Please hand this receipt and
the money to Uncle Geiger. I forgot to send it before. When you write, please send
me a couple of steel pens.
Goodbye, Dear Mother, for this time from your affectionate son.
Edward A. Winchell
