Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 265, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 November 1911 — WAR REMINISCENCES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WAR REMINISCENCES

ATE RATS AND LIKED THEM f Fall of Port Hudson Followed Close on That'of Vicksburg—Was Outlet y- ■ for Commerce. ■ ' # The second great siege of the Civil war was followed closely. Scarcely had the forests ceased to echo to the tread of Grant’s legions in the rear of Vicksburg when another Federal host under General Banks suddenly appeared on the banks of the Mississippi near Port Hudson, some miles south of the doomed city. Like phantom shapes the federal troops crept toward the garrison wherein were General Gardner and his warriors of the Confederacy guarding this important key to the • Mississippi and the gulf. *. Port Hudson in antebellum days was insignificant in importance, being only a rjver landing for cargbes of cotton from surrounding plantations in Louisiana. At the janding there were a few crude dwellings. Here the Confederates had thrown up fortifications from which they could guard the mighty outlet for the commerce of the north and west. This siege also lasted six Until four days after the surrender of Vicksburg General Gardner was encircled by the gleaming bayonets and cannon of Banks.* He could neither escape nor could succor reach him. Still the Confederates fought and slept while the summer sun sent down its heated rays upon the worn figures in gray until it seemed impossible to withstand another day’s bombardment and fatigue. The rank and file lay down on their rude beds to gasp throughout the night for a breath of cool air. Without the entrenchments the invaders from the highlands of the north suffered the torments of an inferno. A dense mist was arising constantly from the marshy land and the feverinfested swamps. Day after day scores of soldiers were carried to the hospitals. Assault after assault was delivered on the Confederate works, but each was sturdily and bloodily repulsed until it seemed that the post would never surrender. In the center of the fort was a flour mill, which was used to make fresh bread for the Confederates and this became the special target for the Federal gunners. It was late in June when a thundering cheer sounded through the federal ranks as a shot struck the building. The gunners watched the mill Intently. Confederates were seen running at)out the inclosure with pails, kegs and whatever else would serve to carry water. A slender thread of flame

leaped from the building and quickly swept over the structure. Then a burst of joy resounded from the Federal troops. The mill was on fire! Soon the building was consumed and the federals had gained Another step toward the capture of the coveted post. Meat had early given out within the garrison at Port Hudson and, like the soldiers at Vicksburg, the Confederates began to cook and eat thtelr mules and horses. A diary kept by one of the besieged warriors records the following: “Many of the men, as If in mockery of famine, caught rats and ate them, declaring that they were better than squirrels.” ‘ Throughout the siege the night had been made brilliant by the constant: storm of shells that crashed from the Union guns and arched through the heavens,i to drop with a thundering detonation in the garrison. It was three nights after Independence day. The cannonade trebled in Intensity. In a lull of the roar cheers were heard in Banks*-. camp. “Vicksburg has surrendered!’’ was the Btartling news that was wafted across the battle-scarred entrenchments. "What! Vicksburg, the impregnable, surrender? Never!” But the news was confirmed when a federal picket pushed a copy of the message Banks had received over to his opposing picket Hope was now gone. The courageous men of the garrison, realizing that thelc. struggles were futile against the forces irrayed before them. The white flag was slowly unfurled over Port Hodion and the defenders of the post ao•eptsd the hospitality of their foe.

“Vicksburg Has Surrendered.”