Spades are Trumps: The 96th Ohio and the Siege of Vicksburg

"Moderate artillery practice every day but nothing exciting," was how Private John Reynolds of the 96th Ohio described an average day during the siege of Vicksburg. "Our sharpshooters keep popping it to them all the time and woe to the Rebel that sticks their head above the works for our boys are watching with eager eyes and daring them to show their gray backs." 

Three weeks into the siege of Vicksburg, matters had settled down to something approaching a routine in the Union lines surrounding the city. As described by Private John Reynolds of the 96^th Ohio, the “routine” consisted of long hours with a pick and shovel punctuated by the occasional dangers from Confederate bullets and shells flying over the works.

          “Whilst writing, one of the 67^th Illinois boys was shot through the head by the Secesh sharpshooters while carrying the pickets’ breakfast to them,” recorded Reynolds. “The balls and shells fly thick and fast over our camp. We had hardly pitched the colonel’s tent before a couple pieces of shells came crashing through; only a new way of saluting our colonel but rather dangerous. Spades are trumps in the 96^th Ohio as it is on fatigue duty all the time with our boys both day and night. We are erecting earthworks and fortifying our position as we advance on the Rebel fortifications. I put the old 96^th against any other regiment in the brigade or division in handling the shovel.”

          Private Reynolds’ chatty account of life on the line at Vicksburg first saw publication in the July 2, 1863, edition of the Mount Vernon Republican. 

Lewis H. Mitchell was serving as a second lieutenant in Co. A, 96th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was among those manning the siege lines at Vicksburg. He later was promoted to regimental adjutant and survived the war only to be gunned down in Chicago years later by a jealous husband who accused Mitchell of having an affair with his wife. 

Two miles from Vicksburg, Mississippi

June 12, 1863

Mr. Editor,

          I write again for your valuable home paper to let you know that the 96^th Ohio has moved forward and now has taken its position on the line and directly under the Rebel forts. We are located in a ravine and the lines extend from Warrenton to Haines’ Bluff, nearly 20 miles in extent. The general direction is from northeast to southwest, a complete chain of forts and breastworks extend the whole entire line, each fort communicating with the others. Most of the forts are constructed with cotton bales and bags of sand and have a ditch ten feet wide and from six to eight feet deep on the outer side.

          We came here on the 30^th of May and the 96^th will have and play a conspicuous part in the taking of this infernal place as ours is one of the advanced regiments. Our brigade and division occupy positions directly in the rear of Vicksburg. It is conceived by all that the works in front of us are stronger and more fully garrisoned than at other points and we anticipated close and heavy work. Our brigade went into the charge on the 22^nd of May with about 900 men and came out minus 187 killed and wounded. Only 22 were shot dead, but no doubt the number will be doubled from the effects of severe wounds. The Second Brigade went in with 2,000 and their loss is about the same. A rough estimate of the loss on that day was 2,000 killed and wounded [for the whole army.]

          The gunboats and mortar boats are doing good execution in shelling the city from the front. The deserters say the place is being badly cut up and shells crushing everything that comes in their way. A great many women and children have perished.

          Our pickets occupy a closer position today and our men are planting more artillery within 300 yards of two Rebel forts. Everything passed off quietly among our lines. Not so with the Rebels for shells are continually bursting over their traitorous heads. I know of no man who is more zealous in the cause and welfare of his men that our fighting General S.G. Burbridge and one among the finest artillerists of the 13^th Army Corps. He is continually in the extreme front posting himself as to his position.

General Stephen G. Burbridge

          Whilst writing, one of the 67^th Illinois boys was shot through the head by the Secesh sharpshooters while carrying the pickets’ breakfast to them. The balls and shells fly thick and fast over our camp. We had hardly pitched the colonel’s tent before a couple pieces of shells came crashing through; only a new way of saluting our colonel but rather dangerous. Perhaps he can return the compliment before long?

          On May 24^th, a prisoner was captured just from Vicksburg and upon searching him, a very important document was found upon his person for General [Joseph E.] Johnston. The contents of which said that he (Johnston) must speedily reinforce them, attack our rear, or they would have to surrender to the damned Yankees; it also said our shells were cutting them all to mincemeat.

          Moderate artillery practice every day but nothing exciting. But our sharpshooters keep popping it to them all the time, and woe to the Rebel that sticks their head above the works for our boys are watching with eager eyes and daring them to show their gray backs for they had not seen them since they made the great skedaddle from Jackson and Black River bridge.

          Spades are trumps in the 96^th Ohio as it is on fatigue duty all the time with our boys both day and night. We are erecting earthworks and fortifying our position as we advance on the Rebel fortifications. We also have about 200 Negroes working in the rifle pits. It is laughable to see the boys of Co. A and B throw dirt. I put the old 96^th against any other regiment in the brigade or division in handling the shovel and hoe, and when it comes to handling shooting irons, the boys are all counted in. Colonel Vance’s light artillery, as our general calls our Belgian rifles, are some in a fight.

The idea of carrying the place by storm seems to have played out and the safer and surer plan of starving the Rebels into submission finds favor everywhere. All the deserters represent things pretty much the same saying about 20,000 effective men are in there with two-thirds kept in the fortifications night and day, not allowed to leave an instant on any pretext whatever. A detail is made each evening to cook their rations consisting of three quarters of a pound of meat (fresh with no salt) and the same in cornmeal each day. The remaining third [of their force] is held as a reserve to strengthen any place that is threatened in a moment’s warning.

The 96th Ohio was equipped with .58 caliber Lorenz rifle muskets during their service at Vicksburg which fired the standard .58 caliber ammunition depicted above. 

They also say that Generals John Pemberton, S.D. Lee, Reynolds (not your humble servant), Stevenson, and others are in Vicksburg. Most of Rebel sick were removed before we came up. Those who remain have excavated caves and live in them with their families and valuable merchandise stored in them for fear of conflagration. Reports say that over 100 women have been killed by our shells. General Pemberton believes that his rations will hold out 30 days but urges General Johnston to come to his relief in ten days. Mules and cavalry horses have been turned loose and driven towards our lines owing to the lack of forage. General Pemberton sent some families with their Negroes into our lines, too, but General U.S. Grant sent the former back but kept the Negroes to work on our fortifications. Bully for old U.S.!

          This morning, three Rebels came into our lines; two were artillerists and the other a private in the rear rank. They said that the Vicksbuggers have played out. All that keeps them is the leaders. They had drawn one day’s rations but set to and ate them up at one meal so they could have one good meal, the first they say in the last three months.

          Our company’s health is good with the exception of a few cases of ague and Co. A is the same. Your old friend and fellow sinner George McClurg of Amity received a commission as lieutenant vice William H. Young who resigned. He wears his honors with much grace. Success to him for he makes a good officer. Joseph T. Jacobs, promoted to the high and responsible post of sergeant, still associates with the rest of the company as usual as if nothing happened and “General” Dan Cooper of Co. A is still around cracking his jokes, unconscious of his honorable position. Roger the Boland and Piney the Martin send their respects to all, especially the fairer sex of Mount Vernon. Piney is some on the shovel brigade and has engaged mint juleps for two from General Pemberton when he pays him a visit.

Local residents dug caves into the Vicksburg bluffs to escape the effects of the Union shelling. 

          Last night, some of the 20^th Ohio regiment boys came over and serenaded our two Knox County companies, our colonel with Generals Smith and Burbridge. It gladdened all our hearts, especially the wine and toddy of our general and colonel. It was refreshing for the soldier to hear again the soul-stirring strains of old Vernon music. Phil Brunscomb was in his glory; may the 20^th boys live a long and happy life and at last land safely on the other side of Jordan.

          By the next mail and communication, I hope to chronicle the downfall of this Sodom and Gomorrah. As our army is in good fighting trim and we have leaders who know how to go in on their big ankle, we will make no backwards movements across the Mississippi for old United States Grant has put his foot down and it is thar!

Source:

Letter from Private John P. Reynolds, Co. B, 96^th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Mount Vernon Republican (Ohio), July 2, 1863, pg. 2