8

7.
pyramids of that precious commodity
loomed up against the sky in grand
proportions ^as we approached^ The torch was relentlessly
applied and Englands security went
up in smoke and the railroad was
permantently disabled. We returned
to our transports the same night and
the following morning steamed into
Yazoo river with a convoy of several
iron clads. The country between the
Chickasaw ridge on which Vicksburg
is situated and the Yazoo river, is
low and swampy and is intersected with
bayous, the largest near the base of the
bluff, forming a natural ditch for the
fortifications. one or two fords were
found but were well defended by the
earthworks that extended along the face
of the almost perpendicular bluff.

Rain continued with little intermission
during the five days that were spent in
attempts to make a lodgment on the
enemys side of the bayou, over pontoons
that were thrown across it. Heavy guns
requiring twenty oxen to draw them
over the corderoy roads constructed for
the purpose, were placed in position,
The first attack was made by the troops