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349 Series I Volume XXIV-II Serial 37 - Vicksburg Part II

Page 349 Chapter XXXVI. THE SIEGE OF Vicksburg, MISS.

the intense theat of the sun and frequent rains, and to impure water they are obliged to drink, my men are much reduced in strength, and in may instances entirely prostrated. It would be utterly impossible for most of them to make a forced march of any distance. Many of my trenches are extremely weak and unable to undergo the slightest fatigue Perhaps on an average 200 men from each of my regiments, animated by patriotic motives and a desire to be free, might be able to make a march of 10 or 15 miles and still be in condition to give battle to the enemy but hardly more than this number.

The spirits of my men are good, and I believe that almost to a man they would be willing to make vigorous efforts and to strike a blow for freedom; but I regret to say that-two THIRDS are unable to endure a march of 10 miles

I have the honor, to be very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. W. REYNOLDS,

Colonel Commanding Fourth Brigade.

Major General C. L. STEVENSON,

Commanding DIVISION,&C.

Ordnance and stores at Vicksburg.

3-inch rifled guns, complete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

6-pounder bronze guns, complete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

12-pounder iron howitzers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Caissons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Traveling forges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Battery wagons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Sets lead harness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Sets wheel harness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Small-arms, complete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,472

Accouterments, complete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,472

Rounds per man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Rounds per gun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Number 78. Reports of Brigadier General Stephen D. L. Lee, c. S. Army, commanding SECOND Brigade. HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE, Stevenson'S DIVISION. May 22, 1863-11,45.

SIR: The enemy have been repulsed along my front, they have made a lodgment in the ditch of left work, and they have a stand of colors in the works. The work is full of our men. I cant's reach them in the ditch. They made a gallant assault, and have lost a great many men.

STEPHEN'S D. LEE,

Brigadier-General.

Major-General STEVENSON.


HEADQUARTERS LEE'S BRIGADE,
May 22, 1863.

GENERAL: The angle is carried and the enemy's colors taken. It was a gallant affair. They are still in the ditch and on the ridge.

Your obedient servant,

STEPHEN D. LEE,

Brigadier-General.

General STEVENSON.


Page 349 Chapter XXXVI. THE SIEGE OF Vicksburg, MISS.