Union Soldier Describes Vicksburg after the Fall

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/21/2018

A good Union six page letter (with original cover) written by “Geo(rge) D. Adams” who enlisted 5/28/1862 into Mass 7th Light Artillery and mustered out 5/6/1865 at Mobile. . Writing to his sister, White River Landing Ark., Sept. 9, 1864, in part, “We reached Natchez, Miss… I think it is one of the prettiest southern cities I have ever seen. The main part of the city cannot be seen from the river, it being situated behind a very high bluff, but there is quite a little village near the river which is called Natchez under the hill. The streets of the main city are laid out very regularly and are well shaded. The houses are also quite uniform and are many of them of brick. There is one of the strongest forts on the river situated at this place. I got the first good spring water there that I have had for many a month. The bank of the river is lined with springs. We stopped there a little over two hours and started ahead again up the river.... The next place of importance we arrived at was Vicksburg... It is located on a very high bluff, but not as I had always supposed principally on the top, but it is on the slope towards the river although it extends clear to the top. The streets run right along the side of the hill, which is steeper than mother’s garden. It is quite a large place and contains many fine buildings one of which is the court house which is a large quite building with a very high steeple in which there is a clock. It is situated nearly on the top of the bluff, so it can be seen for miles around and was used as a target by our artillery during the siege. Many of the houses around are completely riddled with shot and shell. I noticed two large windows in the front of a large church in which there was not a whole pane of glass. The top of the bluff for miles is one continual string of forts and beyond the country seems to have been all dug up for miles. I was well paid for my long walk in witnessing the scene of the greatest victorywe have gained in this war......”

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