“The constant booming of the cannon, the ceaseless pop of the rifle, the screeching of shells, the shrill whistle of the minie ball, told us that our labors were not in vain, and that the gates of the strong city would soon be opened. And all the treasures therein would be ours. Yes, after 47 days of hard labor, by day and by night, in mine and in ditch, it became ours.”

Item No. 4611959

In this August 1863 letter, Private Daniel H. L. Stevens of the 20th Illinois Volunteers writes about the human cost of the Vicksburg victory, comments on Generals John A. McClernand and John A. Logan, and describes the accidental explosion of the steamer City of Madison.

“We are now enjoying the results of a long contended siege,” Stevens writes near the beginning of his letter. Vicksburg had surrendered on July 4. He continues:

But what did the enjoyments that we are now blessed with cost us? It cost blood. And the lives of many a brave soldier. But it gives us pleasure & satisfaction in knowing that it all is ours. The constant booming of the cannon, the ceaseless pop of the rifle, the screeching of shells, the shrill whistle of the minie ball, told us that our labors were not in vain, and that the gates of the strong city would soon be opened. And all the treasures therein would be ours. Yes, after 47 days of hard labor, by day and by night, in mine and in ditch, it became ours.

Stevens then offers his opinion about Illinois General John A. Logan, who until recently had commanded the division to which the 20th Illinois was assigned:

We regret exceeding that we have lost Gen. Logan. He takes the command of the 16th A.C. I have read two or three of his speeches he made in Ill. while at home. I tell you, they were interesting. He gives the Copperheads particular hell. He is not afraid to tell them what he thinks of them. I presume you have read his speeches ere this. Gen. Logan is a fighting man and a great speaker. I think he can do more good at the present with his tongue up North than with his sword down South. I sent his Photograph to you and Gen. Grant’s to Father. Were they received safely, &c.?

Of General John A. McClernand, whom Grant had relieved on June 19, Stevens writes:

The trouble with McClernand is simply this. He issued orders in rear of V. stating that he and his command done all the fighting from Ft. Gibson to Vicksburg, cleared the road all the way round, and Grant & the rest of his Army followed on after. And that he would have gone into V. had it not been for Grant, &c. &c. on the 18 of May. And at the first charge on the rebs’ works, McClernand sent to Grant for reinforcements, which was immediately sent to him all he called for. And during the charge, instead of putting the reinforcements Grant sent to him with the rest of his command, shoved the reinforcements ahead to do all the fighting and kept his command back. And consequently failed at that point. Such erroneous proceedings vexed Grant. And he naturally relieved Mc. of his command and sent him to Washington.

Near the end of the letter, Stevens describes the explosion of the steamer City of Madison, which, laden with ammunition, had exploded August 19 at the Vicksburg landing, killing and injuring dozens. He writes:

There was a serious accident happened last Wednesday. The steamer City of Madison blew up while laying at the landing. They had got her nearly loaded with ammunition to be sent to New Orleans. And the way it happened was this. A n___r was carrying a box of percussion shells, dropped them on the deck, which caused them to explode, that setting fire to the rest of the ammunition stored away down in the hole. And it all went undermining the boilers which caused them to explode. There was 40 or 50 soldiers & n___s at work in the hole at the time, and several Ladies of V. in the cabin, besides the men who were in the cabin, was never seen or heard of since. The boat was blown to atoms, killing good many on the boat next to her.

The letter was written on four pages of a bifolium letter sheet measuring about 7 3/4” x 9 3/4”. Creased at the original folds. The full transcript is below.

Vicksburg Miss, Aug 22 1863

Dear Uncle,
Your welcome letter of the sixth “ult” was received in due course of mail. I was glad to learn from it that you enjoyed good health. And I hope this will find you enjoying still the same blessing. My health is very good. Never any better. We are now enjoying the results of a long contended siege.

But what did the enjoyments that we are now blessed with cost us? It cost blood. And the lives of many a brave soldier. But it gives us pleasure & satisfaction in knowing that it all is ours. The constant booming of the cannon, the ceaseless pop of the rifle, the screeching of shells, the shrill whistle of the minie ball, told us that our labors were not in vain, and that the gates of the strong city would soon be opened. And all the treasures therein would be ours. Yes, after 47 days of hard labor, by day and by night, in mine and in ditch, it became ours.

Who can enjoy such results so well as the soldier, knowing it to be the fruits of his labor. It fills his heart with pride […] and encourages him for all future events. No doubt, but what such successful results fills the hearts of our friends at home with joy and delight. But I must hasten.

The city has been divided into several sections, and each section commanded by a Com’d Officer. Each Officer has got his section thoroughly cleaned from all filth, so the city now is in a clean and healthy condition. All under the superintendence of the health officer. We regret exceeding that we have lost Gen. Logan. He takes the command of the 16th A.C. I have read two or three of his speeches he made in Ill. while at home. I tell you, they were interesting. He gives the Copperheads particular hell. He is not afraid to tell them what he thinks of them. I presume you have read his speeches ere this. Gen. Logan is a fighting man and a great speaker. I think he can do more good at the present with his tongue up North than with his sword down South. I sent his Photograph to you and Gen. Grant’s to Father. Were they received safely, &c.?

The trouble with McClernand is simply this. He issued orders in rear of V. stating that he and his command done all the fighting from Ft. Gibson to Vicksburg, cleared the road all the way round, and Grant & the rest of his Army followed on after. And that he would have gone into V. had it not been for Grant, &c. &c. on the 18 of May. And at the first charge on the rebs’ works, McClernand sent to Grant for reinforcements, which was immediately sent to him all he called for. And during the charge, instead of putting the reinforcements Grant sent to him with the rest of his command, shoved the reinforcements ahead to do all the fighting and kept his command back. And consequently failed at that point. Such erroneous proceedings vexed Grant. And he naturally relieved Mc. of his command and sent him to Washington. You need not have any fears of Vicksburg ever falling into the hands of the rebs again. Our surveyors & engineers have been busy in laying out fortification, & when completed, V. will be one of the strongest places in the known world. Sevastopol is no comparison to it now. I have seen men in the Army that was at the taking of Sevastopol, and they said the taking of V. was far beyond it.

There was a serious accident happened last Wednesday. The steamer City of Madison blew up while laying at the landing. They had got her nearly loaded with ammunition to be sent to New Orleans. And the way it happened was this. A n___r was carrying a box of percussion shells, dropped them on the deck, which caused them to explode, that setting fire to the rest of the ammunition stored away down in the hole. And it all went undermining the boilers which caused them to explode. There was 40 or 50 soldiers & n___s at work in the hole at the time, and several Ladies of V. in the cabin, besides the men who were in the cabin, was never seen or heard of since. The boat was blown to atoms, killing good many on the boat next to her.

It is impossible to get a 60 day furlough. I should like to visit you all, but under the circumstances I cannot. The weather is extreamly hot, but quite cool today. I wrote to Em. & sent my picture some time ago, and have been waiting for an answer. Tell her I found in your letter a few lines sent by her. I thought by the way it was done up it was a dos of Quinine or something else, but it was very acceptable. I will now close by wishing you to write often. With my best love to all, I am as ever your affectionate Nephew.
Howard L. Stevens

P.S. direct as usual.