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The Vicksburg Daily Citizen.

THE DAILY CITIZEN. J.M. SWORDS, . . Proprietor

VICKSBURG, MISS. THURSDAY, JULY, 2, 1863.

Mrs. Cisco was instantly killed on Monday, on the Jackson road. Mrs. Cisco's husband is now in Virginia, a member of Moody's artillery, and the death of such a loving, affectionate and dutiful wife will be a loss to him irreparable.

We are indebted to Major Gillespie for a steak of Confederate beef alias meat. We have tried it, and can assure our friends that if it is rendered necessary, they need have no scruples at eating the meat. It is sweet, savory, and tender, and so long as we have a mule left we are satisfied our soldiers will be content to subsist on it.

Jerre Askew, one of our most esteemed merchant-citizens, was wounded at the works in the rear of our city a few days since, and breathed his last on Monday. Mr. Askew was a young man of strict integrity, great industry and an honor to his family and friends. He was a member of Cowan's artillery, and by the strict discharge of his duties and his obliging disposition, won the confidence and esteem of his entire command. May the blow his family have sustained be mitigated by Him who doeth all things well.

Grant's forces did a little firing on Tuesday afternoon, but the balance of that day was comparatively quiet. Yesterday morning they were very still, and continued so until early in the afternoon, when they sprung a mine on the left of our centre, and opened fire along the line for some distance. We have not been able to ascertain anything definitely as to our loss, but as our officers were on the lookout for this move of the enemy, the expectations of the Yankees were not realized by a great deal.

Among many deeds we hear spoken of with pride by our citizens, we cannot refrain from mentioning the case of Mr. F. Kiser. This gentleman, having more corn than he thought was necessary to last him during the siege of this place, portioned off what would do him for the brief interval that must ensue before the arrival of succor to our garrison, and since that time has relieved the wants of many families free of charge. May he live and prosper, and his name be handed down to posterity, when the siege of Vicksburg is written, as one in whose breast the "milk of human kindness" had not dried up.

Porter is enjoying a season of rest, and his men are doubtless obliged to him for his kind consideration for their welfare. On Tuesday he fired a few shells from his parrots, and kept his men tolerably busy sharp-shooting across the river, with no other result than might be expected. The mortars have not been used for nearly forty-eight hours. Poor fool, he might as well give up the vain aspiration he entertains of capturing our city or exterminating our people, and return to his master, to receive the reward such a gasconading dolt will meet at the hands of the unappreciating Government at Washington.

DEATH of LIEUT-COL. GRIFFIN-- General Smith's impetuous division seems singularly unfortunate. He has lost many gallant men, whose valor and worth the siege has fully developed, and whose death is a great public calamity. Lieut-Col. Griffin, commanding the 31st Louisiana regiment, was killed on Saturday. He was a popular and efficient officer. Gifted by nature with undaunted courage, indomitable resolution and energy, he was also possessed of quick determination, keen glance and coolness in danger, which are the most essential qualities of an officer, while by his mingled firmness and clemency of his conduct, he won the confidence and good will of his men. May the soft south winds murmur sweet requiems o'er his manes, and the twilight dews fall gently like an angel's tear-drop and moisten his turfy bed.

If aught would appeal to the heart of stone of the extortioner with success, the present necessities of our citizens would do so. It is needless to attempt to disguise from the enemy or our own people that our wants are great, but still we can conscientiously assert our belief that there is plenty within our lines, by an exercise of prudence, to last until long after succor reaches us. We are satisfied there are numerous persons within our city who have breadstuffs secreted, and are dolling it out, at the most exhorbitant figures, to those who had not the foresight or means at their command to provide for the exigency now upon us. A rumor has reached us that parties in our city have been, and are now, selling flour at five dollars per pound! molasses at ten dollars per gallon! and corn at ten dollars per bushel! We have not as yet proved the fact upon the parties accused, but this allusion to the subject may induce some of our citizens to ascertain whether such prices have been paid, and to whom; and if so, let a brand not only be placed upon their brow, but let it be seared into their very brain, that humanity may scorn and shun them as they would the portals of hell itself.

GOOD NEWS.-- In devoting a large portion of our space this morning to Federal intelligence, copied from the Memphis Bulletin of the 25th, it should be remembered that the news, in the original truth, is whitewashed by the Federal Provost Marshal, who desires to hood-wink the poor Northern white slaves. The former editors of the Bulletin being rather pro southern men, were arrested for speaking the truth when truth was unwelcome to Yankeedom, and placed in the chain-gang working at Warrenton, where they now are. This paper at present is in duress, and edited by a pink-nosed, slab-sided, toad eating Yankee, who is a lineal descendant of Judis Iscariot and a brother germain of the greatest Puritanical, sycophantic howling scoundrel unhung -- Parson Brownlow. Yet with such a character, this paper cannot cloak the fact that Gen. Robert E. Lee has given Hooker, Milroy & Co. one of the best and soundest whippings on record, and that the "galorious Union"is now exceedingly weak in the knees.

Gen. Rob't E. Lee Again.

Again we have reliable news from the gallant corps of Gen. Lee in Virginia. Elated with success, encouraged by a series of brilliant victories, marching to and crossing the Rappahannock, defeating Hooker's right wing and thence through the Shenandoah Valley, driving Milroy from Winchester and capturing 6000 of his men and a large amount of valuable stores of all descriptions, re-entering Maryland, holding Hagerstown, threatening Washington City, and within a few miles of Baltimore--onward and upward their way cry--our brave men under Lee are striking terror to the hearts of all Yankeedom. Like the Scottish Chieftain's braves, Lee's men are springing up from moor and brake, crag and dale, with flashing steel and sturdy arm, ready to do or die in the great cause of national independence, right and honor. To-day the mongrel administration of Lincoln, like Japhet, are in search of a father-- for their old Abe has departed for parts unknown. Terror reigns in their halls. Lee is to the left of them, the right of them, in front of them, and all around them; and daily do we expect to hear of his being down on them. Never were the French in Algeria more put out by the mobile raids of Ab Del Kader than are the Federals of Maryland, Washington City, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, by the mercureal movements of Lee's cavalry. Like Paddy's flea are they to the Federals--now they have got them and now they haven't. The omnipresence of our troops and their throwing dust in the eyes, or rather on the heels of the panic-striken Federals in Maryland and Pennsylvania, clearly prove that Lee just now is the right man in the right place.

We lay before our readers in this issue an account of Lee's brilliant and successful onslaught upon the abolition hordes, and show e'en from their own record, how our gallant boys of the cavalry have flashed their swords to the hilt with their vaunting foe, and how each musket of our infantry has told its fatal leaden tale.

To-day Maryland is ours, to-morrow Pennsylvania will be, and the next day Ohio--how midway, like Mahomned's coffin, will fall.

Success and glory to our arms! God and right are with us.

We have heretofore refrained from alluding to a matter which has been a source of extreme annoyance and loss to our citizens. We refer to the lax discipline of some of our company officers in allowing their men to prowl around, day and night, and purloin fruit, vegetables, chickens, etc., from our denizens, and, in the majority of cases, from those whose chief subsistence is derived therefrom. This charge is not confined solely to those at the works, but is equally, if not mainly, attributable to the wagoners and others in charge of animals. Several cases have come to our knowledge wherein the offenders have, in open daylight, entered premises, seized cattle and others things, and defied the owners to their teeth. We are pained to learn that an esteemed citizen of our Vicksburg, Wm. Porterfield, was under the necessity, in protecting his property, to wound one or two soldiers and deprive another of his life. We fully appreciate the fatigue, hardships and privation to which our men are subjected; but upon inquiry it may be ascertained that our city is second to none in contributing to the welfare of those gallant spirits who risk their life and limb for the achievement of an end which will make us one of the most honored people of the earth, and such conduct of which we complain is but base ingratitude. A soldier has his honor as much at stake as when a civilian; then let him preserve his good name and reputation with the same jealous care as before he entered his country's ranks. But so long as this end is lost sight of, so long may we expect to chronicle scenes of bloodshed among those of our own people. We make this public exposure, mortifying as it is to us, with the hope that a salutary improvement in matters will be made by our military authorities.

Mid the din and clash of arms, the screech of shells and whistle of bullets, which are a continual feature in the status of our beleaguered city, incidents of happiness often arise to vary in a cheery way the Phases of so stern a scene. On the evening of the 28th ult., with gaiety, myrth and good feeling, at a prominent Hospital of this city, through the ministerial offices of a chaplain of a gallant regiment, Charles Royall, Prince Imperial of Ethiopia, of the Barberigo family, espoused the lovely and accomplished Rosa Glass, Arch Durchess of Senegambia, one of the most celebrated Princes of the Luandressina Regime. The affair was conducted with great magnificence, though as is usual in troublesome times the sabler element was predominant.

The foe may hurl their deathly bolts,
And think we are affrighted;
Well may we scorn them, silly dolts,
Our blacks are now united.

VICTIMIZED.-- We learn of an instance wherein a "knight of the quill" and a "disciple of the black art," with malice in their hearts and vengeance in their eyes, ruthlessly put a period to the existence of a venerable feline that has for time, not within the recollection of the "oldest inhabitant," faithfully discharged the duties to be expected of him to the terror of sundry vermin in his neighborhood. Poor, defunct Thomas was then prepared, not for the grave, but the pot, and several friends invited to partake of a nice rabbit. As a matter of course, no one would wound the feelings of another, especially in these times, by refusing a cordial invitation to dinner, and the guests assisted in consuming the poor animal with a relish that did honor to their epicurean taste. The "sold" assure us the meat was delicious, and that pussy must look out for her safety.

Yankee News from all Points.

PHILADELPHIA, June 21, 2:30 A.M.-- The following is all the news of interest in the Washington Star:

Major Brazell, of the United States Volunteers, received intelligence from Fayette county, Penn. this morning that the rebels in heavy force were advancing on Pittsburg via the national Road leading from Cumberland across the Alleghany Mountains. Their pickets had reached Grantsville, Md. thirty-eight miles from Uniontown, Fayette county, Penn., on Wednesday evening last.

It is reported in Washington to-day that two members of Hooker's staff were gobbled up by guerrillas last night in the vicinity of Fairfax.

HARRISBURG, June 20.-- Operations were commenced on our side to-day by a portion of a New York cavalry regiment, capturing twenty rebel prisoners at McConnelsburg, in Fulton county.

Col. Lawrence, with a portion of the 127th Pennsylvania regiment, (mounted,) captured a squad of rebels who were marauding on this side of the river.

We hold Chambersburg, and the citizens are arming and fortifying the city. Gen. Couch has ordered that the place be held.

The fortifications opposite this city are finished, and are considered impregnable.

The rebels are known to be 8000 strong at Hagerstown and Williamsport.

The rebels hold the north bank of the Potomac river, from Cumberland to Harper's Ferry. Gen. Kelley drove them out of Cumberland, and when they left they threatened to return and furnish themselves with horses and forage. The rebels have done an immense amount of damage.

It is thought Gen. Rhodes is opposite Williamsport with 20,000 men. The rebel Gen. Imboden is reported as advancing, but this is considered doubtful.

FREDERICK, Md. June 20-- The enemy's cavalry left Boonsboro last evening, after capturing a number of horses, and returned to Hagerstown yesterday.

Six thousand infantry are reported to have crossed at Williamsport. It is not believed that they will visit Frederick.

The enemy has nearly 6000 infantry this side of the Potomac, under Gen. Rhodes. Two regiments of infantry and a squad of cavalry are at Sharpsburg, and the remainder are encamped between Williamsport and Hagerstown. No artillery has been sent over, nor have any troops crossed since yesterday morning.

Gen. Ewell has left Williamsport and gone to the main body of his command, stationed at Charlestown. Lee's army is not known to be within supporting distance of Ewell, and it is very probable that the force now in Maryland will not penetrate further north. The cavalry force numbers about twelve hundred, under Jenkins.

The party which first advanced upon Greencastle and Chambersburg numbered only six hundred and fifty.

WASHINGTON June 22-- The Richmond Dispatch of the 21st contains the following: "Dispatches received yesterday from Savannah announce the capture by the enemy of the Confederate ironclad steamer Final, commanded by Captain Webb of Atlanta. Another steamer outside the harbor was attacked and captured after an action of thirty minutes, by two Federal iron clads."

Richmond papers of the 20th say the city of Darien, Georgia, was burned by the Federals on the 11th inst., and is now one plain of ashes and blackened chimneys. Seven Federal ironclads were at Brunswick, Georgia, and large forces had landed from transports. Vallandigham has run the blockade from Wilmington.

WASHINGTON, June 21-- A Harrisburg, Penn., dispatch to the Herald states that Jenkins passed through Greencastle last evening with 700 mounted infantry, in the direction of Waynesboro. The rebels are reported to have sixteen pieces of artillery with their large force. They occupy the south bank of the Potomac, between Cumberland and Harper's Ferry. Rhodes has 20,000 men at Williamsport.

The opinion in official circles at Harrisburg is, that the rebels have serious designs on Baltimore. Their movements indicate this, and fears are entertained for the safety of that city. Three hundred rebel cavalry fired Mercersburg in several places.

A Chambersburg dispatch says the rebels are scouring the country for horses, and have got about 2000 head of cattle and 2000 horses. They are reported near Waynesboro and Gettysburg. Jenkins left Greencastle to-night with eighty days rations, on a foraging expedition.

NEW YORK, June 21-- A Harrisburg dispatch to-night contains the following: The rebels are reported 40,000 strong at Hagerstown, and fortifying. Milroy's headquarters are still at Bloody Run. Troops here are expecting marching orders immediately. It is feared Ewell is in Williamsport, but opinion here is that he is not at that point unless Lee is about to cross below. Heavy rains may have raised the Potomac and hurried him off.

Gov. Curtin to-night received a dispatch from Chambersburg, stating that Jenkins had arrived at Waynesboro, and had thrown out pickets five miles this side. Jenkins has been plundering horses in the mountains. Gen. Couch received a dispatch to-night confirming the report of rebel cavalry at Gettysburg.

BATLIMORE, June 21-- A very large force of rebel infantry, cavalry, and artillery crossed at Antietam during yesterday. Refugees say they number from 40,000 to 50,000, but pickets report them at 25,000.

Earthworks are being erected around the west and north sides of Baltimore thus completing the chain of fortifications. Barricades are being erected within the city, extending from the high ground on the east to the southwestern extremity of the city. These will be defended by Union League men, who are being armed by Gen. Schenck. The Union men are confident that the rebels will not be so rash as to attempt a raid in that direction. The disloyal among us are evidently uneasy, and begin to realize that any hostile movement of the rebel army against Baltimore might result disastrously among themselves.

A Herald's special from Monocacy Station, Md., the 21st, says: About 4 o'clock, P.M., Major Cole, of the 1st Maryland cavalry, made a gallant dash into Frederick, with forty men driving out the enemy, killing two and capturing one. No loss on our side. Our cavalry passed through the city, and immediately after about 1500 rebel cavalry reoccupied the town.

Rebel cavalry entered Frederick yesterday P.M., about 6 o'clock, and dashed furiously through the city, capturing nine of our men on duty at the signal station, and paroled the invalid soldiers, numbering about sixty, in an hospital. A number of horses were seized. Secession flags were displayed at the Central Hotel, and some citizens collected there to welcome the rebels. A majority of the population evinced no pleasure at the visit. The ladies were exceedingly expressive in their demonstrations of disgust, and showered words of sympathy upon our prisoners as they passed through the town. The party which entered the city did not number over twenty, and many of these seemed to be intoxicated, as they reeled in their saddles. Pickets were stationed on the outside of town. No one was allowed to leave until about midnight, when the cavalry all left, going toward Middletown. This morning they entered the city again, and established pickets in the outskirts. The telegraph poles were cut down and the wire destroyed. There was supposed to be about thirty rebels in the city this P.M. The enemy has no force between Frederick and Boonesboro except a small cavalry camp at Middletown. No attempt has been made to destroy the bridge over the Monocacy river, although the enemy came down last night within a few rods of the junction.

The rebels are reported to be fortifying South Mountain. They have in the vicinity of Williamsport about 6000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, and a few pieces of artillery. A squadron of cavalry could undoubtedly capture the entire force this side of South Mountain.

The Yanks outside our city are considerably on the sick list. Fever, dysentery and disgust are their companions, and Grant is their master. The boys are deserting daily and are crossing the river in the region of Warrenton, cussing Grant and abolitionists generally. The boys are down upon the earth delving, [word missing] the the bad water, and the hot weather.

The Federal Gen. McClernand until recently outside the rear of our city has been superseded. He and Grant could not run in the same harness. He was for splurging and Grant for gassing, both got the loggerheads. So poor Mac had to leave, and Grant has all his own way.

NOTE. JULY, 4th. 1863.

Two days bring about great changes. The banner of the Union floats over Vicksburg. Gen. Grant has "caught the rabbit;" he has dined in Vicksburg, and he did bring his dinner with him. The "Citizen" lives to see it. For the last time is appears on "Wall-paper." No more will it eulogize the luxury of mule-meat and fricassed kitten-- urge Southern warriors to such diet never more. This is the last wallpaper edition, and is, excepting this note, from the types as we found them. It will be valuable hereafter as a curiosity.

This paper is copied from the original, printed by the Confederate Printer, Mr. Swords, at Vicksburg, Miss., on wall-paper, in 1863, and sold at that time for 20 cents a copy. Was taken possession of by the 8th Illinois (known as Oglesby) Regiment, to do the Government printing in. O.P. Martin was a private in the 8th Illinois Regiment, and was ordered to take charge by Gen. Logan. Mr. Swords, the Confederate printer, was not very favorably impressed with Mr. Martin's appearance, as his trousers was rather ragged, especially around the seat and legs, after the long siege before Vicksburg. He says to Mr. Martin: "What do you want here? We have no use for Yanks." It was a glorious Fourth of July, 1863, when the Union troops captured the city, and it was here I found this copy, printed on wall-paper,-- all they had to use at the time.

Published by Comrade MAXWELL. Printed and for sale by J.W. CALLEY & SONS, 17 Batterymarch St., Room 3, Boston, Mass.

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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This newspaper dated July 2,1863 was printed in the Confederate city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Vicksburg was a fortress and was the last city the Confederacy held on the Mississippi River. Its big guns blocked Union ships from passing by. Union troops began besieging the city in earnest on June 25, 1863. The cut-off city quickly ran out of food. This article tells of a cat that was eaten for dinner and of extremely expensive black-market food. One day after this newspaper was written, July 3, the city fell to Union troops led by General Ulysses Grant. That was the same day General Robert E. Lee lost the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. That Union victory and the fall of Vicksburg meant that it was only a matter of time before the north would win the war.

 

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"The Vicksburg Daily Citizen"

printer   J. W. Calley and Sons
publisher   Comrade Maxwell
date   Jul 2, 1863
location   Vicksburg, Mississippi
width   13.0"
height   19.0"
process/materials   printed paper, ink
item type   Periodicals/Newspaper
accession #   #L02.022


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Confederate bond

"Lieut. Genl. Ulysses S. Grant U.S.A."

"Colton and Fitch's Modern School Geography"


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