From Black river there is a range of high hills, of deep valleys, and heavy timber, until arriving within half a mile of the rebel works. The timber had all been cut down, and there was no way of approaching the rebel works except by roads, and these were well protected by artillery, and the forts were so built that they commanded every road with stockades.
The morning of the 22d of May, a day long to be remembered by many was, dark and cloudy. Our lines were formed, and the brigade marched a short distance from the enemy's works and ordered to stop; and here they lay until four o'clock in the afternoon, when the order was given to fall in line, and not speak a word, as the brigade was going to make an effort to get inside of the rebel works. The 11th Missouri was in advance. Up they went on double-quick to within 300 yards, when the rebels opened on us with shot and shell, and their sharp-shooters from behind their works were pouring volleys of rifle bullets into our ranks as they advanced. Whole ranks were shot down, either killed or wounded, and only about 30 reached the works. The Colonel of the 11th led the charge, and reached the outer ditch. While there the rebels threw a hand grenade and it tore off the front of his cap, doing him no other injury. The colors were planted on the outer works, and there they had to remain until evening, when, under cover of darkness, the Colonel got away, with the men that had regained the works. At night the brigade returned to our old camping place. It was a terrible day, for the regiment was exposed to a heavy fire, failing back with heavy loss without accomplishing any thing. The loss was over a hundred men in killed and wounded. After remaining a few days after the storming of the enemy's entrenchments, order came, and the 2d brigade had to move again; and early in the evening our lines were formed, the command was given, and every regiment was soon in motion—destination not known. After marching until quite late, halted, and camped for the night near a creek. The night being warm, we had a comfortable sleep with our blankets and the sky above to cover us. We were not disturbed until morning. Next morning after eating breakfast we resumed our march, until we arrived at Snyder's Bluffs, and here we came to a halt, and remained one night and part of a day. This was a strong position, held by the rebels, but on the approach of our forces was vacated, as there was danger of being cut off from the main army at Vicksburg. It was a place of little importance, as there was nothing but hills and valleys and some rebel entrenchments. A very small portion of the land could be cultivated. There were some people living in these hills, and seemed to enjoy themselves. But few men were to be seen at home, as they were gone into the rebel army.
Orders came at last, and the brigade was soon in motion again on the road to Yazoo City. After marching up one hill and down another, the brigade arrived at Mechanicsburg, where our cavalry fell in with a force of rebel cavalry and there was a short skirmish. The infantry went to the cavalry's assistance, when the rebels broke and fled. Our casualties were slight; not much loss on either side. The cavalry did not pursue the enemy far, but returned and camped for the night at Mechanicsburg, where the infantry had kindled fires. You could see where each regiment was halted and were resting from their weary day's march.
At the sound of the bugle in the morning every soldier seemed to spring into life again, and were soon all interested in the work of preparing their meal. This work was soon over, most of the boys being their own cooks, and carried their cooking utensils along with them. Water was not very plenty, and most of it cistern water.
Mechanicsburg was a small town with a few old houses in it, and no business worth mentioning being done there. Everything appeared desolate and forsaken. Next morning we left this place for Haines' Bluff. Our road lay through a heavy timber; it was a road not much traveled at this time. We followed this road until we came to a very large plantation, and here the command halted for a short time. Finding plenty of chickens here, the soldiers took most of them, and when the command moved forward there was not a rooster left to crow on the plantation. There were a great many negroes on this place, their master in the rebel army, and he very wealthy, owning three large plantations. After staying here a short time the command was ordered to move forward, and each regiment was soon in motion again. After emerging from the hills we struck a flat open country along the Yazoo river, where corn was growing finely, and would soon make good forage. The command halted for dinner, after which we moved forward again, and late in the evening came to a halt near a creek of clear water; here the command bivouacked for the night. Next morning the march was resumed again, and then commenced the work of climbing a very high hill, and leaving the Yazoo bottoms. At length the whole army reached the summit of Haines' Bluffs.
The weather had become very warm and it was almost impossible to march, but there was a cool breeze stirring on the hills, and if it were not for this the command would have had to halt, as the heat was almost suffocating.
Haines' Bluffs was on the Yazoo river and had been in possession of the rebels, who, for some cause, had left. After blowing up the magazine they went into Vicksburg, and our forces soon took possession. It was a place of vast importance to us, as we could get our supplies from the river, and provisions could be hauled by teams and wagons to the besieging army very easily, as it was but a short distance to the landing. The army got plenty to eat here, but we were not suffered to remain long.
One morning early the brigade was ordered on board steamboats, which were in waiting to receive us on board. There were several of them in the river, and one was a gunboat which was to accompany us on the expedition. This day was passed on the boat, everything ready and waiting the signal to move. At last we got under way and the boats moved up the river.
The Yazoo river is a long narrow stream, full of short turns; our largest boats could not navigate it. Our destination was unknown to us at that time. At daylight next morning the boats landed us at a place called Setorsia, a small town, containing one church, a few stores and groceries. As soon as the boats stopped the soldiers were soon on shore, the stores plundered of everything they contained, which was not much. Gen. Mower ordered them on board again. Returning to the boats the order came to form in line on land. Signs of an enemy were to be seen, and skirmishers were thrown out to see if the road was clear. The 8th Wisconsin was in advance, and had moved but a short distance from the town, when the advance fell in with some of the enemy's cavalry, and they commenced to fire on the 8th. The skirmishers and brigade halted on the side of a hill, when the rebels fled before them as they advanced, keeping it up all the way to Mechanicsburg. Two of the 8th were severely wounded. Here they resolved we should go no further. They formed their line of battle about one mile and a half from town, and there awaited our approach. A battery was ordered forward, and they opened fire where the rebels were supposed to be; after shelling them a short time, the rebels returned the fire, doing no injury to our men, as they shot too high. A battalion of the 5th Illinois cavalry was ordered to make a charge, which was done in gallant style. They bore down on the rebels with sabres glistening in the sun, rushing at full speed upon the enemy, which was in line of battle to receive them; but what could withstand such a charge? The sabre was the principle weapon used. This was too close work for them, and they broke and fled, taking their artillery with them. The cavalry took 70 prisoners. Their loss in killed not known; a large number were wounded with the sabre. The infantry moved forward to the support of the cavalry, but the rebels were dispersed before the infantry could render any assistance. The rebels were supposed to be about 3,000 strong, mostly mounted infantry. They could not stand but a short time before the impetuous valor of our brave men, fighting for the right. They made several ineffectual attempts at resistance, but they were at last forced to flee and leave us victors.
The cavalry pursued the retreating rebels several miles, cutting them down with their sabres whenever they overtook them. Some of the men were quite old and gray. The infantry went about a half a mile from town and there camped for the night.