rt.

[Sidenote: 1863 Visiting in Camp]

Before Vicksburg, Thursday, July 2. Hearing that William Jones of the
23rd was wounded, I obtained permission of Lieutenant Clark, commanding
Battery, to go and visit him. G. R. Jones and myself found him in the
Division hospital with his leg amputated above the knee, wounded on the
30th ult. by a chance musket ball. Looked well under the circumstances.
Called upon J. Savage before returning. Rebs showed a line in front of
us in the afternoon. Several shots exchanged.

Before Vicksburg, Friday, July 3. 9 A. M. A flag of truce appeared
opposite Smith's Division, accompanied by General Bowen and Colonel
Montgomery, who were taken to Grant's headquarters, blindfolded. 12 M.
General Pemberton met U. S. Grant under a large tree on the road to
Vicksburg, to our right, with their staff on the outside of their
respective works. The parley was continued until dark, when they
withdrew. Orders issued not to fire until further orders. A strange day
to us, so quiet and calm.

But a gloom was cast on the 6th Battery notwithstanding the hopeful
indications of the truce. After the flag had appeared on the left and
firing had ceased on both sides, and the men carelessly exposed
themselves to view, a miscreant, yes, a brute in human form, took
advantage of the opportunity to deprive one at least of his life, now,
when unguarded, when under other circumstances he would have failed.
Alvah B. Page, gunner of the second piece, was shot in the left ear,
while sitting on the piece, instantly killing a noble life and good
soldier, much loved and respected by all, and one of the best shots in
the Battery. Many a time had he planted his missiles where they carried
terror to the enemy's heart. His last words were the hopeful ones "I
guess they are gone up". He lived to sight the last gun fired at the
enemy's stronghold. A siege gun was to be given him the very morning he
was buried in a soldier's grave, 2 P. M.

Before Vicksburg, Saturday, July 4. The National Birthday, and we awoke
to welcome it under favorable auspices. All was quiet and still and we
could hardly convince ourselves but that we were transformed to the
quiet home of Wisconsin and were ready to take a part in the grand
celebration. The truce was still held. Butternuts leisurely lounging
along their breastworks, our men the same, still we knew not what the
result would be at the national salute fired with blank cartridge.

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