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Train Ride
This was the time at which Seneca loaded out on a train from the base camp where he had been staying. He was talking to his wife about whether some things he had sent to her. I can only assume that they were in some tough monetary times. -
Fellow Soldiers
While Seneca was marching toward his next camp, he found two of his friends, and they joined his squadron. I think that he had known them for a long time, because they seemed so comfortable with each other. -
Beginning of the Campaign
This was the start of the Vicksburg Campaign. Seneca reflected on some beautiful sights he had seen,so I think that he must be an artistic person. I also learned that he only works from 4 to 6. -
The Army Joins Up
At this point, General Grant's army joined up, and Seneca was predicting that a battle would happen soon. He also remarked about new soldiers called bounties, which were paid 100 dollars to enlist. He, as one of the old soldiers, joined in the general throwing about of insults that came from bounties and old soldiers. -
The Battles Begin
This was the first letter that Seneca said he was in a battle. It was in Holly Springs, and it lasted for four days. I think Seneca showed a lot of bravery then, because be had to deal with many dead or dying men. -
The South Defends
Seneca's battalion tried to break into a southern fort. The southerners had destroyed their own bridges to keep the union away from the fort. He was internally debating the press' choice to view the south as divided against the war. -
The Union Stops
On this day, the Union stopped in Oxford to rest and recover. Seneca observed the beauty of the architecture, so I can assume he is a deep person. -
The Army goes Afloat
All of the Vicksburg invasion force got on boats to head farther south.
Seneca's regiment got a boat to themselves, and Seneca himself is only sharing his room with one other person! -
The Big Guns
When the Union boats got closer to Vicksburg, the Rebels started firing enourmous cannons at them. For the first time in the war, Seneca was truly scared. -
Freeing the Slaves
As Seneca and his regiment passed through towns, they freed slaves at southerners plantations. This makes me happy, because I know that his reginment did more than burn forests. -
Seneca Joins the Battle
On this day, Seneca finally crossed the Mississippi river and started participating in the siege of Vicksburg. He had to work until night came around, because there were so many injured soldiers. By the end of the letter, he was writing in short, fragmented sentences, making me think that fighting was happening in the background. -
The Battle is Won
In this letter, Seneca writes to his wife, telling her that the battle was won! He sent her all of the money that was given to him. He was on his way back, so he wrote a very short letter.
