line prepared to make another assault. The "Forlorn Hope" was already in position at the front. The regiment stood in line many long and weary hours, anxiously awaiting the signal gun to commence the assault. For some reason the assault was not made, and after a tedious wait we were relieved and allowed to return to camp. Another salute with shotted guns was fired at noon by Nims' Battery. A member of Co. E, who was captured from us on May 21st at Plains Store, escaped from Port Hudson today and came back to camp.
July 5. Gen. Banks has just passed up to the front with a flag of truce. Ordered into the rifle pits at night.
July 6. Passed the night in the rifle pits. The regiment is being rapidly decimated by hard duty and exposure to this terrible hot weather.
July 7. Two rebels came into headquarters from Port Hudson, and their accounts show that the garrison can hold out but a very short time.
Official news has been received from Gen. Grant that Vicksburg surrendered on the 4th. A gunboat came down river from that place early this morning bringing the news. Communication with the army was for some reason broken and it was quite late in the day before the message was delivered to Gen. Banks. It was at once communicated to the troops in the trenches; from man to man, from company to company, from regiment to regiment the word passed, and the cheers from the men rang out and the long silenced bands filled the forests with the strains of the "Star Spangled Banner," "America," "Yankee Doodle" and other patriotic music. Received orders for the 48th to
