Manuscript Database
Creator/Title
Utter, Arthur William, 1843-1920. Letter, 30 July 1863. ALS, 5 1/4 pp.
Call No.
Mss. C U
Content
In a letter to "Cousin Helen" dated 30 July 1863 at Bear Creek (Hinds County?), Miss., Pvt. Arthur Utter of the 12th Iowa Inf. describes the operations of his command since the fall of Vicksburg. He reports that on 4 July his Army Corps (15th) left Vicksburg to engage the Confederate forces under Gen, Joseph Johnston at Jackson. He describes the siege of Jackson and subsequent Confederate evacuation of the capital on 16 July. He writes, "the rebels marched out of Jackson in regular military style playing Dixie Land (and) Bonnie Blue Flag." He then describes the pursuit of the enemy, a brisk rear guard action, and the occupation of Brandon, Miss. where the Union forces "tore up the railroad track." He closes his letter by recounting all the recent Union victories in both the eastern and western theaters.