Vicksburg After Action Report

by

Lt. Herb Coats, Co. A 20th Alabama

"Friday, June 8th 1863

My company and Company A were sent from camp to man the works at the Square Fort today. The fort sits atop a ridge and has a commanding view of the Yanks across the gully. We are to improve some of the field works and guard against any shenanigans the Yanks throw at us. I have to say that firstly the weather has gone from Spring-like to the Summer-time very quickly. Many of the company had to fall out because of the heat. The swelter did not die down once the sun began to lower, but the men nonetheless set their tent flys up quickly. And that was a good thing because some rain fell at odd times that evening! I am glad I was able to procure some roping because it was the popular item with the boys. The Capt’n, Sgt. Mjr and I are camped together under the Capt’n’s tent fly. That old thing has seen better days, but it will do. Dinner this evening was good, the officers and some of the ncos ate together and had a merry time. I actually had a little bit of spirits which was a treat. The mood was a glad one, even though we have been in a bit of dire straights in the trenches. Oh and yes the bite me’s are just as bad as they are in Alabama.

Saturday, June 9th 1863

Today baking ourselves in the trenches was the order of the day even though the Major had not specifically given those orders at the officer’s call this morning. Breakfast has not changed lately. Corn, corn and more corn! But I can’t complain too much. I have heard some of the people of the city in their caves have it pretty bad. I don’t wish that on the people! A small, but strong rain hit us. The holes in the Capt’n’s shelter made themselves abundantly clear again. Mid-morn it was amusing to be a guard duty watching the Yanks set their shelters up in their trenches. The looked as busy as beavers. One of their officers has a particularly nasally sense to it. He seems to yell a lot. The Capt’n and I find his command ordering very amusing and it helped us forget about the unforgiving heat for some time. I almost feel a little sorry for the blue boys, but they elected that chap to command them. There was a cannonade around noon today from the Yanks side that was fairly intense. I actually had to keep my head down for some minutes. Also around noon many of us were stricken with heat frustration. Back from the fort to the camp we went. I met my orderly there and we joked that we were in command of sick platoon. Luckily no one had to head to the surgeon. I think the Major saw what was happening so he called most of the rest of us off of the line that afternoon. An incapacitated company is not what we need now! On a lighter note I think those rascals at our cook camp tossed some rats into the beans for the mid day meal. I honestly could care less because it was a break from the corn meal. Just think a few months ago and I would have been shocked and probably have had the cooks sit in the stockades for a few days. But now it is all different. I think the meat at dinner was mule, but that cook Landrum swears it is beef. My insides thought differently.

Evening time, we had both companies in the fort blazing away at the Yanks early on. But not much headway was made and the Major rightly chose to call the firing off to save out men’s ammunition. We will be in a heap of trouble soon if we continue to shoot like we are. I hear from some of the clerks that we are getting low on ammunition. After the cease fire I posted some pickets in front of the fort. I let the boys know that trading with the Yanks was not called for, but since we are equally miserable I dropped some hints that I would not mind trading if the Yanks were up to it. Unfortunately some of my men did not get the hint and I was running back when a ruckus broke out between one of my pickets and some of our boys who had some trading on their minds. I got that straightened out with the men’s promise to return with cookies for me. The promise was fleeting because firstly right after we pulled the pickets that mule meat that I ate for dinner declared war on me. For the second time in one day I was taken down. I have now recovered a bit, but the night time war has begun again. The bite me’s have come out.

Sunday, June 10th 1863

Dawn was brilliant as usual. Thankfully no rain hit us over the night. I said a small prayer of thanks to the Lord since there was no church call. Can’t do that when we are in the fort right now. On an amusing note, today at roll call it was discovered that Cpl Davis had slept face first on the ground overnight and the bite-me’s had scored a decisive victory on the poor boy’s face. The order of the day was to build more obstructions to place in front of the fort. I was detailed to take the company to move some completed chevau du fries to be placed in front of rifle pits and trenches. Whilst we were doing this 4 of our men ran over to the Yank’s side. I take it they wanted some better food. There have been rumors that those Yanks dine on fresh chickens, beef, pork, and have wine and fine spirits served with fresh bread. I was not too happy, but I can’t dwell on what those wayward souls have done. They have to live with their actions and decisions. I am here with my men, my friends and comrades to defend this town and our freedoms! If some men do not have the nerve to do so then they go about their own decisions. Well the Major has ordered the rest of the company back into the fort and trenches so it is back to business."