American Historical Ephemera & Photography

2 pages, 7 7/8 x 12 1/4 in. (creased, with minor spotting throughout, and wear to left edge). Wilbur conveys important details regarding the run-up to the Battle of Vicksburg, writing, "...I think that before long that active opperations [sic] will commence two of our Rams the Lancaster and the Switzerland attempted to run the blockade last Thursday morning about 4 o'clock and the Lancaster was sunk and the Switzerland badly disabled but she managed to run past and get down to Farragut's Gunboats - we have had such good success running the blockade that I think they had become careless that makes 4 that we have lost..." 

He continues with further Vicksburg intel: "I heard yesterday that there were a good many troops at Memphis coming down in a day or two 10,000 troops left here 8 or 10 days ago and went up to a place called Eagle Bend about 25 miles north of here on the Miss and went out into the country for what purpose I have not learned..."