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The location of this story is Vicksburg, Warren County,Mississippi, May 18-July 4th 1863.
My great-Grandfather William Lafayette Yates and his brother Thomas Eli Yates served in the 40th Regiment-Company G,Mississippi Infantry of The Confederate Army.
My Great-Grandfather William F. Yates told my Grandfather Robert Darling Yates, stories about the perils of the Civil War.How they had to lay in the narrow trenches,pits and holes with not enough room to extend their arms.It would be very hot during the day and cold at night. being under constant fire and being necessarily on the alert. Fed on reduced rations of the poorest kind of food.My Great-Grandfather said at times they had to eat rats and horse meat to keep from starving to death.
On the 4th of July 1863,Lt. Gen.John C. Pemberton surrendered after prolonged siege operations.

In a offical report by Maj. Gen.John H. Forney he wrote,The siege of Vicksburg was a contest which tried more endurance and resolution of the men and their company and regimental commanders than the skill of their generals.
My men during their seige did their duty and their whole duty to the entire satisfaction of their general.
The patience with which my troops submitted to the privations and hardships to which they were subjected,and the unabated courage and cheefulness which they sustained throughout, are worthy of all praise,and merited a better fortune.

JNO.H. FORNEY,
Major-General.

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