Memphis Daily Appeal

Our Suffering Soldiers at Vicksburg.

Editors Appeal: I notice your just strictures on this subject, but you lay the blame at the wrong door. The military authorities at Vicksburg, and not the planters, are wholly responsible for the sad wants of our brave soldiers. A non-commissioned officer passed through my neighborhood ten days ago, having been sent out for the purpose of buying or begging anything, meat or vegetables, that we had to spare. But we were expected to send the things in wagon, hire to be paid for if we chose. At this season of the year, and especially after so much rain, it is not easy to estimate the value of a trip with a wagon from the southern or eastern neighborhoods of Hinds county to Vicksburg, or from any part of Hinds. The government could hardly be expected to pay the value of it. But notwithstanding this obvious difficulty, a wagon load was immediately made up, without charge, and a wagon provided by a true patriot. As I write, his wagon is passing my door on its return from Vicksburg, this being the fifth day of its absence from home, and the oxen thoroughly used up. It is plain that this thing cannot be often repeated.

The country abounds in potatoes and turnips which the planters, it is believed, will freely deliver, free of charge, at the various depots, by which we are surrounded. Let the officials at Vicksburg, upon whom such duty may devolve, immediately give notice through the Jackson and Vicksburg newspapers, that all edibles for the army will be received loose at any depot on the Southern, Central, or New Orleans and Jackson railroads, and in my opinion, the planters will soon wipe off the aspersion which has been thoughtlessly cast upon them, and the hearts of our braves made glad. Of pork, no great quantity can be had, it is feared, but such as can be spared should be paid for at the market value of the country.

BURLEIGH.

Hinds County, February 1st, 1863.