Suspecting the Shell — 166
When the mine dug under Fort Hill, at Vicksburg, by General Logan, exploded, June 26th, a large number of rebels were killed and wounded. Among others who were blown high above the works was an American citizen of African descent, who fell on his head on the outside of the rebel fort, and to the astonishment of our soldiers was not killed. As some of the men ran towards the darkey, of course carrying their arms, he rose to his feet, and shouted, “For de Lord’s sake, sogers, don’t shoot dis nigger. I wasn’t doin’ no fighting; I was only totin’ up grub.” When asked how high he had been, he replied, “Two or dree mile, I reckon;” and on being asked how he came within our lines said, “Dunno, massa; shell, I spec.”