This poem was printed in the Vicksburg Daily Herald on November 10, 1864. According to Jeff Giambrone of the Old Court House Museum in Vicksburg, Mississippi, "The author of this poem is not known, but there were a number of the U.S Marine Brigade in the Vicksburg Jail at the time it was published. A short time before, the Marine Brigade was broken up and the men reassigned to the infantry. To say they took it badly is an understatement. Many threatened mutiny, got drunk, got into fights, and generally made a nuisance of themselves around Vicksburg."
Thanks to Jeff for sharing this poem from the museum's collection. If you're ever in Vicksburg, be sure to stop in for a visit:
1008 Cherry Street
Vicksburg, MS 39180
"The Vicksburg Jail"