USA > Indiana > Greene County > Vicksburg > Indiana. Vicksburg National Military Park Commission. Indiana at Vicksburg > Part 21
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On the 16th the Confederates made an effort to get away with a large drove of cattle. The 1st Brigade advanced and drove the
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
enemy away, keeping the cattle. On the 20th the 1st Brigade led the advance on Opelousas, where a large Confederate force was assembled. It fled-there was no battle. General Franklin rode with the regiment during this advance and highly complimented the men for the precision of its maneuvering. The brigade marched through Opelousas to Barre's Landing, on the Bayou Car- tableaux.
November 3d the Confederates attacked General Burbidge's Division, encamped at Carrion Crow Bayou. As soon as the attack commenced the 46th Regiment was assembled, and before the staff officer reached the camp was on the march at double-quick to the aid of Burbridge's Division, three miles away, and arrived in time to save a battery and many soldiers from capture. The day after the battle, General Burbridge personally thanked the regiment for its timely assistance.
The night of the 6th the regiment reached Vermillionville. The army had passed through the town. The regiment was halted at the edge of it, and ordered to remain until all property belonging to the army was removed.
The Confederate army, at least 10,000 strong, was within three miles of the town, formed in a crescent. Its wings extended beyond and almost surrounded the town. On the other side of the town, and about the same distance away, was the Union army. Between the two was the regiment, 300 men and twenty-five cavalrymen. This position was maintained until 1 o'clock a. m., when the regiment was called in, and on the 16th the regiment marched to New Iberia. At midnight on the 19th the regiment was ordered to fall in, and to take eighty rounds of ammunition, and, keeping quiet, was to march to Camp Pratt, on Lake Mauripas. The enemy was caught asleep, pickets and entire force, except two men, being captured. The regiment mounted the prisoners on mules, two and three on an ani- mal, and returned to camp. On the 19th the march to Brashear City was commenced, arriving there on the 22d, went aboard cars and reached Algiers the same day.
December 29th Companies C, F, H and I embarked on a steamer for Texas. It landed at Matagorda Bay, where it remained two weeks and then returned. January 19th, 1864, the 46th crossed Lake Pontchartrain to Madisonville. Leaving Madisonville Feb- ruary 27th, it returned to Algiers and re-enlisted as veterans. Those not re-enlisting were assigned to Varner's Battalion.
March 3d orders were received to march to Alexandria. Pass- ing Alexandria the 26th, the regiment reached Natchitoches April
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FORTY-SIXTH INFANTRY.
1st. On April 7th, 1864, the regiment eneamped at Pleasant Hill. On the 8th the regiment accompanied the division, which, exclu- sive of train gnards, numbered about 1,200 men. The army was advancing along a single wagon road, through dense pine forests. erossed by deep gullies and spanned by narrow bridges. The army was stretched out on thirty miles of this road, and when this road beeame blocked the army eould neither reinforce the front or the rear. The cavalry was in advance and was the first to be attacked by the enemy and defeated; then the 4th Division, 13th Army Corps, 2,200 men, was brought up and defeated. Then the 3d Division, 1,200 strong, was marched four miles, through into the battle and was also defeated. The regiment fought until sur- rounded and then fought its way out with a loss of 7 killed, 13 wounded and 86 prisoners. Those who succeeded in fighting their way out joined the 19th Corps and helped defeat the enemy that night. The Confederate force in line was at least 8,000 men. The Union army lost 600, killed and wounded, and 1,250 captured. The Confederate loss, from official reports, was 3,100, of whom 1,000 were dead within ten days. This was the battle of Sabine Cross Roads.
April 9, 1864, the entire army was in line of battle at Pleasant Lake Hill. This was the only time since leaving Alexandria. Here the Confederates, 10,000 strong, were badly defeated. The 46th Regiment participated in the victory. The Union army was then marehed baek to Grand Ecore, arriving on the 11th. The regi- ment was engaged on entrenchments. This was the only defeat the regiment acknowledged. The men here defeated had stood at New Madrid, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Jackson, Port Hud- son and many other engagements withont turning their backs to the foe.
The 23d of April it fought at Cane Hill, and the Confederates were defeated with great loss. From the 23d of April to the 22d of May was a constant skirmish and sometimes a severe battle. Not a day passed without an engagement, large or small. The regiment lost more than 33 per cent. The regiment assisted in the con- struction of the dam in Red River to save Admiral Porter's fleet. But the disatrous Red River campaign was ended.
The regiment was ordered to Baton Rouge. The third day after arriving, a fine steamer came down the river for New Orleans and the regiment marehed aboard. There was always a mystery where the order came from and where it was. When Colonel Bringhurst was asked for it, Adjutant Watts had it. When Watts was found
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
the absent Colonel had it. The regiment landed and went into camp at Carrollton. No trouble was made about this unauthorized voyage. June 15th embarked on the "Sultana" for Cairo, where it arrived on time. Leaving that city, it arrived at Indianapolis the 22d, and was welcomed by Governor Morton. The regiment landed in Lo- gansport on the 23d of June, receiving a warm welcome. Thou- sands of people filled the streets, and dinner was prepared for the regiment by the ladies. Judge Biddle welcomed the regiment, and in closing his address said :
"You have brought home the rugged laurels of the soldiers, and innocent maidens will give you wreaths of flowers to twine with them. They welcome you back from your dangers. Their tender arms ill befit the battlefield, and they look to you for pro- tection. You will give it to them. Remember, each one of vou is dear to some heart, and I trust that each of you has some object of love, reverence or affection to keep your hearts true to your- self, your country and your God."
At the close of the judge's address, 200 young girls advanced and presented a beautiful bouquet to every officer and soldier, and, after dress parade, it was dismissed to enjoy its well-earned veteran furlough. July 20th an order was published for the regiment to assemble on the 26th. On that date every man reported except three, who were sick. From the 26th of July to the 27th of August the regiment was employed in southern Indiana and northern Ken- tueky, defeating a Confederate raid into Indiana. On the 27th the regiment moved by railroad to Lexington, Kentucky. Sep- tember 13th left Lexington for Cincinnati, and from there to Big Sandy River. On November 24th went to Louisville and Lexing- ton, arriving there the 25th. In December the Sabine Cross Roads prisoners joined the regiment. Father Rabb, chaplain, will never be forgotten by any member of the 46th Regiment. He was a practical Christian. He lived his faith.
A general officer said: "The 46th has had the good fortune to always please commandants, under whose authority it has been placed. But on the field and in garrison, its officers and men have given such satisfaction as to have been given up with reluctance by those in command. This has much to do with keeping the regi- ment in the serviee."
The regiment was mustered out at Louisville on the 4th of Sep- tember, 1865, transported to Indianapolis and paid off on the 11th. The officers and men returned home as citizens and were given a rousing reception.
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FORTY-SIXTH INFANTRY.
And so the 46th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry passed into history. The members faithfully served their terms of enlist- ment and re-enlisted and again merged into the citizenship of the nation. All felt proud of the record of their regiment. No page of it brought discredit to its members or the State. The 46th sim- ply claims it was an Indiana regiment, and that its members are satisfied with its record.
The regiment lost during service 4 officers and 66 enlisted men. killed and mortally wounded, and 3 officers and 191 enlisted men by disease. Total, 264.
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INDIANA
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Monument of 47th Infantry.
(Monument Tablet Inscription.)
2d BRIGADE 12th DIVISION 13th CORPS
47th INFANTRY
Colonel JAMES R. SLACK
Lieut. Col. JOHN A. MCLAUGHLIN
Engaged: Port Gibson, May 1; Champion's Hill, May 16; Siege, May 25-July 4. Casualties: Killed 37, wounded 111, missing 18, total 166; Lieut. James F. Perry killed, Lieut. George W. Cole mortally wounded.
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FORTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT INDIANA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS.
The nucleus of the 47th Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, was formed at Bluffton, Indiana. Early in September, 1861, John A. Mclaughlin, a Mexican war veteran, came to that town to organize a company for the war, expecting to join the 34th Regiment, then in camp at Anderson, Indiana. On the 25th day of September he went into that camp with an enrollment of 83 men, but found the regiment already full, and, holding the men a few days, he was ordered to Camp Sullivan, Indianapolis. Here the required num- ber for a full company was soon added, and on the 2d day of No- vember the company, with 101 men, including officers, was mus- tered into the United States service for "three years or during the war," by mustering officer John B. Ely, of Company A, of the 47th.
The regimental officers were as follows:
James R. Slack.
Colonel.
Milton S. Robinson
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Samuel S. Mickel Major.
Marion P. Evans
Adjutant.
George Nichol.
. Quartermaster.
Samuel W. Sawyer.
Chaplain.
James L. Dicken
. Surgeon.
James R. Mills
Assistant Surgeon.
COMPANY OFFICERS.
Captain.
1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant.
Co. A. John A. Mclaughlin,
Albert Moorehouse,
Nicholas Van Horn.
Co. B. Lewis H. Goodwin,
Wm. M. Henley,
Christian B. Rager.
Co. C. Esaias Daily,
Byron H. Dent,
Henry C. Weimer.
Co. D. James R. Bruner,
T. J. Siling,
Conrad H. Lines.
Co .. E. James Wintrode,
John Swaidner,
Elijah Snowden.
Co. F. Sextus H. Shearer,
Silas S. Hall,
Aurelius Purviance.
Co. G. John T. Robinson,
John F. Eglin,
Wm. Woodbeck.
Co. H. Samuel J. Keller,
George H. Brinkerhoff, James Gordon.
Co. I. Joshua W. Bowersock,
John Emory,
Edward J. Williams.
Co. K. Ellison C. Hill,
Wm. H. Hayford,
Joseph A. McKinsey.
On the 13th of December, 1861, Colonel Slack had his regiment drawn up in line and formally presented to the United States. On the 15th it broke camp and departed for Louisville, Kentucky.
From thence it marched to Oakland, camped and was assigned to General Wood's Brigade of Buell's Army. From this place, by short stages, it marched to Camp Wickliffe, then under General Nelson; on the 14th of February, it marched through Elizabeth- town to West Point, on the Ohio River, where it took transport for Commerce, Mo., on the Mississippi River, arriving on the 24th, and
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marched out to Benton, Missouri, and March 1st it marched to a point below Island No. 10, on the Mississippi River, and operated along the river between that point and New Madrid, and was the first regiment to enter Fort Thompson, March 14th.
With the 34th, 43d and 46th regiments, under General Palmer, it participated in the action which ent off communications with Island No. 10, and joined in the surrender of that point. This was the first action that tested the mettle of the men. The guns were pulled in place on the river bank by hand, with ropes, in the darkness of the night, and the men, with no other protection than the rifle-pits scooped out in the sand, held their ground against the fire of the rebel gunboats, disabling one and driving off the others. From this point the regiment moved to Tiptonville, Ten- nessee, remaining there from April 15th until June 15th.
The next move was to Memphis, remaining until July 25th, Colonel Slack being in charge of the post. The regiment was then taken by transport to Helena, Arkansas, where it remained until February 24, 1863. While at Helena the regiment made several raids into the enemy's territory, one of which, on the 11th of August, 1862. on Brown's plantation, in Mississippi, resulted dis- astrously, especially to Company A, which was guarding a large amount of cotton. The men had traveled till midnight, and, tired and sleepy, had thrown themselves down in the open without proper guard and were attacked about 3 o'clock in the morning, losing 11 killed and badly wounded.
The 47th participated in three of Grant's five attempts to get around Vicksburg; those of the Yazoo Pass, the Coldwater, the Tallahatchie River, which brought them up to Fort Greenwood, on the Yazoo River, occupying the time from February 25th until April 8th. This was followed by the march across Milliken's Bend to New Carthage, via Perkins' and James' plantations. The regi- ment erossed the river by transports and was landed at Bruinsburg April 30th. Here it was assigned to Hovey's Division, MeCler- nand's Corps, and now commenced the real Vicksburg campaign. At this point it is deemed proper to give the real state of the 47th regiment's field and staff officers, as many changes had been made by resignation, death and promotion.
James R. Slack . John A. Mclaughlin.
Colonel.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Lewis H. Goodwin.
Major.
Wm. H. Vance Adjutant.
James L. Dicken Surgeon. E
Thos. H. Crosby Assistant Surgeon.
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FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY.
Immediately on landing. the evening of April 30th, the regiment took up its line of march, and, after an all-night tramp, confronted the enemy under General Bowen near Port Gibson. Hovey's Di- vision had the brunt of this battle, and the 47th, assisted by a bat- tery of field guns, repulsed charges made by one of Bowen's brigades.
General MeClernand's Corps now consisted of Carr's, Oster- hans', Hovey's and Smith's Divisions, and drove the enemy from the field with heavy loss. But little opposition was encountered until May 16th, on Champion's Hill, when the army encountered General Pemberton's army, which came out from Vicksburg and gave battle. Here, again, Hovey's Division was brought on and had the hardest of the battle. Company A of the 47th was on the skir- mish line, and a retrograde movement of the forces engaged brought the 11th Regiment to the rear of that line, and the charge made by that regiment swept the skirmishers with it. The guns of a rebel battery were captured, but had to be abandoned, for just at that time our foree was outnumbered. We had to fall back for a space, but were soon reinforced and the enemy was swept from the field. The Champion's Hill fight has been set down in history as one of the three great battles that decided the fate of the Southern Confed- eracy. It was certain that Pemberton would now have to fall back to Vicksburg, and as eertain that Vicksburg, with its army, must fall, and that the Confederate States would be completely divided by the Mississippi River, which would be held against them in its entirety.
At Champion's Hill, the entire loss was 2,441 killed and wounded, and of Hovey's Division, 1,202, or over 40 per cent. of the men engaged. The 47th Regiment's loss was 140, and Lieuts. James F. Perry and George W. Cole, of Company B, were killed, and Major Goodwin, Captain Sturgis and Lieutenant Bender were wounded.
From this time our progress was rapid. Some opposition at the Black River Bridge, on the 18th, was met with. On May 26th the 47th was assigned to its position in the rear of Vicksburg, and com- meneed the process of fighting the enemy with pick, spade and starvation.
Capt. S. J. Keller, of Company H, a Mexiean War veteran, still lives. He permitted us to quote from his diary a few of his daily records during the siege: "May 26th, ordered out as sharpshoot- ers and are in trenches within 200 yards of the enemy's forts. No enemy dare show his head. We shoot so close or pick them off as to
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
warn them to keep hid. Had heavy artillery firing on both sides. A flag of truce sent out to bury the dead and bring in the wounded. The men from both sides came together and talked friendly. Our boys jollied them and advised them to give up and save their city and many lives. They replied that they still had hopes General Johnston would come to their relief. May 28th-We are back in camp. Had only one man wounded in our regiment the two days we were out, but some of the men had many narrow escapes. June 11th-Last night was dark and stormy. Was on duty the forepart. Thundered and lightened and poured as if the earth and sky were coming together. Went into camp, wet, muddy and half dead. June 25th-Blew up one of the enemy's forts. Heavy artillery duel which lasted two hours. June 30th-Busy working on our payrolls. A cannon ball from the enemy's guns struck my tent and threw dirt and dust all over us. July 3d-Have dug our trench almost into the enemy's works and our men are lying flat on the ground. July 4th-This is a glorious old Fourth of July. Vicks- burg has surrendered."
After the surrender of Vicksburg the 47th participated in the recapture of Jackson. Returning to Vicksburg, it was sent to New Orleans, and, under General Banks, went on the first Red River campaign, up the Teche country, in western Louisiana, and after the engagement at Bayou Grand Coteau it returned to New Iberia, and while there, in December, 1863, the regiment re-en- listed and was furloughed home to Indianapolis, where it arrived on the 18th day of February, 1864, with 416 veterans who had re- enlisted.
On February 19th, at a public reception given to the veterans of the 21st and 47th Regiments, in Indianapolis, addresses were made by Governor Morton and Colonel Slack.
Upon its return to the field the 47th moved with Banks' army on the Red River expedition in the spring of 1864, engaging in the marches, battles and retreats of that disastrous campaign. On the 28th of July it engaged the enemy at Atchafalya Bayou, having many wounded.
The regiment was then stationed at Morganza Bend, Louisiana, at which post it remained on duty some time. On December 31st, 1864, Col. James R. Slack was commissioned brigadier-general, and Lieut. Col. John A. MeLaughlin succeeded him as colonel of the regiment.
In February the 47th was transported to the mouth of Mobile Bay and took an active part in the campaign of March and April,
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FORTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY.
1865, which resulted in the capture of the city of Mobile and de- fenses. After the fall of Mobile the regiment was transferred to Shreveport, La., with the division of General Herron, to receive the surrender of Confederate General Price's army, where it re- mained until October 23, 1865, when it was mustered out and re- turned home to Indianapolis, reaching there November 1, with 532 enlisted men and 32 commissioned officers.
Before the final discharge, on the 2d of November, the regi- ment was addressed in the capitol grounds by Governor Morton. General Slack, Colonels MeLaughlin and Robinson, after which the regiment departed for their respective homes, to resume their places as patriotic citizens.
The regiment lost during service 2 officers and 80 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 4 officers and 250 enlisted men by disease : total, 336.
INDIAN
INDIANA
Monument of 4Sth Infantry.
(Monument Tablet Inscription.)
Ist BRIGADE 7th DIVISION 17th CORPS
48th INFANTRY
Colonel NORMAN EDDY
Engaged: Near Bayou Pierre, May 3; Raymond, May 12; Jackson, May 14; Champion's Hill. May 16; Assault, May 22; Siege, May 23-July 4. Casualties: Killed 14, wounded 71, missing 1, total 86.
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FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT INDIANA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS.
The 48th Regiment was organized at Goshen, Indiana, and mus- tered into service December 6, 1861, and its field and staff commis- sioned to serve as follows :
Norman Eddy, Goshen
Colonel.
Melvin B. Hascall, South Bend.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
DeWitt C. Rugg, Indianapolis. Major.
Edward P. Stanfield, South Bend. .
Adjutant.
Charles L. Murray, Goshen
Quartermaster.
John W. Smith, Middlebury
Chaplain.
Levi J. Ham, South Bend.
. Surgeon.
Frank T. Bryson, Middlebury
Assistant Surgeon.
The companies of the organization composing the regiment were from St. Joseph, Elkhart, Laporte, Noble and Jasper counties.
Owing to resignations, severity of the service, which caused retirement for disability, wounds in battle, and like causes, the field and staff originally mnstered in with this regiment were nearly all replaced during its enlistment with officers next in rank, and was most ably commanded from time of its muster until disbandment at the close of the war.
COMPANY OFFICERS ORIGINALLY AS FOLLOWS:
Captain. 1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant.
Co. A. Benjamin D. Townsend,
Abner J. Dean,
Edward J. King.
Co. B. William H. Sutphen,
Asa Knott,
George H. Loring.
Co. C. Daniel Crumpacker, Welcome Rice,
George Baldwin.
Co. D. Orrison Wilson,
Jasper Packard,
Derick Brinkerhoof.
Co. E. Thomas B. Roberts
David F. Spain,
George W. Hart.
Co. F. Barnet Byrkett,
William A. Judkins,
Crawford McDonald.
Co. G. Richard F. Mann,
Henry A. White,
George W. Thayer.
Co. H. Gustavus Paulus,
Gotlieb Schauble,
Henry Milburn.
Co. I. Edward J. Wood,
Abraham S. Fisher,
George W. Gibben.
Co. K. David S. Snyder,
Albert J. Guthridge,
John Miller.
Owing to the fatalities of war, resignations, because of disabil- ity, and worthy promotions to rank in field and staff, all these line officers that were mustered with organization of the regiment were succeeded during the service by officers next in rank.
February 1, 1862, the regiment broke camp, and, under orders, proceeded to Fort Donelson, via Cairo, where it arrived the day after the surrender of that fort. From thence to Paducah, and in May moved up the Tennessee River and engaged in the siege of Corinth, and after evacuation of this place was assigned to 1st Brigade, 2d Division. Army of the Tennessee, and took part in cam- paigns against Confederate General Price's army during the sum- mer of 1862.
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
On the 19th of September the regiment participated in the battle of Inka, losing 116 men in killed and wounded, out of 420 engaged.
October 3d and 4th engaged in second battle of Corinth, under Rosecrans, losing 26 killed and wounded.
After further campaigning in Tennessee the regiment marched into Memphis and was, in January, 1863, assigned to 1st Brigade. 7th Division, 17th Army Corps. After remaining in Memphis and vicinity two months, the regiment was transported by boat down the Mississippi River to join General Grant's army, organizing for the campaign of Vieksburg.
During this campaign the regiment was engaged in action at Forty Hills, Mississippi. May 3d; battles of Raymond, May 12th ; Jackson, May 14th, and in engagement at Champion's Hill, May 16th, in which battle the regiment's loss was 33, killed and wounded.
It was actively engaged in the trenches during the siege of Vieksburg, from the 18th of May until the surrender, July 4, 1863. and in the dreadful assault on May 22d suffered a loss of 33 in killed and wounded. After the surrender of Vicksburg the regiment re- mained in that vicinity until August, when it again returned to Memphis and from thence, with other troops, marched across the country to Chattanooga, and while in that vicinity engaged the enemy at Tunnel Hill.
From thenee back to Huntsville, Alabama, and while stationed there, in January, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as a veteran or- ganization and returned home to Indiana on furlough, reaching Indianapolis the 6th of February, with 369 veterans, who were publicly received and welcomed, February 8th, by Governor Morton and others.
After expiration of furlough the regiment again returned to ITuntsville, Alabama, where it remained until June, and later marched to Cartersville, Georgia, where it was on duty guarding General Sherman's railroad communications during the campaign to Atlanta. It was continued on this duty until Confederate Gen- eral Hocd's invasion, when the regiment joined Sherman's army and marched with 1st Brigade, 3d Division, 15th Army Corps. in campaign from Atlanta to Savannah.
From Savannah it moved to Beaufort, and then on with the army through the Carolinas, going through Columbia, Cheraw, Fay- (tteville and Goldsborongh to Raleigh.
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FORTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY.
From Raleigh it moved northward. after the surrender of John- son's army, to Petersburg, 165 miles on foreed marches, and from Petersburg marched to Washington. Soon after arrival there it was transferred to Louisville, Kentucky, where the regiment was mustered out of service July 15, 1865.
Returned to Indianapolis, where it was present at a reception of a large number of Indiana troops in the capitol grounds, July 18th, and heard commendatory addresses by Governor Morton and others.
During term of service this regiment lost 88 enlisted men, killed and mortally wounded, and 4 officers and 175 enlisted men by dis- ease ; total, 267.
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