USA > Indiana > Greene County > Vicksburg > Indiana. Vicksburg National Military Park Commission. Indiana at Vicksburg > Part 23
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FIFTY-THIRD INFANTRY.
pany officers were wounded, so that in several instances sergeants took command of the companies.
With Capt. George H. Beers, Company E, in command of the regiment, from the extreme left it was transferred to the right of the army. On the 28th the 15th Corps, on the extreme right on Lick Skillet road, near Exra Church, fought a severe battle with Stuart's rebel corps. The 53d was in line immediately to the left of the 15th Corps, far enough away not to be engaged, yet close enough to witness the battle in all its fury. It was a sore defeat of Stuart, with heavy loss to the assaulting column. For the next thirty days it remained in this vicinity. Heavy works were thrown up, strong pickets kept out on our front, but we had no general en- gagement. There was only picket and artillery firing, but this was almost incessant. Many casualties occurred from the sharp- shooting on the pieket line. The regiment's position was so close to the enemy that it was necessary to keep under protection of the fortification during daylight.
At 8 p. m., on August 26th, the regiment was withdrawn from the works. The night was intensely dark and it marched all night to the right and rear of the rebel army. The 30th of August found it in front of Jonesboro. Next morning the regiment moved to the right, crossing Flint River and driving in the enemy's skirmishers, who hotly contested the advance. During the night the enemy evaenated the Union front, also Atlanta. Moving in pursuit to Lovejoy Station, where the enemy concentrated, heavy works were thrown up by both armies. On the night of September 5th the commands were withdrawn from the works. The night was so dark the file leaders could not be seen. The 53d was detailed to go in advance and build fires with rails by the wayside, in order that the army might be enabled to move. Daylight found the 53d at Flint River, from where it moved by easy marches to East Point, a distance of fifty miles.
The regiment stayed in camp at East Point until October 5th, and then started north in pursuit of General Hood, who had passed the right flank of his army in his campaign to Nashville. He was followed to Gaylesville, Alabama, almost to the Tennessee River.
While returning to Atlanta, near Marietta, early in November, the regiment was paid off. While at this point the presidential election occurred, and the vote of such troops as were entitled to vote was cast. The returns were gathered and sent north. Troops not being entitled to vote in the field could only stand by and watch their more favored comrades vote.
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
While at this eamp, Capt. Henry Duncan, of Company F, who had been recommended for promotion to major, relieved Captain Beers, of Company E, who had been in command of the regiment since the death of Colonel Jones, on July 22d.
On November 13th the 53d broke camp near Marietta and marched to Atlanta, and on November 15th left Atlanta on the fa- mous March to the Sea. By the 21st it had reached Gordon, one of the objective points in the campaign, and on the 23d reached the Oconee River, where the enemy was found disputing the passage. By the 25th they were dislodged and the river crossed. The regi- ment arrived at Ogeeche River December 1st, which was crossed on pontoons. On the 10th the 53d was in advance of the 17th Corps. It encountered the enemy's pickets and drove them inside their works near the city of Savannah. From here the regiment was transferred to King's Bridge, on the Ogecche River, and was de- tailed to guard, load and unload supplies for the army. On the 20th the city was evacuated and on the 24th, with the balance of the army, the 53d marched into the city, camped near Fort Bona- venture, where General Sherman reviewed the army. On January 6th the regiment embarked on transports at Fort Thunderbolt for Bufort, South Carolina.
The regiment remained at Bufort until the 13th, when it moved with the army for Pocotaligo, on the Savannah and Charleston Railway. It remained at Pocotaligo until the 29th, when it started on a march through the Carolinas. On the 3d of February it was at the Salkahatchie River, on the 12th at North Edisto, near Orangeburg. At both places the enemy was encountered, and the 53d bore an honorable part in dislodging them. It reached Colum- bia on the 17th, and remained near that city two or three days, de- stroying the railroads. On March 3d it was at Cheraw, on the Big Pedee River. An immense amount of military stores from Charles- ton were captured here. On the 12th it reached Fayetteville, N. C., on the Cape Fear River. A steamer from the fleet came up, bring- ing the first mail for forty-four days. The regiment then moved on towards Goldsboro the day following. On the 19th it encountered Joe Johnston at Bentonville, where it exchanged the last hostile shots with the enemy. It arrived at Goldsborough on the 24th.
The 53d stayed at Goldsborough until April 10th, when it marched for Raleigh, where it arrived on the 14th. Upon arrival news was received of the surrender of Lee, soon followed by the news of the assassination of President Lincoln. The surrender of Johnston followed. On the 24th Generals Grant and Sherman re-
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FIFTY-THIRD INFANTRY.
viewed the army. On April 29th left Raleigh by way of Peters- burg, Manchester, Richmond and Fredericksburg, arriving at Alex- andria on the 19th of May, where the regiment remained until the 24th, when the armies passed in grand review before the President and Generals Grant and Sherman.
June 5th it left Washington by the B. & O. Railroad, to Park- ersburg, then by steamer to Louisville, Kentucky, where, on July 21st, the regiment was mustered out of the United States service, after a little more than three and a half years' service, and sent on to Indianapolis. On the 7th of August the men received their final pay and returned to their homes, again to take their places as private citizens of Indiana.
The regiment lost during service 9 officers and 98 enlisted men, killed and mortally wounded. and 4 officers and 248 enlisted men by disease; total, 359.
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INDIANA
Monument of 54th Infantry.
(Monument Tablet Inscription.)
2d BRIGADE 9th DIVISION 13th CORPS
54th INFANTRY
Colonel FIELDING MANSFIELD
Engaged: Port Gibson, May 1; Guard at Raymond, May 16, and for Prisoners, May 17-June 4; Siege, June 4-June 22. Duty at Big Black River Bridge, June 22-July 4.
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FIFTY-FOURTH REGIMENT INDIANA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS.
The 54th Regiment of Indiana Infantry Volunteers was first organized under special orders to serve three months, and for this term was mustered in at Indianapolis June 10, 1862, with field and staff officers as follows :
D. Garland Rose ...
L. Gilbert Knox.
.. Colonel. . Lientenant-Colonel.
Fielding Mansfield. . . Major.
William F. Spurgeon . Adjutant.
William C. Lupton . .
. Quartermaster.
William H. Cyrus ... . Assistant Surgeon.
The companies composing the regiment in three months' serv- ice were enlisted from the following counties :
Company A from Monroe County.
Company B from Vigo County.
Company C from Switzerland County.
Company D from Jefferson County.
Company E from Switzerland County.
Company F from Vigo County.
Company G from Jackson County.
Company HI from Hendricks County.
Company I from Wayne County. Company K from Decatur County.
The regiment, during its three months' enlistment, remained at Indianapolis, on duty at Camp Morton until in August, when it was ordered to Kentucky, with other troops, to resist invasion of that State by General Kirby Smith, and remained on duty in cen- tral Kentucky until expiration of its term of service, when it was returned to Indianapolis and mustered out.
The 54th Regiment was then organized and mustered into serv- ice as a twelve months' regiment, under special orders, on November 16, 1862, with the following regimental officers :
Fielding Mansfield
Colonel.
Herman Sturm.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Daniel Shrader. Major.
Marshall P. Hayden Adjutant.
Thomas F. Purnell
Quartermaster.
Ephraim A. Banks
Surgeon.
Henry C. Davidson.
Assistant Surgeon.
Adjutant Marshall P. Hayden died in the rebel prison at Vieks- burg, January 30, 1863, from wounds received in engagement at Chickasaw Bayou in December previous; and the remainder of the
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
field and staff officers who did not resign during term of service were mustered out with the regiment.
The company officers were : Captain.
1st Lieutenant.
Co. A. John W. Thomas,
Absolom Thomas,
2d Lieutenant. James Lockridge.
Co. B. Oliver M. Wilson,
William M. Conner, Josiah Ralston.
Co. C. Albert Eggleston,
Eli R. Shook,
Isaac B. McGogy.
Co. D. Lewis C. Beckford,
John A. Howard,
Joseph Lugar.
Co. E. John V. Bowman,
Paris Julian, Rufus C. Carpenter.
Co. F. William H. Neff,
David D. Jones,
Benjamin F. Davis.
Co. G. Andrew J. Lyon,
William Hall, William W. Messina. --
Co. H. John Ferree,
John W. Mauzy,
William M. Brooks.
Co. I. Henry Carter,
Samuel P. Strahan,
William P. Beeber.
Co. K. Samuel J. Wilson,
Samuel R. Fielder,
Thomas D. Lawe.
Captains Thomas and Carter resigned, Capt. O. M. Wilson pro- moted major, and balance of company captains were mustered out with the regiment.
Lieutenant Ralston, of Company B, died of wounds received in battle at Chickasaw Bayou, and, with one or two exceptions, the balance of the line officers remained with and were mustered out with the regiment at the end of service.
On the 9th of December, 1862, the regiment left Camp Mor- ton, Indianapolis for Memphis, and on arrival there was assigned to Col. John DeCourcey's Brigade, of Gen. G. W. Morgan's Di- vision of the 13th Army Corps, and on the 20th of December em- barked on boats with General Sherman's expedition to Vicksburg, and on the 26th of December, with brigade to which the regiment was attached, it moved up the Yazoo River to reconnoiter the enemy under cover of the gunboats, but was forced to retire until rein- forced by other troops.
On the three following days the regiment was exposed on its front, in line of battle, and participated in two separate charges on rebel works, on Chickasaw Bluffs, near Vicksburg, and lost in all 264 men in killed, wounded and missing in these engagements.
Withdrawing from Yazoo River, it was next engaged with the expedition and capture of Arkansas Post on the Arkansas River, January 10 and 11, 1863, and on return down the river was en- camped at Young's Point and Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, on the Mississippi River, opposite Vicksburg, until in April, when the regiment was assigned to the division of General Osterhaus, leading in the advance in opening the way for Grant's army in the Vicks- burg campaign.
During this campaign the regiment participated in the battle of Port Gibson, and was on duty guarding prisoners at Raymond
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FIFTY-FOURTH INFANTRY.
until it was sent by transport, with three other regiments, as an escort of prisoners of war to Memphis, Tennessee.
Returning, it was assigned to duty in the trenches, and partici- pated in the siege on the enemy's works around Vicksburg. Dur- ing the siege the regiment, with its brigade, was moved to Big Black River to assist in preventing Johnston's Confederate army from attempting to raise the siege, in aid of Pemberton's army, which was cooped up within the lines of Vicksburg by the Union army.
After the surrender, this regiment moved with the advance on Jackson, driving Johnston's army into the defenses of the city, which, after some days of sharp fighting, he was forced to evacuate and retreated in the night, across and beyond Pearl river, leaving the Union troops in possession of the works and city. After de- stroying all munitions of war, Confederate army stores, etc., the Union army again retired to Vicksburg, and soon after the 54th was transferred with a number of other regiments to the Gulf De- partment, and joined troops in the vicinity of New Orleans, which were organizing for a campaign in western Louisiana.
On September 6th the regiment moved with this expedition up the Teche country, going as far as Opelousas and Vermilionville, but returned to New Orleans November 1st, and the term of enlist- ment of its twelve months' service being terminated the regiment was mustered out at New Orleans the 8th day of December, 1863, and returned home to Indianapolis.
The regiment lost during its fifteen months of service 2 officers and 44 enlisted men, killed and mortally wounded, and 2 officers and 224 enlisted men by disease; total, 272.
INDIANA
INDIANA
-
Monument of 59th Infantry.
(Monument Tablet Inscription.)
Ist BRIGADE 7th DIVISION 17th CORPS
59th INFANTRY
Lieut. Col. JEFFERSON K. SCOTT
Colonel JESSE 1. ALEXANDER
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 13, wounded 113, missing 1, total 127; Lieut. Marcus B. C. Tripp killed.
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FIFTY-NINTH REGIMENT INDIANA INFANTRY . VOLUNTEERS.
The 59th Indiana Regiment was recruited during the fall of 1861 by the assembling of companies at Camp Morton, Indianapolis. but did not complete organization sufficiently for muster until Feb- ruary 11, 1862, at which time it was duly sworn into the United States service.
On the 13th of February the regiment was ordered to New Albany, where, after being armed and equipped, it left by trans- port for Cairo, arriving there on the 20th, and on the following day was ordered to Commerce, Missouri. On arrival there, February 22d, it was the first regiment to report to General Pope for duty with the Army of the Mississippi.
On February 25th it moved to Benton, Missouri, where it was brigaded with the 34th, 43d, 46th and 47th Indiana Regiments, Col. James R. Slack, of the 47th, commanding brigade. It was after- wards transferred to Colonel Worthington's brigade.
The field and staff officers of the 59th when mustered were as follows :
Jesse I. Alexander.
Colonel.
Jefferson K. Scott
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Elijah Sabin Major.
James W. Archer
Adjutant.
James M. Alexander. .
Quartermaster.
Perry M. Blankenship
Chaplain.
Dudley Rogers
Surgeon.
John M. Stuckey
Assistant Surgeon.
Through promotions or resignations all these original officers commissioned as the field and staff of the regiment were succeeded by other officers of lower rank during the term of service, but from first to last the 59th had splendid officers.
Company officers that were attached to the regiment on muster- in were:
Captain. 1st Lieutenant. James E. Hyden,
2d Lieutenant.
Co. A. Thos. A. McNaught,
Co. B. Andrew Wilson,
Philip McDade,
Co. C. Will Van Fossen,
John S. Akin,
Co. D. Russell A. Belden,
Andrew J. Mason,
Co. E. Aden G. Cavins,
Benj. L. Brookshare,
Merrett C. Taylor.
Co. F. Wilford H. Welman,
Thomas Riley,
James N. Murphy.
Co. G. John W. Branch,
George W. Brown,
Ephraim J. Hollis.
Co. H. John E. Simpson,
Edward A. Kellogg, James H. Hughes.
Co. I. Thos. T. Graves,
Alexander Jones,
John Phillips.
Co. K. Edward J. McBride,
Craven S. Hudson,
Howard Webber.
William A. Bartholomew.
William A. Rogers. Edward Maxwell.
Captain MeNaught, promoted to major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel; Captains Simpson and McBride, promoted to major; Cap-
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
tain Cavins, promoted to major of the 97th Indiana Regiment ; Captain Welman, mustered out at expiration of term of service; and remaining eaptains resigned and line officers next in rank sue- ceeded them.
On March 1, 1862, the regiment engaged with other troops in siege of New Madrid, and, on evacuation, was one of the first regi- ments to enter the town and take possession of Fort Thompson.
Crossing the Mississippi River on April 7th, it assisted in cap- ture of 5,000 prisoners at Tiptonville.
Returned to New Madrid, and on the 12th of April embarked on boats and participated in expedition to Fort Pillow, returning on the 17th ; then by boat went again to Cairo; thenee to Hamburg, Tennessee, where, on disembarking and going into camp, it was joined in brigade with the 48th Indiana, and from that time until final muster-out of both organizations, these two regiments re- mained together.
From April 24th to May 29th the regiment was engaged in a number of skirmishes with the enemy, and during the march to and siege of Corinth, Tennessee, and, after its evacuation, was with the column which pursued the enemy to Boonville, returning to the vicinity of Corinth by June 12. June 13th moved camp to Clear Creek, where the regiment remained until in August, after which, until October 1st, it camped and occupied various places for offen- sive and defensive purposes.
On October 1st the 59th went to Corinth and was there engaged, October 3d and 4th, in the battle of Corinth. After defeating the Confederates it joined in pursuit of Price to the Hatchie, and on October 10th had returned to Corinth.
During the month of November, 1862, the regiment marched in various expeditions against the enemy, with General Quinby's Division. December 26th it started to Memphis, arriving at that city on January 3. 1863, where the regiment went into camp and remained there, doing guard duty until March 1st, when it embarked on boat and proceeded down the Mississippi River to ITelena and Woolfort's Landing, in Arkansas, and after partici- pating in the Yazoo River expedition, arrived at the general ren- dezvous of Grant's army at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, on April 15, 1863.
On April 24th, with the army, marehed down the west side of the Mississippi River, to Grand Gulf. and crossing over the river. on May 1st, at Bayou Pierre, started at once for battle-ground of Port Gibson, reaching there in the evening after the battle elosed.
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FIFTY-NINTHI INFANTRY.
Marching forward with Grant's army in 1st Brigade, 7th Di- vision, in 17th Army Corps, the 59th was engaged in battles of Forty Hills, Raymond and Champion's Hill. In the first attack and capture of Jackson, Mississippi, the regiment's skirmishers, under Capt. John E. Simpson, were first to enter the city and place the regimental flag on the dome of the state house.
After the capture of Jackson, the Division commenced march from there to Vicksburg, and formed the rear guard of the 17th Corps, part of its duty being the destruction of bridges behind it over Big Black River and other streams.
On arriving at Vicksburg the regiment took its place in line of battle in front of the Confederate fortifications, and being engaged in the assault on the enemy's works, May 22d, lost heavily, and among the killed was Lieutenant Tripp, and Lieutenants Riley and Maxwell were wounded.
During the siege of Vicksburg the 59th formed part of General Blair's command, and with it went with an expedition up the Yazoo River and, returning June 4th, took up its old position in the trenches, where it remained on duty until the surrender of Pemberton's Confederate army, July 4, 1863.
On July 4th it marched into Vicksburg, and General McPherson issued a congratulatory order in highest terms of praise to the 17th Army Corps.
The regiment remained at Vicksburg until the 13th of Septem- ber, when it embarked on transports and proceeded up the Missis- sippi River to Helena, and on October 17th, with the remainder of the division, arrived at Memphis.
On the 19th of October the regiment commenced its weary march to Chattanooga, arriving there in time to participate in the battle of Mission Ridge.
On the 17th of December it marched to Bridgeport, Alabama, where, on going into camp, the regiment was assigned to the 3d Division of the 15th Army Corps, and started for Huntsville on the 23d of December, reaching there and going into camp on the 26th. While there the regiment re-enlisted as a veteran organization on January 1, 1864, and remained in camp at Huntsville until March 3d, when it left for home, reaching Indianapolis on the 8th, and on the 10th had a public reception in the state house grounds, and was addressed by Governor Morton and others, after which the regiment was furloughed home for thirty days. On reassembling it was ordered south again, passing through New Albany, Louisville and Nashville, and reached former camps
[21]
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
at IIuntsville, Alabama, on April 3d, remaining there until June 22d.
Starting for Kingston, Georgia, and reaching there July Ist, it joined Sherman's army, then on the march to Atlanta.
The balance of July and August it was guarding bridges on the Etowah River and other streams in the rear of Sherman's army, until late in August, when it was ordered to report to General Steadman, at Chattanooga.
On arriving there, it was ordered in pursuit of Wheeler's Cav- alry, but, after four days, returned to Chattanooga, and from there was ordered to report to General Milroy, at Tullahoma, where it remained on duty until September 21st. From there it escorted a wagon train to Cartersville, Georgia, arriving there on the 28th of Setpember, after which the regiment took up its old position guard- ing bridges on Etowah River.
On the 12th of November it moved towards Atlanta, and on the 15th, with Sherman's army, began the grand March to the Sea, fol- lowing the fortunes of this army through Georgia to Savannah.
From Savannah the regiment marched through the Carolinas to Raleigh, and from thence to Washington, where it participated in the grand review.
From Washington it was transferred to Louisville, Kentucky, where on July 17, 1865, the regiment was mnstered out of service.
On arriving at Indianapolis, on July 18th, it was again ad- dressed by Governor Morton and other prominent men, and in a few days was finally discharged, disbanded, and the men forwarded to their homes.
Besides men who were originally mustered into service on organ- ization of the regiment, it received in recruits, drafted men, etc., 777, and lost in killed and mortally wounded, 1 officer and 36 en- listed men, and 229 enlisted men by disease ; total, 266.
It traveled by rail 3,736 miles, by water 4,618 miles, and by land 5,305 miles, making in all 13,679 miles, during its term of service.
ANDANS
INDIAN
دمع تيالكه تحليل ليه
MIDLANA
Monument of 60th Infantry.
(Monument Tablet Inscription.)
1st BRIGADE 10th DIVISION 13th CORPS 60th INFANTRY
Colonel RICHARD OWEN
Engaged at Perkins' Landing, Louisiana, from April 28 to about May 28. Siege, June 1-June 22. Duty at Big Black River Bridge, June 23-July 4, 1863.
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SIXTIETH REGIMENT INDIANA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS.
The 60th Regiment was raised under orders authorizing Lieut. Col. Richard Owen, of the 15th Regiment, to recruit a regiment and rendezvous it at Evansville. A partial organization was made at that place in November, 1861, and during the progress of enlisting the regiment was ordered to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, on the 22d of February, 1862, to guard rebel prisoners, and, while on duty there, the organization was completed, the last companies being mustered in during the month of March, with-
Richard Owen
Colonel.
William J. Templeton.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Joseph B. Cox
Major.
Eugene F. Owen
Adjutant.
John J. Palmer
. Quartermaster.
William H. Carter
Chaplain.
Madison J. Bray
. Surgeon.
Jonathan R. Tilman.
Assistant Surgeon.
The line officers were as follows :
Captain. 1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant.
Co. A. Theodore Pleisch,
Nicholas Steinhauer,
Ernest Kipp.
Co. B. Wolfgang Hyne,
Alfred Dale Owen,
William M. Holton.
Co. C. Jesse Nash,
Richard A. Wilsey,
John O'Neal.
Co. D: John Burns,
Samuel L. Young,
John A. Savage.
Co. E. Henry F. Tilton,
Walter E. Thrall,
Philip L. Cox.
Co. F. Joseph B. Cox,
George W. Merrill,
Horace P. Owen.
Co. G. Augustus Goelzer,
Ferdinand G. Borges,
Frederick Merz.
Co. H. Samuel T. Walker,
William Camron,
Hermus P. Downing.
Co. I. George S. Walters,
Oliver H. P. Ewing,
John M. Denny.
Co. K. William B. Givens,
Michael B. Craner,
Charles M. Murray.
On the 20th day of June the regiment moved by rail to Louis- ville, Kentucky, and from there it marched to Lebanon, where it remained for some weeks, when it moved to Munfordsville, where, on the 14th of September, the advance of Bragg's army surrounded the place and its works, which, after a gallant defense of three days under Colonels Wilder and Dunham, were compelled to surrender to Bragg's whole army. The enemy attacked on the 14th and were repelled with heavy loss, and surrender was refused until Colonel Wilder was permitted to personally inspect the enemy's position and satisfy himself that Bragg's whole army was besieging him.
The garrison consisted of the 67th, 68th and 89th Indiana, and seven companies of the 60th. The other three companies were, at the time of the capture, guarding a railroad bridge over Rolling Fork, near Lebanon Junction, under command of Major Cox, and thus escaped capture.
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
The captured companies were paroled, and proceeded to In- dianapolis, where they went into parole camp, and were there joined by the three companies that eseaped capture.
Upon being exchanged in November, the regiment moved by rail to Cairo, and then by river boats to Memphis, Tennessee, where it became a part of the Army of the Mississippi, and participated in the movements of the army during the winter of 1862. After the repulse of Sherman's army at Chickasaw Bayou, January 1, 1863, it moved with the troops by steamer to Arkansas Post, where, on the 11th of January, it took part in the assault and capture of that strong position, losing a number of men killed and wounded.
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