USA > Indiana > Greene County > Vicksburg > Indiana. Vicksburg National Military Park Commission. Indiana at Vicksburg > Part 24
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In the campaign against Vicksburg, the 60th was assigned to the 1st Brigade (General Burbridge), 10th Division, 13th Army Corps, and moved with the command from Milliken's Bend, on the 14th of April, making a rapid and fatiguing mareh through swamps, bayous and streams, under scorching suns, drenching rains, arriving at Smith's plantation, where, with its brigade, it moved by boats to Perkins' plantation, from which place it marehed to Hard Times, erossing to the east side of the Mississippi River, at Bruinsburg, on the 30th, and, marching towards Port Gibson, was among the first to enter that city after the defeat of the enemy under General Bowen.
At Champion's Hill, on the 16th of May, it was in the advance, and at Black River, on the 17th, it behaved with gallantry. In the siege of Vicksburg, it took an active part, remaining in the trenches until the surrender on the 4th of July.
After the capitulation, the 60th marehed with its brigade to Jackson, losing several killed and wounded. Returning to Vieks- burg, it remained there until August, when it was transported to New Orleans, where it was assigned to Banks' army. From New Orleans it moved to Berwick City, and from thence moved up the Teche, engaging in the battles of Grand Coteau Plains and Carrion Crow Bayou on the 3d of November, losing a number of killed and wounded.
Returning to the vieinity of New Iberia, it remained there a short time, and proceeded to Algiers, near New Orleans, where it embarked on steamers for Texas. Landing in that State, it was stationed at Pass Cavallo for a short time, when it was ordered to return to New Orleans, where it was made a part of General Banks' unfortunate expedition up Red River. This expedition was organ- ized early in March, 1864, and proceeded with but little opposition to Alexandria, Louisiana, reaching there on the 19th. The rebels
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SIXTIETH INFANTRY.
were concentrated at Shreveport. On the 28th General Mower's Division defeated the rebel General Dick Taylor, at Cane River.
After passing Grand Ecore, the cavalry, supported by the 4th Division of the 13th Corps, encountered the enemy in force at Sabine Cross Roads on the 8th of April. The rebels charged our forces, who were routed and fell back in great disorder. In this battle the 60th lost heavily in killed, wounded and missing, the latter being mostly prisoners. The 3d Division came up and were also driven from the field in disorder. The 16th Corps, commanded by Gen. A. J. Smith, came up just after the battle and held the rebels in check, and the following day fought and defeated the enemy at Pleasant Hill. After this campaign the army made a long, tedious march back to the Mississippi River, and went into camp at Morganza Bend.
Soon after the 60th went to Indiana on veteran furlough, the regiment having re-enlisted. Its re-muster was not, however, ap- proved by the War Department, the regiment not having, in its opinion, served a sufficient length of time to entitle it to be re- mustered as a veteran organization.
Returning to the field, it was stationed at Thibodeaux, Louis- iana, where it remained until the fall of 1864. After this duty the regiment was stationed at Algiers, near New Orleans, remaining there until February 24, 1865, when the recruits were transferred to the 26th Indiana and the balance of the regiment proceeded to Indianapolis, where it was mustered out on the 21st of March, 1865.
The 60th Regiment lost, during the term of service. 2 officers and 43 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 3 officers and 165 enlisted men by disease. Total, 213.
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Monument of 67th Infantry.
(Monument Tablet Inscription.)
1st BRIGADE 10th DIVISION 13th CORPS 67th INFANTRY
Lieut. Col. THEODORE E. BUEHLER
Engaged: Port Gibson, May 1; Champion's Hill, May 16; Big Black River Bridge, May 17; Assault, May 19; Assault, May 22; Siege, May 23-July 4. Casualties: Killed 6, wounded 35, total 41.
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SIXTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT INDIANA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS.
This regiment was organized in the 3d Congressional District of Indiana, and was composed of companies is follows: One company from Owen and Monroe, one from Bartholomew, one from Jennings, one from Jefferson, two from Lawrence and four from Jackson County.
Assembled at Madison about middle of August, 1862, and was sworn into the United States service August 19th and 20th.
The regiment was commanded both by field and line officers from the above named counties, with regimental officers as follows:
Frank Emerson.
Colonel.
Theodore E. Buehler.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Augustus H. Abbett Major.
George W. Richardson
Adjutant.
Joseph B. Newcomb
Quartermaster.
Stephen Bowers.
Chaplain.
James W. F. Gerish
Surgeon.
The company officers who mustered in were:
Captain.
1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant.
Co. A. Francis A. Sears.
George W. Rahm,
Leander P. Leonard.
Co. B. Samuel Denny,
William R. Carlton,
John Campbell.
Co. C. Simeon H. Crane,
William T. Days,
Thos. E. MeLeland.
Co. D. George R. Sims,
Benjamin L. Smith,
Horace L. Brown.
Co. E. Byford E. Long, Co. F. William C. Hall,
James B. Stilwell,
Andrew J. Hamilton.
James W. Owen,
Charles D. Prow.
Co. G. Nelson Crabb,
Stephen Story,
George T. Polson.
Co. H. David Kelly,
Allen C. Burton,
Wiley G. Burton.
Co. I. Shepherd F. Eaton,
George W. Friedly,
William H. Aikin.
Co. K. Ralph Applewhite,
Stephen Bowers,
Tazwell Vawter.
Nearly all the original line officers during term of service of the regiment were promoted, resigned or discharged for wounds or dis- ability, and vacancies were filled by promotion from the companies.
The gallant Major Abbett, who had already seen service of one year in the 6th Indiana as an officer and commissioned major in this regiment, was killed in action at Munfordsville, Kentucky, on September 16th, less than one month after the regiment went into service, and was the only field officer killed during its term of serv- ice, though Colonel Emerson was twice wounded, first at Arkansas Post and again at Cane River, Louisiana; from this last wound he was so invalided that he resigned.
August 21st, soon after muster in of the regiment, it left Mad- ison by boat for Louisville, where, after being in camp a few days, was further ordered to Munfordsville, Kentucky, where the L. & N. Railroad crosses Green River. The post was garrisoned only by a
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
small force guarding the railroad bridge, but a larger force had occupied the place some time before, and had constructed a couple of forts, widely separated, but connected by lines of rifle pits and breast works, which made very good defenses.
This was the summer when the Confederate army, under Bragg, was making the famous advance north to capture Louisville and Cincinnati, and as Munfordsville was not on direct line of his march, he detached Chalmers' Division to capture Munfordsville, which was supposed to be only a camp of instruction.
Other Indiana troops, with a battery of artillery, soon collected at this point, making in all some 3,000 troops, and the attack was made on the works on the 14th and 16th of September, with great vigor by the Confederate forees, with some 8,000 troops, who, after repeated charges almost up to the works, were driven from the field with a loss of some 750 killed and wounded, while our loss was only 47 killed and wounded. This defense on the Union side was made by Indiana troops who had never been under fire before.
Being thus defeated, Bragg's whole army deviated from their course, and by the 17th had surrounded the little garrison at Mun- fordsville, who had so ably defended the post and planted sixty- six cannon on hills bearing directly on the works and deployed some 35,000 men of all arms for an attack.
Knowing full well the result of such an attack, the Confederate commander sent in a flag of truce after nightfall, demanding sur- render, but as General Wilder, who was the commander, hesitated, he was given privilege to go out and be taken around Bragg's lines to verify the truth of the report. On finding conditions as repre- sented he returned at 3 o'clock in the morning, reported, and ad- vised surrender. rather than be slaughtered almost entire.
Accordingly, terms of surrender were drawn up and signed, and on the morning of the 18th the entire garrison marched out, sur- rendered and grounded arms, stretching out a long distance along the old Louisville and Nashville pike road to perform this uncom- mon maneuver.
The whole force was then paroled, and during the afternoon and night marched through lines upon lines of the Confederate force, entering the lines of Buell's Union army early in the forenoon of next day, and. as per terms of surrender, were formally delivered to the Union lines at Bowling Green, Kentucky, some forty miles south of Munfordsville.
It was a matter of common regret that Buell did not come to the relief of the Union forees at Munfordsville, as his troops said that
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SIXTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY.
they had heard the firing all day of the second day's fight, and were chafing to come to the relief of the troops engaged which, it was thought, could have been done.
From Bowling Green the regiment marched to Brandenburg, on the Ohio River, and shortly thereafter reached Indianapolis. Thus was the 67th mustered into service August 19th, sent into the ene- my's country, fought two battles on September 14th and 16th, taken prisoners, paroled and back home again in our own State almost within thirty days, having seen more service and experience than some regiments who were out two or more years.
Soon after the men were assembled at Indianapolis they were furloughed home for thirty days, and on return were held in parole at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, and, in the meantime, other Indiana regiments, having been captured in battles in Kentucky, were also camped with this regiment; but all were exchanged in November, drew new clothing, new tents, improved arms, and on December 5th again started south, via Cairo on the Vandalia Railroad and from thence by boat to Memphis, Tennessee. While there the regi- ment was brigaded with the 16th and 60th Indiana, 83d and 96th Ohio and 23d Wisconsin, and, with only slight changes, these com- mands retained this brigade formation during term of service. General S. B. Burbridge commanded the brigade, and A. J. Smith the division, until after the campaign of Vicksburg, when changes of brigade and division commanders occurred. The command was known as 1st Brigade, 10th Division, 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, until its transfer to the Department of the Gulf, in the fall of 1863.
From Memphis, on December 20, 1862, the regiment was ordered to proceed by boat with General Sherman's command to make the first attack on Vicksburg at Haynes' Bluff, via Yazoo River and Chickasaw Bayon. After landing from boats, the forces made re- peated attacks from day to day without success, and, as it was found impossible to gain the expected advantage from this source, and learning General Grant had met with reverses en route from Memphis, via Holly Springs, to attack the forts from the rear, the Confederates daily receiving reinforcements. it was found neces- sary to retire from the attack, inasmuch as there was great danger of being surrounded, cur boats. artillery and stores captured. Ac- cordingly, Sherman's force retreated and retired to the boats on December 31st, the enemy following so closely they had to be driven baek by fire from the gunboats. It was a fortunate escape. as we have since learned.
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
During the balance of the winter of 1862 and 1863, with the army, the regiment lay in camps at Milliken's Bend and Young's Point, Louisiana, opposite Vicksburg, except to occasionally join expeditions sent up the river to attack points where the Confeder- ates would gather to fire on and impede navigation of our boats carrying troops and supplies to the army General Grant was col- lecting for his intended spring campaign against Vicksburg.
In January divisions of the 13th and 15th Corps were carried by boat up the White and Arkansas rivers to co-operate with gun- boats in an attack and capture of Arkansas Post, in Arkansas, which was successfully accomplished on January 11, 1863, our forces capturing some 5,000 prisoners after hard fighting. Both sides lost heavily.
The 67th bore a prominent part in the engagement, losing pro- portionately with the whole army, the union loss entire being 129 killed and nearly 900 wounded.
After capture of the fort, it was disarmed, prisoners sent north and earthworks leveled and the troops. within a few days, returned to camps at Milliken's Bend.
On April 1st of this year, all things being in readiness, the whole of Grant's army began its flank movement across country opposite Vicksburg, to strike the river miles below, opposite Bruins- burg, Mississippi, where the regiment crossed on gunboats on the 30th of April and, by a forced night march, arrived early May 1st on the battlefield of Port Gibson, the first engagement on the east side of the river, and beginning of the advance on Vicksburg.
The engagement lasted from early dawn until nightfall, com- pletely routing and defeating the Confederates. causing their re- treat toward Vicksburg. This battle was always referred to as the "May Day party of 1863."
Besides large numbers of killed and wounded of the enemy, we captured some 700 prisoners, but our losses were 130 killed and 718 wounded. The 67th, in the evening, was on the advance lines and in the last charge of the day on the enemy.
Following this engagement there was daily marching and skir- mishing with the enemy, some engagements being important enough for battles. until arrival of the forces at Champion's Hill, where junction was formed with the 13th and 15th Corps, and on the 16th of May was fought one of the hardest battles of the war, the Confederate General Pemberton having brought out from Vieks- burg almost his whole force and made a desperate stand to prevent Grant's army from approaching Vicksburg from the rear.
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SIXTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY.
After terrific fighting on both sides, the Confederate army was defeated with heavy loss, and at night retreated to and across Black River, burning the railroad bridge before their forces were all across the river.
The Union army followed up the next morning, and the 10th Division being in advance, after a sharp battle in a bend of the river on the east side, captured a fort with some 1,500 prisoners and eighteen pieces of artillery. On the 18th the army crossed Black River on hastily constructed bridges and hotly pursued the Confederate forces during the day to within cannon shot range of the Confederate works at Vicksburg. After unsuccessful assaults on the fortifications, on the 19th, orders were for commands to take safe positions as near as possible to the enemy and hold him down by sharpshooters, and rest and draw rations on the 20th and 21st, which was done.
Gunboats on the river having got into position, as well as land forces, a general assault was made along the whole line on the 22d against the Confederate works, at 10 o'clock a. m., from which hour until nightfall the fighting was terrific, but our troops failed to make a permanent lodgment within the enemy's works at any place, but secured and held advanced positions in many places near the works until the final surrender. The 67th was near the center of the line and got so near the fort in their front that they could neither advance nor retreat, and were only relieved and fell back in dusk of the evening. Fighting ceased at night and, while our losses were heavy, great advantages were gained, that in the end aided in capture of the works. It was said that Grant lost one- tenth of his army engaged that day, and the 67th suffered propor- tionately. From this date until July 4th gradual approaches, by rifle-pits, trenches, mining and other ways, were made day and night, until final surrender on July 4, 1863. On the same date was achieved the victory to Union arms in the great battle of Gettys- burg, and the backbone of the rebellion was broken, both east and west.
Immediately after the fall of Vicksburg, the larger part of the army was ordered to Jackson, Mississippi, to capture or drive off Johnston's army, which had been harassing the rear of Grant's troops during the siege, and in this movement the 67th also par- ticipated.
After the capture of Jackson and the retreat of JJohnston, Grant's forces returned to Vicksburg, and in due time the 13th Army Corps was ordered to the Gulf Department and all assembled at New Orleans and vicinity during the latter part of August.
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
In this department the regiment remained until the close of the war and participated in the two unfortunate Red River campaigns in western Louisiana. In the one in the fall of 1863, the regiment was again captured at the battle of Grand Coteau, November 3d, while acting as rear guard in the retreat of the division and away from supports but, after being held as prisoners of war until De- cember, the men were paroled and sent into the Union lines at New Iberia, Louisiana. on Christmas day, and were eventually ex- changed, after which the different detachments were again assem- bled at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In the spring of 1864, after returning from Matagorda, Texas, where the 67th had been sent on an expedition, they again partic- ipated in the second Red River expedition to Alexandria and be- yond. in western Louisiana, during which they were skirmishing and fighting almost daily in the months of April and May, partie- ipating in some twelve engagements during those months, and were in the retreat from Alexandria to the vicinity of New Orleans.
All prisoners who had been captured at Grand Coteau in No- vember, 1863, were exchanged and rejoined the regiment early in July, 1864, and on the 29th of July the regiment. with its brigade, under command of Gen. Gordon Granger, embarked on boats for the campaign of Mobile Bay, and, disembarking on Dauphine Island, at the mouth of the bay on the 3d of August, deployed across the island in the rear of the Confederate Fort Gaines, on extreme east point of the island, and by the usual tactics of rifle-pit approaches, until the evening of August 5th, when, after a heavy bombardment from the fleet and land forces, the troops made a charge all along the line and captured the works with its garrison, eannon, a large supply of small arms, ammunition and stores, with the loss of but one man killed and a number of wounded.
On the 6th, after the fall of Fort Gaines, the grand naval battle of Mobile took place in full view of the land troops. Admiral Far- ragut's fleet of monitors and naval vessels bombarded Fort Morgan and ran the batteries with the loss of one of his monitor fleet, with nearly all on board. The fleet passed the fort and captured the Confederate ram "Tennessee" and a number of other boats of the enemy, but one escaping.
take up its duties of citizenship and lasting peace in its own be-
On August 9th the land forees erossed over the bay on vessels of the fleet, out of range of guns of the fort, and, being deployed across the narrow strip of land above the fort, began the Vieksburg fashion of making approaches in regular siege to the fort. This
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SIXTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY.
was continued by sharpshooting and artillery by land, and bom- bardment by the fleet, until the night of the 23d, when, by a com- bined attack of bombardment for twelve hours by sea and land, Fort Morgan surrendered.
After resting here a few days, and at Fort Powell, on the oppo- site side of the bay, the regiment again embarked for New Orleans, arriving there on the 12th of September and disembarked at Al- giers, from where the regiment soon after moved by boat to Mor- ganza Bend, Louisiana. From this point the regiment participated in a number of expeditions and skirmishes during the fall.
On December 21, 1864, the regiment being decimated in num- ber by casualties, disease and discharges, orders were issued for consolidation of the 67th and 24th Indiana Regiments, and from that date to end of service, the 67th's companies composed the left wing of the 24th and were officially recognized as of that regiment.
In the winter of 1864 and 1865, preparations were made for ex- peditions for the capture of Mobile and defenses, and the part of the army to which the 67th was attached went by boat to Pensacola, Florida, where, soon after being assembled, they marched by land across the western Florida strip through Alabama, and reached Fort Blakely, on the east coast of Mobile Bay, opposite the city of Mobile. Here they entered a nine days' siege of these strong works, which were captured by a general assault along the lines for some six miles in extent, on April 9, 1865, being the last engagement of the 67th, and nearly the last battle of the war, as in April, through Confederate sources, the good news of Lee's surrender was made known.
Soon after the general surrenders the 67th made an expedition to Selma, Alabama, and from thence was ordered to Galveston, Texas, by boat, where the regiment was discharged July 19th, but was paid off and term of service ended August 4, 1865, at Indian- apolis, Indiana.
Having entered the service with over 1,000 enlisted men and officers, fought twenty-nine battles and in many skirmishes. trav- eled over nine Southern States, under fire 170 days, twice captured, paroled and exchanged, it returned with only 236 war-worn veter- ans of the number on its original enlistment rolls, to sever its con- nection with the armies of the Union, and return to civil life to loved State of Indiana.
The regiment lost during service 1 officer and 52 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded. and 2 officers and 194 enlisted men by disease ; total, 249.
INDIANA
Monument of 69th Infantry.
(Monument Tablet Inscription.)
1st BRIGADE 9th DIVISION 13th CORPS
69th INFANTRY
Colonel THOMAS W. BENNETT
Lieut. Col. ORAN PERRY
Engaged: Port Gibson, May 1; Champion's Hill, May 16; Big Black River Bridge, May 17; Assault, May 19; Assault, May 22. Duty at Big Black River Bridge, May 24-July 4. Casualties: Killed 16, wounded 72, missing 7, total 95; Major John H. Finley and Lieut. Henry Stratton mortally wounded.
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SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT INDIANA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS.
The 69th was organized at Richmond, Indiana, in July, 1862, and was mustered into the United States service August 19, 1862, under the following named officers:
William A. Bickle.
Colonel.
Job Stout ..
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Thomas S. Walterhouse
Major.
Oran Perry
Adjutant.
William M. Smith
Quartermaster.
Alvin L. Hobbs.
Chaplain.
David S. Evans.
Surgeon.
William B. Witt.
Assistant Surgeon.
Captain.
1st Lieutenant.
2d Lieutenant.
Co. A. John H. Finley,
Maberry M. Lacey,
George G. Garretson.
Co. B. David Nation,
David K. Williams,
Alvin M. Cowing.
Co. C. George H. Bonebrake,
John K. Martin,
John S. Way.
Co. D. John Ross,
Samuel J. Miller,
Jacob A. Jackson.
Co. E. Joseph L. Marsh,
Cornelius Longfellow,
Francis French.
Co. F. Lewis K. Harris,
Joseph R. Jackson,
George W. Thompson.
Co. G. Wilmington Wingett,
William Mount,
Cordon W. Smith.
Co. H. Frederick Hoover,
David Yount,
Hiram B. Brattain.
Co. I. Robert K. Collins,
Andrew J. Slinger,
John H. Foster.
Co. K. William Kerr,
Jesse Holton,
William G. Plummer.
The regiment left "Camp Wayne, " Richmond, August 20, 1862, 1,000 strong, under command of Lieut. Col. Job Stout, going to Lexington, Kentucky, via Indianapolis and Louisville, where it was assigned to Manson's Brigade, Army of Kentucky.
Kirby Smith's Confederate army of 30,000 to 40,000 was ad- vancing northward, with the intention of capturing Louisville and Cincinnati, and the advance troops of the Army of Kentucky, under General Manson, about 7,000 strong, met it at Richmond, Kentucky, where the Federal forces, after an all-day's battle, dur- ing which three stands were made, suffered a crushing defeat.
The 69th Regiment participated in this unfortunate battle, losing 20 per cent. of its strength in killed and wounded, and nearly all of the rest by capture. The prisoners were paroled a couple of days later and, under orders from the War Department, made their way back to "Camp Wayne" as soon as possible.
While in camp at Lexington, the colors of the 69th were placed in the hands of Eli Almon, Company C, who carried them through the battle until the third and last stand, when, realizing defeat, he slipped the flag from the staff and, concealing it under his clothes. made his escape through the lines of the enemy and turned up at "Camp Wayne" a few days later. The career of this color bearer was remarkable, from the fact that he carried the flag from the be-
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INDIANA AT VICKSBURG.
ginning of the service to the end without break of any kind, always on duty, never sick, never wounded, and it is probable it has no parallel in the service.
The paroled prisoners of the 69th were quickly exchanged and the regiment was fitted out for active service without delay.
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