USA > Ohio > Licking County > History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present > Part 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148
FIRST MUSTER IN ROLL OF COMPANY C., THIRTY- FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
I COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain John H. Putnam, September 14, 1861. First Lieutenant John H. McCune, September 14, 1861. Second Lieutenant Edward Ewing, 'September 14, 1861.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant George W. Hall, September 14, 1861. Sergeant Thomas J. Spencer, September 14, 1861. Sergeant Frank Frazer, September 14, 1861. Sergeant Frank Evans, September, 14, 1861. Sergeant Wesley H. Bell, September 14, 1861. Corporal William Carlisle, September 14, 1861. Corporal Benjamin Ditter, September 14, 1861. Corporal Lawrence Barrick, September 14, 1861. Corporal Samuel S. Southard, September, 14, 1861. Corporal Jacob H. Alspaugh, September 14, 1861. Corporal William Mitchell, September 16, 1861. Corporal James Hughes, September 22, 1861. Corporal Thomas Sessor, September 14, 1861.
Musician Charles C. Marsh, September 14, 1861. Wagoner Thomas Ricketts, September 14, 1861. PRIVATES.
John Alexandria, September, 14, 1861. James R. Atcherly, September 14, 1861. Judson Barstow, September 14, 1861. Henry Bishop, September 22, 1861. David Barrick, September 14, 1861. Samuel V. Bell, September 14, 1861. Leonidas F. Burch, September 14, 1861. William Buchanan, September 14, 1861. Homer C. Burch, September 14, 1861. Henry Balthis, September 14, 1861. P. V. Buskirk, September 14, 1861. David H. Barger, September 14, 1861. H. W. Conrad, September 14, 1861. Cornelius F. Coursen, September 15, 1861. Lewis Cooley, September 15, 1861.
John R. Dow, September 14, 1861. Charles Dean, September 23, 1861. Bazil Dove, September 14, 1861. John Dunlap, September 22, 1861. Charles Darlington, September 14, 1861 Ennis Dean, September 17, 1861. Chris Elibrand, September 14, 1861. Lerienus Frienur, September 14, 1861
Digitized by Google
10
310
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
Martin Franks, September 22, 1861. John Gassett, September 14, 1861. Nathan P. Gillian, September 14, 1861. Solomon Gearing, September 14, 1861. Almon Hough, September 14, 1861. Isaac W. Hull, September 14, 1861. James H. Hardin, September 14, 1861. James Harbaugh, September 14, 1861. George Haight, September 14, 1861. Thomas Holtsberry, September 14, 1861. Philander R. Hand, September 14, 1861. Spencer Holtsberry, September 14, 1861. Alfonso Ingle, September 22, 1861. John Jones, September 14, 1861. John C. Jacobs, September 14, 1861. Wesley Kindal, September 14, 1861. James R. Kelley, September 14, 1861. Edward Kitzmiller, September 14, 1861. Cyrus W. Leggett, September 14, 1861. Benjamin McFarlan, September 14, 1861. Philip Morgan, September 14, 1861. Isaac V. Milburn, September 14, 1861. Ira M. Marsh, September 14, 1861. Leroy C. McCracken, September 14, 1861. John R. McArthur, September 14, 1861. Hiram Mitchell, September 14, 1861. Amos Miner, September 22, 1861. Daniel Myers, September 23, 1861. Perry Moats, September 23, 1861. Luelyn Proctor, September 14, 1861. Albert Robinson, September 14, 1861. Samuel F. Stewart, September 14, 1861. William Spense, September 14, 1861. David Still, September 22, 1861. John Strader, September 23, 1861. Alson Thayer, September 14, 1861. John Tegarden, September 14, 1861. William Tuttle, September 14, 1861. Jonathan Taylor, September 20, 1861. William B. Thrall, September 20, 1861. James Uffner, September 14, 1861. William Vanosdale, September 14, 1861. John W. Vanallen, September 14, 1861. James Watson, September 14, 1861. Eli Wilkins, September 14, 1861. George Wharton, September 14, 1861. Anson B. White, September 18, 1861. William V. Parkerson, September 18, 1861. Theodore Worthen, September 23, 1861.
COMPANY G, FORTY-SIXTH OHIO VOLUNTEER IN- FANTRY .- This company was recruited in the west- ern part of the county, by Captain Philip A. Crow, and was mustered in with the regiment on the six- teenth of October, 1861. It left Camp Chase for the field February 18, 1862, and was attached to General Sherman's division at Paducah, Ken- tucky. The Forty-sixth was one of the advance regiments up the Tennessee to the famous battle-
ground of Shiloh, and on that memorable day was posted near the Shiloh church.
On Saturday, April 5th, companies B and K were on picket. During the night the enemy was feeling the Federal lines, and at daylight his col- umns were seen deploying in the distance.
At sunrise a rebel cavalry officer rode up within thirty yards of the picket line; checking his horse with apparent composure, inquired: "Are these Union pickets?" He was told they were, and or- dered to halt, but turning his horse rode for the woods, when the unerring rifle of Sergeant Glenn sped a ball through the officer's brain. Before the sun had set on that day Sergeant Glenn also lay stark and stiff on the bloody field.
The Forty-sixth Ohio stood the impetuous charge of the rebel hosts on that bright Sunday morning, and met with a loss of two hundred and eighty killed and wounded. The regiment remained upon the battle-field until the twenty-seventh of April, when it moved with the army upon Corinth.
In November the regiment started on a cam- paign through the interior of Mississippi, under General Grant.
In June, 1863, the Forty-sixth participated in the siege of Vicksburgh. On the fourth of July, after the surrender, the regiment moved toward Jackson, and in the evening halted in the vicinity of Big Black river.
Companies E and K were ordered forward to the ford at Birdsong's ferry, but they had been there only a short time when it was discovered that the enemy was on the opposite bank.
After several days fighting, the enemy was forced to evacuate the city, and the regiment returned to Big Black and went into camp.
On the tenth of October, the regiment, with the Fifteenth corps, under General Sherman, embarked for Memphis, and from there it marched to the re- lief of Chattanooga.
At the battle of Mission Ridge the regiment was engaged, with a heavy loss in killed and wounded. Immediately after this battle the regi- ment moved on the Knoxville campaign, and then went into winter quarters at Scottsborough, Ala- bama.
On the first of May, 1864, the regiment moved in the direction of Chattanooga, and thence to
Digitized by Google
311
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
Resaca, where it was actively engaged for three days, but with slight loss. The regiment then moved on to Dallas. On the twenty-seventh of May the rebels made an attack on our forces, but were repulsed. In the battle of New Hope Church, which occurred about the first of June, the Forty-sixth formed a conspicuous part, the ene- my being defeated. On the ninth of June, the brigade accompanied General Garrard's cavalry to the vicinity of Kenesaw, at which place severe skirmishing was engaged in, with considerable loss on both sides. The regiment arrived in the vicin- ity of Atlanta on the evening of the twentieth, and at that place was engaged in skirmishing until the twenty-second. At Ezra church the regiment was again engaged. On the third of August the brig- ade took up an advanced position, and the Forty- sixth, with details from other regiments, was ordered to drive in or to capture the enemy's out- posts. The contest was severe, but it resulted in the capture of about one hundred prisoners. From this time the regiment was constantly engaged in fighting until the twenty-sixth, when it took part in Sherman's flank movement to Jonesborough. On the second of September, the regiment was again engaged, and captured the enemy's fortified skirmish line. The regiment followed Hardee's retreating army and halted near Lovejoy's station. A hand-to-hand conflict followed, but finally the enemy was forced to retire, and the Forty-sixth captured about fifty prisoners." The regiment par- ticipated in the campaign against Hood in Georgia and Alabama, and returned to Atlanta on the fifth of November. It next proceeded to Savannah. Nothing extraordinary occurred until in the vicin- ity of Griswoldsville, when the brigade was ordered to move toward Macon. The advance soon came upon General Kilpatrick, who was engaging Wheel- er's cavalry. An infantry skirmish line soon dis- persed the cavalry and the brigade moved on. On the tenth of January, 1865, the regiment embarked on a steamer for Beaufort, South Carolina. On the twenty-seventh, it marched to Bentonville, thence to Raleigh, when the news of the surrender of Lee's army was received, and shortly after, at the same point, General Johnston surrendered to General Sherman. The regiment then proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was paid off and
mustered out on the twenty-second of July, 1865.
This regiment was famous for its fighting quali- ties during the war, and under the leadership of the gallant Colonel Walcutt made a record, during its term of service, that will adorn the brightest pages of history. Captain Crow resigned early in the war, and the company was commanded by other officers during its active service.
The records show a loss of killed among the Licking volunteers in this company of four men, but the loss must have been greater, considering the many engagements in which it participated.
MUSTER IN ROLL OF COMPANY G, FORTY-SIXTH REGIMENT, OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Philip A. Crow, September 28, 1861. First Lieutenant Charles E. Taylor, October 30, 1861. Second Lieutenant Hiram B. Wilson, October 12, 1861.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant David Stewart, October 23, 1861. Sergeant Harlow G. Johnston, November 11, 1861. Sergeant John B. Phinney, November 20, 1861. Sergeant Jasper Smith, October 30, 1861.
Sergeant James A. Newcomb, October 21, 1861. Corporal Thomas Tansy, October 12, 1861. Corporal William J. Gain, October 12, 1861.
Corporal John E. Evans, December 18, 1861.
Corporal William W. Miller, December 11, 1861. Corporal Alexander Mullen, December 3, 1861.
Corporal Addison Blain, November 1, 1861. Corporal Caleb Fish, October 21, 1861. Corporal David Rodenbarger, October 12, 1861.
Musician Thomas Pugh, October 12, 1861.
Musician Jacob Kissel, December 21, 1861.
Wagoner Jefferson Learn, October 12, 1861.
PRIVATES.
Lewis Bowman, October 12, 1861.
John W. Burton, October 21, 1861.
Edward Buckley, November 17, 1861.
John Besse, December 11, 1861.
Josiah Betheord, December 29, 1861.
E. Van R. Colton, October 7, 1861.
Charles Chamberlain, October 12, 1861.
James Clawson, October 28, 1861. David Cain, November 8, 1861. Joseph Campbell, October 12, 1861.
Waldo F. Davis, October 12, 1861. Milton Dixon, November 1, 1861. Franklin Flinn, October 12, 1861.
Heenan Fish, October 12, 1861. Henry Farnam, October 12, 1861. Joshua Gain, October 12, 1861. Isaac Golden, October 12, 1861. William Hutson, November 15, 1861. John Herrore, December 27, 1861.
Lamer B. Jones, December 9, 1861.
Digitized by Google
312
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
Thomas Jamieson, November 1, 1861. Moses Johnson, October 22, 1861. John King, October 12, 1861. Rufus Ketner, November 13, 1861. John Lepps, October 2, 1861. Peter Mckiever, October 12, 1861. William Maloy, October 12, 1861. John A. Moore, October 12, 1861. John Moore, October 12, 1861. Asa McCammack, October 12, 1861.
ยท Dallas Merchant, October 18, 1861. Bruce Murry, October 30, 1861. Joseph Mullen, October 21, 1861. Martin Van B. Mullen, October 21, 1861. Oliver Mullen, October 2, 1861. Levi Millington, October 19, 1861. Otis Millington, October 13, 1861. Samuel J. Miller, October 17, 1861. Christian May, October 15, 1861. Albert Pugh, October 12, 1861. William H. Patterson, October 12, 1861. John G. Paul, October 30, 1861. William Perry, December 27, 1861. Samuel Rees, October 12, 1861. David Riley, October 12, 1861.
George W. Stiner, October 12, 1861.
Richard Spindler, October 12, 1861. Joseph Smith, October 12, 1861.
Albert Smith, November 19, 1861.
Joseph R. Smith, December 13, 1861. Philip Sutton, October 22, 1861. William Skates, November 25, 1861.
William Sherman, October 2, 1861. Uray Thomas, November 21, 1861.
Daniel Van Tassel, October 21, 1861.
William Whaland, October 23, 1861.
Theodore Woodruff, December 5, 1861.
Joseph Wright, October 2, 1861. Levi Wagoner, December 13, 1861.
The following were transferred from this com pany to company K, January 3, 1862:
John S. Atwater, October 2, 1861.
John S. Bennett, November 26, 1861.
Chester Bethard, December 9, 1861.
Hezeriah Corbin, December 18, 1861.
Thomas Davis, November 8, 1861.
James H. Fairman, October 2, 1861.
David M. Pence, October 14, 1861.
Thomas J. Rice, October 18, 1861.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
HISTORY OF THE WAR CONTINUED.
THE SEVENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT OHIO INFANTRY-THE LICKING COUNTY REGIMENT-ITS GRAND MARCHES AND VICTO- RIES-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ITS OFFICERS-MUSTER IN ROLLS OF THE LICKING COUNTY COMPANIES.
I THIS regiment was familiarly known as the "Licking County Regiment." In the field it was poetically termed the "Licking Volunteers;" earn- ing its title from the fact that it never turned its back to the foe, and all through its long and event- ful service fortunately shared with the winning side many of the grandest victories of the war. The war had assumed such gigantic proportions when the President called for "five hundred thousand more," it became evident that Licking county must yield more of her sons, not in squads, not in com- panies, but a regiment of men must go forth to attest her patriotism and fidelity to the Union.
The government had educated a Newark boy in the profession of arms who had grown to man- hood. Ten long years had his sword been sheath- ed, and now many of his class-mates down in
"Dixie Land" had turned against the flag they had sworn to support.
Charles R. Woods realized this as the accepted time to act in the defence of his country.
He called upon the young men of his native county to follow him to the field. A local pride favored the project of organizing a county regi- ment. It was sometimes called a "family regi- ment." Two brothers were made colonel and lieutenant colonel; a brother-in-law was made ma- jor, and another brother-in-law made adjutant The venerable Ezekiel S. Woods was called the "Father of the Regiment." The adopted children in this grand old regiment soon learned in the field to honor, obey and respect the heads of the famity:
The Seventy-sixth regiment Ohio volunteer ing fantry was organized for three years' service, in
Digitized by Google
.
313
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
obedience to the call of the President of the United States of July 1861, for five hundred thou- sand men, and under the provisions of the follow- ing order:
HEADQUARTERS OHIO MILITIA. Adjutant General's Office,
Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1861.
Special Order No. 882.
Colonel Charles R. Woods is authorized to organize a regi- ment of infantry. The regiment shall be number Seventy-six ; and shall have its rendezvous at Camp Sherman, near Newark, Ohio. The regimental officers will be appointed and mustered as required by general orders of the war department. Should the regiment not be filled by the end of thirty days from this date, the companies may be assigned to other regiments at the discretion of the governor.
By order,
R. MASON,
Asst. Adjutant General, Ohio.
The detachment of recruits enlisted by Thad- deus Lemert-who was commissioned a second lieutenant to raise a company, October 5, 1861- was assigned to this regiment and went into camp Sherman forty-one in number. The company was filled November 1, 1861 (Thaddeus Lemert com- missioned captain, Beverly W. Lemert first lieu- tenant, Simeon B. Wall second lieutenant), and designated as company A.
Joseph M. Scott, commissioned a second lieu- tenant October 8, 1861, filled his company Novem- ber 12th, and was appointed captain, Ira P. French first lieutenant, and John R. Miller second lieuten- ant. The company was designated as company B.
Levi P. Coman, commissioned a second lieuten- ant October 8, 1861, filled his company December 4th and was appointed captain, John S. Anderson first lieutenant, and John W. Gray second lieu- tenant. The company was designated as compa- ny C.
Charles H. Kibler, commissioned a second lieutenant the seventh day of October, 1861, filled his company December 16th, and was appointed captain, I. Newton Hempsted first lieutenant, and Reason C. Strong second lieutenant. The com- pany was designated as company D.
Joseph C. Wehrle, commissioned a second lieutenant October 7, 1861, filled his company December 16th and was appointed captain, Mich- ael R. Maher first lieutenant, and Charles Luther second lieutenant. The company was designated as company E.
Strew M. Emmons of New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio, commissioned a second lieutenant October 9, 1861, and James H. H. Hunter of Wellsville, Columbiana county, commissioned a second lieutenant October 13, 1861, formed a junction with their detachments and organized a company December 18, 1861. Strew M. Em- mons was appointed captain, James H. H. Hunter first lieutenant, and Freeman Morrison second lieutenant. The company was designated as com- pany F.
James Stewart, commissioned a second lieuten- ant October 15, 1861, filled his company January 7, 1862, and was appointed captain, Jehile T. Wintrode first lieutenant, and Richard W. Burt second lieutenant. The company was designated as company G.
Richard W. Burt, who was commissioned a sec- ond lieutenant failed to raise the number of men required to hold his commission. His men were assigned to company G, and he having enlisted in the same company was elected second lieutenant.
Lucien H. Wright was commissioned a second lieutenant October 9, 1861. Having failed to fill his company, the detachment was augmented by transfers from lieutenant William S. Wright's de- tachment. Jerome N. Rappleyea first lieutenant and adjutant, was appointed captain, John A. Dill first lieutenant, January 24, 1862, and Lucien H. Wright second lieutenant. The company was des- ignated as company H.
Edward Briggs, of Massillon, Ohio, was ap- pointed a second lieutenant October 3, 1861, to raise a company in the Sixty-first regiment Ohio volunteers. The company was organized Novem- ber 27, 1861. Edward Briggs captain, James M. Blackburn first lieutenant, and John H. Hardgrove second lieutenant, and was designated as company B. The company was transferred to the Seventy- sixth Ohio volunteers, February 3, 1862, and desig- nated as company I.
James M. Jay, of Canton, Ohio, commissioned a second lieutenant October 15, 1861, filled his company by transfers from Lieutenant William S. Wright's detachment February 7, 1862, and was appointed captain, David R. Kelley first lieutenant, and Mark Sperry second lieutenant. The company was designated as company K.
Digitized by Google
314
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
William S. Wright, commissioned a second lieu- tenant November 19, 1861, resigned February 6, 1862, and his detachment was assigned to compa- nies H. and K.
Milton S. Moore, commissioned a second lieu- tenant October 15, 1861, resigned, and was appointed sergeant major February 7, 1862. His detachment was assigned to company H.
William Beaumont, commissioned a second lieutenant January 17, 1862, resigned February 7, 1862, not having the required number of recruits.
Charles R. Woods, captain in the Ninth United States infantry, was detached from the regular army, appointed colonel October 7, 1861, and placed in command of the Forty-fourth regiment Ohio in- fantry October 12, 1861. He served about one month in western Virginia, and returned to Camp Sherman, Ohio, to complete the organization of the Seventy-sixth Regiment.
William B. Woods was commissioned lieutenant colonel November 4, 1861, and commenced the work of organizing and drilling the new regiment at Camp Sherman.
Willard Warner was commissioned major of the regiment December 28, 1861.
Charles R. Pierce was appointed surgeon Janu- ary 9, 1862, and Thomas B. Hood, assistant sur- geon November 6, 1861.
Henry D. Wright, appointed first lieutenant in Seventy-fifth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, Sep- tember 18, 1861, was transferred to the Seventy- sixth regiment and appointed quartermaster Octo- ber 14, 1861.
Jerome N. Rappleyea was discharged from the Ninth United States infantry and commissioned first lieutenant November 25, 1861, and appointed adjutant of the Seventy-sixth regiment December 24, 1861.
Rev. John W. McCarty was appointed chaplain of the regiment December 16, 1861.
During the organization of the regiment the men were daily drilled in squad, company and battalion drill, and in the duties of the sentinel and soldier. Through the military knowledge and experience of Colonel Woods, and the efficiency and energy of Lieutenant Colonel Woods, both officers and men made rapid advancement. The men were first armed with the French musket, which was after-
ward exchanged for the Springfield rifled musket.
The regiment left Newark for the field on the ninth of February, 1862, and within six days was in line of battle, at Fort Donelson. Here it did effective service. At a critical moment when the enemy attempted to break our lines, the officers and men behaved gallantly under the first fire. On the sixth of April the regiment made a forced march from Adamsville-where it occupied a posi- tion on the right of General Grant's army, in Wal- lace's division-to the battle-field of Shiloh. On the seventh it participated in that sanguinary en- gagement from early morn until the enemy were in full retreat at night. During the siege at Corinth the regiment occupied a position in the grand re- serve and performed good service. On one occa- sion it made a gallant charge and drove a rebel outpost from its position. After the evacuation of Corinth the regiment moved to Memphis, thence by river to Helena, where it joined General Curtis' army of the southwest. In August, 1862, it formed part of an expedition down the river to Vicksburgh, under the command of Colonel Woods, and sur- prised the Thirty-first Louisiana regiment at Milli- ken's Bend, capturing its camp with forty prisoners It also captured Haine's Bluff, on the Yazoo river, taking four siege guns, two field pieces, and a large amount of ammunition. The rebel steamer Fair- play, with six thousand stand of new arms, was also captured by the expedition under Colonel Woods. In October the regiment moved from Helena to St. Genevieve, Missouri, and thence to Pilot Knob, where the health of the men was re- cuperated. The loss up to this time, by disease and death, had been heavy. In December the Seventy-sixth formed a part of General Sherman's expedition against Vicksburgh, being assigned to Hovey's brigade, of Steele's division, and it partic- ipated in that disastrous attack at Chickasaw Bayou. The depression among the men occasioned by this failure was soon dissipated by the glorious victory at Arkansas Post in January, 1863, where the Seventy-sixth bore a conspicuous part. In the charge on the enemy's rifle-pits at that place, the officers and men of the regiment behaved most gallantly, holding their ground against the concen- trated fire of three rebel regiments and two pieces of artillery, and not being properly supported, the
Digitized by Google
315
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY.
regiment only held its ground at the point of the bayonet. The brave Captain Thaddeus Lemert fell here, together with many gallant men. In February, 1863, the Ohio legislature passed a joint resolution tendering thanks to the Seventy-sixth regiment, with others, for gallantry and good con- duct at the capture of Arkansas Post.
The regiment again moved down the Mississippi river to Young's point, and joined Grant's army in its operations about Vicksburgh, working vigorous- ly on the canal across the isthmus. In April it took part in the expedition down Deer creek, and routed the enemy under Colonel Ferguson, return- ing to the river with large supplies of forage, horses, and mules. In May the Seventy-sixth moved with the Fifteenth corps, commanded by General Sherman, around to the rear of Vicks- burgh, skirmished at Fourteen Mile creek, and struck Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, on the fifteenth of May. Here it performed quick and effective work in destroying the railroad and bridge across Pearl river. From thence, with rapid marches, the army closed around the doomed city of Vicksburgh, the Seventy-sixth occupying a posi- tion on the extreme right, next the river. For forty-six days it skirmished and besieged, burrowed and mined through the intricate approaches to that stronghold, and at last rejoiced in the victory on Independence Day, when our flag was proudly flung out over that last barrier to the Gulf. But the pleasures of a release from protracted siege operations were not to be long enjoyed; anticipa- tions of rest and quiet in camp were cast aside to face the stern duty in the field. The sun that set on that glorious day of victory, rose to find the regiment faced about and tramping through dust and heat towards the rebel chieftain Johnson, who had hung on our rear. Rapid strides and hard knocks drove him into the capital-Jackson-and a steady hammering drove him thence and scattered his forces towards the center of the confederacy.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.