Wednesday, July 29, 1863
Private James A. Cochran, was from Sangamon County and assigned to Company B. He drowned in the Mississippi River today.
Tuesday, July 28, 1863
Private Sylvanus W. Britton, died today in Memphis. He had been assigned to Company H and was from Claremont.
The 13th Army Corps was reorganized, with Major General Ord still in command.
The 130th Illinois was assigned to the Second Brigade of the 4th Division, commanded by General Stephen G. Burbridge. With them were the 77th Illinois, 97th Illinois, 48th Ohio, 19th Kentucky, and the Mercantile Battery of Chicago.
General A.J. Smith, who had been the division commander for over seven months, was sent north to assume new duties. However, he would cross paths with these troops again next year.
The 13th Army Corps was reorganized, with Major General Ord still in command.
The 130th Illinois was assigned to the Second Brigade of the 4th Division, commanded by General Stephen G. Burbridge. With them were the 77th Illinois, 97th Illinois, 48th Ohio, 19th Kentucky, and the Mercantile Battery of Chicago.
General A.J. Smith, who had been the division commander for over seven months, was sent north to assume new duties. However, he would cross paths with these troops again next year.
Monday, July 27, 1863
Corporal James M. Gum from Baden died at Memphis from wounds. He was assigned to Company E.
Sunday, July 26, 1863
Charles Johnson shared an amazing story about an accident on the Vicksburg riverfront:
At the wharf in front of Vicksburg were always a number of steamboats engaged in receiving and discharging cargoes. About 10 A.M. one day a terrific explosion was heard in the direction of Vicksburg, and looking toward the steamboat landing, an immense column of smoke and debris of all kinds was seen rising in the air; in a moment this spread out and looked precisely like a huge mushroom. It was at once conjectured that a
steamboat had blown up, and as a detail of men had been made from our regiment that morning for duty at the wharf, our surgeon at once called for the ambulance, and in this we drove rapidly to the scene of the accident, and upon arriving there found that a steamboat loaded with ammunition had blown up. Part of the ammunition consisted of concussion shells. A case of these, it was supposed, had fallen through the gangway from the deck of the steamer to the bottom of the hold, when an explosion followed that immediately involved all the ammunition on the boat.
Upon the wharf several dead bodies were seen lying upon the pavement, and all around were pieces of the boat and debris of all kinds that at the moment of explosion
had been thrown in every direction. A number were killed outright, some were seriously wounded, others mortally so, and several on the boat were blown out in the river and afterwards swam ashore, and thus escaped with their lives. One man from our regiment was instantly killed, and, although some eight or ten from the same organization were assisting in handling the ammunition, all but the one happened at the moment to be
on shore, and thus escaped.
Saturday, July 25, 1863
The weather was very hot, but the soldiers caught the occasional cool breeze off the nearby river. The men had tents or built small sheds and other shelters to protect them from the hot sun.
Their duties were light compared to the previous several months. Each company had drill at 7 o'clock in the morning, and dress parade at 6 o'clock in the evening. The rest of the time they enjoyed themselves as much as possible.
Their duties were light compared to the previous several months. Each company had drill at 7 o'clock in the morning, and dress parade at 6 o'clock in the evening. The rest of the time they enjoyed themselves as much as possible.
Thursday, July 23, 1863
Soon after their return to Vicksburg, the 130th regiment set up their camp on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, about two miles below the city. After several weeks of intense combat, they were now permitted to rest and recuperate for a time.
Sunday, July 19,1863
The men of the 130th, along with the other Union troops, began their long march back to Vicksburg. However, this time the march was at a much more leisurely pace, as they were not pursing their enemy.
They would again cross much of the same ground they fought for in mid-May, and pay their respects to their fallen comrades.
They would again cross much of the same ground they fought for in mid-May, and pay their respects to their fallen comrades.
Friday, July 17, 1863
The siege of Jackson progressed steadily over the last few days. There was the occasional attack by the Confederates or a charge by some part of the Union line. But the Union lines were drawing closer and closer around the Confederate works.
The Federals believed they would soon have the Confederates surrounded. General Johnston, fearing such a result, took the precaution to evacuate the city last night, and the Confederates crossed the Pearl River on the East and made their escape.
This morning the Union army realized their enemy had fled and so they marched into Jackson, and took formal possession.
The Federals believed they would soon have the Confederates surrounded. General Johnston, fearing such a result, took the precaution to evacuate the city last night, and the Confederates crossed the Pearl River on the East and made their escape.
This morning the Union army realized their enemy had fled and so they marched into Jackson, and took formal possession.
Monday, July 13, 1863
Private William Bentldy, from the 77th Illinois Infantry, described the siege this way:
The siege of Jackson began, properly on the 13th of July, our lines having been established the two preceding days. The Seventy-Seventh occupied a position supporting Gen. Lawler's Brigade. We were within easy range of the rebel guns, and the shells would crash through the trees and burst over our heads, and we would then hear the old familiar sounds, "lay down," "grab a root," etc.
Saturday, July 11, 1863
The Union forces continued to organize their lines around Jackson today. Also, the 130th Illinois Infantry conducted reconnaissance to Pearl River today.
Friday, July 10, 1863
The Union forces continued their pursuit of the Confederates, with an occasional skirmish at the front of the column. But there was no major battle. The Southerners reached Jackson and sought shelter with the city's defenses. Today the Northerners began organize their lines around the city.
Tuesday, July 7, 1863
The march resumed this morning. Soon the soldiers of the 13th Army Corps passed over the battle ground of Champion Hills where many of the regiments suffered heavy casualties just seven weeks earlier. They saw evidence of the May 16th battle from a perspective they could not see during the conflict.
While the 130th Illinois Infantry was not heavily involved in the Champion Hills battle, they surely felt the solemn mood of today's march. All around was evidence of the fierce conflict. Every tree, log and bush was scarred and torn up by the battle.
Many of the soldiers in the other regiments had friends and companions whose graves they searched fior to pay their last respects. All was quiet. The graves were arranged along the summit of the hill.
The battlefield was soaked with the blood of both armies. The Confederates lost nearly 6,000 in killed, wounded and missing. The Union loss was 429 killed, 1,842 wounded and 189 missing.
Tonight the regiments in the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Army Corps formed lines of battle, expecting an engagement in the morning, as the enemy was only a short distance in front of them. The line occupied by the Seventy-Seventh, was in a cornfield. The corn was in good roasting condition, and it was not long before the soldiers were enjoying their meal.
They then cut the corn stalks off at the roots and laid the stalks lengthwise in the furrows. It made a comfortable bed until the skies let loose with a downpour in the middle of the night. The boys of the 77th awoke to find the high water-mark about half-way up their sides. They pulled their bed and bedding out of the furrow and laid them on the corn row ridges where they tried to sleep for the rest of the night.
While the 130th Illinois Infantry was not heavily involved in the Champion Hills battle, they surely felt the solemn mood of today's march. All around was evidence of the fierce conflict. Every tree, log and bush was scarred and torn up by the battle.
Many of the soldiers in the other regiments had friends and companions whose graves they searched fior to pay their last respects. All was quiet. The graves were arranged along the summit of the hill.
The battlefield was soaked with the blood of both armies. The Confederates lost nearly 6,000 in killed, wounded and missing. The Union loss was 429 killed, 1,842 wounded and 189 missing.
Tonight the regiments in the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Army Corps formed lines of battle, expecting an engagement in the morning, as the enemy was only a short distance in front of them. The line occupied by the Seventy-Seventh, was in a cornfield. The corn was in good roasting condition, and it was not long before the soldiers were enjoying their meal.
They then cut the corn stalks off at the roots and laid the stalks lengthwise in the furrows. It made a comfortable bed until the skies let loose with a downpour in the middle of the night. The boys of the 77th awoke to find the high water-mark about half-way up their sides. They pulled their bed and bedding out of the furrow and laid them on the corn row ridges where they tried to sleep for the rest of the night.
Sunday, July 5, 1863
For forty-six long weary days and nights the men of the 130th Illinois Infantry participated in the siege on Vicksburg. They had charged upon the works, dug tunnels under the works, stood on the picket lines and worked in the trenches. Yet these men, along with the whole 9th, 13th, and 15th Army Corps, were not permitted to enter the city.
Instead, they they were again under marching orders. They expected to move yesterday morning at 6 o'clock, but for some reason the forward movement did not begin until this morning. By 8 o'clock the entire column was in motion.
The expedition, commanded by General Sherman, started after Confederate General Joe Johnston who, during the siege, had been threatening Grant from the rear and on the line of the Big Black River.
Under a broiling hot July sun the Union soldiers took up the line of march and followed the Confederates to Jackson, Mississippi. The weather was excessively hot and many of the men fainted and fell out of the column. They were not in marching shape, as they had not done any marching for the past several weeks. Also, water was very scarce.
William Wiley, from the 77th Illinois Infantry, recalled the difficult conditions they faced:
Instead, they they were again under marching orders. They expected to move yesterday morning at 6 o'clock, but for some reason the forward movement did not begin until this morning. By 8 o'clock the entire column was in motion.
The expedition, commanded by General Sherman, started after Confederate General Joe Johnston who, during the siege, had been threatening Grant from the rear and on the line of the Big Black River.
Under a broiling hot July sun the Union soldiers took up the line of march and followed the Confederates to Jackson, Mississippi. The weather was excessively hot and many of the men fainted and fell out of the column. They were not in marching shape, as they had not done any marching for the past several weeks. Also, water was very scarce.
William Wiley, from the 77th Illinois Infantry, recalled the difficult conditions they faced:
We were marched at a very rapid pace as Gen Sherman was trying to steal a march on Gen Johnson before he learned of the fall of Vicksburg. As the day got very hot and the road terribly dusty and water was very scarce and the boys being rather soft on the march after lying in the trenches around Vicksburg so long.The first part of column reached the spot selected for the camp around the middle of the afternoon, and the rest of the column continued to come in until midnight. They would spend tomorrow, July 6th, resting in this camp.
Saturday, July 4, 1863
After a siege of 46 days, Vicksburg surrendered this morning. At the agreed upon time of 10 o'clock, the various Confederate units moved outside and stacked their arms. Logan's division was the first to enter the city, and before noon the Flag of the United States flew over the Vicksburg courthouse.
The work of paroling the prisoners was completed as quickly as possible. The total amount of surrendered people and goods:
31,220 Prisoners captured in Vicksburg
5,000 Citizen Prisoners
1,500 Women and Children
18,000 Prisoners fit for duty
13,220 Sick and wounded Prisoners
188 Siege Guns
150 Field Pieces
300 Rounds of ammunition per gun
35,000 Stands of small arms (good)
30,000 Shot Guns, Squirrel Rifles, etc.
4,000 Tents
1,500 Mules
1,000 Horses
200 Freight Cars
30 Locomotives
The losses of the Union army during the siege, including the assaults on May 19 and 22:
763 killedThe Confederate reports of casualties are incomplete. Returns showed the losses from May 1 to July 3, as 1,260 killed, 3,572 wounded and 4,227 captured, though the whole number was probably close to 12,000.
3,746 wounded
162 missing
The fall of Vicksburg opened the Mississippi River to the Union Armies, and cut the Confederacy in half. Combined with Lee's defeat at Gettysburg today, July 4, 1863 marked the turning point in the fortunes of the Confederacy.
Friday, July 3, 1863
About 10 o'clock this morning white flags were displayed over the Confederate works and the hostilities along that portion of the line ceased. Soon General Bowen and Colonel Montgomery rode under another white flag towards the Union lines. They brought a letter from General Pemberton to General Grant, which proposed a truce and a meeting of three representatives from each army to arrange for the terms of Vicksburg's surrender.
These terms were subsequently modified to permit each brigade of the Confederate army to march to the front of the position occupied by it and stack arms, after which the men were to return to the inside of the works, where they were to remain until all were paroled.
General Grant replied that Pemberton could "stop the useless effusion of blood" at any time, by unconditionally surrendering the city. He guaranteed the Southern soldiers would be treated with all the respect due to prisoners of war. But he noted there was no need for a meeting of representatives to arrange for terms of capitulation, because he had no terms other than unconditional surrender.
With his letter of reply Grant also sent a verbal message, asking Pemberton to meet him between the lines at 3 o'clock, that afternoon.
At 3 o'clock a single shot from the Union batteries was answered by a reply from the rebel works. General Pemberton emerged slowly from his lines, and General Grant rode through an opening in the Union trenches. Other officers present were General McPherson and General A. J. Smith on the Union side and General Bowen and Colonel Montgomery representing the Confederates. At that meeting it was agreed a truce would continue as long as the discussions continued. General Grant promised to give Pemberton his final propositions by 10 o'clock tonight.
After the meeting Grant called his commanders together, and after consultation with them, sent a letter to Pemberton:
"In conformity with agreement of this afternoon I will submit the following proposition for the surrender of the city of Vicksburg, public stores, etc. On your accepting the terms proposed I will march in one division as a guard, and take possession at 8 a.m. tomorrow. As soon as rolls can be made out and paroles signed by officers and men, you will be allowed to march out of our lines, the officers taking with them their side arms and clothing, and the field, staff, and cavalry officers one horse each. The rank and file will be allowed all their clothing, but no other property. If these conditions are accepted, any amount of rations you may deem necessary can be taken from the stores you now have, and also the necessary cooking utensils for preparing them. Thirty wagons also, counting two-horse or mule teams as one, will be allowed to transport such articles as cannot be carried along. The same conditions will be allowed to all sick and wounded officers and soldiers as fast as they become able to travel. The paroles for these latter must be signed, however, whilst officers present are authorized to sign the roll of prisoners."
These terms were subsequently modified to permit each brigade of the Confederate army to march to the front of the position occupied by it and stack arms, after which the men were to return to the inside of the works, where they were to remain until all were paroled.
Wednesday, July 1, 1863
The Union forces exploded a mine today in a tunnel under the Confederate works. But no attempt was made to charge the works.
Rumors of the impending fall of Vicksburg began to spread through the Union lines. As the Fourth of July, the 87th anniversary of American Independence, drew nearer, a grand, final and successful assault would be made on the rebel works.
General Grant had learned from an intercepted message that General Johnston's was to create a diversion on July 7, in order to give the forces at Vicksburg a chance to cut their way out. Grant, therefore began to make plans for a full assault on the 6th.
By this time the covered tunnels had been run up close to the Confederate's works in a number of places. The tunnels were now being widened to permit the Union troops to pass through four abreast. Materials for crossing the ditches were also collected.
All this time a bombardment had been kept up on the city by the gunboats in the Mississippi River.
General Pemberton called on his division commanders today, asking for information "as to the condition of your troops, and their ability to make the marches and undergo the fatigues necessary to accomplish a successful evacuation." Two of the generals were outspoken in favor of surrender, and the other two expressed the opinion that any attempt to evacuate would prove a failure.
Rumors of the impending fall of Vicksburg began to spread through the Union lines. As the Fourth of July, the 87th anniversary of American Independence, drew nearer, a grand, final and successful assault would be made on the rebel works.
General Grant had learned from an intercepted message that General Johnston's was to create a diversion on July 7, in order to give the forces at Vicksburg a chance to cut their way out. Grant, therefore began to make plans for a full assault on the 6th.
By this time the covered tunnels had been run up close to the Confederate's works in a number of places. The tunnels were now being widened to permit the Union troops to pass through four abreast. Materials for crossing the ditches were also collected.
All this time a bombardment had been kept up on the city by the gunboats in the Mississippi River.
General Pemberton called on his division commanders today, asking for information "as to the condition of your troops, and their ability to make the marches and undergo the fatigues necessary to accomplish a successful evacuation." Two of the generals were outspoken in favor of surrender, and the other two expressed the opinion that any attempt to evacuate would prove a failure.
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