Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-11-05
THE FALL OF TICKSBURG.

day Telegraph. There are goodly num-
Der in this section, who in different regi-
ments participated in the scenes described
in this article, to whom a perusal of this
account will bring vividly back to mind
the stirring days of SO:
The capture of Vicksburg in 1868, was
the crowning glory of the war i'll the
Mississippi Valley. Wisconsin can proud
ly claim her full share in the laurels of
that achievement. Twelve of her best
regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and
three of her batteries were among the
legion of heroes who closed around that
stronghold. There were her Eighth,
Eleventh, Twelfth, Fourteenth, Seven
teenth, Eighteenth, Twentieth. Twenty
third Twenty--ffth, Twenty--seventh,
Twenty-ninth and Thirty third infantry;
her Second cavalry; her First, Sixth and
Twelfth batteries.
In the preliminary operations, the cap
ture of Arkansas Post was one of the
brilliant series of valorous deeds. Here
THE TwENTY-THIRD WISCONSIN
bore noble part Greeley records in his
American Conflict how it charged the
rebel right and dislodged the enemy
This regiment, was for its !gallantry here
highly complimented in general orders,
and as a tribute to it's gallant conduct, its
brigade commander Gen. Burbridge, was
appointed to plant the American flag up
ON the captured fort. In the battle of
Port Gibson, which resulted in a victory
which Grant, in his congratulatory order,
declared zone of the most important of
the war;
THE ELEVENTH WISCONSIN.
bore part which was honorably men
toned in general orders. The Twenty
third Wisconsin were there too, capturing
many prisoners.
THE TWENTY-NINTH WISCONSIN
was in the hottest of the fight; and, in
this, its first battle, its brigade comman-
der testified that its brave men Fought
like veterans
In that sweeping advance to gain the
rear of Vicksburg, the battle of Jackson
was fought. The
EIGHTH AND EIGHTEENTH
Wisconsin were in the charge that car
ried the town. The Eighth was one of
the first regime nts to enter, and was at
once appointed provost guard, compli-
ment to efficiency and discipline that reg
iments were proud to receive. Then fol-
lowed
CHAMPION HILLS.
Here the Twenty-third regiment sus-
tanned prominent part, rendering con-
spicuous and effective service on its part
of the field. The Twenty-ninth regiment
was here in Hovey's division. Says Gree
lev: "The credit of this victory devolves
on Hovey and his gallant division, which
was for hours closely engaged with superb
or numbers strongly posted and well COW
cred by dense forests, and who fought
gallantly and repeatedly crowded back
our line by the sheer weight of that which
opposed it." An eye witness, the war
correspondent of the Cincinnati Com
mercial, writes: Shortly after the COM
mencement of the general engagement,
the rebels brought battery of four to
bear upon the First brigade of Hovey's
division, and were inficting severe pun
ishment with it. Gen. McGinnis ordered
it charged. The Eleventh Indiana and
Twenty-ninth Wisconsin being in front
the hazardous task was assigned them.
They marched cautiously up high slope
to within rs yards of the guns, and then
made dash at the pieces. The rebel
gunners performed their duty manfully,
standing by their guns till they were
driven away with bayoners or dubbed
with muskets. The Eleventh and Twen-
ty-ninth were not to be driven back, how
ever, nor denied the object for which they
started"
The l29th Wisconsin in this famous
charge captured battery of brass pieces
stand of colors and 800 prisoners. And
Greeley exultingly records how Dillon's
SIXTH WISCONSIN BATTERY
strengthened Hovey's artillery on the
right, "and opened on the advancing foe
an enfilading fire that arrested and turned
them back under a tempest Of cheers
from our men,"
Next day our victorious army advanced
on the
BIG BLACK,
to find the enemy strongly posted there.
Here the Thirteenth corps won the day.
Here the First Wisconsin battery poured
its effective shot into the rebel position,
bravely disregarding the rebel shell which
exploded it's own caissons. Here the sto-
ry of the intrepid charge of the Eleventh
Wisconsin, and other regiments is best
told by the correspondent of the Cincin-
natl Commercial "The order he writes
"was given to the brigade command on
on the right to advance and charge the
enemy's works. The order was received
with shouts and cheers. The Twenty
first Twenty-second and Twenty-third
Iowa and Eleventh Wisconsin in Lawler's
brigade, were theIfrst to announce them
selves in readiness. The order, For
ward, was given and steadily and val
iantly the brave boys moved up to the as
sault The enemy crouched down behind
the breastworks A portion of them were
stationed in curtain ON the right of the
fort, whence they were able to get Cross
fire upon the column, reserved theirvolley
until we were within easy musket range
when they swept the advancing line with
their terrible fire. The brave boys lost
in that fearful volley $50 men, yet they
faltered not nor turned their steps back
ward. They waded the bayou delivering
II L. L ~ j, L l.