The National tribune., 1909-04-08
STEVENsON'S. BRIGADE.
Its Part in the Assault on vicksbur,

| Its Part In the Assault on tlckSDufS
Editor National Tribune: AS a friend
of the old soldiers. who are fighting
| their battles in season and out of sea-
son, in the halls of Congress as well as
| in private life, recording the history of
our past struggle for the preservation
of the Union, and in view of the very
correct account of the siege of Vicks-
burg, in McElroy's Opening of the
Mississippi" in which you paid just
tribute to and gave the Third Brigade
| fStevenson's), Third Division Logan's),
Seventeenth Corps, proper credit for
| the assault made on the rebel works
lust to the south of Jackson Road. i'm
mediately south of the location of the
Illinois Temple of Fame, our Third Bri-
gade having passed over the spot
where, under two large liveoak trees,
Grant and Pemberton met to arrange
the terms of surrender of Vicksburg,
and where was located the Surrender
Monument, I cannot imagine why you
should make the mistake you did in
the issue of your valuable paper of Jan.
Z, page z, under the heading, "The Sew
enteenth Corps" where, in answer to
inquiry of Drury Hall, Mokane, Mo-,
you say:
THE Third Brigade. Third Division,
Seventeenth Corps, was commanded by
Col. John D. Stevenson. and consisted
of the sth and S1st H., 7th Mo. and
32d Ohio. May %, 1863, it had come
up and taken its place in the lines
around Vicksburg, had 100 rounds of
ammunition issued to each man, and
received orders TO join with the Second
Brigade in a charge upon the works.
Later these orders wera countermand-
ed, and the brigade marched about two
sl<y 30 f1aa lAff md faH n
Osterhaus, and bivouacked in a ravine
on the west side of the road"
That the Third Brigade (Stevenson's)
was composed of the regiments named
is all right, as is also the issuing of 100
rounds of ammunition, but no further.
The Third Brigade took its position at
the head of the asSaulting column, the
7th Mo. in advance. supplied with seal
ing ladders. the S1st Ill. next in support
of the 7th Mo-. the balance of the bri-
gade following in support of the 7th
and S1st.
1 quote from Capt. Edmund New
some's History o. the S1st Ill. He says:
AT 10 a. m. we advanced on the
charge. The caEnons and mortars
shelled the forts and city. The 81st
Ill. and 7th Mo. were badly cut up, for
we advanced near to the forts, and the
artillery ceased firing. We had orders
not to fire until within their works. The
enemy poured shower OF lead upon
US from front and fianks. We retreat
| ed, leaving Col. Dollins and many 9TH
ers dead on the field. The 81st Ill. lost
| So wounded and IL killed, including,
| besides Col. Dollins, Lieut.. Warnock
and Lieut.. Farmer. Adjt Zebedee Ham
mock was mortally wounded; so was
Capt. Ward, of Co. D. The whole army
| had to draw back, for many were killed
all along the line.
During the hottest part of the fray,
when bullets were singing around, John
Foster, of Co. B. was resting his gun on
log, taking sight. intending to shoot.
When Capt. Hightower saw what he
| was doing he said: Don't shoot, John;
it is against ORDERS John begged:
-Oh. Captain, do let me shoot. Why,
just look at them standing up in full
view; / could hit 'em SO easily But
the Captain said No. and the Major
| said: Don't shoot, john Then John
| was mad. and swore and stamped and
| cried until the boys laughed at his i'm
| potent rage"
| Will you kindly correct your state
ment made in issue of the 7th inst, In
Justice TO the brave souls, Col ]. J..
| Dollins and his officers and men. who
lost their lives on that fatefuI day?-
J. j. Fitzgerrell. Adiutant, sfst Ill,
Apartardo Up. o. Box) 1868, City of
Mexico, Mexico.