BGuthrie Photos: MS -- Vicksburg Natl Military Park -- Other

MS -- Vicksburg Natl Military Park -- Other:

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Copyrights: All pictures were taken by amateur photographer Bruce Guthrie (me!) who retains copyright on them. Free for non-commercial use with attribution. See the [Creative Commons] definition of what this means. "Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie" is fine for attribution. (Commercial use folks including AI scrapers can of course contact me.) Feel free to use in publications and pages with attribution but you don't have permission to sell the photos themselves. A free copy of any printed publication using any photographs is requested. Descriptive text, if any, is from a mixture of sources, quite frequently from signs at the location or from official web sites; copyrights, if any, are retained by their original owners.

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. VICKCW_070126_010.JPG: Siege of Vicksburg: Vicksburg Fortifications: The recreated works before you are similar to the Confederate fortifications that helped defend Vicksburg in the summer of 1863. Designed and constructed under the supervision of Major Samuel Lockett, the Confederate fortifications of Vicksburg extended for more than eight miles and formed a huge semi circle around the city with both flanks resting on the Mississippi River above and below Vicksburg. The line consisted of nine major forts, referred to as Redans (triangular shaped), Redoubts (rectangular shaped), and Lunettes (crescent shaped). The forts were made of earth and logs and connected by a line of trenches and rifle pits. Known as "The Gibraltar of the Confederacy," Vicksburg's fortifications were manned by 30,000 troops, mounted 170 cannons, and posed the major obstacle to Union domination of the Mississippi River. Union Approaches: Union troops, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, stormed the city's defenses on May 19 and 22, 1863, only to be driven back with heavy loss. Resorting to siege operations, Grant slowly extended his lines, cutting the Confederates off from all supply and communication with the outside world. Federal soldiers then dug thirteen approaches (known as saps), the object of which was to reach Confederate lines. Although two mines were exploded beneath the Third Louisiana Redan on Jackson Road (tour stop #3), the fortifications held firm until Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton surrendered the city and its Confederate garrison on July 4, 1863.
2. VICKCW_070126_108.JPG: Shirley House Stabilization: The Shirley House as it appeared when the park was established in 1899. First restored by the government in 1902, the building is now a hollow shell in need of restoration. The structure before you was built in the late 1830s by Nicholas Cray and named "Wexford Lodge" in honor of his native county in Ireland. During the Civil War, it was the home of Judge James and Adeline Shirley and is thus known today as the "Shirley House." During the Siege of Vicksburg, the building was the most conspicuous structure on the battlefield and soldiers in blue and gray referred to it simply as the "White House." The Shirley family was forced from their home during the siege as the house was riddled by solid shot and shell. The building was so badly damaged during the siege that the family never again occupied its rooms. Purchased by the government for inclusion in the park, the Shirley House was restored to its original splendor in 1902 and used over the years as park headquarters or as a residence for staff members. Vacant since the mid-1960s, the building is again in need of restoration. Initial stabilization of the structure will consist of a new roof and window sashes, replacing missing window panes, and bracing of support beams. Stabilization of the structure will gain time to finalize plans and secure funding for restoration. Once restored, the home will be open to the public and once again be the most conspicuous structure on the battlefield. Although the Shirleys were both northern born, their three children, Frederick, Alice, and Quincy, were all born in Vicksburg. The Shirleys owned twenty-five slaves and and [sic] made Wexford Lodge the center of a successful farm. Upon the secession of Mississippi, the Shirleys, who remained ardent supporters of the Union, kept to themselves for safety. During the siege of Vicksburg, the family fled first to a cave located in the ravine to your right, and then to an empty slave cabin several miles away. The house -- badly damaged by shot and shell -- was later converted by the Union army to a smallpox hospital. In 1864 it was abandoned altogether. This house and 60 acres were sold to the Federal Government in 1900 by Alice Shirley Eaton. James and Adeline are interred behind the house.
3. VICKCW_070126_113.JPG: Wexford Lodge (Shirley House) Built in the late 1830s, Wexford Lodge is the only surviving wartime structure in the park. Better known as the Shirley House, the building was the home of James and Adeline Shirley. Although they were both of northern birth, their three children, Frederick, Alice, and Quincy, were all born in Vicksburg. The Shirleys owned twenty-five slaves and and [sic] made Wexford Lodge the center of a successful farm. Upon the secession of Mississippi, the Shirleys, who remained ardent supporters of the Union, kept to themselves for safety. During the siege of Vicksburg, the family fled first to a cave located in the ravine to your right, and then to an empty slave cabin several miles away. The house -- badly damaged by shot and shell -- was later converted by the Union army to a smallpox hospital. In 1864, it was abandoned altogether. This house and 60 acres were sold to the Federal Government in 1900 by Alice Shirley Eaton. James and Adeline are interred behind the house.
4. VICKCW_070126_117.JPG: Shirley House
5. VICKCW_070126_141.JPG: U.S. Logan's Approach On the line of Logan's approach to the Confederate Third Louisiana Redan: carried to this point, June 6. Trench 8 feet wide, 7 feet deep, with parapet and timber loop-holed for sharpshooters.
6. VICKCW_070126_142.JPG: Union Position Tablet John E. Smith's Brigade: Assault, May 22, 1863. This brigade was ordered to assault the Confederate Third Louisiana Redan on north side of Jackson Road. The 31st and 124th Illinois Regiments were deployed as sharpshooters. About 10 a.m. the 23d Indiana advanced by the flank, in quick time with fixed bayonets, followed by the 20th Illinois. The leading regiment advanced to within about 100 yards of the redan, filed right and marched in the new direction until its left cleared the road. It found, in its front, a deep ravine covered with a heavy abatis, and was ordered to retire by companies. The 20th Illinois advanced on the road close to the salient angle of the redan, turned obliquely to the left and found shelter on the slope of the ridge in front of the Confederate intrenchment. At 2 p.m. the 45th Illinois, under command of Major Luther H.Cowen, advanced on the road, by the flank with fixed bayonets, supported by the 20th Ohio of the Second Brigade. The leading regiment advanced close to the salient angle of the redan, filed obliquely to the left and found shelter on the slope of the ridge, immediately in rear of the 20th Illinois. Both regiments remained in the positions gained until the evening of the 23d, when they retried, under orders. The 20th Ohio was not ordered forward. This tablet marks the place where Major Cowen was killed at the head of his regiment. Casualties: 20th Illinois, wounded 23: 31st Illinois, killed 3. wounded 21, total 24. Capt. Horace L. Bowyer mortally wounded; 45th Illinois, killed 1, wounded 10, missing 2, total 22. Major Luther H. Cowen killed; 124 Illinois, wounded 2: 23d Indiana, killed 3, wounded 7, total 10. Lieut Christian G. Zulauf killed: Aggregate, killed 7, wounded 72, missing 2, total 81.
7. VICKCW_070126_147.JPG: The Mine Explosion: After weeks of digging with picks and shovels, Union fatigue parties reached the Third Louisiana Redan before you. Excavating a tunnel underneath the fort, the Federals planted 2,200 pounds of black powder, and detonated the mine on the afternoon of June 25, 1863. In a column of flame and dirt, men, wagons, mules, and artillery were blown skyward. Union soldiers, led by the 45th Illinois Infantry, surged into the crater and attempted to exploit the breech in the Confederate works. Fighting raged for 26 hours before the Union assault was driven back. A second though smaller mine was exploded on July 1, seven blacks who were working in countershafts were buried. One slave was blown clear and landed behind Union lines. When asked how high he had gone, he replied "about 3 miles." He became known as the man who was blown to freedom. No infantry assault followed this explosion. Three days later on July 4, Grant and a portion of his victorious army marched in along the Jackson Road, to your left, and took possession of Vicksburg and thus pocketed the key to Union victory.
8. VICKCW_070126_148.JPG: U.S. Logan's Approach: End of Logan's approach to the Confederate Third Louisiana Redan: carried to this point, June 22, and a gallery for a mine begun next day. The gallery carried 40 feet to the front and a mine at its head. Charge with 2200 pounds of powder, fired about 3:30pm, June 25. Another gallery was started from a covered gallery constructed in crater made by explosion, and the mine at its head fired the afternoon of July 1.
9. VICKCW_070126_150.JPG: Union Position Tablet. Affair of the Crater: June 25-26, 1863. A mine at the head of Logan's Approach to the Third Louisiana Redan, was begun on June 23, finished the forenoon of June 25, and charged with 2200 pounds of powder. Leggett's (1st) Brigade of Logan's (3rd) Division, 17th Corps, occupied the trenches, under orders to assault. The mine was fired about 3:30 p.m. and, before the smoke had cleared away, the 45th Illinois, at the head of the column, occupied the crater made by the explosion and opened fire on the Confederates behind the parapet across the gorge of the redan. The 20th Illinois relieved the 45th and was relieved by the 31st Illinois. The 56th Illinois relieved the 31st and was relieved by the 23d Indiana. The 17th Iowa relieved the 23d Indiana and was relieved by the 31st Illinois at 2 a.m. of the 26th. The 45th Illinois relieved the 31st at daylight, and was relieved by the 124th Illinois at 10 a.m.; that regiment held the position until 5 p.m., when fighting ceased in the crater. Hand grenades were freely used on both sides. Shells with lighted fuses, used as grenades by the Confederates, were, in some instances, thrown back before they exploded. This tablet marks the part of the crater nearest the Confederate parapet across the gorge of the redan. Casualties: 20th Illinois, killed 2, wounded 7, total 9: 31st Illinois, killed 7, wounded 27, total 34. Lieut. Col. John D. Rees and Capt. Levi B. Casey mortally wounded; 45th Illinois, killed 8, wounded 62, total 70. Capt. Leander B. Fisk, Acting Major, killed, Lieut. Col. Melancthon Smith mortally wounded: 124th Illinois, killed 6, wounded 49, total 55, Lieut. Julius A. Pratt killed: 23d Indiana, killed 8, wounded 31, total 39. Capt. William M. Darrough mortally wounded: aggregate in First Brigade, Third Division, from May 23 to July 4, inclusive, killed 31, wounded 176, total 207, largely in crater. All officers named (except Capt. Darrough, wounded July 1) killed or mortally wounded in that affair. 56th Illinois, killed 4, wounded 13, total 17, Lieut. Andrew E. Walbright killed: 17th Iowa, killed 3, wounded 34, total 37: Aggregate in second Brigade, Seventh Division, killed 7, wounded 47, total 54, all in crater.
10. VICKCW_070126_154.JPG: The area where a mine was blown up
11. VICKCW_070126_189.JPG: Jackson Road
12. VICKCW_070126_220.JPG: Ewing's approach
13. VICKCW_070126_267.JPG: U.S. Thayer's Approach. The trench for Thayer's approach to the Confederate work in his front was started about May 30, 1863, on the north side of this ridge, through which it was carried by a tunnel, preserved by the brick arch. The trench across the ravine to the foot of the spur south of this marker, about 6 feet wide and 6 feet deep, was covered by a blinding of bundles of cane laid across it and affording protection against rifle balls. The Confederates did not use artillery against this blinding. When the trench reached cover at base of spur two lines of approach were started and these lines united on top of the spur to form one approach.
14. VICKCW_070126_271.JPG: The tunnel for Thayer's approach.
15. VICKCW_070126_278.JPG: Thayer's men, after passing through the tunnel, would then have to scale this rise
16. VICKCW_070126_328.JPG: River batteries
17. VICKCW_070126_346.JPG: A Negotiated Surrender: At 3 o'clock on the hot afternoon of July 3, 1863, General John C. Pemberton and General Ulysses S. Grant met here to discuss the surrender of Vicksburg. Although the generals failed to come to terms at this meeting, an exchange of letters late that night resulted in acceptable terms. The city and its garrison were surrendered by Pemberton on July 4. The fall of Vicksburg marked a turning point in the war as it gave the North undisputed control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in two. The original monument erected by Union occupation forces occupied this site from 1864-1867. The marble shaft was one of the earliest monuments ever placed on a Civil War battlefield. Surrender interview between Generals Pemberton and Grant, July 3, 1863. The 42-pounder cannon marked this site from 1867-1940. The restored cannon was returned here in 1990. Hon. John C. Pemberton III and Col. Ulyssess S. Grant III, grandsons of the army commanders at Vicksburg, taken on May 22, 1937.
18. VICKCW_070126_355.JPG: Surrender site
19. VICKCW_070126_405.JPG: Union Approach Trenches: TO reach Fort Garrott, Union fatigue parties, working under cover of darkness, dug the approach trenches you see before you. After connecting the two approaches, the diggers inched forward behind sap rollers (giant barrels covered with cane) to within 10 yards of the fort before the surrender of the city ended all action.
20. VICKCW_070126_433.JPG: South Fort
21. VICKCW_070126_470.JPG: Louisiana Circle
22. VICKCW_070126_473.JPG: The Widow Blakeley
23. VICKCW_070126_491.JPG: The Widow Blakely: Because it was the lone Blakely rifled cannon in all the Vicksburg defenses, the Confederate soldiers called this 7.44-inch gun, "The Widow Blakely." During the siege, it was mounted about 1 mile north of its present position. On May 22, 1863, the "Widow" was manned by a detachment of Company H, 1st Louisiana Heavy Artillery, Lt. A.L. Slack, commanding the detail. In that day's action against Union gunboats, one of the "Widow Blakely's" own shells exploded in its muzzle. Later, the Confederates cut away the damaged end and used the gun as a mortar. After the war, "The Widow Blakely" spent 96 years on display at the U.S. Military Academy's Trophy Room.
24. VICKCW_070909_45.JPG: Confederate Position Tablet Third Louisiana Redan, on Left of Jackson Road. This redan was held, May 22, 1863, and the assaults of the Union force repulsed, by the Third Louisiana, with the 43d Mississippi on its left. The casualties cannot be accurately stated. A Union mine was fired under the redan the afternoon of June 25, almost destroying its front parapet, making a crater in its terreplain, but not injuring a parapet across its gorge. It was then held by the 3d Louisiana, supported by the 6th Missouri, with the 38th Mississippi on the right and the 43d Mississippi on the left. The Union force assaulted immediately after the mine was fired, occupied the crater and attempted to carry the parapet across the gorge of the redan, but was repulsed. Col. Erwin, 6th Missouri, at the head of some of his men, attempted a counter-charge and was killed on top of the parapet. The Union force in the crater was successively relieved by fresh troops. The fighting continued all night and most of the next day, and the position was firmly held. Hand grenades, and shells with lighted fuses in place of grenades, were freely used on both sides. After dark of the 25th, the 5th Missouri reinforced this position. Casualties: 3d Louisiana, killed 6, wounded 21, total 27: 38th Mississippi, killed 1, wounded 3, total 4: 43d Mississippi, killed 6 (buried by firing of mine), wounded 5, total 11: 5th Missouri, killed 1, wounded 7, total 8: 6th Missouri, killed 3, wounded 22, total 25, Col. Eugene Erwin and Lieut W.S. Lipscomb killed; Aggregate, killed 17, wounded 58, total 75. The 2d Missouri was moved to this position the night of June 26, and the 1st and 4th Missouri (Consolidated) the evening of July 1. In the afternoon of that day a second mine was fired under the redan, almost completely destroying both its faces and materially damaging the parapet across its gorge, but no assault was made by the Union force. Lieut Col. Pembroke S. Senteny, 2d Missouri, and Lieuts. John T. Crenshaw and John Roseberry, 6th Missouri, were killed-Lieut. Crenshaw being buried by the firing of the mine.
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