Chapter 10
“Let Us Get Vicksburg”
Critics, who wanted a more aggressive plan to win the war, derisively called Scott’s strategy the Anaconda Plan, after the snake that slow strangles its victims. Many in the North believed that only a quick invasion of the seceded states would end the rebellion; others hinted that Scott’s plan was part of a treasonous reluctance on the part of the general-in-chief to invade his native Virginia.1
Vicksburg, a town of 4,600 people (including 1,400 slaves), sat high on bluffs 200 feet above the Mississippi. In January 1863, after almost two years of bloody conflict, the town remained firmly in Confederate hands and its guns controlled the river’s vital traffic. Northern cities upriver that had depended upon commerce from river transportation suffered as a result. The 1862 grain harvest in the Midwest had broken all records, but the inability to move the product south to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond crippled the Midwestern agricultural community. Pressure on the Lincoln administration to take Vicksburg and open the river increased. Lincoln fully understood the need to take Vicksburg from both a military and an economic perspective. “Let us get Vicksburg and all that country is ours,” the president confirmed. “The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket.” General Halleck agreed, adding that control of the Mississippi was “worth to us forty Richmonds.”2
The South, too, had long recognized Vicksburg’s importance. Confederate President Davis, himself a Mississippi native, called it “the nailhead that held the South’s two halves together.” It, together with Port Hudson about 100 miles farther south, prevented free Union use of the river and severely hampered the Union war effort.3
In the fall of 1862, Davis reorganized his command structure in the Tennessee-Mississippi theater and installed Gen. Joseph Johnston as head of the sprawling Department of the West. Johnston had been wounded just outside Richmond at the Battle of Seven Pines on May 31, 1862, and Davis used the opportunity to elevate Gen. Robert E. Lee to take command of the army in his place. Johnston nursed a number of grudges against Davis for a variety of reasons, including his denial of his proper military seniority at the beginning of the war.4
Davis also selected Lt. Gen. John Pemberton to lead the defense of Vicksburg. A Philadelphia native, Pemberton gained entry into Southern society when he married a wife from Virginia. Ironically, the campaign for Vicksburg would pit a native of the North against Ulysses Grant, a man whose wife’s family held slaves and who himself had, at one point, owned a slave.5
President Davis was concerned about his native Mississippi and Vicksburg during the winter of 1862-63 and seriously considered shifting troops from Lee’s army west to support Vicksburg. Lee balked at the suggestion, and later argued (successfully) for the reinforcement of his own army to move north into Pennsylvania as the best way to help relieve the growing pressure against Vicksburg. His raid north would end unsuccessfully at Gettysburg.6
When Pemberton reached Vicksburg, he found that work was well underway in an effort to make the city impregnable to attack. Once completed, the Vicksburg line stretched for eight miles, anchored on the Mississippi River above and below the city. It included nine earthen forts and extensive trenches and rifle pits, all placed with particular attention to where the Southern Railroad of Mississippi and various roads crossed the lines. Trees were cut down to leave a clear field of fire, and artillery studded the line. Pemberton had roughly 30,000 troops to garrison the defenses and operate against any Union force that moved against him. Swampy ground surrounded most of the city and made maneuvering difficult for any large body of troops. Only the eastern side, where the railroad ran between the city and the state capital at Jackson, invited approach by the enemy.7
In late 1862, the Union made its own series of command changes. General Grant was elevated to command the newly created Army of the Tennessee, an army that consisted of four corps: Sherman led the XV, McClernand the XIII, Stephen Hurlbut the XVI, and James B. McPherson the XVII. The latter commander, McPherson, was an 1853 graduate of West Point and a personal favorite of both Grant and Sherman. He had rocketed through the ranks, rising from lieutenant to major general in a little more than a year. Josiah and his men would serve under McPherson in Brig. Gen. John D. Stevenson’s brigade, Maj Gen. John A. Logan’s division, XVII Corps.8
After the action at Corinth, Grant began to plot his attempt to capture Vicksburg. The Union campaign against Vicksburg had begun in 1862, when Union troops under Gen. Thomas Williams attempted to dig a canal across the base of DeSoto Point on the opposite side of the river. The goal was to create a navigable waterway that would bypass the city’s array of commanding gun emplacements and allow the Union navy to move downriver. In addition to the Union soldiers on the project, Williams used “between 1,100 and 1,200 negroes, gathered from neighboring plantations by armed parties.” Disease, along with heat, took its toll on the men and work ceased.9
Later in 1862, Grant decided to take his troops overland through northern Mississippi and attack Vicksburg from that direction. He instructed Sherman to take his men to Memphis and then move downriver to Vicksburg. The strategy was to attack simultaneously from two directions. Unfortunately for Grant, in late December 1862, Confederate General Van Dorn (as previously described) slipped around his flank and destroyed his supply base at Holly Springs, Mississippi, forcing Grant to call off his part of the attack. Unaware of Grant’s withdrawal, Sherman landed north of the city at Chickasaw Bayou and attacked Vicksburg’s entrenched defenders. His troops included Jennie’s brother “Andie” Lindsay and the men of the 77th Illinois, who found themselves engaged in their first battle. Fortunately for the regiment, they were posted on the far right of Sherman’s line and saw little action. The rest of Sherman’s men were not so lucky. Thrown against the Rebel defenses, they were thrown back with heavy loss. The Federals suffered about 1,800 casualties while the Rebels lost perhaps 200. Sherman succinctly described his campaign in a letter to General Halleck: “I reached Vicksburg at the appointed time, landed, assaulted and failed.” Sherman’s men, including Andie Lindsay and the 77th, withdrew to the Louisiana side of the river at Milliken’s Bend.10
General McClernand, in charge of the Union XII Corps, believed orders from Washington gave him command of Sherman’s troops. He took them and moved against Fort Hindman, a Confederate position at Arkansas Post. McClernand hoped to remove this threat to Federal supply and communication lines. Working in conjunction with the gunboats under David D. Porter, McClernand captured the fort on January 11, 1863. Andie made it through this battle as well, only to be struck down by an illness (most likely malaria). More than one million Union soldiers would contract malaria, and the disease would kill 10,000 of them. Complications from the disease would plague Andie for the rest of his life.11
Tension between McClernand, the political general, and other professional officers, notably Grant and Sherman, increased during this period. Lincoln had promised McClernand an independent command, and the ambitious Democrat had raised troops for that purpose, but Grant proved superior at bureaucratic maneuvering and made sure McClernand remained subordinate to him as a corps commander within his army. McClernand’s resentment at what he deemed ill-treatment simmered throughout the campaign.12
While Sherman’s troops were engaged at Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post, the 17th Illinois was foraging and guarding rail lines in the northern Mississippi area that included the towns of Davis Mills, Holly Springs, Abbeville, and Oxford. After Van Dorn’s raid and Grant’s retreat, the regiment was recalled with the rest of the army to Memphis to regroup for another attempt at Vicksburg. Once Grant consolidated his troops and came up with a new plan, he put the XIII, XV, and XVII Corps on transports and shipped them south. Hurlbut’s men stayed behind in western Tennessee. Grant landed his troops on the Louisiana side of the river opposite Vicksburg and from that point evaluated his best options.13
* * *
Josiah’s regiment began moving to Memphis without him, for Josiah was still on assignment arresting deserters in Peoria. His first few letters of the new year describe his attempts to catch up with his regiment and its journey to begin the next campaign to subdue the Confederacy.
Cabin of the Jeannie Deans
Memphis Tenn,
8 P.M. Jan 15th 1863
Having arrived safely at this place I have again taken my pen to address thee a few lines. When I wrote my last I put it in the office on the Boat expecting that there would be a chance to send it from some point on the way down but on going to the office this evening I found the letter had not gone and so I have opened it to add some more.
Shortly after writing the forgoing I met a soldier on board, a Lieut of Co. C. 77th Ills, he gave me good news—I was glad to meet him but sorry that I had not met him previous to writing, still it did not matter so much after all since the letter failed to get away. The Lieut was through all the fight i.e. was with the Regt. he said that the Regt, had no hard engagement tho it was in several little skirmishes. he said they had none either killed or wounded and tho I asked him if he knew Andrew which he answered negatively, yet I presume he is all right.
The Lieut also gave me some other good news, in place of 7,000 killed and wounded as per reports of reliable newspapers, he says that 1,500 will cover all losses.14
To night we have the news that a detachment from our fleet have captured a rebel garrison on the Arkansas river, supposed to be about 5,000 prisoners, 11 guns and a large amount of stores.15 So far so good. now dear Jennie what else shall I say, well I am as well as can be expected but dear me I am so lonesome, a day seems a lifetime, Jennie could you suggest some plan of having them move forward more quickly? please tell me, now don’t forget.
Our trip down the river was rather monotonous you need not laugh Jennie—any person would tire, I know of nothing that would interest you—only that it has snowed. it commenced last evening Jan 14th and snowed and stormed so that our boat had to give up running for the night and as it is not safe to stay near shore on account of guerrillas. The boat tried to anchor in mid stream but the wind blew so hard that the anchor dragged and finely snapped the line and let the boat adrift, it struck the shore quite heavily but fortunately only broke one of the wheels a little. we had to lie by the shore all night and I need not say that there were some scared folks cotton buyers etc. The guerrillas did not come however and we to day went on our way rejoicing. it has snowed nearly all day, snow 10 inches deep such as storm has not been seen here for many years. I presume you have good sleighing now, tho you no doubt will prefer walking. Well dear Jennie you will excuse my wandering letter. remember me to all the friends and with my love to thee dear lady.
Goodnight
J. Moore
P.S. Gen,rl Grant is now here and most of his army either here or on the way tho I have not yet ascertained the whereabouts of the 17th unless it is at Lagrange. The R.R. is all right, so by tomorrow I expect to see the boys. good by J.M.
Josiah missed little of a positive note by avoiding the posting in Memphis. A member of the 15th Illinois wrote from Memphis: “Too many of the boys were becoming too dissipated to attend to their ordinary duties. So foul had the pestilential breath of the city become that decent ladies were not seen on the streets. The city itself was beautiful but it harbored more vice and was more steeped in degradation and filth than any city I had yet seen but we will draw a veil over this scene.” During the occupation of the city, Union authorities even had to take action against the local Methodist church after the pastor delivered homilies with decidedly pro-Southern views.16
Josiah to Jennie
Hd,qrs, 17th Ills, Vol, Infantry
Memphis, Tenn.
Jan 17th 1863
Well Dear Jennie,
I fear I shall never get this finished, but I shall keep trying.
I was about to take the cars for Lagrange when I received information that the Regt. was in town, so I started and found them camped in the Navy yard close by the wharf, a very pleasant surprise indeed. I found the boys all well and very nicely fixed in houses, a very fine retreat in such stormy weather, but such visions do not last. Shortly after my arrival our Regt. got orders to report to Genr,l McClernand at Napoleon Ark, Hd,Qrs of Shermans fleet. I think we shall leave about tomorrow, tho I am not certain, the weather is rather cold for an army to move, but war knows no law—only to command. 3 or 4 boatloads of the rebel prisoners arrived here yesterday. I believe they will be sent North wont that be too bad Jennie! I think it is almost cold enough her now, tho ere this I presume you know what cold is. Well Jennie you must excuse this letter I shall try and do better the next time. I am sorry that is has been so long delayed, tho I shall look anxiously and even now expect one, is in coming Jennie, good by now don’t forget the soldier boy.
J. Moore
Josiah to Jennie
Cabin of the Steamer “Superior”
Ark, shore 40 miles above Napoleon
Jan, 21st 1863
My Dear Jennie,
The fleet having put a shore for the night and as there is a boat from below on her way up, by which I may have an opportunity of sending this letter sheet in the morning, I speak with thee.
Well Jennie you don,t know how tired I am geting “home sick” I suppose! I feel I were getting about fifty miles from no place.
It is now over a week since I bid thee “good night” and yet no dear words have come to change the dreary scene and I presume that under the circumstances I shall have to content my self as best I can, but in my solitude I can contemplate the happy past and in this silent review it will be joy beyond measure to know that they miss me at home.
You said that you did not care so much for “news from the army” well Jennie I presume that by this you would rather that I should particularize of course I should not be egotistic, but for so far I have been prospering as usual, we did not leave Memphis as soon as I expected tho we were on the boat and lay in the harbor, last night we lay up about 40 miles above Helena. we have the 17th and 11th Ills. & two companies of the 16th Wis. On this boat of course we are crowded considerably and tho the officers have rather good quarters yet the men, as is usual on a boat, have rather rough times owing to the weather which has been quite rainy. Today for the first has been warm and pleasant, of course when my men are comfortable I feel better but a colder climate and a warmer heart would make me feel just a well. There are no ladies on board only two old maids and hence you see our company is rather onesided as is the fate of soldiers generally.
By tomorrow we expect to reach Napoleon beyond here I am not posted as to our movements, I may have the pleasure of meeting the 77th pretty soon I presume Jennie would like to meet it also, tho I should prefer to see her meet them in Peoria or some other civilized place.
Well Jennie I presume by this time you have rec,d my last little package I was almost ashamed of such a mixture but Jennie you will please excuse considering the circumstances. I shall have to address this as the last and untill I receive other instructions.
I saw by the Springfield papers that the Chicago Hotel had invited the “State House folks” to visit the “Queen of the Lakes” so by this time I presume you,ve seen some of them which will keep you from being home sick.
Well dear lady I must close for tonight, please write often, now don’t forget. wishing thee good health and the sweet enjoyment of the company of good and dear friends. I bid thee dear lady a kind good night.
Sweet dreams,
J. Moore
Please don,t forget that little miniature or photograph.
It is interesting to note how much military information Josiah included in his letter, which indicates how little the military was censoring the letters back home. General Sherman, who had been appointed military governor of Memphis, adopted his own method of censorship by capping off a long-running feud with the media by having several reporters arrested—not only for printing military secrets, but for having the temerity to disagree with him. Sherman also had the correspondent for the New York Herald successfully court-martialed, for he believed information provided in the reporter’s stories wound up in the hands of the enemy and helped them.17
Josiah to Jennie
Cabin of the Superior
Mouth of the Yazoo. 12 miles above Vicksburg
Jan, 24th 1863
My Dear Jennie,
As it is only now that I have an opportunity of mailing this I have concluded to tell you some more news. you have no objections Jennie? Well I saw Andrew yesterday evening a short while after we reached this point. he found out that we had come and he said that he would feel at home if he could only see the old 17th so he was not long finding us. he and his cousin staid with me last night. I need not tell you Jennie that I was glad to see them, tho I would not have known Andrew he is considerably changed tho he looks well and says that he feels well they have been traveling round considerably and have a great many sick I shall go to see them at my earliest opportunity.
Our men are now engaged on the canal for passing Vicksburg if this proves successful it will leave Vicksburg out in the cold, and if the river continues to rise I think it will be all right. The river rose 3 feet last night, a few days will tell the story. perhaps this will not reach you before the results of this expedition. The weather is quite warm no frost whatever, tho it rained some last night which makes some mud. but if our canal is successful we can stand a little rain. water rain is more agreeable than leaden, but the mail is about to close so I must bid thee Jennie goodby. I shall write again soon, anxiously looking for a reply, excuse this style my regards to George & Maggie.
Goodby
J. Moore
The 17th Illinois went ashore at Young’s Point, Louisiana, on January 25, 1863, and remained there but a brief time before being sent to Lake Providence on February 1.
Grant’s effort to dig a canal and bypass the guns of Vicksburg was a continuation of the project General Williams had earlier started in 1862. It was no more successful the second time. Other projects included attempts to maneuver naval vessels and troops through the waterways north of the city, and an effort to cut a water route through the labyrinth of Louisiana’s bayous and waterways and emerge below Vicksburg.
General McPherson’s XVII Corps, which included the 17th Illinois, assumed responsibility for the Lake Providence canal. Lake Providence was 40 miles from Vicksburg as the crow flies, but 75 miles upriver by water due to the Mississippi’s serpentine course. The six-mile long lake had been created when the river changed course and the former riverbed silted up at both ends. The canal project began in February 1863. Once again freed slaves—more than 1,000 by one estimate—were put to work for the arduous task along with many Union soldiers. At this point Grant considered the canal to be “the most practicable route for turning Vicksburg.”18
The men of the Army of the Tennessee settled in on their assigned duties. For most of them, it was a depressing and unpleasant winter.
1 McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, 333-334. In fact, Scott’s plan proved prescient, and the Union war strategy evolved along the lines he proposed.
2 Terrence J. Winschel, Triumph and Defeat:The Vicksburg Campaign (New York, NY, 1994), 2-3; R. Douglas Hurt, “Agricultural Power of the Midwest” in Aley and Anderson, Union Heartland-The Midwestern Home Front During the Civil War, 71-77.
3 Winschel, Triumph and Defeat, 90.
4 Boatner, Civil War Dictionary, 441.
5 William L. Shea and Terrence J. Winschel, Vicksburg is the Key (Lincoln, NE, 2003), 36; Simpson, Ulysses S. Grant, 71-72.
6 Edwin B. Coddington, The Gettysburg Campaign: A Study in Command (New York, NY, 1968), 5.
7 Shea and Winschel, Vicksburg Is The Key, 37.
8 Woodworth, Nothing But Victory, 245-246, 264. Boatner, Civil War Dictionary, 538. The other regiments in the brigade included the 8th and 81st Illinois, 7th Missouri, and 32nd Ohio regiments.
9 Shea and Winschel, Vicksburg Is The Key, 22. The “canal” was one of Grant’s attempts to bypass the strong defensive works at Vicksburg. The wet winter had made virtually all the roads in the area impassable, rendering any move south on the Louisiana side of the river impossible. Grant knew an amphibious assault against Vicksburg was likely beyond the capability of his army and almost certainly suicidal. An attempt to dash his troop transports down the river and past the city’s guns was considered highly risky. Consequently, Grant cast about to find a water route that would get him around the city and land his men on the Mississippi side of the river. Smith, History of the 17th Illinois; Jeff Giambrone, Illustrated Guide to the Vicksburg Campaign (Jackson, MS 2011), 41-44.
10 Ibid., 52-55.
11 Adams, Living Hell, 49.
12 McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, 577-578.
13 Woodworth, Nothing But Victory, 286.
14 Josiah is referencing Sherman’s defeat at Chickasaw Bayou fought December 26-29, 1862.
15 The Battle of Arkansas Post, January 9-11, 1863.
16 Woodworth, While God is Marching On, 186, 201.
17 John Marszalek, Sherman: A Soldier’s Passion for Order, 159, 189, 198, 211-213.
18 McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, 586-587; Woodworth, Nothing But Victory, 298-299; Edwin Cole Bearss, The Vicksburg Campaign: Vicksburg Is The Key (Dayton, OH 1985, 1991), 469.