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-List of Civil War Battles <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_Civil_War_battles>
-Mississippi Units in the Civil War: <http://mississippiscv.org/MS_Units/mississippi_history.htm>
-Battle of Vicksburg, Confederate Order of Battle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicksburg_Confederate_order_of_battleMy Confederate Veterans
A good historian begins with the evidences at hand. For me, these evidences are the lives of my Confederate Veterans and their immediate families.
1. 5Simeon Thomas Lewis [KIA], 4Willis Bonaparte Lewis, 3Bernis Bonaparte Lewis, 2Arnold D. Lewis, 1Charles E. Lewis
PVT Simeon Thomas Lewis (aged 42) served in Co B, 5th Mississippi Infantry (State Troops), CSA. This unit was envisioned as a Civil War version of the Revolutionary War Minute Men for the State of Mississippi. During MG Grant's Siege of Vicksburg, this unit was stationed on the north side of the Vicksburg salient in reserve for Smith's Division. And, two of Grandpa Simeon Thomas' teenaged sons, Walden and Jacob, served with him. In son Jacob's obituary, we learn that "his father [Simeon Thomas] was killed by his [Jacob's] side." Simeon Thomas was killed 6/6/1863 at Vicksburg and is buried in an unmarked grave under the road leading to the Union Army Cemetery. <http://www.nps.gov/archive/vick/city_cem/sldrsrest.htm>
Simeon Thomas enlisted in what he thought would be the equivalent of a National Guard unit. Perhaps, he thought that he might fight somewhere in the vicinity of his home in southeast Mississippi. Could he have foreseen that his unit would deploy all the way across the state to Vicksburg where they would wind up in the thick of the fighting?
Simeon Thomas was killed on 6/6/1863. In son Jacob's obituary, we learn that "his father [Simeon Thomas] was killed by his [Jacob's] side" at the Battle of Vicksburg. During the battle, Simeon Thomas was buried near Old City Cemetery in north Vicksburg.
According to the National Park Service, approximately 5,000 Confederate casualties were re-interred at Soldier's Rest in what is now Cedar Hill Cemetery. In 1928 son Walden traveled from Texas in a new Model A Ford, driven by his grandson, to visit the family back in Mississippi. And, the family caravanned back to Vicksburg where sons Walden and Jacob relived their war experiences.
Son Walden, a veteran at age 17, fought outside the siege with the 1st Miss Cavalry Reserves, harassing the Union blockaders. Son Jacob, at age 15 serving as a courier with his brother Walden, was trapped inside the the siege. Having reunited with his father, Jacob fought as an infantryman until the fall of Vicksburg in 7/1863.
During the 1928 tour of the battlefield, son Jacob told the family members his story. By 1899, Union war memorials dominated the landscape. And, the Union cemetery was bedecked in garlands by the National Parks Service. But, where were the Confederate monuments? Jacob was able to find a tree which marked where he and his father lived in the trench on the northern flank of the Confederate lines. Jacob spoke of the morning of 6/6/1863 explaining that Grandpa Simeon Thomas had sent him to the rear to collect their meager rations. And upon Jacob's return, he found his father dead in the trench, a victim of the incessant Union artillery barrages. Reportedly, Simeon Thomas is buried either in or adjacent to Old City Cemetery now Cedar Hill Cemetery with his Confederate comrades.
So, sons Walden and Jacob survived the war. After the war, the widow Lydia remained at the family home in Jasper Co, surviving Simeon Thomas by 27 years.
2. 5William Wesley McPhearson, 4Mary Jane McPhearson, 3Bernis Bonaparte Lewis , 2Arnold D. Lewis, 1Charles E. Lewis
CPL William Wesley McPhearson (aged 34) served in Co G "Tolson Guards," 8th Mississippi Infantry, CSA. This unit served in Florida and Mississippi, then was assigned to General J. K. Jackson's, Gist's, and Lowry's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. The 8th Miss Infantry participated in the campaigns of the army from Kentucky to Murfreesboro to Chickamauga to Atlanta, was with Hood in Tennessee, and saw action in North Carolina where Grandpa William Wesley was paroled at the end of hostilities. These were the last Confederate forces surrendered in the Eastern Theater.
Imagine William Wesley walking home from the Carolina mountains in the Spring of 1865. North Carolina to South Carolina to Georgia to Alabama to southeastern Mississippi. What sights greeted his return home? We know he lived another 40 years. But, how was his life changed? There isn't adequate information to quantify an answer.
3. 5John Campbell, 4Columbus Campbell, 3Tommie Lenora Campbell, 2Arnold D. Lewis, 1Charles E. Lewis
1SG John Campbell (aged 27) served in Co A "Gaines Invincibles," 46th Mississippi Infantry, CSA. This unit served in S.D. Lee's and Baldwin's Brigade in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. The unit participated in the long Siege of Vicksburg and was captured on July 4, 1863. After the exchange it was assigned to General Baldwin's, Tucker's, and Sears' Brigade. It fought in the Atlanta Campaign, endured Hood's winter operations in Tennessee, and had many disabled at Franklin TN. The 46th withdrew with the remnant of the Confederate Army of Tennessee to Tupelo MS where they were furloughed until February 1865. Only a remnant surrendered near Mobile AL in May of 1865, including Grandpa John Campbell.
For me, Grandpa John is an exemplar of the survivor. When he got on the troop train at the Confederate railhead at Meridian MS en route to Resaca GA, who could have imagined how far he was going to march during the continuous retreats with the Army of Tennessee?
Grandpa John returned home, reared 11 children of his own, and lived until 1907. John is known for being very industrious. With completion of the iron bridge over Yellow Creek (vic Woodwards MS), John built a country store, cotton gin, grist mill, and molasses mill to serve the local inhabitants. The vicinity of John Campbell's farm became the economic and social center of the local community.
4. 5Robeson Lee, 4Mary Susannah "Minnie" Lee, 3Tommie Lenora Campbell, 2Arnold D. Lewis, 1Charles E. Lewis
PVT Robeson Lee (aged 44) served in Co H, 5th Mississippi Infantry (State Troops), CSA. This unit was envisioned as a Civil War version of the Revolutionary War Minute Men for the State of Mississippi. During MG Grant's Siege of Vicksburg, this unit was stationed on the north side of the Vicksburg salient in reserve for Smith's Division. Grandpa Rob was paroled after the surrender of Vicksburg. Some veterans re-enlisted in Regular Confederate units, but most returned home after being paroled. Grandpa Rob returned home and reportedly fought rear-area Union troops as a Confederate Partisan.
Grandpa Rob Lee was the oldest of my many Confederate Veterans. With the surrender at Vicksburg and having reached age 45, Grandpa Rob qualified for permanent discharge. But, the Confederates controlled the railhead at Meridian MS until the final days of the war. And, units of Alabama Partisans were active in eastern Mississippi, including many Mississippi veterans.
There is a family tradition that Grandpa Rob continued to fight as a Partisan. I decline to be more specific. The story goes that at the end of hostilities, the local Sheriff paid a visit to Grandpa Rob, informing that his super-legal military activities as a partisan were now illegal: Stop it or else. Anyway, Grandpa Rob and Katie lived the remainder of their lives on the old homestead. They were quite successful.
5. 5Joseph Brannoc Wilkinson, 4Charles Brannoc Wilkinson, 3Dolly Cornelia Wilkinson, 2June Elizabeth Weaver, 1Charles E. Lewis
Mexican-American War
PVT J. B. Wilkinson (aged 24) enlisted 6/1846 in the 1st Regiment, Missouri Mounted Volunteers and served in the Mexican-American War. The unit returned to New Orleans where J. B. was discharged 6/1847.
American Civil War
PVT J. B. Wilkinson (aged 38) served in Co A "Franklin Rifles," 7th Mississippi Infantry, CSA. This unit served on the Mississippi coast, fought at Shiloh TN, saw action in Kentucky, then was assigned to Generals J.P. Anderson's, Tucker's, and Sharp's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. The 7th participated in many conflicts with the army from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, marched with Hood to Tennessee, and fought in North Carolina. Grandpa J. B., a veteran of the Mexican-American War, served for about a year and a half and was discharged 12/11/1862 after the Kentucky Campaign. According to NARA records, J.B. Wilkinson was discharged because he was over 40 years-old. J.B. who was born 11/16/1822 had just turned 40 by his date of discharge.
Joseph Brannoc fought in several bitter engagements. I have this continuing mental image of J. B. coming over the ridge at a full charge, carrying a tomahawk and a pistol at the Battle of Shiloh. By the end of the Kentucky Campaign, Confederate forces were short of supplies. I can imagine the newly discharged Joseph Brannoc catching a ride on a southbound train full of casualties, knowing that most of those boys weren't going to make it. But, J. B. survived until 1905.
6. 6William M. Case, 5Perry J. Case, 4Elizabeth Vivian Case, 3Dolly Cornelia Wilkinson, 2June Elizabeth Weaver, 1Charles E. Lewis
First Enlistment
[CPL] William Case (aged 37) enlisted 7/14/1862 as the Senior Corporal in Co E, Quinn's 2nd Miss Infantry (State Troops), CSA. This was in response to new Confederate legislation for organization of State Reserves. In Mississippi, persons 17 to 18 and 35 to 45 were assigned to regiments known as State Troops. Grandpa William attended the many musters with Co E, but never deployed with the Quinn's 2nd Miss Infantry (State Troops) [MST] to combat. And, the last known roster for Co E, 2nd MST was on 9/4/1862.
Individual companies of the 2nd MST periodically mustered and deployed in support of the Confederate war effort, only to be released to their homes with weapons in hand, literally to defend the home-front as the Union Army of the Tennessee swept back and forth across the state during the battle for and siege of Vicksburg. And along with the other soldiers over 40 and under 18, Grandpa William was discharged in 6/1864; as he had just turned 40. And, Grandpa William's second enlistment was in 8/1864 with Co E, 24th Battalion Miss Cavalry, CSA.
Second Enlistment
[SGT] In February of 1864, the Seven Stars Artillery was reorganized as Moorman's Battalion (Mississippi Cavalry), later to be designated as the 24th Battalion, Mississippi Cavalry with LTC George Moorman as commander and Major Calvitt Roberts as adjutant. In August of 1864, Grandpa William Case chose to enlist as a Sergeant and serve with his friends and neighbors in Co E, 24th Battalion, Miss Cavalry, CSA.
The 24th BN, Miss Cavalry served with Col. Wood's Cavalry Brigade, BG Wirt Adams' Cavalry Division, under MG Franklin Gardner, District of Mississippi and East Louisiana and then with LTG Nathan Bedford Forrest until the end of the war. The last record for Grandpa William is on 5/12/1865 after LTG Forrest surrendered and Forrest's entire Corps was paroled at Gainesville AL.
<http://www.gainesville-vols.org/activitiesevents.html>Examining the dates of enlistment, we can only glimpse Grandpa William's life during the war. A grown man, William enlisted as a Corporal. You march off to muster then return home to patrol the territory. You march off to Louisiana, lose the battle, then march home. But, your home is now on the wrong side of the line; as the Yankee Army is occupying the Mississippi from Vicksburg MS to Port Hudson LA.
You have to traverse the swamps, avoiding enemy patrols to slip onto your own property to visit you wife and children. You have to sneak around your own community, avoiding Yankee patrols. Then, you have to slip out through the swamps to rejoin you comrades. How many times did Grandpa William make this perilous trip?
Now over 40, by 6/1864 Grandpa William finally had a discharge certificate to wave in front of the Yankee's faces. But, two months later, he reenlisted as a Sergeant to fight for what was known to be a lost cause. This is not a question of character but an example of character.
In early 1865 when Federal forces threatened Mobile from the sea and central Alabama from the north, the 24th Battalion, Mississippi Cavalry was assigned to LTG Nathan Bedford Forrest's Cavalry Corps and fought in Alabama. Their last engagement was the Battle of Selma where 13,000+ Yankee Cavalry with repeating rifles caught the last 2000- Confederates reconsolidating within the City of Selma AL. After the battle, LTG Forrest ordered all of his forces which were spread 50 miles west to east to find a good spot and sit down. Out of bullets, out of food, and out of time. There are anecdotal reports where the Union Army set up field kitchens to feed the Confederates. The last record for Grandpa William was on 5/12/1865 after LTG Forrest surrendered when the entire Cavalry Corps was paroled at Gainesville AL. These were the last major Confederate forces surrendered in the Western Theater.
7. 6Thomas W. Burke [KIA], 5Margaret Burke, 4Elizabeth Vivian Case, 3Dolly Cornelia Wilkinson, 2June Elizabeth Weaver, 1Charles E. Lewis
PVT Thomas Burke (aged 38) served in Co E "Franklin Beauregards," 7th Mississippi Infantry, CSA. This unit served on the Mississippi coast, fought at Shiloh TN, saw action in Kentucky, then was assigned to Generals J.P. Anderson's, Tucker's, and Sharp's Brigade, Army of Tennessee. The 7th participated in many conflicts with the army from Murfreesboro to Atlanta, marched with Hood to Tennessee, and fought in North Carolina. Grandpa Thomas died in October of 1862 during the Kentucky Campaign. According to NARA records, Grandpa Thomas was "captured and died in the hands of the enemy in Kentucky." Let us be generous and presume that he died of wounds suffered in battle. Grandpa Thomas is buried at Bardstown Cemetery, Nelson Co KY. And, his tombstone shows date of death as 10/31/1862.
The previously cited Grandpa William Case lived across the fence from Grandpa Thomas Burke. Grandma Mary Lenora Smith Case died 3/1864. In 7/1864 Grandpa William married Grandpa Thomas' widow just before he reenlisted for the fight. This new marriage united two families. Reportedly, William's younger children went to live with their new mom, Mary Jane Lambright Burke Case. And, the older children lived in the Case home.
In 1869 William's son, Perry Jefferson Case, would marry his new step-sister, Margaret Susannah Burke. I believe that due to William Case's success, the Burke children were also successful. But, there was an internal division within the newly formed family. The Cases were a family of Baptist preachers, and the Burkes were Irish Catholic. The new parents and the children were a successful, loving unit. But in later times, the family members would gravitate back to their individual traditions. The question amongst the modern cousins--Barbara, myself, etc--has been Who were Catholic, and Who were Baptist. The answer doesn't really matter. It's just a matter of curiosity.
What is the bigger picture?
My families weren't rich before the war. And, they certainly weren't rich after the war. But, they appear to have faired better than most. Their homes and lands weren't taken by the money-grubbing Carpetbaggers and their southern Scallywag accomplices. But, serious scholars would have to research the collective number of acres owned before the war versus the number of acres owned after the war. That figure would do well to inform how well my families fared compared to their neighbors. I have a sense that there were personal losses. And, animosity toward the Damn Yankees persists. Forget, Hell.
I make a point of reading about the many personalities from the war. My favorite Yankee has to be BG Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Commander of the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry at the Battle of Gettysburg: "Stand firm Ye boys from Maine." My favorite Confederate is LTG James Longstreet, I Corps Commander under Lee in the Army of Northern Virginia. Longstreet gave all he had for Lee and the Confederacy. But after Gettysburg, he knew the cause was lost. And, he began to resent the politicians who led the South to the precipice of Civil War. After the war, he received a pardon and regained his citizenship. Then, he was elected to Congress as a Republican from Virginia. We can learn from both of their examples.