Northeast Ohio and the Civil War: Primary Source Manuscripts at Cleveland Public Library

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Manuscript of Civil War Lieutenant W. R. McComer

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11 literally ran over by the men in their eagerness to enter claimed that the white flag was raised without his knowledge or concent ^and^ that he had not and would never surrender, not not withstanding his ^expostulations^ he and 5000 of his men were put aboard transports and sent to Memphis, with ^the addition of^ two full regiments that came in the darkness of the following night ^within the confines of the earthworks^ and were marched from their stacked arms to be informed that they were prisoners of war.

It is needless to say that this victory had the desired effect upon the men: and we were again headed for the Mississippi to inaguerate the ^second and more^ earnest work^ of takeing to take of taking Vicksburg. The river was very high, The levees had been neglected and the country was in^un^dated, ^for miles^ with only now and then a dry spot suitable for camps

Vicksburg is directly opposite the peninsula formed by an immense bend 30 miles around and but two miles accross. We landed at Young's Point a few miles above for the purpose of cutting a canal accross histhe peninsula which would leave the city several miles inland. The work was prosicuted with vigor ^and^ with the hope that when a certain depth was reached the current

Last edit 4 months ago by guest_user
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12 would do the rest unfortunately the point selected was above the angle at which the current struck the shore and the project failed. This discouraging circumstance, the labor it entailed and the exposure endured, coupled with the unfavorable situation of the camps & had a serriously depressing effect and subjected the men to every disease known to medical science. The most alarming "epidemic" however was from another cause, and came to be known as Emancipation fever. A Major and fifty men so afflicted left one of the Illinois regiment in a body. The victims of the other maladies were buried in the levee the only place where a dry grave could be secured and thousands of the best men of the Army of the Tennessee found an honorable burial along side of the great Father mother of nations. The history of the deserters interested us no more.

As an accredited artist for Frank Leslie's Illustrated newspaper, I was able to contribute a sketch now and then. I had forwarded an illustrated account of the battle of Arkansas Post. The papers arriving about this time brought me into notice which I mention as the sequel to the incident I am about to relate would indicate

Last edit about 2 years ago by Bernie
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13 would indicate.

I took my company to relieve the advanced pickets, composed of men of the 23d Wisconsin of our brigade, The orderly ^of my company^ was a man of such proportions as to make me appear ludicrously small, and excited comments to which I took exceptions, and as a consequence measured my length in the mud On my feet in an instant I struck the officer ^who had tapped me^ with the flat of my sword, and The men of our respective companies took a hand and ^we^ came near having a battle there and then then and there

I had just finished posting the pickets when an orderly summoned me to division headquarters; covered with mud and smarting at the indignity I had received, my feelings can better be imagined than described. After making myself as presentable as the soft mud would allow admit. I repaired to the Generals office in a plantation house near the levee, expecting to court martialed, and possibly sent home in disgrace. To my astonishment ^however:^ I was informed that a friend had just sent in a pair of fine Mallard ducks, that dinner would be served shortly and after the meal I would be informed what was required of me, General Smith was a peculiar man, some thought him a martinet, Certainly his

Last edit about 2 years ago by Bernie
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14 was peculiar singular punishment I dont know that I was ever more hungry, bur recall very distinctly the fact that I didnt enjoy that dinner [excepting?] perhaps the wine that I indulged in, hoping that it enable me to make the best of the situation if called upon to answer the charge of which I felt guilty. All things come to an end so had the dinner and When I was leaving the table, the general approached me with a small pocket compass in his hand, and said "Lieutenant I want you to make me a map of the country about here, showing the picket lines, A man who can make nice pictures ought certainly be able to make a good map."

Under the circumstances I couldn't decline and determined to try, but replied that I would try so mounted the horse in waiting, and accompanied by a staff officer rode to the picket lines, to the great satisfaction of the men I had left ^there^ in the morning I plodded about until I thought I had a pretty good understanding of the lay of things, then began seaching for instruments and material, I was directed to the Head Quarters of Genl George W. Morgan. just vacated, by that victim of emancipation fever: His engineer was there and at work. The sketch he was engaged upon, was found upon examination to be, the very map I was ordered to make

Last edit about 2 years ago by Bernie
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15 I told Captain Lyon that I was interested in his work and would enjoy making a finished drawing of the map he was engaged upon if he would permit me to make another for myself. He readilly acquiesed after labouring assiduously for two days and a [night?] the work was accomplished

In the meantime General McClemand and his chief of staff in search of better quarters visited the house and casually examined the work I was engaged upon, my name rank and regiment were inquired and the circumstance incident passed out of my mind.

The map was taken to General Smith and delivered, (without allusion to the formative circumstances,) He was profuse in his compliments and hoped I would be available for future work of the same character, but said nothing about permanent staff duty at which I was greatly disappointed

As it transpired the ^my^ chagrin was of short duration. A few days later I received an order from Corps Head Quarters to report as Acting Topographcal Engineer and the balance of my service in the Vicksburg campaign was performed in that capacity.

Last edit about 2 years ago by Bernie
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15 1/2 and did de camp on the staff of the General commanding of the 13th Army Corps in which capacity the balance of my service in the Vicksburg campaign was performed.

Late in the spring the 13th Army Corps was moved to better camping ground at Milligans Bend, a short time afterward I received orders to accompany an expedition commanded by Col Tom Bennett. composed of the 69th Indiana a squadron of the 2d Ills, Cavalry Col, [illegible] a company of pioneers under Capt Patterson our instructions were to find a practical road accross the country for the passage of an army.

The first obstacle encoutered was Houndaway Bayou which was speedily bridged by our pioneers and we proceeded parallel with the bayou making it naviable for scorrs as we advanced by removing trees The scorrs or small flat boats were numerous and when found were pressed into service, We Borrowing the idea from the navy we improvised a gunboat by mounting a couple of Howitzers on one of them, of which the opposing force under Harrison gave a wide berth, until we reached James Plantation where they stubbornly seemed to gain courage resisted our advance, and worried us a good deal. but I think we worried them the most and finally at all events we reached the Mississippi at New Carthage 25 miles below Vicksburg, [illegible] Bayou and the road we had partly discovered but mainly

Last edit about 2 years ago by Bernie
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16 constructed were used by the entire army in getting below Vicksburg.

The navy was also very active on several occasions, during the time we were working inland dummy gun boats were improvised, constructed and towed into the current. They created consternation to the enemy and a realization of the pride, pomp and circumstances of glorious war, nothing could be more [sublime??] than the scene during the passage of one of the [illegible]. The river was illuminated by bon fires along the shore and every gun in the works of the enemy was was blazing away at the inoffensive coal barge, simply because it was painted black and had a couple of suguar hogs heads projecting above the semblence of a quarter deck.

This trick was played often that when the critical time arrived we were fully with full knowledge informed as of the position and power of their water patterns, most of the transports had pased, before the enemy realized that it was not another of those [illegible] tricks, Several of the steamers and some of gun boats suffered more from the effects of struck by shot and shell, but more of them more sunk as was expected would be the result when volunteers were asked for to man them, all the artillery and stores aboard the boats reached New Carthage the following day, and army and navy were again united for the real

Last edit over 2 years ago by Jannyp
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16 1/2 ernest [???] commencement of the Vicksburg campaign, and promptly commenced began operations

The transports [??horseing??] under the protection of the Iron Clads impatiently waiting for an opportunety to land their human freight, on the first favourable occasion

Grand Gulf a fortified promontory at the mouth of Wolf river was the first [illegible] when all attempt was made, one of the outlying works intended for the protection of the Vicksburg, it was garrisoned by 10,000 of the cream of the enemys army under [??Borren].

The entire navy consisting of a dozen iron and tin clads participated in the attack. The vessels ran up under the guns of the water batteries and fired at close range receiving in return a fuselade that is terrifying to contemplate even at this remote late date to contemplate, The Tuscumbia was disabled by having her hog chains severed by a solid shot. The weight of her armament fore and aft, caused her stern and steam to drop in such a manner, that her engines refused to to work. While in this predicament and perilous position a shell entered one of her port holes and killed eleven of her crew. The Benton and Carondolet ran to her rescue, sustaining serious damage to themselves, but finally succeeded in towing her out of range

General Grant in a small tug was every where and

Last edit over 2 years ago by Jannyp
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17 the enemy doubtless realizing the importance of the tiny craft sent shot and shell recocheting after and over it. paid it special and particular

The gunboats were all more or less seriously damaged, without having accomplished the purpose of the attack, and a flank movement was at once ordered. We [illegible] South on the Louisiana shore, to a point opposite [Brownsburg?] 50 miles below Vicksburg. The transports were put into requisition as ferries and by the evening of the following day the 13 Army Corps was crossed, and pushed forward on a road intersecting the road from grand Gulf to Port Gibson 12 miles from the river [Bonner] retreated and was met by Bentons brigade at 2 oclock in the morning at the point mentioned and a battle ensued, Benton holding Port Gibson the enemy in check until the arrival of the balance of the corps at dawn. There every available man was engaged. The 15, 16 and 17th corps reached the battlefield during the day and the enemy was compelled to relinquish the struggle and retreated accross the Pearl river destroying the bridge after them. As soon as a crossing could be effected we were at their heels and fought again at Raymond, on the 15th of May the combined armies of Pemberton

Last edit about 2 years ago by Amoulis, LVA
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18 and Johnston were encountered at Champion Hills the real battle of the Vicksburg Campaign in which Hovey's division alone lost 5000 men and Johnston escaped to the rear by a flank movement. The battle of Black river [bridge] was fought the next day mainly by [illegible] brigade, which charged the enemy (who had set fire to the bridge over Black River) and captured a great number of prisoners

It was this battle that caused the mis understanding between Grant and [McClernand?] on account of the latters disregard of an order to hold the enemy while Sherman made a detour to prevent Pemberton from going into Vicksburg The successful issue of the battle made it an expedient for Grant to relieve him at that time, but it was done after an unsuccessful assault on the 19th of May, [McClernand?] claimed that he had possession of part of the works on the left of the Jackson railroad and if reenforced he could hold them. As a matter of fact Sergeant Griffith and eleven men of Stowe's Iowa regiment did get into the works, but could not remain. McArthurs division came as re enforcements at 4 oclock: Meantime the enemy had massed to defend the vulnerable [point]. McArthur moved forward and

Last edit 4 months ago by guest_user
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