death and Robert being in the camp hospital, William declined to leave at that time. They were finally sent to Vicksburg aboard the Steamer Jon II, on Sept. 2, 1862 to be exchanged. They were then assigned to Tilghman's and J. Adam’s Brigade, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. For a time it served in the Vicksburg area, then transferred to the Army of Tennessee. Placed in J. Adam’s and Lowry's Brigade, the 20th was involved in the Atlanta and Tennessee Campaigns and ended the war in North Carolina. Only a remnant surrendered on April 26, 1865. Its commanders were Colonels William N. Brown and D.R. Russell; Lt. Colonels D.H. Maury, Horace H. Miller and Walter A. Rorer; and Majors William M. Chatfield, Thomas B. Graham and C.K. Massey.

President Davis felt that the enemy had two principal objects in view, one to get control of the Mississippi River, and the other to capture the capital of the Confederate States. With this in mind, he appointed Maj. Gen. John C. Pemberton as commander of the new Confederate Dept. of Mississippi and East Louisiana, replacing Van Dorn, in Oct. 1862. His main duty was the defense of Vicksburg on the Mississippi.

 In Nov. Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnson was assigned to the major command in the West, embracing western North Carolina, Tennessee, northern Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Eastern Louisiana. Johnson’s main task would be to supervise Bragg in Tennessee and Pemberton at Vicksburg.

 The new year of 1863, opened with the sound of artillery and small arms in Tennessee, where the battle at Murfreesboro or Stone's River remained to be decided. In the east the Confederacy could pause a little, as Burnside's Federal army was held on the hills beyond Fredericksburg, and Lee's taut host lay between him and the Southland. Elsewhere the Confederacy still saw the prongs of possible eventual defeat striking for its vitals. Threats continued on the Mississippi, where more assaults against Vicksburg would come soon, along the coastline, from New Orleans, and from Tennessee. For the North the defeat at Fredericksburg rankled and there was criticism of the Army, of generals, of Washington, Lincoln had already announced emancipation. For the abolitionists, it was not enough; for others, it was far too much.

 Alter many failed attempts, by the Union army, Grant was finally able to take the Bluffs near Vicksburg. Thus began the siege in May of 1863. Grant shelled the city night and day for six weeks. The citizens were unable to get food and medicine through. The people were starving; most of their homes were damaged or destroyed. Many of them had moved to the caves nearby, for protection.

 On Friday, July 3rd, 1863, white flags of truce flew on Confederate earthworks as Generals, Pemberton and Grant conferred under an oak tree for the surrender of the fortress of Vicksburg. For over a year the Federals had operated against the city. It had resisted all attempts by land and water, but now six weeks of siege had done the job. Pemberton had no choice. No chance remained that Joseph E. Johnston's Confederate force could defeat Grant or relieve the city. Food, while not exhausted, was very scarce, and it would only have lasted a few days more. (Some declared Mule meat quite palatable.) After some discussion, the terms were settled upon, including paroling of prisoners. The formal surrender would take place on July 4th.

 On this Independence Day Vicksburg, Mississippi, was surrendered formally by Confederates under Pemberton to Federals under Grant. About 29,000 Southern soldiers laid down their arms and marched out of the sorely tried city. A quite Union army observed their departure. Gen. Grant himself entered Vicksburg and watched the Stars and Stripes replace the Confederate flag on the courthouse. In the river, the naval vessels shrilled their whistles. The Mississippi River was nearly open now, except for Port Hudson, still strongly besieged. However, it was clear that the news of Vicksburg's fall would undoubtedly cause the end at Port Hudson also.

 A resident of the City who had spent weeks living in a hillside cave said of the surrender: “I wept incessantly, meeting first one group of soldiers and then another, many of them with tears streaming down their faces. The Bailey brothers were among the 29,000 soldiers who laid down their arms and marched away, to fight another day! They were in many more battles before the war was over.

 On Sunday, July 17th, 1864, President Davis replaced Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, who was in command of the Army and Department of Tennessee, with Gen. John Bell Hood. Hood was very impetuous but a fighter. Many felt that Johnston had been too cautious. Hood took over on the 18th of July in Georgia. Near Peachtree creek north of Atlanta, skirmishing at Buckhead presaged more severe action to come.

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Last Update Friday, 09-Mar-2018 02:40:33 CST