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Posted on 04/16/2003 4:47:06 AM PDT by SAMWolf
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.
Where the Freeper Foxhole introduces a different veteran each Wednesday. The "ordinary" Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine who participated in the events in our Country's history. We hope to present events as seen through their eyes. To give you a glimpse into the life of those who sacrificed for all of us - Our Veterans.
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Sixth Illinois Cavalry, commanding expedition. Headquarters First Cavalry Brigade, Baton Rouge, La., May 5, 1863. In April of 1963 Colonel (later Major General) Benjamin Grierson led his 1700 man mounted force out of the Federal cavalry camp at La Grange, Tennessee, and embarked upon an ambitious and hazardous raid deep into the Mississippi countryside. The purpose of the raid was to disrupt Confederate communications and to draw attention away from Grant's early movements against Vicksburg.  Grierson's Raid from La Grange, Tenn., to Baton Rouge, La. COLONEL: In accordance with instructions from Maj. Gen. S. A. Hurlbut, received through Brig. Gen. W. S. Smith, at La Grange, Tenn., I left that place at daylight on the morning of April 17, with the effective force of my command, 1,700 strong. We moved southward without material interruption, crossing the Tallahatchee River on the afternoon of the 18th at three different points. One battalion of the Seventh Illinois, under Major Graham, crossing at New Albany, found the bridge partially torn up, and an attempt was made to fire it. As they approached the bridge they were fired upon, but drove the enemy from their position, repaired the bridge, and crossed. The balance of the Seventh Illinois and the whole of the Sixth crossed at a ford 2 miles above, and the Second Iowa crossed about 4 miles still farther up. After crossing, the Sixth and Seventh Illinois moved south on the Pontotoc road, and encamped for the night on the plantation of Mr. Sloan. The Second Iowa also moved south from their point of crossing, and encamped about 4 miles south of the river. The rain fell in torrents all night. The next morning, April 19, I sent a detachment eastward to communicate with Colonel Hatch and make a demonstration toward Chesterville, where a regiment of cavalry was organizing. I also sent an expedition to New Albany, and another northwest toward King's Bridge, to attack and destroy a portion of a regiment of cavalry organizing there under Major [A. H.] Chalmers. I thus sought to create the impression that the object of our advance was to break up these parties.  The expedition eastward communicated with Colonel Hatch, who was still moving south parallel to us. The one to New Albany came upon 200 rebels near the town, and engaged them, killing and wounding several. The one northwest found that Major Chalmers' command, hearing of our close proximity, had suddenly left in the night, going west. After the return of these expeditions, I moved with the whole force to Pontotoc. Colonel Hatch joined us about noon, reporting having skirmished with about 200 rebels the afternoon before and that morning, killing, wounding, and capturing a number. We reached Pontotoc about 5 p.m. The advance dashed into the town, came upon some guerrillas, killed 1, and wounded and captured several more. Here we also captured a large mill, about 400 bushels of salt, and camp equipage, books, papers, &c., of Captain Weatherall's command, all of which were destroyed. After slight delay, we moved out, and encamped for the night on the plantation of Mr. Daggett, 5 miles south of Pontotoc, on the road toward Houston. At 3 o'clock the next morning, April 20, I detached 175 of the least effective portion of the command, with one gun of the battery and all the prisoners, led horses, and captured property, under the command of Major Love, of the Second Iowa, to proceed back to La Grange, marching in column of fours, before daylight, through Pontotoc, and thus leaving the impression that the whole command had returned. Major Love had orders also to send off a single scout to cut the telegraph wires south of Oxford.  At 5 a.m. I proceeded southward with the main force on the Houston road, passing around Houston about 4 p.m., and halting at dark on the plantation of Benjamin Kilgore, 11½ miles southeast of the latter place, on the road toward Starkville. The following morning at 6 o'clock I resumed the march southward, and about 8 o'clock came to the road leading southeast to Columbus, Miss. Here I detached Colonel Hatch, with the Second Iowa Cavalry and one gun of the battery, with orders to proceed to the Mobile and Ohio Railroad in the vicinity of West Point, and destroy the road and wires; thence move south, destroying the railroad and all public property as far south, if possible, as Macon; thence across the railroad, making a circuit northward; if practicable, take Columbus and destroy all Government works in that place, and again strike the railroad south of Okolona, and, destroying it, return to La Grange by the most practicable route. Of this expedition, and the one previously sent back, I have since heard nothing, except vague and uncertain rumors through secession sources. These detachments were intended as diversions, and even should the commanders not have been able to carry out their instructions, yet, by attracting the attention of the enemy in other directions, they assisted us much in the accomplishment of the main object of the expedition.  After having started Colonel Hatch on his way, with the remaining portion of the command, consisting of the Sixth and Seventh Illinois Cavalry, about 950 strong, I continued on my journey southward, still keeping the Starkville road. Arriving at Starkville about 4 p.m., we captured a mail and a quantity of Government property, which we destroyed. From this point we took the direct road to Louisville. We moved out on this road about 4 miles, through a dismal swamp nearly belly-deep in mud, and sometimes swimming our horses to cross streams, when we encamped for the night in the midst of a violent rain. From this point I detached a battalion of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry under ------ ------, to proceed about 4 miles, and destroy a large tannery and shoe manufactory in the service of the rebels. They returned safely, having accomplished the work most effectually. They destroyed a large number of boots and shoes and a large quantity of leather and machinery; in all amounting, probably, to $50,000, and captured a rebel quartermaster from Port Hudson, who was there laying in a supply for his command. We now immediately resumed the march toward Louisville, distant 28 miles, mostly through a dense swamp, the Noxubee River bottom. This was for miles belly-deep in water, so that no road was discernible. The inhabitants through this part of the country generally did not know of our coming, and would not believe us to be anything but Confederates. We arrived at Louisville soon after dark. I sent a battalion of the Sixth Illinois, under Major Starr, in advance, to picket the town and remain until the column had passed, when they were relieved by a battalion of the Seventh Illinois, under Major Graham, who was ordered to remain until we should have been gone an hour, to prevent persons leaving with information of the course we were taking, to drive out stragglers, preserve order, and quiet the fears of the people. They had heard of our coming a short time before we arrived, and many had left, taking only what they could hurriedly move. The column moved quietly through the town without halting, and not a thing was disturbed. Those who remained at home acknowledged that they were surprised. They had expected to be robbed, outraged, and have their houses burned. On the contrary, they were protected in their persons and property. After leaving the town, we struck another swamp, in which, crossing it, as we were obliged to, in the dark, we lost several animals drowned, and the men narrowly escaped the same fate. Marching until midnight, we halted until daylight at the plantation of Mr. Estes, about 10 miles south of Louisville.  The next morning, April 23, at daylight we took the road for Philadelphia, crossing Pearl River on a bridge about 6 miles north of the town. This bridge we were fearful would be destroyed by the citizens to prevent our crossing, and upon arriving at Philadelphia we found that they had met and organized for that purpose; but hearing of our near approach, their hearts failed, and they fled to the woods. We moved through Philadelphia about 3 p.m. without interruption, and halted to feed about 5 miles southeast, on the Enterprise road. Here we rested until 10 o'clock at night, when I sent two battalions of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Blackburn, to proceed immediately to Decatur, thence to the railroad at Newton Station. With the main force I followed about an hour later. The advance passed through Decatur about daylight, and struck the railroad about 6 a.m. I arrived about an hour afterward with the column. Lieutenant-Colonel Blackburn dashed into the town, took possession of the railroad and telegraph, and succeeded in capturing two trains in less than half an hour after his arrival. One of these, 25 cars, was loaded with ties and machinery, and the other 13 cars were loaded with commissary stores and ammunition, among the latter several thousand loaded shells. These, together with a large quantity of commissary and quartermaster's stores and about five hundred stand of arms stored in the town, were destroyed. Seventy-five prisoners captured at this point were paroled. The locomotives were exploded and otherwise rendered completely unserviceable. Here the track was torn up, and a bridge half a mile west of the station destroyed. I detached a battalion of the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, under Major Starr, to proceed eastward and destroy such bridges, &c., as he might find over Chunkey River. Having damaged as much as possible the railroad and telegraph, and destroyed all Government property in the vicinity of Newton, I moved about 4 miles south of the road and fed men and horses. The forced marches which I was compelled to make, in order to reach this point successfully, necessarily very much fatigued and exhausted my command, and rest and food were absolutely necessary for its safety. From captured mails and information obtained by my scouts, I knew that large forces had been sent out to intercept our return, and having instructions from Major-General Hurlbut and Brigadier-General Smith to move in any direction from this point which, in my judgment, would be best for the safety of my command and the success of the expedition, I at once decided to move south, in order to secure the necessary rest and food for men and horses, and then return to La Grange through Alabama, or make for Baton Rouge, as I might hereafter deem best. Major Starr in the mean time rejoined us, having destroyed most effectually three bridges and several hundred feet of trestle-work, and the telegraph from 8 to 10 miles east of Newton Station.  After resting about three hours, we moved south to Garlandville. At this point we found the citizens, many of them venerable with age, armed with shot-guns and organized to resist our approach. As the advance entered the town, these citizens fired upon them and wounded one of our men. We charged upon them and captured several. After disarming them, we showed them the folly of their actions, and, released them. Without an exception they acknowledged their mistake, and declared that they had been grossly deceived as to our real character. One volunteered his services as guide, and upon leaving us declared that hereafter his prayers should be for the Union Army. I mention this as a sample of the feeling which exists, and the good effect which our presence produced among the people in the country through which we passed. Hundreds who are skulking and hiding out to avoid conscription, only await the presence of our arms to sustain them, when they will rise up and declare their principles; and thousands who have been deceived, upon the vindication of our cause would immediately return to loyalty. After slight delay at Garlandville, we moved southwest about 10 miles, and camped at night on the plantation of Mr. Bender, 2 miles west of Montrose. Our men and horses having become gradually exhausted, I determined on making a very easy march the next day, looking more to the recruiting of my weary little command than to the accomplishment of any important object; consequently I marched at 8 o'clock the next morning, taking a west, and varying slightly to a northwest, course. We marched about 5 miles, and halted to feed on the plantation of Elias Nichols. After resting until about 2 p.m., during which time I sent detachments north to threaten the line of railroad at Lake Station and other points, we moved southwest toward Raleigh, making about 12 miles during the afternoon, and halting at dark on the plantation of Dr. Mackadora.  From this point I sent a single scout, disguised as a citizen, to proceed northward to the line of the Southern Railroad, cut the telegraph, and, if possible, fire a bridge or trestle-work. He started on his journey about midnight, and when within 7 miles of the railroad he came upon a regiment of Southern cavalry from Brandon, Miss., in search of us. He succeeded in misdirecting them as to the place where he had last seen us, and, having seen them well on the wrong road, he immediately retraced his steps to camp with the news. When he first met them they were on the direct road to our camp, and had they not been turned from their course would have come up with us before daylight. for suggesting this Thread and to Freeper Coteblanche for help with the graphics
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CRS is contagious. Jen gave it to me.
Unterstände der Unionisten bei Vicksburg. Sowohl die Verteidigungsanlagen der Konförderierten als auch die Belagerungswerke der Unionisten wurden in Eile und nur behelfsmäßig errichtet. Die Unterstände waren so angelegt, daß sie von den Bäumen beschattet wurden. In seinen Memoiren rühmte Grant die Findigkeit seiner Soldaten, die vor den Herausforderungen der Natur nie kapitulierten. Dokumentarfoto
Phil's note: Look at the bunker center left and see elements of NK bunkers from Heartbreak Ridge.
Benjamin Henry Grierson was born July 08, 1826 in Pittsburg, PA, the son of Robert and Mary (Shepard) Grierson, natives of Dublin, Ireland. He attended an academy at Youngstown, OH, taught music there and at Jacksonville, IL and for five years was a merchant at Meredosia, IL.
He entered the service May 8, 1861, as Aide-de-Camp to General B. M. Prentiss with nominal rank of Lieutenant and Major, without pay. Major 6th Illinois Cavalry Oct. 24, 1861; Colonel April, 1862; Brigadier General June, 1863; Brevet Major General February, 1865; Major General May, 1865. Mustered out April, 1866. Colonel 10th Cavalry July 1866; Brigadier General April 1890. Retired July , 1890.
General Grierson was one of the most successful cavalry leaders of the Civil War. His raid with a brigade of cavalry in April and May, 1863, through Mississippi to Baton Rouge, LA, was one of the most daring and successful of the entire war, and contributed largely to the success of General Grant in his Vicksburg campaign, by drawing large forces of enemy from his front. For this he was commissioned Brigadier General. He was recognized by General Grant as an aggressive and resourceful commander, and was entrusted with important commands to the end of the war, invariably accomplishing what he undertook. His promotion to Brevet Major General was in direct recognition of gallant and meritorious service in an expedition against Hood's communications and capture of Verona and Egypt station, MS, in December, 1864, and January, 1865; and Major General for meritorious service during the war and expedition from Mobile Bay to Georgia and Mississippi. He was actively engaged in Indian wars and in his campaigns against the hostiles enhanced the reputation he had previously earned.
Benjamin twice married: on Sept. 24, 1854 to Alice Kirk, of Youngstown, OH, who died in 1888; and on July 28, 1897 to Lillian (Atwood) King of Jacksonville, IL. He died Aug. 31, 1911 at his summer home in Omena, MI, and is buried at the Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, IL.
MGen Benjamin Harrison Grierson, USV was elected a Companion of the MO Commandery on March 5, 1887, Insignia #5364. His son Captain Charles H. Grierson, USA MO#5398 was a hereditary member of the MO Commandery.
During WWII the Liberty Ship SS Benjamin H. Grierson #1609 was built in his honor by the United States Maritime Commission
The 10th Cavalry was formed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1866. Very high standards of recruitment were set by the regimental commander and Civil War hero Benjamin Grierson. As a result, recruitment and organization of the unit required slightly over one year. By the end of July 1867 eight companies of enlisted men had been recruited from the Departments of Missouri, Arkansas, and the Platte.
Life at Leavenworth was not pleasant for the 10th. The Fort's commander, who was admittedly opposed to African- Americans serving in the regular army, made life as difficult as he could on the new troopers. Grierson sought to have his regiment transferred, and subsequently received orders moving the regiment to Fort Riley, Kansas later that summer. Within two months of the transfer, the final four companies were in place.
For the next eight years, the 10th was stationed at numerous forts throughout Kansas and Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). They provided guards for workers of the Kansas and Pacific Railroad, strung miles of new telegraph lines, and to a large extent built Fort Sill. Throughout this period, they were constantly patrolling the reservations in an attempt to prevent Indian raids into Texas. In 1867 and 68, the 10th participated in Gen. Sherman's winter campaigns against the Cheyennes, Arapahos, and Comanches. Units of the 10th prevented the Cheyenne from fleeing to the northwest, thus allowing Custer and the 7th Cavalry to defeat them at the decisive battle near Fort Cobb, Indian Territory.
In 1875, the 10th Cavalry moved its headquarters to Fort Concho in west Texas. Other companies were assigned to various forts throughout the area. The regiment's mission in Texas was to protect mail and travel routes, control Indian movements, provide protection from Mexican revolutionaries and outlaws, and to gain a knowledge of the areas terrain. The regiment proved highly successful in completing their mission. The 10th scouted 34,420 miles of uncharted terrain, opened more than 300 miles of new roads, and laid over 200 miles of telegraph lines. The scouting activities took the troops through some of the harshest and most desolate terrain in the nation. These excursions allowed the preparation of excellent maps detailing scarce water holes, mountain passes, and grazing areas that would later allow for settlement of the area. These feats were accomplished while having to be constantly on the alert for hit-and-run raids from the Apaches. The stay in west Texas produced tough soldiers, who became accustomed to surviving in an area that offered few comforts and no luxuries.
The 10th Cavalry played an important role in the 1879-80 campaign against Chief Victorio and his renegade band of Apaches. Victorio and his followers escaped from their New Mexico reservation and wreaked havoc throughout the southwest on their way to Mexico. Col. Grierson and the 10th attempted to prevent Victorio's return to the U.S., and particularly his reaching New Mexico where he could cause additional problems with the Apaches still on the reservations. Grierson, realizing the importance of water in the harsh region, decided the best way to intercept Victorio was to take control of potential water holes along his route.
The campaign called for the biggest military concentration ever assembled in the Trans-Pecos area. Six troops of the 10th Cavalry were assigned to patrol the area from the Van Horn Mountains west to the Quitman Mountains, and north to the Sierra Diablo and Delaware Mountains. Encounters with the Indians usually resulted in skirmishes, however the 10th engaged in major confrontations at Tinaja de las Palmas (a water hole south of Sierra Blanca) and at Rattlesnake Springs (north of Van Horn). These two engagements halted Victorio and forced him to retreat to Mexico. Although Victorio and his band were not captured, the campaign conducted by the 10th was successful in preventing them from reaching New Mexico. The 10th's efforts at containment exhausted the Apaches. Soon after they crossed the border, Victorio and many of his warriors were killed by Mexican troops on October 14, 1880.
Uhhhhhh, if you did I don't remember. Dang that CRS disease.
In Grierson's report, I am struck by his repeated reference to landowners by name citing his billets.
The tone of his narrative impresses that he sought to inflict no harm on citizenry but only military targets.
The various anecdotes where fears of pillage and rape were assuaged and hearts and minds were won are obvious parallels to the extant Iraqi war.
Grierson gives full credit in his summary paragraph to his officers and men, something one pictures him doing throughout his career.
His role as commander of the Buffalo Soldiers and the great achievements of that famous outfit have been subject of previous Foxhole treatment, and adds to the perspective of Grierson's character.
That he pursued the Apache foe ably without the blind foolhardiness of G. A. Custer shows his grounding.
A music student and merchant who answered the call.
It was the bloodiest, most passionate of wars, made shorter and less brutal by the acts of Grierson.
The context is out of our control, leaving only our own acts within our power.
One thinks his heart was not heavy in Michigan in 1911.
Here is a very long bibliography of the Buffalo Soldiers.
Anyway, each family could chose a decade between 1900 and 2000 to research and report on. So it ended up with about 4 familes per decade. We chose 1910-1920 because I'm such a big fan of Woodrow Wilson. NOT! Each family did so much intense work, I couldn't believe it. It was amazing. Fascinating! We all worked so hard for it, and it paid off. Each decade had their own room to set up in, then we did a tour of rooms with our children. Each room had samples of food and drink, which came out during that time period. For example, we gave out lifesaves and Oreo's because they came out in our decade. I took a bunch of my antique shoes and clothes, and an antique peanut butter tin because George Washington Carver was working on his peanuts then. Peanut Butter came out in that decade.
Yo Jen...maybe towards the end of May, I might be driving through Atlanta. Wanna see me? When will you come down here? It seems Delta will be the last man standing soon, eh?
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