MINNESOTA IN THE Campaigns of Vicksburg NOVEMBER, 1862-JULY, 1863 An abhrwe hpUofrpb bfforp% Minmsatn l|tatortral ^nmtg BY GENERAL L. F. HUBBARD September 9th, 1907 Report of the Minnesota -Vicks- burg Monument Commission MINNESOTA IN THE Campaigns of Vicksburg NOVEMBER, 1862-JULY, 1863 An aiiitrrsfi inrltnrrrri btUnt tltr Htmti^anta l^tBtnrtnil i^nrtda BV GENERAL L. F. HUBBARD September 9th, 1907 Report of the Minnesota -Vicks- burg Monument Commission West. E^s. HlBfc- So-- .MINXKSOTA STA'IK .M( iX I'M lOXT, VICKSBl'RG XATIOXAL MllJTAKV PARK. MAI' H.US'l'liA'riXC 'I'llK I'AMFAKJXS (>F \-l('KSHrH Minnesota in the Campaigns of Vicksburg November, 1862— July 1863 HE RECENT dedication of the imposing memorial erected by the State of Minnesota in the National Mili- tary Park at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in commemoration of the valor of her sons who participated in that notable campaign of the Civil War, seems a fitting occasion to recall to mind in some detail the events of that cam- paign in which onr Minnesota soldiers bore a more or less con- spicuous part. The highly interesting and important as well as the unique and thrilling features of the campaign that culminated in the cap- ture of Vicksburg by its surrender July 4th, 1863, and the con- sequent release from embargo of the Mississippi River, have been many times related in the volumes of literature that have had Vicksburg for their subject. It would therefore be difficult to offer anything fresh in a general treatment of the campaign; hence it is the purpose, as indicated, of this sketch rather to seek to illumine somewhat the special incidents and events in which Min- nesota organizations became important factors. A hasty outline of the more important movements, however, are necessary to give the special events herein referred to a proper and intelligible rela- tion to the campaign as a whole. The capture of Vicksburg and the Union victory at Gettys- burg, occurring on the same date, mark the turning point in the progress of the great war. In the one case the Confederates ex- perienced an utter extinguishment of their hope to ever gain a substantial footing on Union territory, and in the other they suf- fered an irreparable disaster in the permanent severance of their In substantial and tangible results, as also in its moral effect, the capture of Vicksburg, viewed from a military standpoint, was probably the most important single event of the war, occurring prior to the final surrender of the Confederate armies. The im- mediate material gain to the Union cause in the acquisition of Vicksburg, was the elimination of a large Confederate army as a factor in the fighting force of the enemy, with its loss of a mass of valuable army material, and the release of large Union forces for service elsewhere; but aside from this, and perhaps more im- portant in its influence on subsequent operations, it immensely strengthened the strategic position of the Union cause in the val- ley of the Mississippi. It gave to the country undisputed control of the navigation of the Mississippi River throughout its course, thus cutting the territory of the Confederacy in two. and prac- tically isolating a vast area from whence the enemy had drawn in men and supplies, a large proportion of their sinews of war. Many victories on other fields could not have compensated the Confederates for the loss they sustained and the disadvantages they suft'ered by the capture of Vicksburg. It was a stunning blow delivered in a vital part, its weakening effect being manifest in the subsequent desperate efforts of the Confederacy to save its cause from early collapse. The moral force this event added to the cause of the Union cannot, of course, be estimated or stated in terms, but the con- sciousness of every patriot in the North was made to realize the substantial stride towards final success achieved by this great vic- tory of the Union arms. It stimulated the heart and heightened the morale of every army battling for the preservation of the Union. Where it did not silence it smothered for a time the croak- ings of the disloyal element in the North, and by the consequent more cheerful acquiescence in the measures of the government, added materially to its resources for the further prosecution of the war. Like most substantial achievements in warfare, the great suc- cess won at Vicksburg cost heavily in the lives of our soldiers, in prolonged and persistent effort and in the expenditure of military resources. The successive failure of the several efforts in the early stages of the campaign, to effect a lodgment from whence effective offensive operations could be inaugurated against the for- tilications of Vicksbiirg, created the belief in many minds that the practical isolation of the position on the frowning crests of its inaccessible bluffs, was an assurance of its immujiity from suc- cessful attack, and when the genius of Gen. Grant, by means of his bold and original strategy, secured such a lodgment and the position still failed to yield after successive assaults made with a valor and determination unexcelled, it became apparent to every one that Vicksburg was a veritable Gibraltar that could only be reduced by the exhaustion of its garrison. The Fourth and Fiftli Minnesota regiments of infantry and the First iMinnesota battery of light artillery participated in all the general movements, and in most of the expeditionary afifairs covered l)y operations from the initial advance of the Union army under Gen. U. S. Grant, through Central Mississippi in Novem- ber. 1862. to the surrender of the place, July 4th, 1863. As the ami}- was finally organized the Fourth regiment — Col. J. B. San- born — became a part of the First Brigade, Seventh Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps, commanded by Gen. J- B. McPher- son. Idle First Battery — Capt. ^^^ Z. Clayton — was attached to the Third Brigade. Sixth Division of the same corps, and the Fifth Regiment — Col. L. F. Hubbard — was a part of the Second Brigade, Third Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps, commanded by Gen. W. T. Sherman. The Third Minnesota Infantry — Col. C. \\'. Griggs — participated in the siege of Vicksburg, reinforcing the lines of investment June 8th, 1863, as a part of Kimball's pro- visional division of the Sixteenth Army Corps. PVjllowing the battle of Corinth in October, 1862, Gen. Grant's army occupied the country it had recently so successfully defended in Northern Mississippi and West Tennessee, being stationed at various points along the Memphis and Charleston, Mobile and Ohio and Mississippi Central Railways. Since the close of the Corinth campaign Gen. Grant had in view a movement against Vicksburg through Central Mississippi, and pursuant to well-considered plans had organized a movable column of 30,000 men. which were or- dered to converge on the Mississippi Central Railroad along the line of which he proposed to penetrate the country southward to- w^ards his objective point. The movement began early in Novem- ber, 1862. but its progress was delayed by the necessity of recon- structing the destroved railroad along which the arm\- was wiox- ing. Although the Confederates had a considerable force in his front composed largely of troops drawn from the Vicksburg gar- rison, under command of Gen. J. C. Pemberton, Gen. Grant's advance was not seriously disputed, except at the crossing of the Tallahatchie River, until he reached a point about twenty miles south of Oxford, Mississippi. In the meantime Gen. Sherman had been placed in command of a force about equal to that under the immediate command of Gen. Grant, which left Memphis December 19. 1862, by way of the Mississippi River, under orders to operate against the immedi- ate defenses of Vicksburg, it being assumed that the place would be found weakly garrisoned while Gen. Grant held Pemberton's forces in his front. The fleet conveying Sherman's force had hardly passed beyond hail from its port of departure, before Gen. Grant met with a disaster that so changed conditions as to stamp inevitable failure upon the combinations that seemed to have borne such promise of success. On the 20th of December a large column of Confederate cavalry under Gen. Earl Van Dorn appeared in Grant's rear, captured Holley Springs, his depot of supplies, and after destroying the large accumulation of munitions and stores upon which the Union army depended for maintenance in its farther advance southward, moved north, destroying as it went the rail- road and its equipment, which constituted Gen. Grant's means of communication with his base. The dilemma thus created was solved by the suspension of farther offensive operations and the gradual retirement of Grant's army to the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Meanwhile Gen. Sherman, wholly igno- rant of Grant's reverse, arrived in the vicinity of Vicksburg, and after reconnoitering the position moved into the Yazoo River and made a spirited assault upon the fortifications fronting Chickasaw Bayou near Haines Bluff. December 29th, 1862. He found, of course, the defenses strongly held, Pemberton's army having re- turned from confronting General Grant, and in consequence the assault wholly failed of its purpose. General Sherman retiring with a loss of 1. 105 men in killed and wounded and 743 prisoners. The Minnesota troops in this campaign were with General Grant's column and as a rule with the advance command, but were required to perform but little serious work beyond the skirmish duty to which nearly all encounters with the enemy were limited. At this ])erJo(l of tlie war there was a considerable element in the North that entertained serious doubts of the ability of the g-overnment to suppress the rebellion. Many sincere patriots had become discouraged, and the essentially disloyal, of whom there were not a few^, were boldly predicting- ultimate failure, and by their open treason greatly embarrassed the government and seri- ously added to its difficulties in dealing with the mightv problem before it. The complete failure of this movement gave added em- phasis to the doubts of our friends, and to the doleful predictions of our enemies in the rear. Grant was much criticised for his failure, the administration was assailed, volunteering for the army was checked, and organized movements promoted for giving aid and comfort to the enemy. The Army of the Tennessee, however, maintained its esprit dc corps, and its commander his indomitable determination to prosecute the campaign until Vicksburg should be taken. General Grant now assembled his forces along the Mississippi River, initiating various schemes to obtain a foothold from whence he could effectively operate against his defiant enemy. One that gave promise of substantial result was an expedition sent through Yazoo Pass, an old channel much navigated in early days, con- necting the Mississippi near Helena with the higher ground east of the river. Tlie building of levees along the river had closed this channel, and since its disuse its bed had shallowed and be- come obstructed, and its shores to the water's edge had acquired a growth of timber and dense underbrush. The levee was cut and a fleet of light draft steamers conveying a brigade of troops, escorted by a detail of gunboats, was sent on the 24th of Februarv. 1863. through Yazoo Pass on a sort of exploring expedition. Its ])rogress was greatly impeded by the obstructions it met. yet it forced its way to the point where the Tallahatchie and Yallabusha Rivers unite and form the Yazoo. Here was encountered a for- midable Confederate earthwork mounting heavy guns. This work — named Ft. Pemberton — being surrounded by water, could not be assailed by land and was too formidable to be reduced bv the gunboats. The expedition was on its return when it was met by a reinforcement under General Ouinby. who conducted the com- bined command l)ack to the \icinity of Fort Pemberton. The con- ditions there re\-ealed discouraged Ouinbv. and the fleet worked its \\a\- back with much (HfticiiUy and in a crippled concHtion t<> the Mississippi River. The Fourth Minnesota was with this expeehtion, and the mem- bers of that regiment often recall and relate with great interest their thrilling experience in working their way through the in- tricate maze in which they became involved, and vvdiere at times they felt that they would become utterly lost. General Sanborn in referring to it says : "The force that went into the Yazoo Pass was in great peril, and the enemy ought to have captured it. It could not ha\-e been landed anywhere to operate, and there were many ])oints where batteries might have been stationed by the enemy within their reach that would have rendered it impossible for the transports to pass." Nothing daunted by the failure of the Yazoo Pass expedition,. General Grant sought another route via the numerous waterways that traverse the country along the Yazoo bottoms, to a point that would give him a footing on the Mississippi mainland. With a considerable fleet of gunboats under Admiral Porter and sufficient transports to carry a division of troops, the latter under command of General Sherman, an effort was made about the 15th of March, by traversing parts of Steel and Black Bayous, Deer Creek, the Rolling Fork and Big Sunflower Rivers, to reach a point some ten^ miles above Haines Bluff. This expedition became worse involved in the intricacies of its route and the dispositions made by the enemy to obstruct its progress than the one that failed via Yazoo- Pass. At a critical period in its experience Porter had resolved' to destroy his boats, as he feared they would become stranded and captured, but with the aid of the troops they were extricated, and' the entire outfit went limping back to a point of safety. WHiile these efforts were in progress to reach a base east of the river similar efforts w^ere put forth to utilize the bayous and rivers west of the Mississippi for a water route that would con- vey the army and its supplies to a ])oint l)elow Vicksburg on the Louisiana shore. The levees were cut at Lake Providence, seventy miles above Vicksburg. and some progress made in opening a route- through Bayous Baxter and Macon and the 1>nsas and \\'ashita Rivers. The impracticability of this project was soon demonstrated and may be referred to simply as an incident of the campaign. But the enterpri.se that for a time gave the greatest promise of them all, and that is ever quoted as one of the features of the Vicksburg campaign, was the canal projected and nearly completed across the peninsula opposite Vicksburg. This work was prose- cuted to a point where its utility would soon have become demon- strated by its practical use as a means of easy communication bv water past the ri\er fortifications of Vicksburg, when a sudden and almost unprecedented rise in the river caused the dam that had been constructed at the entrance for the protection of the work as it i)r()gressed, to give way and prematur^'ly flood the canal. It was hoped notwithstanding this accident that the action of the water as it flowed through the excavated work might aid in secur- ing a navigable channel, but the elements consistently maintained their unfriendly attitude in this case as in those of like efforts pre- viously employed. The enemy had also by this time constructed a battery that commanded the outlet and a part of the southern course of the proposed canal, which no doubt hastened the deter- mination to abandon the project. There seemed to be a final alternative for a water route presented in the possibility of con- necting the river in its then high stage, with a succession of bavous that led to the ri\-er below, by the construction of a canal a few- hundred rods in length from near Duckport, just above Young's Point, west via Willow Bayou, to New^ Carthage. This was un- dertaken with a somewhat subdued enthusiasm, though \vith a de- termination to exhaust all resources that offered a moietv of promise to evade a close contact with the formidable batteries of heavy guns that frowned along the river front of Vicksburg. This canal had almost reached a completed state when the waters of the Mis- sissippi began to recede, and soon seemed to shrink with a rapiditv that had characterized their previous propensity to swell, a condi- tion that in a few days left the l)ed of this new canal above the level of the river. Many of the men engaged in this work were from states to the northward bordering the Mississippi and were therefore familiar with the erratic habits and sometimes capricious conduct of the old Father of ^^'aters. These men at the incep- tion of the work had generally joinetl in the prediction that the \er}- thing would happen that really came to pass, and the echo of their unanimous 'T told you so's" lingered long in the atmosphere of that locality. The Fifth Minnesota furnished a large detail for dailv service in excavating- these canals. While the men performed this dut}' with a somewhat simulated cheerfulness, they exercised to some extent the great American prerogative that they had not yet sur- rendered, of expressing in trenchant terms their criticism of pre- vailing tactics in the prosecution of the war. Standing in the water up to one's knees and delving in the mud with a spade did not appeal to them as ideal soldierly dut\', and the i)rol)able re- sults, which seemed so clearly apparent, as hardly commensurate with the effort and sacrifice imposed upon them. General Grant says in his memoirs that he at no time enter- tained much hope that these several projects would result in sub- stantial advantage in promoting the general objects of the cam- paign, but that they served the purpose of impressing the country with the idea that there was something doing at the front, and kept the arnu' in a state of semi-activity which helped to maintain its morale. If the exact truth could be stated, I doubt if either of these objects were served to any appreciable degree by these opera- tions. The health of the army was seriously impaired by the ex- posures to which the men were subjected. The locality generated all known species of malarial poisons. The camps, being on low ground, became thoroughly saturated by the heavy rains that for a time occurred almost daily, and as a consequence all the scourges to human life that accompany such conditions were an ever present enemy to be met. Even smallpox contributed its quota of horror with which the army had to deal. The death rate was excessive, and the floating hospitals along the river banks constituted a large percentage of the fleet that was held in the 'vicinity for army use. 1 he levees affording the onlv solid ground in which a grave could be dug. became thickly dotted with the simple wooden slab on which the name constituting the final record of some soldier was in.scribed. Such conditions could not contribute to the hopeful- ness and cheer of men wdio were compelled to constantly confront them, and whose significance grew upon them day by day. The gloom that has been noted as pervading the atmosphere throughout the North following the failure of Grant's advance into Central Mississippi, was in no degree dispelled by these added failures of the campaign; indeed, at this period — the early spring of 1863 — the depression throughout the lo^al portion of the coun- trv was rapidly nearing a portentious climax. Tliere seemed to be- no silver lining- to the clouds that hung heav}' upon the horizoil, and much sentiment prevailed in quarters where such thought;^ could not have found lodgment earlier in the war, that peace should be made, even upon the basis if necessary, of the recognition of the Southern Confederacy. The familiar proverb, "that it is always darkest just before the dawn," could hardly have been more fully exemplified than in the case presented by the conditions prevailing at this period. The dawn was at hand, and the premonitions of coming day possessed the consciousness of Union hearts throughout the country, when it was announced that the perilous and spectacular feat of running the gauntlet of the river batteries on Vicksburg's front, had been successfully performed by a fleet of gunboats and transports on the 1 6th of April, 1863. A most perplexing feature of the unique problem confronting the Army of the Tennessee was thus solved. The means for supplying the army and for its transfer between the banks of the river below Vicksburg and for the protection of such operations, were thus provided, and further in full measure assured by a second passage of a laden supply fleet a few days later. As was expected, these fleets were much damaged and some . ui the vessels composing them lost while in coritact with the enemy's batteries, but a much larger proportion of them passed in a service- able condition than seemed possible under the circumstances. In this auspicious manner was inaugurated the movement that comprehended so much, that was to successively electrify the coun- try by the rapid movements and bold strategy with which the enemy was bewildered, his army beaten in detail, isolated in de- tachments, and within a month its remnants sealed up as in a l)()ttle within the intrenchments of Vicksburg. In anticipation of the possible success of the effect to turn the flank of the river batteries, the Thirteenth Army Corps, commanded by General J. A. McClernand, had moved by land from Millikens Bend, in an effort to penetrate the labyrinth of swamps, bayous and dense thickets that lay across its path, in opening a route by which the army could reach the higher ground on the river bank below. Its progress was exceedingly slow, as most of the distance made was at the cost of great labor in the construction of bridges and corduroy roadway. It was not until the 27th of April that Mc- Clernand had assembled his corps at Hard Times Landing, about 13 furty miles below \'icksbiirg. and nearly abreast of (irand (iiilf on the opposite bank, the latter point being occupied by an en- trenched Confederate battery of heavy guns. It was assumed that tiiis obstruction could be overcome without much dela\-, and on the 29th of April Admiral Porter attacked the work with his fleet of eight ironclads, but after a hot encounter of some liours duration, was compelled to retire with his fleet considerably damaged and a loss of 18 killed and 56 wounded. Under this protection, how- ever, the transports passed the battery, and the next day the men of the "riiirteenth and a part of the Seventeenth Corps were trans- ferred from the west to the east bank of the Mississippi at Bruins- burg, a few miles below Grand Gulf. These troops were at once pushed to the interior and on May ist defeated a detachment of 8,000 Confederates at Port Gibson, Mississippi. On the 29th of April, General Sherman with the Fifteenth Army Corps still at Millikens I'end, made a demonstration via the Yazoo River on Haines IJlufl^. which had the intended etTect of holding a considerable part of I'emberton's Army in the vicinity of Vicksburg, while Grant secured a foothold on the mainland fifty miles below. Sherman retired after executing his successful feint, and following the route of the troops that had preceded him. joined Grant on the 7th of May. The capture of Port Gibson made Grand Gulf untenable to the enemy. It was hurriedly evacuated, its guns and stores abandoned, and immediately occupied as a temporary base for the Union forces. General Grant was now on firm ground on the enem)-"s side of the river, and though as yet by no means near his goal, he could confidentl}- hope to meet his antagonist under more nearly equal conditions than he had recentl\- been com])elled to confront. The advantage of position was still, howe\er, plainl}- in fa\'or of the Confederates. Pemberton had an army nearly e(|ual to that under Grant's command, witli am])le supplies at his hand, and Gen. Jos. E. Johnson was on his way from the east with considerable reinforcements, arrixing at Jackson. Mississippi, a few days following the fight at Port Gibson. Tlie advantages of the enemy were, however, soon neutralized l)y the celerity of Grant's mo\ements and the rapidity with which he dealt the enemy one crushing blow after another. .\t Paxnumd on the T2th lie met a force of :^,ooo Confederates sent out to obstiiict and dela}' his movements. This he defeated and scattered. On the 14th he drove Johnston out of Jackson, beating his force of 10,000 men and capturing much of his artil- lery. On the i6th he met Pemberton in person with 25,000 men at Champion Hills, and after inflicting- upon him a loss of 3,000 killed and wounded and 3,000 prisoners and much of his artillery, sent him flying in confusion over the hills toward Vicksburg, and finally on the 17th, at the crossing of the Big Black River, he routed Pemberton's rear guard of 4,000 men, capturing a large part of the force with practically all its outfit. Following swiftly the line of the enemy's retreat Grant was the next day in sight of \^icksburg, and immediately began an investment of the place. During the period from the fight at Raymond on the 12th to the investment of Vicksburg on the i8th of May so much depended on rapidity of movement and (|uickly executed maneuvers, that no time could be given to or thought expended upon efforts to main- tain communication with his base, wdiich Grant had established at Grand Gulf; nor was it desirable that his swiftly moving columns be encumbered with impedimenta that could be dispensed \\ith. Ammunition the army must have, of course, but beyond provision for this first essential and a few ambulances to care for the wounded all wagons were cut out of the trains, communication with its ba.se abandoned, and the army left to sul)sist on the country, aside from the two days' rations provided in the liaxersacks of the men. Thus the army found itself in the interior of the enemy's country, with its rear in the air, hostile forces on all sides of it, a battle occurring every day, and the last certain assurance of a full ration easily in sight. Though i)arts of the army may ha\e suft'ered somewhat for lack of food, generally it was fairly supplied by what the country aft'orded, though in places along its line of march a crow would liaxe starxed following in its wake. It was this campaign in which it was said that General Grant's baggage con- sisted onh' of a toothbrush. The Minnesota troops participated in these operations without suffering many casualties, though in all other respects bearing the burdens common to the army as a whole. The Fourth Regiment and First Battery were on the field at Port Gibson and Raymond, though not in action. At Champion Hills both were present, and the Fourth Regiment as a part of the brigade commanded by Col. Sanborn, performed important duty under tire in carr\ing- a dil^- cult position on which a large body of i)risoners were captured. At Jackson also these commands were present, but in reserve. In the advance on Jackson the l^fth Regiment held the ad- vance of the Fifteenth Arm\- Corps, the entire regiment being deployed as skirmishers on the 13th and 1 |th of May. \t Mis- sissippi Springs, just at night of the i^lh. it had a spirited en- counter with the rear guard of the enemy that was retiring on Jackson. The regiment maintained its formation as skirmishers in advance of the column, until the entrenchments of the enemv were reached in front of Jackson, about 3 p. m. on the 14th. The Fifteenth Army Corps was here deployed in line of battle, and the Fifth Regiment with its proper command partici|)ated in the charge and ca])ture of the enemy's line that followed. In the occupation of the town the Fifth Regiment was assigned to pro- vost duty. haA'ing its bivouac on the grounds of tlie capitol square and placing its regimental Mag for a dav on the dome of the capitol building of the capital city of Jefferson Davis' own state. During its brief occupation of Jackson the Fifteenth Corps de- stroyed railroads and their equipment, manufactories and every species of property that could have \'alue to the enemy, and on the morning of the i6th started on a hurried march towards Mck.s- burg, wdiere it was assigned to the right of [he line re us, the regiment remained for two hours, when it l)ecame dark, and I was ordered by Col. Sanljorn to withdraw the regiment." This work was done at a cost of 12 men killed and 44 wounded, many of the wounded remaining where they fell, suffering untold ag(my, until two days later, when the dead \\ere l)uried and those }'et alixe remoxed under a fiag of truce. The Fifth Regiment made its assault under circumstances that saved it from very serious loss. The broken nature of the ground in its front, with its entanglement of fallen timber and dense thicket, made it impossible to move in line of battle. The graveyard road, one of the main thoroughfares connecting Vicksburg with the adjacent coimtry. passed through the position occupied on the line of inxestment by the brigade to which the Fifth Reg-inient be- longed. It was determined to make the assault along this road, though it was commanded by a formidable earthwork and ob- structed by chci'caiix dc fvisc. The assault, therefore, must be made in column l)y the Hank, the same formation as presented by troops in line of march. The Fifth Regiment was upon the left of the brigade, which brought it in the rear, or the fourth regi- ment in line. In this formation the old Fagle Brigade charged at a run along the graveyard road. As the leading regiment, the Eleventh Missouri, with General Mower at its head, emerged from the protected position behind which the f(^rmation had been made and became exposed to the enemy's view it was met. and as it moved forward was as if melted down by the hre in front and on both flanks that was concentrated u])on it. Scarcely a man from the right of the regiment to its colors but fell, either killed or wounded. The heaps of dead and wounded men of themselves formed an o])struction difficult to surmount. Though a corporal's guard reached the ditch of tlie fort — among them the color bearer, who placed liis flag on the slope of the work — it was exident that no considera1)le number could pass the deadly spot, and hence the order came to desist and seek cover, which was found among the ravines and behind the felled timber on either side of the road. There the men awaited the darkness of nigiit to retire from their dangerous situation. The soldiers fittingly characterized this man- ner of assault as "charging endwa}'S." a most unusual ex'olution in battle. The First Battery occupied an advanced position on the line of in\-estment. where the effective operati(^n of its guns was es- peciall}- noted in the artillery practice preceding tlie assault, and sub.sequently during the arduous service of the siege. The siege of Vicksburg followed these ineffectual eff'orts to capture the city. Pemberton with his army of 30.000 men was safely corralled within the defences of the citw where he could easily be held, if left to his fate, until starved into surrender. A portentious danger, howex'er. loomed u|) on Grant's rear. General Joe Ji'ilinston was on the line of the Big Black River with the force Grant had whi])[)e(l at Jackson ]\lay 14th. consideral)ly aug- mented bv reinforcements the Confederate authorities liad hurried forward, and was soon likelv to become as f(^rnn'dal)le as the \'icks- burg garrison itself l)v the daily accessions it was receiving. Grant detached such force as he could spare and sent it under command of General Sherman to confront this danger that threatened his rear, in the meantime ordering forward such troops as were within his district in the north and calling on the government for reinforce- ments. From these resources Grant's army w^as soon increased to over 70,000 men, which placed him in a position to aw^ait events with reasonable equanimity. As has been noted, the Third Min- nesota accompanied these reinforcements, and thereafter until the surrender performed efficient duty with the army conlronting ('ien- eral Joe Johnston. The Fourth and Fifth Regiments, with their brigades, were detached early in June for duty with an expedition sent up the Yazoo River, and at Satartia, Mississippi, on the 4th and Me- chanicsburg on the 5th, participated in actions of some importance that had for their purpose and secured the result of clearing that locality of a troublesome detachment of the enemy. The Fourth Regiment returned to the lines of investment, but the Fifth Regi- ment was sent with its brigade to Young's Point for dut\- in guarding the approach to Vicksburg from the Louisiana side of the river. Apprehension was felt that an attempt might be made by the besieged enemy, aided by a force of Confederates that were as- sembling in the vicinity of Richmond, La., to escape by crossing to the peninsula opposite the city. Li the performance of this new duty assigned it the Fifth Regiment had a varied experience. On the 14th of June a movement was made against the enemy at Richmond, in which there was a spirited encounter, almost the entire action being limited to the operations of the Fifth Minne- sota. The ^^•hole regiment was deployed as skirmishers covering a large part of the front of the advancing force. The enemy's skirmish line was encountered strongly posted a mile or more from Richmond. The regiment had become quite proficient in skirmish duty, having had rather more than the average experience in that line of service, and in this instance when ordered to charge while in this formation, made such a precipitate and vigorous onslaught that the entire skirmish line of the enemy was captured, uncover- ing the main force of the enemy, which had not yet made pr(-)per dispositions t(i recei\-e our threatened attack. Our line of battle advancing rapidly caused the enemy to retire in much confusion, leaving evidence in our hands in prisoners, baggage and munitions of the almost complete surprise of our rapid advance. As an aid in repelling an attempt by the enemy to escape from Vicksburg by way of the river it was determined, if possible, to erect some protected batteries behind the levee along the river front of the peninsula opposite the city. For obvious reasons this work had to be prosecuted at night, and a large detail was each night required to aid in these operations. The enemy soon "caught on," and one night when the Fifth Regiment was performing this duty the enemy opened fire with all his heavy guns that fringed the river front, concentrated upon the position held by the Fifth Regiment. The men crouched behind the levee, which at that point was high and wide, thinking, or at least hoping, the rebels would soon tire of their somewhat random practice. But the ene- my ^^•as evidently determined there should be no work done upon the batteries that night. The monstrous shot and shell from pon- derous siege pieces plowed into the levee, covering us with earth, or screeched over our heads, cutting the trees in twain in our rear. The minutes grew into hours, and the hours lengthened intermin- ably as the continuous fire was kept up, and during that whole mortal night, which it seemed would never end, the men lay there flattened out upon the ground behind that levee, none of them daring to hope they would be spared to see another dawn. Strange to say, but few^ men were injured. Most of the deadly missiles passed to the rear or buried themselves in the solid earth of the levee. Occasionally a shell would explode at a point from whence its fragments would wound some of the men. but th,e percentage of casualties to the amount of ammunition expended l)y the enemy was small. The horrors of that night, however, were sufficient to have made its victims prematurely gray, an'l I do not doubt that the thrills they experienced during its continuance, remain in tlie consciousness of many of the men even to this day. Further work upon these batteries was abandoned, but if they could have been completed they would have proven of but little use, as the garrison of Vicksburg was now starved and exhausted and ready to capitulate. The survivors of Vicksburg ha\-e doubtless {participated in manv celebrations of our great national holidav since the war. hut none of tiicm ha\e e\er e-\i)erience(l the same de.iii'ee of patriotic emo- tion that stirred their hearts when, on the morning- of Jul\- 4th. 1863, it \\:is annoiniced to the army that Pemberton had surren- deretl and tliat \'icksl)nrg- was onrs. J<^arl_\- in the day the l-'ifth Reg'iment was conxeyed hy steamer from its camp at \'()nng"s J*oint to the X'ickshurg wharf, where they assumed for the day the freedom of the city. At tlie same time the h\)urth Regiment marclied with its (hx'ision. and at its head from its position on the hne of investment, into Vickshnrg, where it was assigned as a "l)ost of lionor" in recognition of its service in the campaign, to the (hity of guarchng for the time Ijeing the trophies of the cap- ture. 'I liis event is fittingly commemorated l)y one of the beauti- ful battle scenes that now embellish the wrdls of the go\-ernor"s room in the new capitol btiilding of our state. General J. B. Sanborn, one of Minnesota's most distinguished soldiers, was conspicuously efficient in the performance of the diffi- cult and arduous duties impo.sed upon him at \-arious stages of the cam])aign. 'riiough still colonel of the h\)m-th Regiment, he held the command of the Mrst Brigade, Seventh Division, Seven- teenth Arnn- Corps, and for a time during the illness of General (Hiinl)\-, as senior colonel he commanded the Se\'enth Dixision. Jn the complicated and perilous duties in\-ol\-ed in the conduct of the Yazoo Pass expedition General Sanborn performed signal service and won recognition for coolness, sagacity and fertility of resource in the extrication of his command from the maze of doubt and possible disaster in which that expedition became in\-ol\ed. In the battle of Champion Hills he gave evidence of the tactical abilitx- tliat constituted one of his prominent qtialifications for com- mand. iUit in the assault of the 22nd of May his soldierl}' instinct was exemplihed in a marked degree, in the manner in which he maneuvered his brigade luider difficulties of an exceptionall\- try- ing character, acting much of the time on his own initiative, as he was com])elled to do, and hnallv withdraw ing his men after an almost successful assault, through a succession of i)erilous situa- tions, from dangers that threatened to o\erwhelm him. General Sanborn won his promotion long before it came, but a tar(h' sense of justice hnallv mo\-ed the go\'ernment, that in man\- instances during our Civil War showed an unaccountable lack of ai)])reciation for tlie ])atriotic service that saved its life. I'lie great success won at Vicksburg estaljlished General Grant's reputation upon an enduring basis. Thereafter he became the fore- most military figure of the Civil War. It was an instance that notably exemplifies the saying that "nothing succeeds like success." Had the campaign failed in its later stages, it would probably have made a record of disaster that makes one shudder to contemplate, and that would undoubtedly have materially prolonged the v.ar. In his movement to the rear of Vicksburg via Grand Gulf General Grant accepted the possible chance of bewildering the enemy by his bold strategy, and by celerity of action beating him in detail, at the same time risking what seemed to be the more probable chance of the enemy concentrating against and defeating him, with no line of retreat open to his army and no supplies within reach on which to subsist his men. Defeat under such conditions meant the cap- ture or destruction of his army. General Sherman advised against the movement as in violation of the established rule of war, which prescribes that an army in an enemy's territory shall always main- tain a base on which to fall back in case of disaster. The General in Chief at Washington (General Halleck) did not approve it, and sent Grant a peremptory order to abandon his plan and join General Banks at Port Hudson. This order was received by Grant after he had won his series of victories and was closing in on Vicksburg. Military critics have repeatedly demonstrated as be- yond doubt, in their view, that Grant ought to have been ^vh^pped to a finish and his army destroyed. In their bewilderment doubt- less Pemberton and Johnston felt disgust in a degree equaled by the old Austrian general as he characterized Napoleon's tactics in Italv : "He ought to have been beaten over and over again, for who ever saw such tactics? The blockhead knows nothing of the rules of war. To-day he is in our rear, to-morrow on our flanks, and the next day again in our front. Such gross violations of the established principles of war are insufferable." In no campaign of the Civil War did Minnesota as a com- munity have so vital an interest as in that of Vicksburg. When the rebellion blockaded the Mississippi River ^Minnesota felt tliat the vital current in a main artery of her being had ceased to flow. She was restive under a sense of her isolation, until the barriers of that blockade were broken down and a feeling of conscious re- habilitation, such as the invalid e'xperiences when the bonds of his disease are broken, possessed all our people when President Lin- coln proclaimed that "the Mississippi now Hows unvexed to the sea." It is a source of much gratification and pride to all our people to know" that ^Minnesota was represented by her sons in tliat cam- paign to the extent of three regiments of infantry and a battery of artillery, and Uiat they performed most etiective work in .all its main features. Minnesota paid her full share of the price this great achiex'ement cost the countr}-. and in recognition of the ser\'ice of her sons in that most notable campaign, and as ex])ressive of her gratitude and appreciation in that behalf, onr state has recently erected an imposing memorial in the \"icksburg National Military- Park. Note. — Genera! Sliennan in his memoirs gives tlie losses in men of the \'icksburg- camiai.gn as follows: Union. Killed 1,24.3 Wounded 7,095 Missing 535 Total 8,873 Confederate. Surrendered at \'icksburg a2,000 Captured at Champion Hills :>,000 Captured at Big Black Bridge ^^.OOO Captured at Port Gibson -.000 Captured with L(^ring +,000 Killed and wounded K^.OOO Stragglers :i.00<' Total 5«.oon The Fourth Minnesota lo.t 62 and the Fifth 18 in battle casualties during the campaign. The losses by death from other causes greatly exceeded these figures, especially in case of the Fifth Regiment, owing to its con- tinuous service in the malarial localities in which it>^ command was assigned to duty. BRONZIC STATUE OP PEACE. MINNESOTA STATE MONUMENT, VICKSBURG NATIONAL, MILITARY" PARK. Report of the Minnesota Vicksburg Monument Commission. To His Excellency John A. Johnson, Governor of Minnesota. Sir: The dedication, May 24th, 1907, of the memorials erected by the State of Minnesota in the Vicksburg National Militarv Park, commemorating the service of the Third, Fourth and Fifth Regiments of Infantry and the First Battery of Artillery, :\Iinne- sota Volunteers, completes the work of the undersigned as com- missioners appointed under the act of the Legislature of Minne- sota, approved April 8th, 1903, entitled "An act to provide for the erection of a suitable monument and tablets to the Minnesota troops who fought on the battlefield of Vicksburg in the State of Mississippi in 1863. in the National Park set apart and im])r(ned under the act of Congress of February 21st, 1899." The commission feels much gratification in presenting this re- port in the belief that it has achieved a fair measure of success in the character of the work accomplished in the discharge of the trust with which it was iuAested. The commission was most for- tunate in being faxored l)y the presence of }'our excellencx' at the ceremonies of the dedication of these meuiorials. and the opi)or- tunit\' then afforded for a personal inspecti(^n l)y }'0U, in some de- tail, of the extent and character of its work. As essential to the completeness of this report the commission deems it proper to (|uote from the report made to }-our ])redecessor in 1902 respecting the initial steps taken to determine the ]^osition of Minnesota troops in the siege of Vicksburg, as follows : "The commission appointed under the act of the Legislature of Minnesota of 190 r 'to co-operate with the National Park Commis- sion in ascertaining and exactly determining the position of Min- nesota troops and organizations in the siege of Vicksburg. and also to recommend to the governor of the state such subsecjuent legis- lation as will, in the opinion of the commission, permanently and suitably mark the positions of such troops so ascertained and worth- ily commemorate the valor and services of Minnesota soldiers in the campaign and siege of Vicksburg.' have attended to the duties designated and beg leave to report as follows, viz : "The commission met in the office of the United States Com- mission in charge of the Vicksburg Park at Vicksburg on the 4th day of July, 1901. and organized by the election of General John B. Sanborn as president and General C. C. .Vndrews as secretary. All the commissioners were present. "The commissioners then proceeded to make a ])ersonal ex- amination of the park and the positions of the tw^o armies during the siege and in the assault of Alay 22nd, 1863, and to determine and designate the positions occupied by the Minnesota troops dur- ing the siege, and the locations in the line making the assault on May 22nd, where the Minnesota soldiers fell. "We found that the land designated by the act of Congress, approved February 21, 1899. had been acquired by the United States and set apart for the purposes of a national military park, and that the land so designated and acquired included practically all the land between the lines of battle of the contending armies, and in addition thereto a strip about 264 feet in width along the rear of the lines of each of the two armies, and that authority has been given by the act of Congress to the Vicksburg Park Com- mission, with the approval of the Secretary of War, to add such points of interest outside of the park as may be deemed necessary for the purposes of the park. The area of land thus acquired and set apart by the United States comprises about 1,200 acres, includ- ing the land on which all the forts and intrenchments of the two armies stood used in the defense and siege, but not including any of the intrenchments or forts constructed in the line of circum- vallation. It includes all land necessary for a national military park at this place. "The park is delightfully located, and its topography the very best for improvement and decoration, so that it wdll be a great gratification and pleasure to all who may visit it. while it will always exhibit at a glance to the students of the art of war a cor- rect history of the assault and siege, and inspire the loftiest senti- ments of patriotism and duty to the citizens of our country of everv class. B\SE VIEW OF MINNESOTA STATE MONUMENT. VK'KSIUK* NATIONAL MILITARY PARK. "Tlie Minnesota troops that were engaged in the assault on the 22m\ of ]\Iay, 1863, ^vere the Fourth and Fifth Regiments of Minnesota Infantry and the First Minnesota Battery of Light Ar- tillery. These troops had been engaged in the battle of Raymond on the 1 2th of May, in the battle of Jackson on the T4th of May, in the battle of Champion Hills on the 16th of May, and in the battle of Black River Bridge on the 17th, and had marched from the Black River into the line of investment of Vicksburg and en- gaged in the assault on the 22nd of May. The Third Minnesota Infantry was added to this force a few days afterwards. Dur- ing the siege following the 22nd of May, 1863, all the Minnesota troops rendered \ery hard, dangerous and efficient service. Ex- cessive heat, lack of good water, miasma and insects all contributed to their disccomfort, and they were constantly exposed to the fire of the enenn^'s artiller}'. The greatest loss in killed and wounded was in the Fourth Minnesota Infantry in the assault on the 22nd of May. This regiment formed a part of General Sanborn's bri- gade of the Seventh Division, Seventeenth Army Corps. This assault was made under an order from General Grant commanding the arm}' to General McPherson, commanding the Seventeenth Corps, to "move the Seventh Division of the Sexenteenth C(»ri)s to the support of General McClernand's right." The moxement was made under a destructive fire in which the First Brigade led. and suffered a loss of three commissioned officers killed and thir- teen commissioned officers wounded, including one major and one captain and thirty-seven enlisted men killed and one hundred and seventy-six enlisted men wounded, of which the Fourth ^Minnesota lost two officers and eleven enlisted men killed and seven officers and thirty-five enlisted men wounded. The place where these men fell was close to the enemy's fortifications on the Baldwin Ferr}- road, and as near the enemy's earthworks as was reached l)y an}' troops in that assault, practically in the ditch under the earth- works. The officers who were killed in this assault were Clark- Turner, first lieutenant of Company I, and G. G. Sherlorooke. sec- ond lieutenant of Company K. Lieutenant Tm'ner died on the 2r)th day of May, and G. G. Sherbrooke on the morning of the 23rd day of ALay succeeding the assault. The enlisted men killed in the line at this time were Rufus L. Applin of Company B. Elisha Lackey of Company C, J. E. Kinny of Company D, Daniel F. 30 Perkins of Company D, W. S. Gates of Company D, J. AI. H. JHynn i>f Company E, William Scholefoo of Company G, B. C. Hoffman of Company H, Philip Gouthier of Company I. Israel Baker of Company K, Robert P. Tifft of Company K, William C. Sommers of Company K. and W'illiam H. Bogart of Company K. "The services of the Fifth Minnesota Infantry were of the most valnable and trying- character. It formed a part of the Second Brigade of the Third Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps, which assaulted the redan on the GraNcyard road in the afternoon of ]\Iay 22nd. The brigade lost in this assault one officer and sixteen men killed and six officers and one hundred and thirty enlisted men wounded and twenty-nine enlisted men captured or missing, a total of 182. "The division commander in his report says: 'The attack was made with the greatest l)ra\ery and impetuosity, and its failure only served to prove that it is impossible to carry this position by storm." On May 26th this regiment was detailed as part of an expeditionary force sent against the enemy in the upper Yazoo \^alley, during which it participated in actions at Mechanicsburg and Satartia, and thereafter was assigned a position on the west side of the Mississippi River in front of Yicksburg. Its camp was in a h^w and miasmatic location, and much of the time the regiment was rec|uired to hold positions commanded by the heavy batteries that lined the river front of Vicksburg. It held this posi- tion from June 8th until the surrender, preventing supplies and reinforcements from reaching Vicksburg, and the besiegerl enemy from escaping across the ri\er. June 15th the regiment had an encounter with a relieving force of the enem\- in whicli it suffered a loss of eight enlisted men wounded. "The service of the Third Minnesota was in the line of circum- vellation, constructing ritle ])its and fortifications, building chevaux de frise, felling trees, building abattis. and work of this class as necessary and essential as any part of the duties tliat had to ])e performed in carrying on the siege successfull\-. "The regiment took position as a part of Kimball's provisional division of a detachment of the Sixteenth Corps at Haines' Bluff June 8th : moved to Snyder's Bluff', three miles nearer Vicksburg. lune 15th, during all of which time it was incessantly making defensive works to repel attack considered imminent from the rear bg i pn |Hp r -, JSiBRIC:7.THlJ|V.r ^THCCiiP?. JLCHADNCEvw.CRiCC ■: - CASUA! ;ii •. MOND:MAY12.1«6 -^ • ■ ■ JACKSOKMA'':- A.^PJON.S HILL ;■:.■. TOTA; L^T.creftoKC.sH; CTfl-OUtPOST OUT'PANty.THE CCSSTRUCTION lit.M. CLARK.. TURNCR HOt {TAl- cr nrrn?mv- v/nnrrrr •■."C: -.CAVE K!L!,Fn i.-'.V,-i!l lL-» •":'•: r'';c£ 0; . .•.,.:,;.:, •■ • IB BRONZE TABLET INSCRIPTIONS SOUTH FACE OP" MINNESOTA STATE MONUMENT, VICKSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK. miju M-^? ^^ 5THSINFANTRY COL. LUCIUS F.HUBBARD 2QBRIC;3CKDIV.}5THC0RPS CASUAtTiES JACKS0M5MAY t4. t86i NONE RfPORiED ASSAULT? MAY 22.KILIE0 2^ WOUNDED ; HfSSiNa.7. TOTAL m. MfcCHANrcSBURCr.JUNE 4. NONE RfePORI;. RICHMOND; LOUISIANA. JUNE 15. WOUNDED 8 ON PENINSULA OPPOSITE VICKSBURCJUNE ZO-J'ilY 4 NONE REPORTED. ACCRECATE.KiUEa Z.WOUNDED aMiSSLNCZ TOTAL 18; .sd^^. .. ^g^\;^"^ tST BATTERY. LIGHT ARTILLERY '^/'^ LIEUT HENRY HURTER ':Sl> CAP! WILLIAM Z CLAYTON '*!#. 6TH DIV. 17TH CORPS SERVED WITH THE 2D BmCADE OF THE DlVfSIOM DURING THE iHVESTMENI MAY fa- JULY 4.1883. ^IHHl BRONZE TABI^ET INSCRIPTIONS NORTH FACE OF MINNESOTA STATE MONUMENT. VICKSBURG NATION.\L MILITARY PARK. by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army. In connection with General Sherman's movement against General Johnston it marched to Oak Ridge, Miss., July 5th. \Mien Sherman's command had accom- plished its object and began its return to Vicksburg the Third Min- nesota returned July 20th to Snyder's Bluff. "The battery was constantly engaged in returning the fire of the enemy's batteries, in shelling positions where the enemy's in- fantry was known to be, and operated all the time from such posi- tions as were designated l)y the general of the division or corps in which it served. "The campaign against and fall of \'icksljurg \\as one of the most important military events that occurred during the AA'ar of the Rebellion. The great object of the campaign was to cut the Confederate states in twain by opening the Mississippi River to the commerce of the \\'est and Northwest, and sever the states of the Confederacy lying west of the Mississippi River from those lying east. This was accomplished by this campaign, the assault, siege and fall of Vicksburg, and was the first full proof that the United States would be able to maintain their constitution and government, which at that time interested all men everywhere, and established the fact that liljerty and not slavery was to be the law of our national life. "Everything seems to combine to make the Vicksburg National Park one of the most distinguished and prominent places on this continent, and the commemoration of the services here rendered and the sacrifices here made by Minnesota troops, and the commem- oration of those who fell in this military service most appropriate and deserving". "We therefore respectfully recommend that vour excellenc}- in your next message to the Legislature ask for an appropriation of $25,000 to be expended in the erection of a suitable monument in the Vicksburg National Park, to commemorate the services of the Minnesota soldiers that rendered military services in that cam- paign and those who fell in the assault and siege of Vicksburg in 1863, and an additional appropriation of $15,000 for the erection of three permanent bronze tablets suitably inscribed, one upon the Baldwin Ferry road and on the spot or near where the officers and soldiers of the Fourth Minnesota Infantry fell on May 22nd, 1863: one on the Graveyard road near the enemy's redan where the Fifth ^Tinnesota Infantrv made its assault, and a third desig- ■a, J* ' )V\VV\\ MINNESOTA INFANTRY MONl'MENT. VU'KSBrRC NATIONAL MILITARY PARK. nating- the principal position occupied by the First Afinnesota Bat- ter}." I'ursuant- to tlie suggestions of the above report and the recom- mendation of Governor Van Sant, the law of 1903 heretofore re- ferred to. was enacted, and a commission consisting of Generals J. B. Sanborn, C. C. Andrews and L. F. Hubbard appointed there- under. This act made no appropriation to dcfrav the cost of the work, hence no steps were taken to carry out its provisions until 1905. when the Legislature of that year made an approj^riation of $25,000 to make the law effective. In the meantime Gen. J. B. Sanborn had died May i6th. 1904, and Gen. T. l\ Wilson of St. Paul was appointed to succeed him as commissioner. The commission greatly felt the loss of General Sanborn's val- uable counsel in its delil^erations and the aid rendered 1)\- the en- thusiastic interest he had ever manifested in its work. It was the cause of much grief to him that he could not see the completion of these memorials while he lived. As reorganized the commission was constituted as follows: L. F. Hubbard, president; G. C. Andrews, secretar}- ; Thos P. Wilson. Pending- the selection of a design for and during the cr^nstruc- tion of these memorials the commission held o\er thirt}' formal meetings, many consuming much time, l^esides numerous informal conferences devoted to the consideration of details respecting its work. It \isited the national military parks at Gettysbiu'g and Ghickamauga. which prox'ed most helpful in reaching a final judg- ment respecting designs to be adopted. It did not. howex'er, pat- tern after any of the memorials examined, nor did it adopt as a whole any of the designs submitted b)- artists and contractors, fifteen of whom entered into competition for the work. In all its deliberations the commission was unanimous in its conclusions, and no important step was taken except with the cordial concur- rence of the entire commission. The thought that dominated the commissiiMi in selecting a de- sign for the state memorial was that it should in some striking manner suggest the idea of peace, hence the principal difficulty en- countered was to secure an original work of art that would properl\- FIFTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY MONUMENT, VICKSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK. symbolize this Idea, and give tu the structure a character that would at once appeal to the beholder along that line. The com- mission feel that in this respect it has been eminently successful in the heroic bronze statute placed at the base of the state monu- ment, designed by the eminent sculptor William Couper of New York, a small model of which was submitted by the Van Amringe Granite Company of Boston, Mass., to whom a contract for all the state memorials was finally let. Fortunately a member of the commission, Gen. T. P. Wilson, spent several months in New York while the sculptor was creating the model which furnished the mold from which the bronze statute was cast, and by frequent confer- ences with the artist aided much in securing the perfected work. The casting of this statute is of standard government bronze, the work being done by the Gorham Manufacturing Company of New York City. The obelisk, at the base of which this statute is placed, was designed from suggestions made to the architect by the commis- sion, and its construction is along lines adopted by the commission after much conference with engineers and contractors familiar with the special features of construction that distinguish this structure. For many practical and valuable suggestions relative to the rein- forced concrete construction that constitutes a feature of the obe- lisk, the commission are indebted to Mr. George J. Grant, the well known contractor of St. Paul, Minn. This obelisk has the same standard proportions as the Washing- ton national monument, the height being ten times the square of che base. It is of rough quarry faced granite, having hammered margins, is nine feet square at the base and ninety feet high over all. It rests upon a platform base composed of an outer curbing of granite and enclosing a granolithic pavement. The obelisk, together with all the granite that enters into its construction, is built of a North Carolina stone from the famous quarry at Mount Airy, N. C. It is one of the most interesting an.d remarkable granites found in the country. Of medium and verv uniform grain, it is a very white granite sprinkled wdth sharp distinct grains of mica. It is one of the most enduring and strong- est granites to be found in America, averaging some 20,000 pounds pressure resistance to the square inch, being from 2,000 to 6,000. pounds stronger in these tests than the average building stones in this countrv. W hile this Mount Airy granite has been used extensively in past years for Iniilding material, owing- t<> its wonderful compressive strength and uniformity of grain, it has recently come into very prominent notice by reason of its extensive use in some of the hnc^t residences and pul)lic ])uildings throughout the United States. Tlie ])leasing' effect and great dural)ilit\' of this stone is especially valuaide when used in connection with designs calling for great dignity and impressive proportions. The grain of the stone is not so hue as to suggest artificial stone or material, and it is coarse enough to give dignity and character to the style of design and its proportions. Its color is such that the Minnesota memorial can he seen at a far greater distance al(^ng the approaches to its site than would he possible if it were a dead white like marble or a darker C()lor. w hich would l)e lost in a sk}- line. The peculiar construction of this obelisk is of much interest. It is the first granite obelisk erected in America that has what is called "reinforced concrete" backing or interior construction. The thickness of the lower courses of granite walls is two feet, the same tapering g-raduall\' to the top courses of one foot in thick- ness. Each of the granite courses is composed of four stones, each stone tied to its neighbor with strong clamps. Every other course of granite up to a height of fift}' feet is wider than the two coiu'ses al)ove and below it. making an une\en surface which is favorable to the process of concrete reinforcement described 1)elow. The.se four granite walls are backed up b}' a solid mass of con- crete of an a^■erage of two feet in thickness, treated so that a cir- cular form or cvlinder-shaped air space is left in the center of the shaft. 1die circular form of concrete treatment affords great strength to the structure and ai)i)roximately dtuibles the thickness of the granite and concrete walls at the corners of the ol)elisk. the corners being some four feet in thickness from outer edi^e of granite to inner line of concrete. Running thrcuigh the entire length of concrete backing, from the apex of the obelisk down through the granite bottom binder courses and extending down through the entire area of the concrete foundation, are three twist- ed steel rods one inch square of about one and one-half inches in area when twisted. These continuous steel rods, strengthening and binding together the wdiole structure, are made up of sections, each thirtv-two feet in length, and tied together with four patented FOURTH MINNESOTA MARKER. ASSAULT OF MAY 2 2. ISfi? VICKSBT"RG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK. "Crcsby steel clips," and this A-eiy effectual binding and reinforced constmction has been, as we are advised, accepted and adopted by not only the engineering corps of the United States government, but by a majority of the most eminent construction engineers of the country. In addition to the strong clamps tying together each stone of every cr.urse in this monument, and in addition to the eight con- tinu<:.us steel rods mentioned above, there are at stated intervals in the c<~)nstruction of this obelisk three courses where the walls are tied together by other steel rods embedded above and below in the granite and reinforced by what is termed concrete binder courses. The construction of this obelisk has resulted in the securing of the greatest permanenc}- and durability without the objectionable feature^ of introducing at a great height hundreds of tons of gran- ite. It is always desirable in constructing tall memorials of this cliaracter to avoid as far as possible the placing of great weight at so great a height, owing to the known vibrations of the earth which must be provided for. By adopting the interior reinforced concrete backing and binding the wliole mass so firmly together and continuing the binder rods down through the entire length of the obelisk, and extending the same down through and through- out to the base of the concrete foundation, there is secured the maximum amount of strength with the minimum amount of weight. This method of construction has made it possible for our commis- sion to secure for the limited amount of funds available a much larger and more imposing object, in connection with the symbolic bronze statue at its base, than could possibly have been secured had the obelisk been built solidly of granite. It is of interest to note in this connection that within the present year this same rein- forced concrete construction of an obelisk or memorial of like character, lias been adopted by the Pilgrim ^Memorial Association of Provincetown, Alass., who have perfected plans for an observa- tion tower 250 feet high, employing in its construction the same principles of union of granite and concrete reinforced construc- tion. It is also of interest to know that so positive are the en- gineers connected with this work that it is the best form of con- struction that this tower is to be used as an observation tower, and the interior will be constructed of concrete. In proportion to its size the Minnesota State Memorial at \'icks- biirg- is thoitg-ht to he a more durable structure than either the Washington monument at Washington, D. C, or the Bunker Hill monument at Charlestown. ]\Iass. The platform base, twenty-six feet square, has a solid granite wall of AJt. .\iry granite (_)n outer course, two feet six inches high above grade, each stone in its com])osition th(M-oughly clam])ed to- gether ])y bronze clamps. The area between this outer wall and the sub-base of the memorial and granite pedestal is of solid con- crete topped by a granolithic paxement pitched from lower base of memorial to outer granite wall to shed water. Said grano- lithic pavement is treated in squai-es to represent granite tlagging, and this platform base serves to support and dignify the huge obe- lisk memorial and set off the .symbolic statue of Peace finelv. On the two surfaces of the granite walls facing the two ap- proaches from the main avenue the word "Minnesota" in large nine-inch S(|uare simk letters is shown, and on the lower curses of the luain shaft on same sides of the monument abreast of the pedestal on which rests the statue of Peace, are two large l)ronze tablets inscribed with a brief record of the Third, Fourth and Fifth Regiments and First Battery (photographic copies of such inscrip- tions are rei)roduce(l elsewhere in this report). Upon the rear or west face of the obelisk is a l)ronze representation of the great seal of the State of Minnesota. 1'ake'i all together, the size of the obelisk and its accompany- ing s}-ml)olic statue, the .Minnesota memorial and its immediate surroundings are most impressive and ver}' beautiful. Owing to the faxorable location of this Minnesota memorial about half way between the Illinois and Iowa state memorials, on the main axenue. and owing also to its great height and dignified appearance to- gether with its a])i)ropriate and beautiful details, it has been accepted b}- the ])ark ofhcials as a guiding mark to that ])art of the field and approaches, and ])\- common consent acknowledged to li^ ( me of the most interesting and cons]jicuous memorial o1)jects in the Vicksl)urg National Park. Two regimental and one battery monuments, each composed of a solid block of Jonesl)oro, .Maine, red granite of a beautiful shade, to which a bronze tablet is affixed with inscriptions cor- responding to those on the state memorial, have been placeil at KIFTH ^rINNESOTA MARKER, VICKSBURG NATIONAl SSAlT/r OF MAV MILITARV PARK. other points in the park near wliere the Fourth and Fifth Regi- ments and First Battery held their main position during the siege of Vicksburg'. Also three markers of same material have been placed at points indicating the most advanced positions reached by the Fourth and Fifth Regiments in their approaches during the siege and in the assault of May 22nd. 1863. The National Park Commission ha^'e placed a mounted field piece at three points in the park at positions held by the First Battery during its opera- tions. Photographic reproductions of all these memorials, showing their inscriptions, are given in this report. The Minnesota state memorial is unique in form, construction and suggestion among all the memorials in the several national military parks of the country. Most of such memorials in form or adornment suggest the activities of war. Minnesota's is strik- ingly suggestive of peace. Respectfully submitted, L. F. Hubbard. C. C Andrews, T. P. \\'IL.S0N. Commissioners. Dedication of Minnesota Memorials in the Vicks- burg National Military Park, May 24, 1907. 'i"he ceremonies incident to the dedication of the Minnesota memorials were exceedingly interesting- and impressive. They were given much character and dignity 1)}- the presence of Governor Johnson of Minnesota and his military staff, Governor Vardaman of ]\Iississippi and staff, and representatives of the National Com- mission and the W^ar Department. A few of the old veterans of the Minnesota regiments who served at Vicksburg and several citi- zens of the state had come from their far Northern homes, the nnml)cr of Minnesotans present being- about fifty, including- several ladies. The citizens of \"icksburg- were there in large number and manifested by their expressions and demeanor a most hospitable attitude toward their visitors and an earnest and patriotic interest in the ceremonies. The unveiling of the statue of Peace b\' 'Sirs. ]. A. Johnson, wife of Gov. John A. Johnson of Minnesota, and ]\Iiss Aletha Vardaman, daughter of Governor Vardaman of IMississippi, was a striking- feature of the ceremonies and created a most gratifying impression upon the large concourse of people who witnessed it. During the ceremonies a beautiful wreath of flowers, prepared by the Confederate Ladies' Memorial Association of Vicksburg, was placed upon the arm of the statue of Peace, in referring to which Governor Vardaman said : 'T am commissioned by the Con- federate Ladies' Memorial Association to place on that statue that wreath of flowers that is symbolic of the sweet flowers of love and friendship which blossom in the bosom of the Southern people, and which we take great pleasure in laying at your feet." About one hundred children from the public schools of Vicks- burg organized as a chorus, gave patriotic songs finely rendered, which gave much charm and interest to the occasion. The formal ceremonies of the dedication were held according- to the following: PROGRAM. Governor's Salute Warren Light Artillery Call to Order, 2:30 j). ni. Gen. L. F. Hubbard, President of Commission Invocation Rev. C. W. Hinton Mu.sic — "America" \'icksburg School Children Unveiling State Memorial Mrs. John A. Johnson, Miss Aletha \'ardaman National Salute Warren Light .\rtillery Music — "Columbia" Vicksburg School Children Presentation to Governor of Minnesota Gen. L. F. Hubbard. President of Commission Acceptance and Presentation to the United States Hon. John A. Johnson, Governor of Minnesota Acceptance for United States Gen. E. A. Carman Music — "Tenting on the Old Cami) Ground." \'icksburg School Children Address Hon. James K. \'ardaman. Governor of ^Mississippi Music — "Dixie" \'icksburg School Children Benediction Rev. C. W. Hinton General Hubbard's Address. Your I^xcellencie.s. Ladies and (lentlemen: We are here to- tlay to dedicate tlii.'^ imposing" memorial erected hx the common- wealth of Minnesota, in commemoration of the patriotism and A'alor of her sons who offered their li\es n])on this historic held forty- four years ag'o, in sup])ort of a cause the issue of wliich was decided by perhaps the greatest war in the history of the world. This memorial has been placed here as an expression by the people of Minnesota of their appreciation and approval of the loy- alt\'. devotion and courage with which her sons here discharged the duty imposed upon them b)- the state that sent them forth, "rhe character of the memorial itself indicates the spirit that ani- mates our peo])le in ofifering this tribute to the memor\- of men who established 1)y their deeds the right to command our endm-ing ad- miration and regard. Tlie lapse of years has ol^literated the bitterness and softened the asperities that characterized the contest of which Vicksburg w ill ever be recognized as one of the most historic memories. The spirit in \\hich the results of that great conflict were accepted by the entire country and the restoration of those relations that for a time were severed by a state of war. have fullv restored conditions throughout the country that it were a mistake to assume could e\-er long endure otherwise than upon a basis of amity and cordial good will. It early became the determination of the commission appointed to select a subject for this memorial and to superintend its erec- tion, to give it a character that would symbolize the idea of peace. Our initial notice inx'iting competition for this work, distinctly in- dicated that no designs bearing as their prominent feature sug;ges- tions of war or ^•ictor^• would receive consideration. Inhere were among the designs presented man\' that had much merit and some that we were most reluctant to reject, but the one finally chosen and in its C()mpleted form is here presented before }-ou, best illustrates the ideas that dominated our commission in the discharge of its duties. The statue at the base of this obelisk represents a sitting female figure of Peace, whose pose and details suggest beauty, strength and dignitA". The presence of the implements of war. sword and shield in the hands of Peace and the al)sence of the soldier, suggests the recent homeconn'ng of the youthful ])atriot from the scenes of strife and battle after having faithfully performed his duties at the front. The surrender of his wea])ons of attack and defense to the one for whom he had drawn them, and wdio had entrusted them to him in the hour of peril, is strikingly suggestive of the soldier's return to the peaceful pursuits and duties of business and home life. The beautiful face of Peace is aglow with pride and satisfaction as she contemplates the laurel wreath with which she has crowned the battle shield, on which she is partially leaning, yet holding uj)- right with the left hand. The sheathed sword in her right hand speaks elociuently of the character and value of the sacrifice and ■service which were willinglv made and rendered b}- lier youthful hero in the ])ast. and visi(~tns of his bright future and the honors awaiting Inm in the peaceful walks of life winch she offers to him. illumines her countenance. , But in a larger sense this statue is symbolic of national peace and liberty. It represents national peace and therefore liberty of thought and action and all that the principles of American liberty stand for. It fittingly symbolizes the motherhood of a united coun- try. Her sons, north and south, formerly at war, have surrendered to their common parent the weapons of strife. The youthful sol- dier of the South lias brought to her his sword of attack, and the mother who still loves him has accepted it and sheathed it for all time and will hold it ever as a sacred reminder of American valor and sacrifice. The youthful son and patriot of the North has committed to the care ui this same fond parent his shield of defense, and Peace, the great inheritance of each and the parent of both, has gladly accepted l)oth gifts and crowned them with a wreath of gratitude and memor}-. Idie mother is seen dee]) in contemplation of the mementoes of strife, \\hich her \o\e would nou- turn into useful mediums of future greatness, and she looks with fond pride upon her united offspring, now brothers again and engaged in the peace- ful pursuits of life, ready to make common cause against the na- tion's enemies. This statue is the conception of the eminent sculptor William Couper of New York, and is regarded as one of the most notable creations of his genius. This noble shaft of Southern granite, looming heavenward in its grandeur, typifies the greatness and power, the solidity, strength and endurance of our common country. While it especially com- memorates the heroic deeds of those for wdiose memory it is here erected, it also suggests the power and invincible character, when united, of the country represented by the forces that so Aaliantly contended for supremacy on this historic field. The beautiful stone, so pleasing to the eye. of which this obe- lisk is constructed, comes from the quarries at Mt. Airy. North Carolina, a quality of granite that we believe has no superior in enduring qualities and crushing resistance produced in any part of the country. Minnesota at the outbreak of the Civil A\'ar was }'et an infant as a commonwealth : she had but just been admitted as a state of the Union ; she was but a sparsely populated community upon the then northwestern frontier of the countr}-. yet she furnished more 48 men for the Union army in proportion to her population than per- haps any of her sister states. She sent more men to the front than were in the ranks of the regular army of the country in 1861, and at the same time she was confronted by and bore the brunt upon her own frontier, of the most desolating Indian war in the history of the country. Her organizations, her regiments and batteries were, of course, comparati\el}' few. Considering their aggregate, however, she had a large contingent in the Vicksburg campaign — three regiments, the Third. Fourtli and Fifth, and the h'irst Bat- tevv. The prominent part they l)ore in operations upon the held are Aerv l)rieriv indicated upon the bronze tablets attached to this obelisk, and are similarly noted upon separate regimental monu- ments and markers located at points in this park, near where they were in position during the siege and assault. Minnes()ta takes an especial pride in the record her sons made upon this. perhai)s the most notalde held of the Civil War, and in presenting this memorial to the country she offers with it as a |)rincipal feature of these ceremonies, a hlial tribute to the mem- or\- of her sons who represented her so nobly in the achievements fr)r wliich this field is especially distinguished. ^Minnesota wi.shes on this occasion to tender a cordial greeting to her sisters of the South. We bring it from the northern bound- ary of our country, from the sources of the great river that divides the continent and Avhose waters in their course to the sea wash the l)ase of llie heights on which we here stanl. Rspecially to Mississippi does she extend a greeting. To Mississippi, as to all the states that border on the mighty river, she feels that she is bound ])y one of the main arteries of her being, and that the vital huid that contril)Utes to her life, constitutes also an element in the vitalitv that animates those to whom she is thus closely related. Minnesota will especially cherish the spot on which this mem- orial stands and the soil in w^hich the remains of her valiant dead here repose, hence to this locality she will in future years often turn in filial remembrance, as to a spot hallowed l)y the 1ilo(^d of the sons of her Younger years. Governor Johnson, in tlie discharge of the final duty imposed In- the trust with which it was invested, the Minnesota Vick.sburg ?\lonument Commission now surrenders these memorials to your cu^todv. Governor Johnson's Address. My i"'ell()\v Citizens: \\'e are gathered here to-day to dedicate this memorial to the memory of the sons of Minnesota who par- ticipated in the sieg'e of Vicksburg", and who were preferred from among their comrades to offer up their hves as a sacrifice u])on the altar of our country. I appreciate that nothing we can say or do will add to the lustre of their achievements; that what transpires on this occasion will go unnoticed b}- them, and yet. little as it is. the state we represent could do no less than to erect a shaft to the memory of our heroic dead. It is not my purpose to review anrl revi\-e the incidents of the sanguinarv contiict of a half centur}- ago; it is not my intenticMi to discuss the issues which led up to the greatest civil war which the world has ever seen ; it is not my desire to boast of victory which may have come to one side or to exult in defeat which fell to those less fortunate. We come as American citizens, bringing garlands of love and affection to the departed sons of our own great state. Here they sleep with those against whom they contended. The\- at least are in perfect peace. The cause over which they struggled is at an end. It needs no champion, it needs no defense, it invites no controversy; the war of the rebellion is long since at an end. All who i)articipated in it were Americans. The valor of the one was equal to the valor of the other. The conscience of the one was as the conscience of the other. Right or wrong, the struggle was by brave men. Out of it came the present America, the great- est country which the world has ever known, a country as dear to one as to the other. Out of it grew great responsibilities — respon- sibilities which rest upon those who enjoy its blessings and its priv- ileges to-day. ?vlighty and glorious. America sheds its ray of light upon millions of happy freemen. The nation offers its protection and its opportunity to all who seek to enjoy its institutions. In these blessings we cannot participate unless we are willing also to share the responsibilities. E^•er^' age is fraught with its oppor- tunities and with it grave responsibilities. Every age has its prob- lems which must be solved. Ours is certainly not without them. One of the greatest problems confronting the American people is kindred and has a companionship with tlie great problem which 50 the people of America endeavored to work out in the dark daxs of the Civil \\'ar. Unsnccessful efforts were made for its solu- tion at the close of the strugg-le. But then the wcnuids were still Weeding; the public mind was in chaos. 'Ihe people were filled with passion, and the ultimate conclusion was not then reached, has not been reached now, and doubtless will confront the intelli- o-ence of the people for many years to come. I have no doubt of the capacitv of the American people to solve every problem and to solve it correctlv. I believe that when this great (piestion is finally settled it will be settled by those who best know and clearly understand it. bv those with whom it is ever present, and by those who have it in the greatest personal interest. It can never l)e set- tled until it is settled right, and until it is settled in such a manner as will give to every American citizen his rights under the constitu- tion. It will not l)e settled by another clash of arms. Its solution \\\\\ and must be a peaceful one, and that will come through a better knowledge of all the questions which concern the American people. A knowledge which will make us charitable to the faults of those with whom we differ and which will make us appreciate the virtues of mankind generally : which will teach us to realize that America confers no special privileges upon cUi}- class or upon any condition, but which guarantees culture, development and prosperity to all who desire a realization of that whicli American citizenship^ means in its highest and best form. Our country, east, west, north and south, has enjoyed a development during the past half centur\- unparalleled in the history of nations. The future growth and ad- vancement of our citizenship and of our Miaterial resources rest entirely with the ])opulation itself. As Americans we must act in concert for all which tends to ])r()mote the development of our in- stitutions. A\"e may differ as to theories and methods, but we must be agreed in the one idea that America must reach her perfect grancleur through the patriotism of her people— a ])atriotism not necessarilv the result of conflict. l)ut of patience and self-sacrihce. of earnest endeavor, of conscientious effort, of honest}' of purpose. America has had its first and last great civil conflict. The mon- ument erected here on this field is not to perpetuate and keep alive the spirit of war, but is a monument to the peaceful relation which must exist in the future between all our peoi)le. As the tinted ram- bow is a sign that the floods shall never again overcome the earth. so this shaft is an eiiibleni of peace aiul a declaration that hence- forth and forexer more Americans shall never again oppose each other by force of arms, but only in a spirit of rivalry for the uplift of all humanity. It will ever stand to tell the passerl)\- that brave men did not falter in their duty and to admonish future generations that duty well and l)ravely done becomes the true American citi- zen. It will also tell the story of our gratitude to virtue and to sacrifice and teach men that the people who comprise states and na- tions are not luigrateful ; that heroes are thus remembered for their contribution to the wonderful fabric of that independence which ([uickens national life. Governor Johnson then formally presented the memorials to the United States government, which were accepted on behalf of the Secretary of War by Gen. E. A. Carmen, who spoke in part as follows : At the outbreak of the Civil War the new State of Minnesota was the western and northern frontier of American civilization and had not to exceed 200,000 inhabitants, of whom not more than 30,000 were males of military age. Her governor, Alexander Ram- sey, was the first of all the state executives to offer a regiment, the First Minnesota, to the general government which was accepted and made a record not surpassed and rarely equalled by any in the service. The young state had in the Union army during the war more than 25,000 fighting men. suppressing at the same time an Indian outbreak at home and on her frontier, which lasted for tin-ee years. Wherever placed and to whate\er duties assigned the men of Minnesota acted well their part, reflecting glory upon them- selves, their state and the nation. They served in the East, the West and the far South, and those from other states who served with them hold them in the highest regard and ne\er feared the shock of battle when they could touch elbows with them. The monuments and markers on this beautiful and historic field show what the Third, Fourth and Fifth Regiments and a battery did here, and some of the speakers on this occasion have given us interesting details how they did it, and as here they did their duty, so did their comrades elsewhere during four years of exhausting war. It is not necessarv here to discuss the causes of the war; its re- suit is known to all. It made practical that statement in our Dec- laration of Independence that all men were created free and equal, which up to that time had been considered by many as a glittering generality, and from a loose aggregation of states with provincial ideas it made a nation of one patriotic people. Xo war of any time, ancient or modern, developed so many lieroic and brilliant achievements as did our great civil conflict. Nothing in Roman or Grecian annals equals the heroism alike of the men who fought under the stars and stripes or followed the star and bars, and to whom alike is due the wonderful progress we have made as a people since the war. Our progress is due principally to the lessons and experience of that war. It was the strenuous lives of the soldiers, their energy in overcoming all obstacles, their manhood as shown on the field, their self-reliance and their obedience to discipline that inspired a higher and wider measure of pride, enlarged their vision and widened the scope of our endeavor as a people . Their services and their sacrifices contributed to the u])building of a loftier manhood and the expansion of the countr}- and its institutions. And never was a country so richly blessed. The forty-two years since the close of the war have l)een of the greatest progress in the history of mankind — progress in art, in science, in industry, in finance, trade and commerce. Its progress is like a romance. We ha\-e outstripped the world, and we are justly proud of this. Our progress and improvements reach every class and condi- tion of our own people and benefit the rest of mankind. Our in- dustr}- is l)etter requited than that of any other people of the earth, and for the first time in the history of our country our surplus products find a market in every corner of the world, and with our products goes the influence of our beneficent civilization. We are of the happiest and freest and the best provided people of the world, and the best governed. Our free institutions have steadily ad- vanced until to-day we have given freedom to the Republic of Cuba, we have throwai the protection of freedom over Porto Rico, and will soon, it is to be hoped, gi\"e a measure of freedom to the Ph.ilippines, where our republic holds the gateway to the develop- ment of the far East, and we are in a fair way to impress our free institutions upon everv nation on God's footstool. Such has been the proijress of our countn- under its free institutions that t()-(lay we virtually i^ive law to the world. Not a nation that does not confess our strength both in war and i^eace. Our future depends entirel\' whether or not we live up to the hii^h ideals shown us by the soldiers of the Civil War. If our children and our children's children learn and remember the lessons taught by these monuments and by their fathers and grand- fathers in their devotion to dut\- and principle, no hami can come to this mighty republic, and in the words of the immortal Abraham Lincoln, "a government of the people, 1)y the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth." Governor Johnson and members of the Minnesota Commission, by direction of the Secretary of ^^'ar in behalf of the United States, whose territorial integrity and free institutions the people of your state did so much to preserve, we accept this monument, and so long as grass gmws and waters run a grateful government will ]:)rotect and care for it. Governor Vardaman's Address. Governor Johnson and Fellow Citizens of Alinnesota : Hos- pitality is tlie fairest tiower of the highest civilization: it is the perfume of gentle breeding, the music of loving hearts, a tribute of the highest and noblest friendship. T am glad to welcome to the State of Mississippi the great chief executive of the State of ^Minnesota, the distinguished gentlemen who accompany him. I bid them welcome most heartih-. P)Ut the chief ])leasure is the extending of a welcome to these charming women of his ])arty who come from the State of Minnes(~»ta to mingle with the fair women of the Sr)uth. T am commissioned by the Confederate Ladies' Memorial As- sociation to ])lace on that statue that wreath of flowers that is svmbolic of the sweet flowers of Ic^ve and friendship which blos- som in the bosom of the Southern people, and which we take great pleasure in laying at your feet. The speech of Governor Johnson showed that breadth of mind which is characteristic of the true American. We need the sympathy of the statesmen of the North in the great problems which confront us. Thank God, the war is over. But there are left with us prol)- lems wdiich are more difficult of solution than that of '6i-'65. I am g-lad to look upon that monument and contemplate the spirit which hroug-ht it into being. These great problems which lie out before us and which must be solved by the people of all the states, can be solved by bringing the people of the rlifferent sections to- gether. The South went into the great court of might, presented its cause and lost. Siiice fated Appomattox every Confederate soldier and e\ery son of a Confederate soldier has been willing to lay down liis life for his country. The evils wdiich have re- sulted from the war and the war itself grew out of the fact that the people of the South and the people of the North did not un- derstand each other. When a boy I looked upon a Yankee as a being having tusks and claws, and I suspect that the Northern boys looked upon a Johnny Reb as a kind of a wild outlaw. But the people of the South understand the people of the North bet- ter than the people of the North understand the people of the South. You do not read S(^uthern newspapers, you do not under- stand this peculiar creature that we have here. He is just as dif- ferent from you and me as the burro is different from the thor- oughbred Arabian horse. We must consider this question not in anger, but in lox'e. Any- thing which hurts Mississippi hurts Alinnesota, and anything which hurts the Northern states hurts Mississippi. The Union is to be; the war is over. \\'ith our faces to the star of progress let us march along, with regard for the rights of each other, and realize the dream of the founders of the country. Unless we do treat these problems in a broad manner the peo- ple of the North may some day regret that the Confederacy did not succeed. According to the present rate of increase among the negroes vou will, in three generations, ha\-e 80,000.000 of these creatures in the body politic and you cannot assimilate them. T am not pessimistic. I believe that these prol)lems can and will be solved. There is nothing that gets so close to the Southern man's heart as a good woman. If we can get the ladies of the North t(^ come down here and meet our people, the countr}- will l)e safe, for they will tell the men of the North what to do. and they will oliey their commands. T am sorrv that on this battlefield we cannot have monunients to women. During- the war they were at honie doing- greater deeds than c\en Lee or Grant. "The g^reatest Ijattles were fought by the mothers of men." Let me again welcoiue }ou to our homes and our hearts, for }ou are blood of our blood and bone of our bone. God bless you. Following Governor Vardaman's address General Hubbard thanked the governor, the children of the schools, the National Commission and the citizens of \^icksburg generally for their cour- tesy and hospitality. The benediction by Rev. C. ^^ \ Hinton concluded tlie cere- monies. Minnesota Legislative Enactments Relative to Memorials in the Vicksburg National Military Park. GENERAL LAWS OF MINNESOTA FOR 1901. CHAPTER 121. An Act authorizing- the api)ointnient of a commission to ascertain and exactly determine the positions of Minnesota troops in the campaign and siege of Vicksburg and to make an appro- priation to pay the necessary travehng expenses of the mem- bers of said commission. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota : Section i. That the governor of the State of Minnesota be and he is hereby authorized to appoint a commission consisting of four members, being one member for each Minnesota organiza- tion participating in the campaign and siege of Vicksburg, namely, the Third, Fourth and Fifth Infantry Regiments and First Battery Minnesota Light Artillery. Each member of said commission shall have served with honor in the campaign and siege of Vicksburg, and with the organization which he is appointed to represent, and shall serve on the commission without pay excei)t as to necessary traveling expenses. Sec. 2. That it shall be the duty of the commission to co- operate with the National Park Commission in ascertaining and exactly determining the positions of Minnesota troops and organ- izations in the siege of Vicksburg, and also to recommend to the governor of the state such subsequent legislation as will, in the opinion of the commission, permanently and suitably mark the positions of such troops so ascertained and worthily commemorate the valor and services of Minnesota soldiers in the campaign and siege of Vicksburg. Sec. 3. That the sum of five hundred ($500.00) dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and the same is hereby appropriated out of the funds of the state treasury, not otherwise appropriated, to be drawn and used by said commission to pay the necessary traveling expenses of the members thereof in the discharge of the duties aforesaid, and on presentation of such cer- tified vouchers as the auditor of the state shall direct. Sec. 4. Said commission shall make full report of the execu- tion of its trust to the g-overnor of this state on or before the 15th (lay of January, 1902. Sec. 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. Approved April 2, 1901. CHAPTER 136 GENERAL LAW'S 1903 AS AMENDED BY CHAPTER 251 GENia>lAL LAW'S OF 1907. An Act to provide for the erection of a suitable monument and tablets to the Minnesota troops who fought on the battle- field of Vicksburg, in the State of Mississippi, in 1863, in the National Park set apart and improved under the act of Congress of February 21st, 1899. Whereas, under the act of the Legislature of the State of Min- nesota, approved April 2nd, 1901, the governor of the State of Minnesota appointed a commission, as in said act provided, which commission has discharged the duties in said act specified, and determined the positions of the Minnesota troops and organiza- tions in the assault and siege of Vicksburg, and designated the positions held by the respective organizations and the places where the soldiers of this state fell in said assault and siege, and have recommended that the sum of forty thousand dollars should be appropriated to permanently and suitably mark the position of such troops and worthily commemorate the valor and services of the Alinnesota soldiers in the campaign and siege of Vicksburg, and. Whereas, the United States government has already designated the princii)al lines of battle and investment upon the historic battle- field of Vicksburg, by constructing broad avenues thereon and set- ting apart certain circles designating the position occupied by the commander of the Union forces, and many states represented by volunteer forces in said army, are about to erect at appropriate places elegant and enduring monuments marking the positions and containing brief records of the services of the several regiments and organizations there engaged ; and. Whereas, the Third, l^'ourth and Fifth Regiments of Minne- sonta Infantry Volunteers and the First Minnesota P)attery ren- dered most distinguished services in said campaign, and in the assault and siege of A'icksburg, executing every order of their respectix'e commanders, carrying every position on the respective .58 battlefields that they were directed to carr\'. and in the assault moving forward to the ditch of the enemy's fortifications at great sacrifice of life; now, therefore, Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Miiiiiesofa : Section i. That there be constructed and erected a suitable monument to the Third, Fourth and Fifth Regiments of Minnesota Volunteers and of the First Minnesota Battery, in the National Military Park at Vicksburg, and in addition three bronze tablets, one on or near the position where the troops of the Fourth Min- nesota Infantry fell in the assault on the 22nd day of May, 1863, near where the Baldwin Ferry road passed through the Confed- erate works; one on the ground over which the Fifth Minnesota Infantry made its assault on the same da)-, and one on the position occupied by the First Minnesota Battery. Sec. 2. There shall be inscribed on such monument and talj- lets in addition to other appropriate inscriptions such legends an 1 inscriptions as will suitably commemorate the services rendered by the Third and Fifth Minnesota Infantry in the lines of circumvalla- tion and in positions not included in the area of the National Park. Sec. 3. Any money which may be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this act shall be drawn from the treasury 1)y the governor upon his warrant or requisition therefor. Sec. 4. The governor is hereby authorized to appoint three commissioners, who shall serve without compensation. 1)ut whose necessar}' expenses may be paid from any money's \\hich may l)e appropriated to carry c^ut the provisions of this act, l)ut such ex- penses shall not exceed the sum of one thousand dollars. Said commissioners shall devise a design and plan of such monument and tablets and contract for their construction and erection, after such designs and plans have been furnished to the Vicksburg Park Commissioners, and by them been submitted to the Secretary of War and received his written approval of the same, and of the positions in which the same are to be placed, and also after same have been approved by the governor of the state. Sec. 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from anci after its passage. Approved April 8. 1903. Note.— The legislature of 1905 included in the general appropriation bill an item of $20,000 to make the above act effective. Act of Congress Establishing the Vicksburg National Military Park. An Act to establish a National ^Military Park to commemorate the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg. Be it oiactcci by the Senate and House of Ref>reseiitatk'es of the L'ltited States of America in Congress assembled: That in order to commemorate the campaign and siege and de- fense of Vicksburg, and to preserve the history of the battles and operations of the siege and defense on the ground where they were fought and were carried on, the battlefield of Vicksburg, in the State of Mississippi, is hereby declared to be a national military park whenever the title to the same shall have been acquired by the United States and the usual jurisdiction over the lands and roads of the same shall have been granted to the United States by the State of Mississippi ; that is to say, the area enclosed by the following lines, or so much thereof as the commissioners of the park may deem necessary, to-\vit : Beginning near the point where the graveyard road, now known as the City Cemetery road, across the lines of the Confederate earthworks, thence north about eighty rods, thence in an easterly direction about 120 rods, thence in a southerly direction, and keeping as far from the line of the Con- federate earthworks as the purposes of the park may require and the park commission, to be hereinafter named, may determine, but not distant from the nearest line of Confederate earthworks more than 160 rods at any part, to a point about 40 rods south and from 80 to 160 rods east of Fort Garrott, also known as the "Square Fort;" thence in a westerl\- direction to a ])()int in the rear of the said I^'ort Garrott. thence in a northerly direction across the line of the Confederate earthworks and to a point about 200 feet in the rear of the said line of Confederate earthworks, thence in a general northerly direction, and at an approximate distance of about 200 feet in the rear of the line of Confederate earthworks as the conformation of the ground may re(|uire, to the place of beginning, lliis to constitute the main l)ody of the park. Tn do addition thereto a strip of land about 264 feet in width along and including the remaining part of the Confederate earthworks, name- ly, from the north body of said north body of the park to and including Fort Hill or Fort Nogales on the high hill overlooking the national cemetery, and from the south part of said main body of the park to the edge of the bluff at the river below the City of Vicksburg; and also in addition thereto a strip of land about 264 feet in w-idth, as near as may be, along and including the Federal lines opposed to the Confederate lines herein, above named and not included in the main body of the park ; and in further addition thereto such points of interest as the commission may deem neces- sary for the purposes of the park and the Secretary of War may approve ; the whole containing about one thousand two hundred acres, and costing not to exceed forty thousand dollars. Sec. 2. That the establishment of the Vicksburg National ■Military Park shall be carried forward under the control and direc- tion of the Secretary of War; and the Secretary of War shall, upon the passage of this act, proceed to acquire title to the same by a voluntary conveyance or under the act approved August ist, 1888. entitled "An act to authorize the condemnation of land for sites of pul)lic buildings, and for otlier pur])oses."' or under act approved February 22d, 1867, entitled "An act to establish and protect national cemeteries," as he may elect or deem practical ; and when title is procured to all of the lands and roads within the boundaries of the proposed park, as described in section one of this act, he may proceed w'ith the establishment of the park; and he shall detail an officer of the engineer corps of the army to assist the commissioners in establishing the park. Sec. 3. That the Secretary of War is hereby autiiorized to enter into agreements of leasing upon such terms as he may pre- scribe, with such occupants or tenants of the lands as may desire to remain upon it, to occupy and cultivate their present holdings upon condition that they will preserve the present buildings and roads and the present outline of field and forest, and that they will only cut trees or underl)rush under such regulations as the Secre- tary of \\'ar may prescribe, and that they will assist in caring for and protecting all tablets, monuments, or such other artificial works as may from time to time be erected by proper authority; provided, that the United States shall at all times have and retain, full right. power and authority to take possession of any and all parts or portions of said premises and to remove and expel therefrom an\- such occupant, tenant, or other person or persons found thereon whenever the Secretary of ^^'ar or the commissioners shall deem it proper or necessary: and such rioiit, ])ower and authority shall he reserved in its expressed terms in all leases and agreements giv- ing- or granting- such occupant or tenant the right to remain in possession as herein contemplated : and thereu])on said occupant or tenant or other persons who ma)- he re(|uired to \acate said prem- ises shall each and all at once surrender and deliver up the posses- sion thereof. Sec. 4. That the affairs of the Vicks1)urg- National ]\lilitarv Park shall, subject to the supervision and direction of the Secre- tary of War, be in charge of three commissioners, to be appointed by the Secretary of War, each of whom shall have served at tb.e time of the siege and defense, in one of the armies engaged therein., two of whom shall have seiwed in the army commanded bv Gen- eral Grant and one in the army commanded b}- General Pember- ton. The commissioners shall elect one of their number chairman: they shall also elect, subject to the approval of the Secretarv of War. a .secretary, who shall be historian, and wlio shall possess the requisite qualifications of a commissioner, and tliev nnd the secretary shall have an office in the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi, or on the grounds of the park, and be paid such compensation as the Secretary of War shall deem reasonable and just. Sec. 5. That it shall be the dut}- of the conimissioners named in the preceding section, under the direction of the Secrctar}- c\ \\'ar, to restore the forts and the lines of fortification, the parallels and the approaches of the two armies, or so much thereof as may be necessary to the purposes of this park ; to open and construct and to repair such roads as may be necessary to such purpo.ses, and to ascertain and mark with historical tablets or otherwise, as the Secretary of War ma}- determine, the lines of l)attle of the troops engaged in the assaults and the lines held by the troops during the siege and defense of Vicks1)urg. the head(|uarters of General Grant and of General ]\iiil)erton, and other historical i)oints of interest ])ertaining- to the siege and defense of \^icks1)urg- within the park or its \icinity: and the said commissioners in establish- ing this military ])ark sliall also have authority under the direclion of the Secretary of \\'ar to do all things necessary to the purposes of the park, and for its establishment under such regulations as lie may consider best for the interests of the government, and the Secretary of War shall make and enforce all needful regulations for the care of the park. Sec. 6. That it shall be lawful for any state that had troops engaged in the siege and defense of Vicksburg to enter upon the lands of the Vicksburg National Military Park for the purpose of ascertaining and marking the lines of battle of its troops en- gaged therein ; provided, that before any such lines are permanently d-esignated the position of the lines and the proposed methods of marking them l)y monuments, tablets, or otherwise shall be sub- mitted to and a])proved by the Secretary of War, and all such lines. desig"ns. and inscriptions for the same shall first receive a written approval of the Secretary of \\'ar. which approval shall be based upon formal written reports which must be made to him in each case by the commissioners of the park; and no monument, tablet, or other designating indication shall be erected or placed within said park or vicinity without such written authority of the Secretary of War. Provided, that no discrimination shall be made r.'gainst any state as to the manner of designating lines, but any grant made to any state by the Secretary of War may be used l^y an\- other state. The provisions of this section shall also apply to organizations and persons; and as the Vicksburg National Cem- etery is on the ground partly occupied by Federal lines during the siege of Vicksburg. the provisions of this section, as far as may be practical, shall apply to monuments or tablets designating such lines within the limits of that cemetery. Sec. 7. That if any person shall, except by ])ermissi()n of the Secretary of War. destroy, mutilate, deface, injure, or remove any monument, column, state memorial structure, tablet, or work of art that shall be erected or placed upon the grounds of the park by lawful authority, or shall destroy or move any fence, railing, enclosure, or other work intended for the prc^tection or ornamenta- tion of said park, or any portion thereof, or shall destroy, cut, hack, bark, break down, or otherwise injure any tree, bush, or shrul) that may be growing upon said park, or shall cut down or fell or remove any timber, battle relic, tree, or trees growing or being upon said park, or hunt within the limits of the park, or 63 shall remove or destro\- any breastworks, earthworks, walls, or otiior defenses or shelter on any part thereof constructed by the armies formerly engaged in the liattles, on the lands or approaches of the park, am person so offending and found guilty thereof, before any United States comn;issioner, or court, justice of the peace of the county in which the offense may be committed, or any court of competent jurisdiction, shall for each and every such offense forfeit and pay a fine in the discretion of the court of the United States or justice of the peace, according to the aggravation of the offense, of not less than five nor more than five hundred dollars, one-half for the use of the park and the other half to the inform- ant, to be enforced and i-eco\ered before such United States com- missioner, or court, or justice of the peace or other court in like manner as debts of like nature are now by law receivable in the several counties where the offense may be committed. Sec. 8. That to enable the Secretary of War to begin to carry out the purposes of this act including the condemnation or purchase of the necessary land, marking the boundaries of the park or open- ing or repairing necessary roads, restoring the field to its condition at the time of the battle, maps and surveys, material, labor, cler- ical, and all other necessary assistance, and the pay and expenses of the commissioners and their secretary and assistants, the sum of sixty-five thousand dollars, or such portion thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the treas- ury not otherwise appropriated and disbursements under this act shall require the approval of the Secretary of War, and he shall make annual reports of the same to Congress. Approved February 21, 1899. Authority to mount guns was given by a subsequent act of Con- gress. 6i LIBRfiRY OF CONGRESS 013 673 668 1