Episode 21: 1SG Thomas B. Marshall and the 83rd Ohio at the Siege of Vicksburg

At the Siege of Vicksburg, 1SG Marshall and the 83rd Ohio participated in two separate assaults upon the Confederate works and conducted siege operations that culminated in the 4 July 1863 surrender of the city.

Sources used for this episode:

Marshall, Thomas B. History of the Eighty-Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, The Greyhound Regiment. Cincinnati: The Eighty-Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry Association, 1912. https://www.loc.gov/item/13020149/.

Scott, Robert N. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Ser. 1, Vol. 24, Pt. 1. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1889. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077699738&view=1up&seq=3.

Scott, Robert N. OR. Ser. 1, Vol. 24, Pt. 2. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1889. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077723033&view=1up&seq=3.

Transcript

0:22

Hello. My name is Belle Coughlin. And welcome to first person civil war podcast. Which retells the stories of the soldiers and officers on the ground, in the battles of the civil war. Episode 21 is entitled first. Sergeant Thomas B. Marshall. And the 83rd Ohio at the siege of Vicksburg. And relies on his book. History of the 83rd Ohio volunteer infantry. The Greyhound regiment. Which he published in 1912. Thomas B. Marshall lived in Cincinnati, Ohio prior to the war and did not enlist in the army until 14, August, 1862. He along with the other enlisted men. We're sent to camp Denison east of Cincinnati. Where he was organized into company K on 26, August, 1862. And by mid September, 1862. The 83rd Ohio completed its organization. The 83rd Ohio first saw action at the battle of Chickasaw by you. But we're on another part of the battlefield from the 26th Louisiana. Which was episode five. It was present at other battles, such as Arkansas post and champions hill. All of which were part of the Vicksburg campaign. The 83rd Ohio at this time was in Brigadier general. Steven Jeeper. Bridges first brigade of Brigadier general, Andrew J Smith's 10th division. Of major general John, a MacLennans 13th core. In major general, Ulysses S Grant's army of the Tennessee. On. 18 May, 1863, the 83rd Ohio, along with the rest of the army of the Tennessee. Arrived on the outskirts of Vicksburg. Trapping what remained of the Confederate army of Mississippi inside of Vicksburg. Alongside the residents of the city. To maintain the initiative major general grant ordered an assault upon Vicksburg on 19 may, which included first Sergeant Marshall and the 83rd Ohio. As they advanced along the Baldwin ferry road and the Southern railroad of Mississippi. Our lines were pushing for positions. And for the first time came in sight of those fortifications, which we had labored so long and marched so far to attack. It is difficult here to separate the unit from the mass. Difficult to say this regiment was not distinct in its labors and duties from that regiment. So the lines were so closely intermingled. The individual members so closely associated in their deadly endeavors, that it is hardly possible to make much distinction. Vicksburg at this time, held a prominent place upon the Mississippi river. Taking this city. Meant complete union control of the river. And would split the Confederacy into this meant holding the city was of the utmost importance. Which meant it was exceptionally fortified. While writing his book first, Sergeant Marshall toward the ground, they unsuccessfully assaulted on 19 may. Guided by Steven D. Lee. Who was a Brigadier general and commander of the Alabamans that defended that part of the line. He said. We have the only line of continuous Hills from the river above to the river below. We had fortified it with the greatest military skill. While to you were left the spurs and the hollows. Now first Sergeant Thomas speaking about the ground. This was a fact, they had all the advantages while we had all the disadvantages. So that we had to make up a numbers and skill that which would bring about an equality. Another assault upon the Confederate defenses was set for 10:00 AM on 22 may. Rather than use his own account. First SAR Marshall relied on a memo from a comrade of the regiment to relate the assault of the 83rd Ohio. The troops were massed in shelter, places as quickly and observably as possible. Most of the artillery had by this time. Been placed in position. And at the signal 200 guns, belched forth, horse thunder. The startled Hills trembled to their foundations, the flight of the rifle balls. Cut the air with hoard, screech, and Gunn and shell polluted all the atmosphere with a sulfurous breath whose fumes rose like exhalations from the infernal pit. On their sector of the 13th core's assault, Brigadier general William P Benton's brigade was in front. With the 83rd Ohio's brigade supporting their advance. Which meant they followed behind them. We reached them. That was all those massive redoubts and miles of rifle pits had not been built to be turned over with only slight resistance into the hands of the enemy. Every embrasure and every foot of rifle, pit blazed and smoked and hissed and hurled volleys of multitudinous death. We reached the brow of the hill. And threw ourselves flat upon the ground to escape the withering fire from the trenches. And he continues. We were so close to the enemies, works that from the front, they overlooked us and threw hand grenades into our ranks. While a murderous fire from the hill on our right and filleted us and depleted our ranks. For 10 long hours, we lay upon the brow of that hill in the scorching sun of an unclouded summer's day. Here the narrative of the unidentified soldier ends. And first Sergeant Marshall completes the story of the 22 may assault. Twilight came. But the conflict ended, not until darkness settled down over the Hills and the stars one by one. Silently took their stations in the blue vault above. Then we withdrew and left the field to the enemy. And the dead. First SAR, Marshall then expands on why they stayed in position so long that day. The prolongation of the battle with a consequent loss could have been very much curtailed had not McLaren and falsely reported that in our front, the outer works were in our possession. This caused general grant to persevere. Meaning keeping the men upon the works. Which he would not have done. Had he known the real facts? This statement by first, Sergeant Marshall was no mere rumor. But it's even present in maitre general Grant's report about the 22 may assault. About 12:00 PM. I received a dispatch from McLernon that he was hard-pressed at several points. And replied to which I directed him to reinforce the points hard-pressed from such troops as he had, that were not engaged. I then wrote around to Sherman. And just reached there when I received a second dispatch from McLernon stating positively and unequivocally that he was in possession of and still held two of the enemies forts. Major general, McClernon sent several dispatches requesting further reinforcements to which grant complied. And sent a division from the 17th core to McLaren and support. But even with these reinforcements, the assault failed. And major general grant had to change his strategy to take Vicksburg. The assault of this day prove the quality of the soldiers of this army. Without entire success and with a heavy loss. There was no murmuring or complaining, no falling back. Nor other evidence of demoralization. After the failure of the 22nd, I determined upon a regular siege. Three days after the 22 may assault, both armies agreed to a two and a half hour truce to bury the dead. First Sergeant Marshall and the 83rd Ohio. Walked toward the Confederate trenches. The silence was most profound. Each side came out and whereas we're past as the two armies laughed and joked one another telling how each was succeeding. Some said they could hold out for six months well, other said they were then on half rations. The truth came to an end and the rattle of musketry began a new. Though the Confederates successfully repulsed both may assaults. They were still trapped inside Vicksburg. With the army of the Tennessee, besieging the city by land. And federal gunboats patrolling the Mississippi river. As the days of the seeds dragged on the union, trenches became more intricate. First Sergeant Marshall describes the digging of one such trifle pit. The digging during the day had to be done on our knees, always remembering to keep our bodies and heads well down. Else we might have no further use for them. In this way, the pits were deepened and widened. Affording greater protection. Some trenches were made wide enough and deep enough for the passage of a wagon or a piece of artillery. Including horses. And he continues. The days of may and June went by in the everlasting dig, dig, digging. By early July 1st, Sergeant Marshall heard many rumors about the conditions within the city. Here again, he relies on a fellow soldier of the regiment drummer, Thomas J chard. On what he saw on the morning of three, July, 1863. Between nine and 10 o'clock the white flag appeared. And to Confederate officers came out of their works. Not being on duty and knowing something unusual was about to happen. I made quick time back to the camp to tell the boys. As I was about returning to the front, I met a captain escorting two officers. These men were going to the 10th division commanders tent. And he continues. I conducted them there and heard them introduced to general Smith as general Bowen and Colonel Montgomery. I went right up to the tent door with them. Saw the mentor and take seats. When in not more than two minutes, general Smith reappeared. Mounted his old bay horse and was a way without any orderly or anyone else. For general grants headquarters. What Thomas chard witnessed was the first attempt to discuss terms for the surrender of Vicksburg. But general grant did not meet with these men. He would only meet with Lieutenant general Pemberton. The overall Confederate commander. The next day, first SAR and Marshall and the rest of the army of the Tennessee heard the news. July 4th, 1863. I witnessed the official surrender. It was certainly a site that filled us with joy to see the enemy come out in front of their forts in long lines, stack their arms and then leave them. So the Garrison surrendered, first Sergeant Marshall and the 83rd Ohio had no time to rest. Krantz sent a portion of his army on five July. To March east to meet pager general Johnston's Confederate force, which was along the big black river. And met him at the siege of Jackson. The 83rd Ohio remained with the 13th core until the end of the war. And participated in further fighting, such as the red river campaign. Thomas B. Marshall. When answering the question of why the men of the 83rd Ohio fought in the war. Use the battles of Thermopylae and marathon. Where the Greeks defeated the Persians. And the battle of LA panto. Where the holy league defeated the Ottoman empire. As an answer. As it was at their Ellie marathon and LA panto. The wheels of time moved forward at Appomattox and humanity stepped to a higher plane. We not only wiped out our national stain. But at the same time, showed to the world, our existence as a nation with a brighter outlook for the toiling, millions than never before. It was true that the 83rd Ohio was, but one of many units, but one of many ponds of this huge chess board of fate. The 83rd Ohio volunteer infantry association voted Thomas B. Marshall. Two right. History of the 83rd Ohio volunteer infantry, the Greyhound regiment, which he published in 1912. Though, mostly his perspective. He also used the diaries of four soldiers to round out the story. This means the unnamed contributor of the 22 May, 1863 assault upon Vicksburg. Was most likely either Peter R Fortney, John W. Bird Saul, William Vorhees, or Charles B. Palmer. The book took several years to write gathering diaries and general information. And Thomas B. Marshall even included such information as list of battles 12. Skirmishes five. Distances traveled by rail 614. By steamer, 7,130. And on the March, 1000 831 miles. Thank you for listening to the 21st episode. The link to first Sergeant Marshall's book is now available on the podcast website. First person, civil war, podcast.com. On Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn this week. You will find a picture of Thomas B. Marshall in 1912. If you are not following any of the social media accounts, you should consider it. Over the past week, you will find posts that explained why they were known as the Greyhound regiments. And a depiction from Harper's weekly of the may assaults upon Vicksburg. At the top of the podcast website, you will find a link to all four accounts. Please give them a. Follow. For episode 22, I have decided to make it a special episode. Captain William w Goldsborough of company, a first Maryland. And private George w Bucknell. Of company F fifth Maine. Provide next week's first person accounts. As they face each other at the battle. Uh, first Manassas. My name is bill Coughlin. And thank you for listening to first person civil war podcast.