Vicksburg National Military Park in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
John E. Smith's Brigade; Assault, May 22, 1863.
Union Position Tablet
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017
1. John E. Smith's Brigade; Assault, May 22, 1863. Marker
Inscription.
John E. Smith's Brigade; Assault, May 22, 1863.. Union Position Tablet. This brigade was ordered to assault the Confederate Third Louisiana redan on north side of Jackson Road. The 31st and 124th Illinois Regiments were deployed as sharpshooters. About 10 a.m. the 23D Indiana advanced by the flank, in quick time with fixed bayonets, followed by the 20th Illinois. The leading regiment advanced to within about 100 yards of the redan, filed right and marched in the new direction until its left cleared the road it found, in its front, a deep ravine covered with a heavy abatis and was ordered to retire by companies. The 20th Illinois advanced on the road close to the salient angle of the redan, turned obliquely to the left and found shelter on the slope of the ridge in front of the Confederate intrenchment. At 2 p. m. the 45th Illinois, under command of Major Luther H. Cowen, advanced on the road, by the flank with fixed bayonets, supported by the 20th Ohio of the second brigade, the leading regiment advanced close to the salient angle of the redan, filed obliquely to the left and found shelter on the slope of the ridge, immediately in rear of the 20th Illinois. Both regiments remained in the positions gained until the evening of the 23D, when they retired. Under orders, the 20th Ohio was not ordered forward. This tablet marks the place where Major Cowen was killed at the head of his regiment. Casualties: 20th Illinois, wounded 23: 31st Illinois, killed 3, wounded 21, total 24, Capt. Horace l. Bowyer mortally wounded: 45th Illinois, killed 1, wounded 19, missing 2, total 22, Major Luther H. Cowen killed; 124th Illinois, wounded 2: 23D Indiana, killed 3, wounded, total 10, Lieut. Christian C. Zulauf killed: aggregate, killed 7, wounded 72, missing 2, total 81.
This brigade was ordered to assault the Confederate Third Louisiana redan on north side of Jackson Road. The 31st and 124th Illinois Regiments were deployed as sharpshooters. About 10 a.m. the 23D Indiana advanced by the flank, in quick time with fixed bayonets, followed by the 20th Illinois. The leading regiment advanced to within about 100 yards of the redan, filed right and marched in the new direction until its left cleared the road it found, in its front, a deep ravine covered with a heavy abatis and was ordered to retire by companies. The 20th Illinois advanced on the road close to the salient angle of the redan, turned obliquely to the left and found shelter on the slope of the ridge in front of the Confederate intrenchment. At 2 p. m. the 45th Illinois, under command of Major Luther H. Cowen, advanced on the road, by the flank with fixed bayonets, supported by the 20th Ohio of the second brigade, the leading regiment advanced close to the salient angle of the redan, filed obliquely to the left and found shelter on the slope of the ridge, immediately in rear of the 20th Illinois. Both regiments remained in the positions gained until the evening of the 23D, when they retired. Under orders, the 20th
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Ohio was not ordered forward. This tablet marks the place where Major Cowen was killed at the head of his regiment. Casualties: 20th Illinois, wounded 23: 31st Illinois, killed 3, wounded 21, total 24, Capt. Horace l. Bowyer mortally wounded: 45th Illinois, killed 1, wounded 19, missing 2, total 22, Major Luther H. Cowen killed; 124th Illinois, wounded 2: 23D Indiana, killed 3, wounded, total 10, Lieut. Christian C. Zulauf killed: aggregate, killed 7, wounded 72, missing 2, total 81.
Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 32° 21.52′ N, 90° 50.623′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker can be reached from Old Jackson Road, 0.2 miles west of Union Avenue. Located at the foot of the Third Louisiana Redan. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding John E. Smith's Brigade; Assault, May 22, 1863.. An abitas refers to cutting down trees and dragging them into position with their branches sticking outward, so as to slow down a charging infantry force.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 7, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 288 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 7, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
