Vicksburg National Military Park in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Melancthon Smith

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

1. Melancthon Smith Marker

Inscription.
Lt. Col. 45th Ill. Inf.
Mortally wounded
in crater, June 25.

Erected 1916 by the U.S. Government.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant day of the year for for this entry is June 25.

Location. 32° 21.52′ N, 90° 50.652′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker can be reached from Old Jackson Road. Located atop the 3rd Louisiana Redan, tour stop 3. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Old Jackson Road, Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Affair of the Crater; June 25-26, 1863. (a few steps from this marker); Eugene Erwin (a few steps from this marker); U.S. Logan's Approach. (a few steps from this marker); C.S. Appeal (Arkansas) Battery; (a few steps from this marker); C S Missouri (a few steps from this marker); Third Louisiana Redan, On Left of Jackson Road.

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(a few steps from this marker); Pembroke S· Senteny (a few steps from this marker); C.S. Appeal (Arkansas) Battery; (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg National Military Park.

Regarding Melancthon Smith. The cost of the tablet was paid by EC Crummer ($80), Mrs. Annie M. Chetlain (widow) ($100) and the monument cost $185. The sculptor was George T. Brewster.

At the siege of Vicksburg, about a month was spent in running a sap and digging a mine under Fort Hill. June 25, the mine having been charged, the match was applied. The Forty-fifth was selected as the storming party, when the breach should be made. Immediately after the explosion the Regiment rushed into the crater, but was met with a murderous fire by the enemy, who was still protected by an embankment of about three feet in width, which

View of the Melancthon Smith tablet with the redan in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

2. View of the Melancthon Smith tablet with the redan in background.

had been thrown up by the rebels as an inner line in case the outer works should be demolished. The loss to the Forty-fifth in this charge was 83 officers and men killed and wounded including the death of Lt. Colonel Melancthon Smith.

Melancthon Smith tablet is first one in middle. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

3. Melancthon Smith tablet is first one in middle.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 281 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 27, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.