Delta in Madison Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Ninth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 26, 2015
1. Ninth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers Memorial
Front Side
Inscription.
Ninth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers. . Known as Connecticut’s Irish Regiment, due to its predominant makeup of soldiers born in Ireland, the Ninth was mustered in at New Haven in September 1861. In December, the 845-man regiment arrived at Ship Island, Mississippi, and was among the first Union troops to enter New Orleans after the city surrendered in April 1862. Two months later, the Ninth was part of the expeditionary force led by Gen. Thomas Williams that steamed up the Mississippi River in the first Union campaign to capture Vicksburg. Lacking sufficient numbers for an assault or siege, the troops were put to work excavating Williams’ Canal in an attempt to bypass Vicksburg and restore unfettered navigation of the Mississippi. , , The Ninth Connecticut arrived at De Soto Point, opposite Vicksburg, on June 25, 1862, and began felling trees, cutting roots, and turning dirt. Supply problems, lack of drinking water, and temperatures that reached above 100 degrees took a heavy toll as malaria, dysentery, and heatstroke spread throughout the command. With the river level dropping and troops incapacitated by heat and disease, the canal project was abandoned on July 24, far short of completion. Some 153 men of the Ninth died within a four-month period following their arrival at the canal. While the Ninth saw no further action at Vicksburg, it participated in the Battle of Baton Rouge in August and was then assigned to defenses in the New Orleans area.
Known as Connecticut’s Irish Regiment, due to its predominant makeup of soldiers born in Ireland, the Ninth was mustered in at New Haven in September 1861. In December, the 845-man regiment arrived at Ship Island, Mississippi, and was among the first Union troops to enter New Orleans after the city surrendered in April 1862. Two months later, the Ninth was part of the expeditionary force led by Gen. Thomas Williams that steamed up the Mississippi River in the first Union campaign to capture Vicksburg. Lacking sufficient numbers for an assault or siege, the troops were put to work excavating Williams’ Canal in an attempt to bypass Vicksburg and restore unfettered navigation of the Mississippi.
The Ninth Connecticut arrived at De Soto Point, opposite Vicksburg, on June 25, 1862, and began felling trees, cutting roots, and turning dirt. Supply problems, lack of drinking water, and temperatures that reached above 100 degrees took a heavy toll as malaria, dysentery, and heatstroke spread throughout the command. With the river level dropping and troops incapacitated by heat and disease, the canal project was abandoned on July 24, far short of completion. Some 153 men of the Ninth died within a four-month period following their arrival at the canal. While the Ninth saw no further action at Vicksburg, it participated in the Battle
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of Baton Rouge in August and was then assigned to defenses in the New Orleans area.
Erected 2008.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1862.
Location. 32° 19.24′ N, 90° 55.969′ W. Marker is in Delta, Louisiana, in Madison Parish. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of Old Highway 80 East and Stafford Drive, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in the Grant’s Canal unit of the Vicksburg National Military Park; the above directions are to the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delta LA 71233, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Grant's Canal. From the National Park Service website for Vicksburg National Military Park. (Submitted on June 17, 2015.)
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 26, 2015
3. Ninth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers Memorial and US African Brigade Marker
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 26, 2015
4. Ninth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers Memorial
Left Tablet
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 26, 2015
5. Ninth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers Memorial
Right Tablet
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 26, 2015
6. Memorial Drawing
Front Side
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 26, 2015
7. Memorial Drawing
Rear Side
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 26, 2015
8. Ninth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers Memorial
View to northwest towards Old US 80 East
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 428 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on June 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.