THE ONLY CLUE
The two letters from the Adjutant-General of Iowa to Uncle Matt indicated that James
Tiernan enlisted in the 26th Infantryas a fourth corporal in October 1862, was promoted to
first corporal (WHEN? WHY?) and at his own request, was reduced in ranks on March 3, 1863.
Mustered out June 6, 1865 in Washington, DC. The museum also notes that there is a flag
described as: Rebel flag, stars and bars-thirteeen stars. Taken from the Columbia, S. Carolina
STATE House as the Union troops marched through. Donor: JAMES TIERNAN, 26th Iowa Infantry
to Adj. Genl. Baker. (see Picture Below)
So if the 26th Iowa was in SOUTH Carolina it was likely that they joined the Army of
Tennessee right after being mustered into service and may have been involved with the
Vicksburg Campaign. (This reasoning later proved to be fairly close, the first battle for
the unit was a lead-in battle to the attempt at Vicksburg.)
VICKSBURG PHYSICAL LAY-OUT
Vicksburg commanded the Mississippi River at a bend in the river. The high bluffs
permitted positioning of heavy cannon that couldn't be hit from boat guns. In order to
protect the river guns, landward fortifications were built by the Confederate forces.
There consisted of nine inter-connected strong points or forts. The easthen forts were
strung along the highest ridge-crest above the rivers, Mississippi and Yazoo. The total
length of the defensive positions is about 16 miles and is in the shape of a "7".
Today the National Park covers the northern half of the defenses, however this
area includes the main battle areas of the seige.
MOVEMENTS AND BATTLES
A series of battles were fought to the south and east of Vicksburg, including the
capture of Jackson MS by Union troops (60 miles east). Grant was the victor in each of
these battles and was able to force the Confederate army into the propared fortifications
around Vicksburg.
The Union attacked as soon as they encountered the Rebel defenses on May 19. The
Northern leaders thought the Rebels would be demoralized because they had lost so many
battles, because their army was out-numbered and the Union was receiving more supplies and
reinforcements than the Confederates. The attack was truned back by the Southerners quite
easily. And only a portion of the Union forces were involved.
(Note: Blair's division, which included the 26th Iowa was the main attacking force.)
Three days later, Grant ordered a general attack against three Confederate
positions. After very heavy fighting, the Union attacks were repulsed. (Note: Blair's
division was one of the major thrusts, although not directed against a fort but at one
of the connection trenches.)
The picture on the next page is from an early painting showing the intensity of
the fighting and the last final effort of the attackers. Since all of the defensive
positions were simillar to that pictured here, it is probable that the 26th Iowa could
be the soldiers in the forground.
THE FIND
About midway along the Union's north line is a sign that reads -"IOWA 26th INFANTRY"
Another sign indicates a sharpshooters line for the 26th (see picture) Was G-G James a
sharpshooter? I don't know, but doubt that an immigant would have gained the skill.
COMMAND STRUCTURE
See picture of Iowa monument, located in this same area-
Sherman 15th Corps
Blair 1st Division
Thayer 3rd Brigade
Smith (Milo) 26th Infantry
SPECIAL INTEREST
The tunnel was dug through the ridge to permit the soldiers to reach the other side
without being seen by the enemy. This tunnel has been bricked to preserve it and is the only
one mentioned in connection with the seige.
The approach trench up the other side of the draw is still visible and had been completed
on July 3, but no bomb was ever planted. The slope both down and up the other side is very
steep, must approach 45 degree angles and would have required the use of hands for balance.
Think of the attacks::
We had found where Great-Grandfather had been located with his unit, but it was like so
many other units and locations that everything remained sort of impersonal and 2-dimensional.
After the set-back on the 22nd, Grant changed tactics. Instead of attacks, he ordered
the men to dig trenches (approaches) toward the Southern trenches and forts and to plant mines
to destroy the defenses. In addition, Union cannon and gunships bombarded both the town and
the Rebel lines. Only one mine was detonated under the Confederate lines and really didn't
help the Union effort to reduce the defenses. The Confederate defenders hearing the mining
activity, pulled back out of the fort to the reverse side of the fort walls. When the bomb
exploded the Union soldiers charged and were cut down by the unexpected position of the
Southerners. So the Northern troops blew a large hole in the fort wall, made a gallant
charge, yet were promptly driven off.
The real deciding factor of the seige was supplies and reinforcements. The Rebels were
in the middle of their home territory, but were cut off from supplies. Their army to the
East of them, commanded by J. Johnston was scattered after Jackson MS, while the units in
Texas, Arkansas and Loisianna were cut off by the river. The Yankee supplies and men could
be transported down the river with relative ease, and Grant's army was actually growing as the
seige continued. After 47 days of seige, the Confederate commander, Pendleton, surrendered
the city and the troops to Grant on JULY FOURTH, 1863. (Note: At about the same time the
survivors of "Picket's Charge" were straggling back to GENERAL Lee's lines at Gettysburg.
BATTLEFIELD TOUR
The National park includes about 9 miles of Confederate fortifications all of which are
visible although somewhat eroded. Unit positions of both armies are marked by the Park Service
with large cast-metal signs - blue for Union and red for Confederate. State-provided
monuments are also in the vicinity of each unit.
The initial part of the tour runs along the East defensive lines with the tour road
following the Yankee positions. Troops from most Northern states are located along this
segment of the line, including a couple of units from Iowa. but not the 26th. Other items
of interest on this line is the Shirley House - the only surviving structure found on the
battlefield (was a
hospital during battle, as well as headquarters for various generals). Grant's HQ, a tent,
was located at the north-east corner of the lines. Sherman was located a little to the west
and commanded the northern Union forces.
THE SUPPRISE ENDING
The tour continues by swinging to the Confederate lines. These higher grounds present
sweeping panoramas of the Union positions across the draws, so we stopped opposite the 26h
Iowa. Here the red-trimmed signs were thick - Tennesee and Louisiana, and there exactly
opposite Iowa is another 26th, Louisiana.
The picture shows the tunnel clear to the right end of the road and a sense of the slope
is also noticable. Ahead and to the right of this position are a couple of "mis-placed"
signs as they are blue trimmed. (see picture). They are not in errror this is as far as
the 26th Iowa advanced on the 22nd attack, less than 30 feet of making it to the top!!!
In the picture the Louisiana sign is to the right on the top of the ridge.
Charging an entrenched position, up such a slope, must have taken immense courage and
dedication. I beliveve that our ancestor was such an individual and was in the front ranks.
He was an Irish immigrant, he was young (24/25), he didn't have command rank and he was still
a 1st year soldier.
The battle and the war became a little less historical and a lot more personal with this
suprise. I marvel at the bravery of the soldiers that make repeated attacks and them lay seige
and not break. Especially when many of them were immigrants.
ROSTER
THE ROSTER AND REGISTER OF IOWA SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF REBELLION has the entry: COMPANY G
Tiernan, James. Age 24. Residence Dewitt, Nativity Ireland Enlisted Aughst 12, 1862 as
fourth corporal. Mustered Sept. 12, 1862
CONCLUSION
The ROSTER at Vicksburg has no indication that James Tiernan was either sick or on leave
during Vicksburg. He has been "found". Does that mean the search is over?
I hope not because there remains too much to learn about him. For example, why was he
promted in such a timeframe? Was it because of the action at Port Arkansas? The 26th Iowa
isn't listed as being among the leading units at Columbia. How did he then obtain the flag?
Can we learn more from battlefields and maybe from some publications?
Or we can it is enough to have found him - where he was and to be able to walk where he
walked and once fought.
My belief is that we've only reached across time to shake hands with this young man, James
Tiernan. Wouldn't it be nice to visit? Think how interesting and enlightening it could be!
C. BENSON
M CARLSON
JULY 1990
-SIDE TRIPS & OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST-
USS CARIO
The tour road of the Park has a short detour at the northwest corner. The road leads
down off the bluffs to the salvaged remains of one of the earliest iron-clad gun boats, the USS
CAIRO. This ship was sunk by an electric mine before the seige of Vicksburg and raised
(salvaged) in the mid-1960's. Some of the original wood and iron cladding are fastened onto a
new framework. The gun carriages and cannons are also original. You can walk onto the ship
(on new wood) and be in the midst of history - very effective and educational.
The tour road back to the top of the bluff (site of the battlefield) borders the National
Cemetary, burial place for the Union dead and veteran cemetary through WW II. The Confederate
dead were buried in the Vicksburg City Cemetary, although thousands of unknowns were buried in
both, so it is difficult to believe the separation is so exact.
Interior of USS Cario
A cannon ready to fire?
Note: the cladding at lower left of opening (like flattened Railroad tracks)
Looking toward the prow of the boat - even cannons there!
Below (lower left) you can see some of the original wood - Really not bad after
being submerged almost 100 years!
MONUMENTS
Today when the grass is green, the trees unscarred and the air is fresh and clean; we
have only the monuments to indicate what happened here, how and by whom. Park Service
cast-metal signs have been mentioned and are both useful and accurate.
At Vicksburg, the Federal government chose to provide large (4 foot) bronze busts of
Divisional Commanders and 3 foot bronze reliefs of all brigadiers. (personal opinion only,
These add little to the sense of the battlefield and really miss the point that the
battlefield is a commeration of all who fought there, so where is Billy Yank or Johnny Reb or
James Tiernan?)
The state markers for each unit are very appropriate, they show about where the units were
located and they say this unit is importanat to their state. The markers for the state of
Missouri are especially moving. Thirty-two Missouri units were present at Vicksburg,
seventeen Confederate and fifteen Union! The monuments differ only in the letters: "CS & US".
STATE MONUMENTS
Each state that was represented during the battle, has a major monument dedicated to
all of the soldiers of their state. Some of these are very grand and some are extremely
meaningful and all are fitting tribures to the men of all ranks.
ILLINOIS more than 60 feet high, this monument is modeled after the Roman Panthon.
Inside this building are 60 bronze tablets listing all of the Illinois soldiers who founght
here.
IOWA a centered, mounted standard bearer, surrounded by six reliefs showing the battles of
the Vicksburg Campaign. Iowa troops were in the fore-front of all of them.
ALABAMA a huge bronze casting with seven soldiers and the figure of the Lady "Alabama"
representing all of the women of the Confederacy, who helped "hold up the flag", while there
men fought to protect it.
TEXAS a single soldier with an uncomplicated background. Still this in a unique monument,
all others are bronze and stone, which this also has but around the destroyed carriage and
cannon is the hopeful green of a yucca plant!
MISSOURI a statue of the SPIRIT OF THE REPUBLIC is centered on the prow of a ship. Two
relief bronzes show a unit attacking and a unit on defense, both units were Missouri regiments
and the monument is located where this actually happened!! Brings home the truth to the idea
of "Brother against Brother".
The most striking monument is the one for Tilghman. Many are dedicated ot the soldiers
killed or wounded in the battle, out this monument actually shows him as he is hit. Very
moving sight of a believable human being and a dedicated soldier of great dignity.
DIVERSITY
History of another sort is also found at Vicksburg. In the business district of old town
stands a museum dedicated to an American institution, COCA COLA. The museum is the part of
the first floor is an old fashioned soda fountain with the long bar and the ice cream chairs
and tables.
HOUSES AND MANSIONS
Just around the corner from Biedenharn's is the first of 4 or 5 houses that survived the
battle. Few exist in Vicksburg now especially in original states because of the heavy
bombardment and because of age. Most have been turned into "bed and breakfasts". A couple of
them have interesting notes in their brochures, "the cannon ball embedded in the left door -
frame ---" and "the pitted appearance of the outside East wall is due to the small arms
fire ---"
Natchez is the main location for impressive mansions in the area north of New Orleans.
There are at least a dozen pre-war homes open for tours and "bed and breakfasts", all of which
were built in the first half of the 19th Century. The National Park service just took over
one, MELROSE. The tour is well worth the time to see the interior, the period furniture and the
landscaping of the house.
I am attaching a number of pictures of various Natchex mansions and will lable them. But
please remember the picture and the name may be related only in the author's head!! Natchez-
under-the-hill is also worth the short side trip, especially if you remember the stories of
the keel-boats and river pirates.
Both Vicksburg and Natchez are extremely interesting locations to visit providing the visit
isn't during the summer. The heat is intense in the summer and the humidity is beyond what I
would choose to endure.
A FINAL WORD
I hope that each of you feels a litte bit of what I felt as I walked across that ridge. A
sense of satisfaction at seeing the 26th Iowa marker, a more personal sense of the war and the
fun of seeing the old houses (without a TV or stero in sight)! And I thank all of you for
joining this excursion into out past and our present.
VICKSBURG
Cedar Grove Mansion - Inn (Back Gate)
Cedar Grove Mansion - Inn (Back Side)
Cedar Grove Mansion - Inn (Front)
Name ??? -One of only a few surviving housess. Tree on right is solid pine with blooms
NATCHEZ
House on Ellicoft Hill pre-1800 Only 2 or 3 older houses remain
Linclen Mansion -Front
Linclen Mansion -Rear
