10th Mississippi Infantry
Encyclopedia
The 10th Mississippi Infantry was a regiment
of infantry
in the Confederate States Army
during the American Civil War
. It fought in several campaigns and battles in the Western Theater
.
, a nephew of President
Jefferson Davis
. The original companies, under the command of Col.
Seaburne M. Phillips, were:
The troops assembled in Mobile, Alabama
, and were transported to Pensacola, Florida
, for garrison duty there to help man the coastal defenses. They encamped near Fort Barrancas
, opposite Fort Pickens
and Santa Rosa Island
, both held by Union
troops. Several companies engaged in building new fortifications or strengthening existing ones, as well as supporting the artillery crews during periodic bombardments over four months. Colonel Phillips and scores of other men died of disease while stationed near Pensacola. The depleted regiment fought in the Battle of Santa Rosa Island
in October 1861.
In February 1862, the regiment was sent back to Mississippi, where it was brigade
d with other Mississippi troops under the overall command of Col. James R. Chalmers. The term of enlistment expired in March.
on March 15, 1862, for a term of two years. The new companies were:
In April, the new 10th, now under the command of Col. Robert A. Smith and numbering only 360 men, fought in the Battle of Shiloh
in West Tennessee
. It later participated in Braxton Bragg
's Kentucky Campaign and suffered significant casualties at the Battle of Munfordville
, including Colonel Smith. Chalmers' Brigade, including the 10th Mississippi, was part in the advance toward Louisville
in September. Under Col. James Barr, Jr., the 10th fought in the Battle of Perryville
before retreating with Bragg's beaten army across the Cumberland Gap
on October 20. Marching through Tennessee, the regiment camped near Murfreesboro, Tennessee
, in November. It fought in the subsequent Battle of Stones River
in late December and early January 1863.
The 10th again was part of a general Confederate retreat, finally encamping near Tullahoma, Tennessee
, until July 1863 when it advanced to Chattanooga
and then on to Bridgeport, Alabama
. It subsequently participated in the Chickamauga Campaign
in September and in the attack on Missionary Ridge
at Chattanooga in November before retreating to winter quarters near Dalton, Georgia
.
In the spring and summer of 1864, the 10th participated in the Atlanta Campaign
. Colonel Barr was mortally wounded in the Battle of Marietta
and replaced by James M. Walker. The survivors were part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign
in November before wintering near Meridian, Mississippi
. In the spring of 1865, the consolidated regiment took part in the Carolinas Campaign
before surrendering with the army of Joseph E. Johnston
at Bennett Place
in North Carolina
in April.
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
in the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. It fought in several campaigns and battles in the Western Theater
Western Theater of the American Civil War
This article presents an overview of major military and naval operations in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.-Theater of operations:...
.
"Old" 10th Mississippi
The 10th Mississippi Infantry was organized in March 1861 with an original enrollment of 841 officers and men for a term of one year. Among the officers was future Confederate general Joseph R. DavisJoseph R. Davis
Joseph Robert Davis was a Confederate general during the American Civil War and nephew of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. His troops played an important role in the Battle of Gettysburg.-Early life:...
, a nephew of President
President of the Confederate States of America
The President of the Confederate States of America was the Head of State and Head of Government of the Confederate States of America, which was formed from the states which declared their secession from the United States, thus precipitating the American Civil War. The only person to hold the...
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
. The original companies, under the command of Col.
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Seaburne M. Phillips, were:
- Company A - Mississippi Rifles (Hinds County)
- Company B - Ben Bullard Rifles (Itawamba County)
- Company C - Port Gibson Riflemen, aka Port Gibson Rifles (Claiborne County)
- Company D - Lowndes Southrons (Lowndes County)
- Company E - Southern Avengers (Lowndes County)
- Company F - Hill City Cadets (Warren County)
- Company G - Rankin Rifles (Rankin County)
- Company H - Bahala Rifles (Copiah County)
- Company I - Madison Rifles (Madison County)
- Company K - Yazoo Minute Rifles (Yazoo County)
The troops assembled in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, and were transported to Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, for garrison duty there to help man the coastal defenses. They encamped near Fort Barrancas
Fort Barrancas
Fort Barrancas or Fort San Carlos de Barrancas is a historic United States military fort in the Warrington area of Pensacola, Florida, located physically on Naval Air Station Pensacola....
, opposite Fort Pickens
Fort Pickens
Fort Pickens is a pentagonal historic United States military fort on Santa Rosa Island in the Pensacola, Florida, area. It is named after American Revolutionary War hero Andrew Pickens. The fort was completed in 1834 and remained in use until 1947...
and Santa Rosa Island
Santa Rosa Island, Florida
Santa Rosa Island[p] is a 40-mile barrier island located in the U.S. state of Florida, thirty miles east of the Alabama state border...
, both held by Union
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
troops. Several companies engaged in building new fortifications or strengthening existing ones, as well as supporting the artillery crews during periodic bombardments over four months. Colonel Phillips and scores of other men died of disease while stationed near Pensacola. The depleted regiment fought in the Battle of Santa Rosa Island
Battle of Santa Rosa Island
The Battle of Santa Rosa Island was an unsuccessful Confederate attempt to take Union-held Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island, Florida.- Background :...
in October 1861.
In February 1862, the regiment was sent back to Mississippi, where it was brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
d with other Mississippi troops under the overall command of Col. James R. Chalmers. The term of enlistment expired in March.
"New" 10th Mississippi
The regiment was reorganized at CorinthCorinth, Mississippi
Corinth is a city in Alcorn County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 14,054 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Alcorn County. Its ZIP codes are 38834 and 38835.- History :...
on March 15, 1862, for a term of two years. The new companies were:
- Company A - Horn Lake Volunteers [formerly Co. E, 9th MS Infantry] (DeSoto County)
- Company B - Natchez Southrons [also listed as Co. C] (Adams County)
- Company C - Ben Bullard Rifles [also listed as Co. D] (Itawamba County)
- Company D - Mississippi Rifles [also listed as Co. G] (Hinds County)
- Company E - Lowndes Southrons (Lowndes County)
- Company F - Port Gibson Rifleman (Claiborne County)
- Company G - Fulton Guards [also listed as Co. B] (Itawamba County)
- Company H - Rankin Rifles [also listed as Co. A] (Rankin County)
- Company I - Bahala Rifles (Copiah County)
- Company K - Beauregard Relief (Tippah County)
- Company L - Capt. Finley’s Company
- Company M - Capt. Dobson’s Company
- Company N - Capt. Bell’s Company
- Company O - Capt. Inge’s Company
- Company P - Capt. Betts’ Company
In April, the new 10th, now under the command of Col. Robert A. Smith and numbering only 360 men, fought in the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
in West Tennessee
West Tennessee
West Tennessee is one of the three Grand Divisions of the State of Tennessee. Of the three, it is the one that is most sharply defined geographically. Its boundaries are the Mississippi River on the west and the Tennessee River on the east...
. It later participated in Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg was a career United States Army officer, and then a general in the Confederate States Army—a principal commander in the Western Theater of the American Civil War and later the military adviser to Confederate President Jefferson Davis.Bragg, a native of North Carolina, was...
's Kentucky Campaign and suffered significant casualties at the Battle of Munfordville
Battle of Munfordville
The Battle of Munfordville was an engagement in Kentucky during the American Civil War. Victory there allowed the Confederates to temporarily strengthen their hold on the region and impair Union supply lines....
, including Colonel Smith. Chalmers' Brigade, including the 10th Mississippi, was part in the advance toward Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
in September. Under Col. James Barr, Jr., the 10th fought in the Battle of Perryville
Battle of Perryville
The Battle of Perryville, also known as the Battle of Chaplin Hills, was fought on October 8, 1862, in the Chaplin Hills west of Perryville, Kentucky, as the culmination of the Confederate Heartland Offensive during the American Civil War. Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg's Army of Mississippi won a...
before retreating with Bragg's beaten army across the Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap is a pass through the Cumberland Mountains region of the Appalachian Mountains, also known as the Cumberland Water Gap, at the juncture of the U.S. states of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia...
on October 20. Marching through Tennessee, the regiment camped near Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Murfreesboro is a city in and the county seat of Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 108,755 according to the United States Census Bureau's 2010 U.S. Census, up from 68,816 residents certified during the 2000 census. The center of population of Tennessee is located in...
, in November. It fought in the subsequent Battle of Stones River
Battle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro , was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War...
in late December and early January 1863.
The 10th again was part of a general Confederate retreat, finally encamping near Tullahoma, Tennessee
Tullahoma, Tennessee
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 18,655 people, 7,717 households, and 5,161 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 88.1% White, 7.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races...
, until July 1863 when it advanced to Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
and then on to Bridgeport, Alabama
Bridgeport, Alabama
Bridgeport is a small city in Jackson County, Alabama, United States. At the time of 2000 census the population was 2,728. Bridgeport is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area.-History:...
. It subsequently participated in the Chickamauga Campaign
Battle of Chickamauga
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 19–20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign...
in September and in the attack on Missionary Ridge
Battle of Missionary Ridge
The Battle of Missionary Ridge was fought November 25, 1863, as part of the Chattanooga Campaign of the American Civil War. Following the Union victory in the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 24, Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant assaulted Missionary Ridge and defeated the...
at Chattanooga in November before retreating to winter quarters near Dalton, Georgia
Dalton, Georgia
Dalton is a city in Whitfield County, Georgia, United States. It is the county seat of Whitfield County and the principal city of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of both Murray and Whitfield counties. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 33,128...
.
In the spring and summer of 1864, the 10th participated in the Atlanta Campaign
Atlanta Campaign
The Atlanta Campaign was a series of battles fought in the Western Theater of the American Civil War throughout northwest Georgia and the area around Atlanta during the summer of 1864. Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman invaded Georgia from the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee, beginning in May...
. Colonel Barr was mortally wounded in the Battle of Marietta
Battle of Marietta
The Battle of Marietta was a series of military operations from June 9 through July 3, 1864, in Cobb County, Georgia, between Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. The Union forces, led by Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, encountered the Confederate Army of Tennessee, led...
and replaced by James M. Walker. The survivors were part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign
Franklin-Nashville Campaign
The Franklin-Nashville Campaign, also known as Hood's Tennessee Campaign, was a series of battles in the Western Theater, conducted from September 18 to December 27, 1864, in Alabama, Tennessee, and northwestern Georgia during the American Civil War. The Confederate Army of Tennessee under Lt....
in November before wintering near Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Mississippi. It is the sixth largest city in the state and the principal city of the Meridian, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area...
. In the spring of 1865, the consolidated regiment took part in the Carolinas Campaign
Carolinas Campaign
The Carolinas Campaign was the final campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. In January 1865, Union Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman advanced north from Savannah, Georgia, through the Carolinas, with the intention of linking up with Union forces in Virginia. The defeat of ...
before surrendering with the army of Joseph E. Johnston
Joseph E. Johnston
Joseph Eggleston Johnston was a career U.S. Army officer, serving with distinction in the Mexican-American War and Seminole Wars, and was also one of the most senior general officers in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
at Bennett Place
Bennett Place
Bennett Place, sometimes known as Bennett Farm, in Durham, North Carolina was the site of the largest surrender of Confederate soldiers ending the American Civil War, on April 26, 1865.-History:...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in April.
Colonels
- Seaborn M. Phillips, died at Pensacola
- Robert A. Smith, killed at Munfordville
- James Barr, Jr., died in Georgia
- James M. Walker, resigned
External links
- Mississippi Sons of Confederate Veterans Retrieved 2008-10-27
- Roster of the 10th Mississippi at ancestry.com Retrieved 2008-10-27