Corporal Archer and the Siege of Vicksburg: A Novel of Historical Fiction

By Jon Howard Hall

Siege!
With the threat of yet another battle during the summer of 1863, Corporal Jonathan Archer discovers a renewed strength as he must find a way to provide safety and protect his family while also serving in the defense of his hometown. The battle led by Union General Ulysses S. Grant for control of the Mississippi River at the port of Vicksburg looms over the city like a mighty eagle swooping down upon its prey. Hill City is ultimately held under siege for weeks as the Army of Vicksburg and its remaining citizens brace themselves for the standoff.
Fortunately, Corporal Archer begins his first assignment as an aide to Lt. General John C. Pemberton at the Confederate headquarters. This newly acquired position allows him firsthand knowledge as he works alongside his commander while he gains insight into the specific battle plans of the Confederacy. Corporal Archer will have to depend upon his strong faith and undying love for his wife and family in order to survive the siege.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Dec 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781532038563

Jon Howard Hall

JON HOWARD HALL, writer of historical fiction, shares this remarkable story that happened in Gettysburg in 1863 while he concludes its tragic end as told by Jennie Wade herself. Hall enjoys writing about various events that took place around the time of the civil war. Among the many sites that he has visited to research and write about, the St. Clair, Alabama, resident considers Gettysburg to be one of his favorite places. An avid writer of historical events during the American Civil War, Hall enjoys listening to his favorite pop and country music while working on various projects at home, in addition to writing whenever the mood hits him. He is married to his wife of fifty-six years and they have two daughters and five grandchildren.

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Copyright © 2017 Jon Howard Hall.

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Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.If there are only a few historical figures or actual events in the novel, the disclaimer could name them: For example: Edwin Stanton and Salmon Chase are historical figures… or The King and Queen of Burma were actually exiled by the British in 1885. The rest of the disclaimer would follow:However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

All characters and places in this novel, with the exception of persons and places of actual history, are fictitious and a product of the author’s imagination

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-3855-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-3856-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017918258

iUniverse rev. date:  12/15/2017

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

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CORPORAL JONATHAN LEVI ARCHER

For Sam

GLOSSARY

Earthwork – A large artificial bank of soil, especially one made as a defense.

Redoubt – An entrenched stronghold or refuge, temporary or supplemental, typically square or rectangular, and without flanking defenses.

Redan – An arrowhead-shaped or triangular embankment forming part of a fortification.

Lunette – A crescent-shaped earthwork.

Gabion – A wirework container filled with rocks, dirt, or other material used in the construction of dams, retaining walls, etc.

Parapet – A protective wall or earth defense along the top of a trench or other place of concealment for troops.

Embrasure – An opening cut in a parapet to enable artillery fire while still under protection of the parapet.

Sap – A zig-zag tunnel or trench to conceal an assailant’s approach to a fortified place.

Sap Roller – A large gabion, approximately four feet in diameter and six feet long, often packed with twigs or cotton, and rolled at the head of a sap to protect the men digging in structure for Army Military Groups of Command

STRUCTURE OF ARMY MILITARY GROUPS OF COMMAND

Squad 9-10 soldiers

Platoon 16-44 soldiers

Company 62-190 soldiers (referred to as Troops in the cavalry)

Battalion 300-1,000 soldiers (referred to as Squadrons in the cavalry)

Regiment 800-900 soldiers

Brigade 3,000-5,000 soldiers

Division 10,000-15,000 soldiers

Corps 20,000-45,000 soldiers

Army 50,000 + soldiers

Dedicated to the memory of all the soldiers who were wounded, maimed, and killed during the American Civil War 1861-1865

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 21:4 (KJV)

CONTENTS

Glossary

Prologue

Chapter 1     Ulysses S. Grant Makes His Approach to Vicksburg in 1863

Chapter 2     Battle of Grand Gulf April 29

Chapter 3     Battle of Snyder’s Bluff April 29 – May 1

Chapter 4     Battle of Port Gibson May 1

Chapter 5     Battle of Raymond May 12

Chapter 6     Battle of Jackson May 14

Chapter 7     Battle of Champion Hill May 16

Chapter 8     Battle of the Big Black River May 17

Chapter 9     Shirley House May 18

Chapter 10   Siege May 18

Chapter 11   Thayer’s Approach May 19

Chapter 12   Fort Hill May 19

Chapter 13   Vicksburg Assault May 19

Chapter 14   General Grant’s Headquarters May 21

Chapter 15   Attack on Stockade Redan May 22

Chapter 16   The Great Redoubt May 22

Chapter 17   Second Texas Lunette May 22

Chapter 18   Railroad Redoubt May 22

Chapter 19   Battery DeGolyer May 25

Chapter 20   Battle of Milliken’s Bend June 7

Chapter 21   Battle of Young’s Point June 7

Chapter 22   Battle of Lake Providence June 9

Chapter 23   Battle of Richmond, Louisiana June 15

Chapter 24   Fort Garrott June 22

Chapter 25   Hovey’s Approach June 22

Chapter 26   Third Louisiana Redan June 24

Chapter 27   Battle of Goodrich’s Landing June 29-30

Chapter 28   Battle of Helena, Arkansas July 4

Chapter 29   Surrender Interview Site July 4

Chapter 30   Jackson Expedition July 5

Chapter 31   Weapons of the Civil War

Chapter 32   Cave Life

Chapter 33   Prisoner or Paroled

Chapter 34   Family Reunion

Chapter 35   The Vicksburg National Cemetery

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

References

Corporal

Archer

and the

Siege of

Vicksburg

PROLOGUE

Where’s Papa going with that hatchet?

I watched my father from the back porch as he slowly walked across our yard. It was as bare as an arid desert, not one blade of grass standing anywhere. Mama took pride in sweeping our yard at least once a week. Papa was heading straight for the hen house. All of a sudden, I remembered it was early Sunday morning. Then I knew what was about to happen. He was going after Samantha today. After all, she was the oldest and now appeared rather fat and plump. Anyway, I’m figuring that her time is just about up.

Papa shifted the hatchet over to his left hand while he opened the gate latch, stepped inside the chicken yard, and closed the gate. He stopped to look around the yard for only a moment when I saw him disappear into the hen house. It only took a minute, then he was back outside and holding onto the feet of the flapping chicken I recognized as Lucy. Poor Lucy, I thought. I knew something was bound to happen when she recently quit laying. Her time had come.

Papa walked a little faster from the chicken yard over to the wood pile at the edge of the yard. Lucy had now grown still and somewhat calm as she awaited her fate. Holding the hen upside down, Papa placed her sideways on a nearby log while he put his size eleven worn black boot firmly on top of her red-combed head. He flipped the hatchet in his hand slightly as he held the handle with a firm grip. He suddenly released his left hand. In the next few seconds, I saw his powerful arm rise up almost two feet, and plummet quickly back down as the hatchet fell. Whack!

Sunday dinner would be ready by noon.

My name is Jonathan Levi Archer. I was born on January 12, 1841, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. I am presently twenty-two years of age. I am married for three years to my beautiful wife Cordelia from Biloxi. Delia and I have a baby daughter named Carrie Anne. My folks, Thomas Sidney and Rosalyn Archer, live over on Grove Street in the house where my brother and I grew up. Delia’s parents, Geoffrey and Jane Burton, presently live on the Gulf Coast in Biloxi. My brother William used to always kid me by saying that the best part of the Archer brothers ran down our father’s leg. He was constantly joking around, so full of life. Will was killed at Sharpsburg, Maryland, during the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862. I still miss him a lot. We both joined the Confederate Army together about a year and a half ago. Since that time, I have recently been promoted to the rank of corporal in the Army of Vicksburg. I have sent my wife and baby to live with her folks in Biloxi. When the war reaches us, as I know it will, there is no way I would want my family here. My mother and father will not leave their home. Somehow, I don’t blame them. I decided long ago to stay and fight. I guess being the son of a strong American family helped me to make my decision without much thought.

I am sitting inside our little house on Clay Street while I think of Delia and Carrie Anne. I wonder how they are doing and pray for their good health and safety while I remember all the good times we have shared here within these walls. Just to think of my family each day keeps me going strong. I have finished packing everything that Delia and I wanted to try to save. The wagon outside by the front porch awaits my final load. I will deliver our keepsakes to my parent’s house where I plan to hide them in their cellar. There is no use trying to save any of the furniture since there is no place for it. Everything will have to remain behind when I take leave of the house. There is no need to lock up, or board up the windows. The Yanks will only have to kick in the front door to gain access. I find it really hard now to leave, but I know I must do so, and very soon. In haste, after I leave and say goodbye to my father and mother, I will be rushing over to Crawford Street to the location of my new post.

I took one last look inside the house while I closed the front door and walked slowly down the steps of the porch. After I climbed onto the wagon, I turned to check and see that everything was secure in the back. I sat there for a few minutes in a daze. Somehow, I felt a sudden hesitation. I couldn’t pull away, not yet. Mrs. Hiram Johnson waved at me while she was sweeping her porch next door. I waved back. She had a sad look in her eyes when she looked at me. After two attempts, I finally got the mule to move. Goodbye to Clay Street and our little white house. Delia told me a while back that she will always remember our first home together, and alas, my sweet baby girl will probably never know that she ever lived here. What does it really matter about a house? Soon, men everywhere are going to be dying, losing their very lives, and presently there seems no way to stop that from happening. God help us all!

I turned the mule onto Grove Street and drove to the middle of the block. Whoa, mule! We came to a stop in front of the Archer house, the old home place. Papa was sitting on the porch and Mama had her sprinkler can in one hand while she was quite busy watering her prized red geraniums. Papa stood from his rocker and walked to meet me by the side of the wagon. He asked me if this load was everything from the house. I nodded, yes indeed, that was everything we wanted to keep in the back of the wagon. He offered to help me unload the wagon, and take our meager possessions down to the cellar for storage. He had cleared a spot in the corner where we could hide our things behind a makeshift false wall. I could see some of Mama’s things already there: her china, silver, and jewel box. I told Papa that we probably needed to dig a hole down there and bury her jewelry. He agreed. I told him that the Yanks wouldn’t have much trouble in case they discovered the fake wall. Everything was as good as gone if that should happen. At least, in this way, the pillagers would never get their greedy hands on what little jewelry Mama had in the first place. After everything was hidden as well as we thought possible, Papa and I rejoined Mama on the front porch.

While we sat together, I noticed how my mother’s facial expression changed when I saw her eyes begin to water. I tried to assure both of them. Hopefully, with my new assignment, there was the possibility I might not have to see a lot of action. At least, not on the front lines. My new post is sending me to company headquarters to become a personal aide to Lt. General John Clifford Pemberton. As I understand it, a young knowledgeable man is needed who is completely familiar with the layout of the entire city, and somehow, I was selected. Although Lt. Gen. Pemberton is from Philadelphia, he has been ordered to the city to take command of the Confederate troops. I have learned that he has made his headquarters in the Willis house, so I assume we will be traveling back and forth from there to many places in and around Vicksburg.

Mama sat there quietly while Papa and I kept talking about the war. What’s going to become of Vicksburg? Will our troops be able to stop the Yankees down along the river? Can we hold our present lines to prevent any upcoming attacks on our very soil? Will we live to see a Confederate victory in the end? I could tell that she was getting upset, so I tried to change the subject to Delia and Carrie Anne. That usually worked pretty well with her in most instances.

Mother, I thought we had already made the decision that it would be best if Delia took Carrie Anne and went to Mama Jane’s house in Biloxi. This terrible war is heading straight our way and we need to stay focused and try to remain calm. Don’t you agree?

Yes, son, I know that we are all in agreement. I’m so glad that you have already sent them away where they will be safe.

I didn’t mean to upset you with all this talk between Papa and myself. That is not my intention, and I hope you can understand. However, I am a soldier in the Army of Vicksburg and it’s out of concern for my family as well as my duty to the Confederate States of America.

Papa spoke up, That goes for me, too, Rosalyn. Jonathan and I were just talking about our present family situation. This damn war is almost upon us whether we like it or not, my dear.

I’m going to miss being around Delia and Carrie Anne all the time, but I know you made the right decision. I worry about you, son. I don’t want to lose you like William, she cried.

You’re not going to lose me, Mama. I’m not going anywhere. Rest assured that my wife and baby are safe in Biloxi with her parents. Think of them on the beach at the Gulf of Mexico for the first time.

That’s right. I’m glad for them. What I wouldn’t give to be able to see Carrie Anne at the beach.

You both should have gone when Mr. Burton first invited you to come down, but I understand why you decided to stay here.

What about this Lt. General Pemberton and is he really a Yankee? Papa asked.

There you go again, Tom. You know how much I despise hearing about anything to do with battles, weapons, and those damn Yankees! Mama fired back at him.

Abruptly, with no more hesitation, Mama rose from her rocker and turned to go inside the house to start her supper without uttering another word. The screen door slammed shut while the rusty spring on the door gave out a little twang.

With Mama supposedly out back in the kitchen, my father asked me once again about Pemberton. I reached inside my coat pocket and pulled out a copy of my orders. I unfolded the papers, and began to read. Printed on the first page were my official orders which listed where I was to report for duty, when to report, which included the time and date, and what I needed to bring along with me. On the second page was a full length biographical sketch of my new commander.

Here, sir, read it for yourself, I said while I handed the papers to him. I knew my father was a slow reader, so I made myself as comfortable as possible in the rocker while he began to read about Pemberton at his own pace.

Lieutenant General John Clifford Pemberton was born on August 10, 1814, to a Quaker family in