The Siege of Corinth  

The men in the river boats could not have known that their objective was Corinth, a small town in the northeast corner of Mississippi, a strategic location where the Memphis & Charleston Railroad intersected with the Mobile & Ohio Railroad.  Illness continue to plague the cannoneers and Private David Ballard died on April 22 at the Battery disembarkation point of Hamburg Landing[1] three miles south of Pittsburg Landing where the Battle of Shiloh had been fought on April 6th and 7th. 

The Battery marched toward the enemy, and on April 29th saw a small skirmish with a Confederate outpost, in which the cavalry drove the rebels from their camps, burned them and took several prisoners.[2]  The next day, the Battery was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Army of the Mississippi, with Brigadier General David S. Stanley commanding the Brigade.[3]  The Second division crossed into Mississippi on May 1st, and engaged the enemy on the Farmington Plains, again driving the rebels from their works on May 9th.  Private Orson Prouty of Kalamazoo was reportedly sick and in the hospital near Hamburg Landing on the day of this skirmish, remaining absent from the Battery until December 1st, and was declared a deserter by General Order 70, Headquarters, Army of the Mississippi.[4] 

Captain Dees suffered a severe sunstroke during this engagement, which incapacitated him for several days.  Command of the Battery was passed on to 30 year old First Lieutenant Carl Lamberg (at left) an officer in the Swedish army, who was on a two year leave of duty to serve in the Union army.[5]

Lamberg had an interesting history as excerpted from “The Massacre at Fort Pillow” by Richard L. Fuchs. Captain Carl A. Lamberg who had enlisted in Robinson’s  Battery at Grand Rapids, Michigan at the organization of the Battery in 1861 as a Senior Lt., was also an Officer in the Swedish Army on extended leave of duty. He served with the Battery for over a year before he returned to Sweden. The Battery was under his command at the battle of Farmington, MS where his conduct was such that he was arrested and tried in a military court.

He was later returned to duty with the Battery. He resigned his commission March 23, 1863 and returned to Sweden to resign his rank.  Upon Lamberg’s return from Sweden to the United States, he accepted a commission as Captain of the Memphis Light Artillery (African Decent) which was later converted to Battery D, 2nd US Colored Light Artillery.  

Within a short time, the rebels counter-attacked in overwhelming numbers, and put the Union forces in a perilous position.  During the attack, Lieut. Lamberg - in his first command during battle - did what many officers did under similar circumstances:  he violated the 52nd Article of War.  In the list of Charges & Specifications preferred against him by Lieut. Col. William L. Lathrop, Chief of Artillery of the Artillery Brigade, Army of the Mississippi, it was alleged that Lieut. Lamberg did...

... while in command of said Artillery and posted with his Battery before the enemy, did Shamefully misbehave himself by ordering his Battery to the rear and abandoning his post. . .[6]

These charges could have been punishable by death.[7]  Fortunately a battalion of the Second Iowa Cavalry made a gallant counter-attack, which threw the advancing rebels into confusion, allowing the Federals to withdraw to safety.[8]

Command of the Battery, after Lamberg's arrest, fell to Second Lieutenant William Sinclair, who at the age of 23 had already served in Company C of the Seventh Michigan Infantry, and had seen combat action at Ball's Bluff, Virginia, before accepting his commission in the Battery.  Sinclair was also an aide-de-camp to General Stanley.[9]


  Two days later, the Rebels again abandoned their fortifications as Federal reinforcements arrived.  The Union soldiers then invested the large defensive earthworks.               

Sgt. Hempstead described the position as follows:

It is one of the strong points of the Siege, several heavy guns being in battery with elevated scaffolds on every high point as points of observation.[10]

The Battery reached the town of Farmington on May 17, and entrenched their position only two miles from the enemy's works and under constant picket firing.  Meanwhile, Captain Dees resumed command of the Battery. 

Mr. Alexander Simplot, a War correspondent for Harper's Weekly, described the town of Farmington as a ". . .mere speck of a log town, deserted by its 75 inhabitants; old, dilapidated and solitary, east of Corinth about 3 miles and 1/4. . ."[11]

In General Stanley's report on June 14, 1862, he mentions:              

On the 24th [May] we were joined by the 5th Minnesota. . .  On the same day, I being officer of the day, and the enemy's firing upon our pickets [the 14th Michigan Infantry] having become exceedingly annoying and insolent, it was deemed adviseable by Gen. Pope to drive them from their positions.  I selected for this purpose 5 companies of the 11th Missouri, Col. [Joseph A.] Mower[12] commanding, and 5 companies of the 39th Ohio, Maj. [Edward F.] Noyes commanding, with Dees Third Michigan Battery.            

Getting in front of our pickets, we soon found the position of the enemy, and after throwing some rounds of shell with great accuracy into their reserves, Col. Mower charged the wood occupied by the enemy. . . driving the enemy before him.  The enemy. . . after being driven from their first position, they tried to make a stand in the open field. . . Col. Mower, who concealing his force, advanced on he enemy until within musket range, and gave them a volley that started them scampering in all directions for cover of the woods, I then brought down two of Dees' Parrott guns and threw a dozen shells into Corinth. . . The battalion of the 39th Ohio was kept as a support for Dees' Battery. . . [13] 

Captain Dees reported that the section of the Battery shelled the enemy's position for one and a half hours,[14] from two different positions, and expended 110 rounds of ammunition without loss to the Battery.[15]              

Finally on May 28th, the Federal Armies of the Tennessee and of the Mississippi were outside Corinth.  It had taken General Pope almost one month to move his 128,000 men 20 miles.  General Stanley continued his report:  

On the 28th my division moved forward 1 1/4 miles. . . the right flank nearest the enemy's main work and the front facing a large earthwork battery erected by the enemy south of the Memphis & Charleston railroad. . . I directed Dees' and Maurice's batteries [Battery F, Second U.S.] to open upon the position, and was soon answered by four guns from the rebel battery.[16] 

In Captain Dees' report regarding the Battery's actions on the 28th, he states:  

Being ordered to occupy an advanced position with the main army - at 10 o'clock the enemy opened on us from a masked battery.  After shelling them from two different positions for 1 hour, we were ordered to retire  The day being exceedingly hot and sultry, water very scarse and of bad quality.  At 2 pm the enemy appeared on our right and front in force, opened a sharp fire of musketery and charged on the Battery.  We sustained the conflict for sometime but were forced to retire, which we did in good order, the Battery being without infantry support.  Several regiments of Infantry coming up at this time, drove the enemy back when we again took our position. . .[17] 

Private Joseph Watson, a 24 year old cannoneer from Jackson, Michigan, was mortally wounded in this skirmish, and died two days later.[18]

General Pope ordered a heavy cannonade all day on the 29th and during the night, General P. G. T. Beauregard decided to evacuate Corinth.  In one of the most elaborate ruses of the war, the rebels kept trains running in and out of town all night, troops gave cheers as if they were being reinforced, fires were lit to simulate camps, and various bugle calls were played  while the main body of Confederate troops slipped off to Tupelo, Mississippi.  On the morning of the 30th, Pope's armies cautiously entered Corinth, finding it deserted by the foe.  The mayor surrendered the town.  The Chicago Tribune reported that "It was one of the most barren triumphs of the war."[19]

The Battery was ordered in pursuit and followed the retreating rebels to Boonville, Mississippi, arriving there on June 3.  The Battery countermarched and returned on June 11 to a camp selected by General William Rosecrans, who had assumed command of the Army of the Mississippi.  Camp Clear Creek was located about six miles from Corinth near a wide running stream of good water.  The summer of 1862 was hot; the lack of rain had caused shallow wells and small streams to dry up; the dust thickened and flies, mosquitoes, fleas and lice tormented both men and animals.[20]

When it became apparent the rebels were not returning soon, a number of soldiers began to ply their peace-time trades.  Farriers, gunsmiths, tintypists, carpenters and some shopkeepers set up business.  At least two newspapers were published:  The Corinth War Eagle began weekly production on July 31 and The Corinth Chanticleer shortly thereafter.[21]

General Rosecrans felt the fortifications constructed by the Confederates were inadequate for defense and began building five additional earthen forts, constructed along a ridge extending east and north towards the Memphis & Charleston Railroad:  Batteries Robinett, Williams, Phillips, Tannrath, and Lathrop.[22]

General Halleck, the overall Federal commander, was called to Washington, DC, by President Lincoln to become General-in-Chief of the Union Army and General Ulysses S. Grant assumed command of the Western Theater.[23]

On June 26, Lt. Robert Sinclair (at left - a brother or cousin of William) also a veteran of the 7th Michigan, resigned his commission, creating a shortage of Battery officers.[24]  Capt. Dees wrote to Michigan Governor Austin Blair on July 10 requesting the commission of additional officers. 

Dees recommended that "In consideration of the ability, courage, patriotism & faithful discharge of duty of George Robinson, now Orderly Sergt. of my Battery. . . that he be promoted to the post of 2nd Lt. and that for the same reason, William Sinclair be promoted from the Junior 2nd Lt. to Jr. 1st Lt."[25]

 

George Robinson (at left) received his commission on July 15.  Capt. Dees also wrote to Adjutant General John Robertson that same day requesting that a commission backdated to December 6, 1861, be sent to the Battery headquarters for Lt. Carl Lamberg, who was still under arrest.[26]              

The Battery was run under the strict military discipline imposed by Gen. Stanley, who expected his men to be soldiers.  As an example, in Company Order #9 issued July 18th, Capt. Dees directed that "anyone. . . neglecting to attend to horse duty, will be put on 24 hours extra duty."[27]


Lt. Lamberg was returned to the Battery in accordance with General Order No. 79, and in the Company Orders for July 19th, Capt. Dees decreed "1st Lt. Carl Lamberg is released from arrest and his sword and command is restored and will be obeyed and respected accordingly."[28] 
            
Capt. Dees, still suffering the effects of sunstroke, also contracted a severe case dysentery from the poor water.[29]  While in the hospital at Corona College, he benefited from the ministrations of "Mother" Mary Ann Bickerdyke, a self-trained nurse who had followed the army from Cairo to Corinth.  "Mother" Bickerdyke, a 44 year old widow, earned a reputation for brooking no nonsense; she was intolerant of incompetence and cared nothing for red tape or rank.  She went wherever she felt that she was needed, working in the Western Theater for the entire War.  Her acid tongue and tough disposition earned her the hatred of bureaucrats, and the love and devotion of the troops.  Gen. Grant once said "Mother Bickerdyke outranks everyone, even Lincoln."[30]

The Battery also benefited from the presence of another Northern woman, Mary Tennant Evans, wife of one of the Battery's teamsters, Pvt. Abraham Evans.  Only 17 at the time of her husband's enlistment in the fall of 1861, Mary left their baby with her mother and accompanied Abraham to Mississippi.  There Mary spent nearly a year nursing, sewing and cooking for the Union soldiers, and would recall all her life the horror of the Union hospitals after the major battles in northern Mississippi that fall.[31] 

In Dees's absence, Lt. Lamberg assumed command of the Battery on July 20,[1] and was soon immersed in supervision of the Battery's personnel.  On July 22, he ordered the stoppage of Pvt. John Mahar's pay for one month, and his release from arrest and return to duty.[32]  On July 23, Corp. James Sullivan was reduced in rank to private and the following men promoted:  Corp. William Hyzer to 6th Sgt., 2nd Corp. Henry Shier to 1st Corp. (above), Pvt. Wm. White to 2nd Corp., 2nd Corp. Asa Estabrook to 1st Corp, and Pvt. Frank Fort became 2nd Corp.[33]              

Corp. Fort voluntarily requested to be reduced in rank on July 25, as was Sgt. Gideon Gifford, who was then detailed as a hospital steward in the 14th Michigan Infantry.[34] 

The Battery farrier, John Wallace, was reduced to private for neglecting his duty; in his place, Pvt. William Kerchen was promoted to farrier.  1st Corp. Shier ascended to the rank of sergeant, 2nd Corp. Michael Johnson to 1st Corporal, and Privates George Dickerson, Angus Frazer and Allen Sterns all became 2nd Corporals.[35]  A tent was appropriated for the use of the camp guards, and instructions to the Battery's men regarding the duties of guard detail were given in Company Orders #15 on July 26.  In Order #16, issued the same day, Lt. Lamberg stressed the proper care of the artillery harnesses, stating that the "loss of any lead straps or breakage of any parts of the harness must be promptly reported to the Chiefs of Detachments."  In the second part of his order, Lamberg commands...

Hereafter, the bathing and washing will be done by detachment under the supervision of the Non-Commissioned Officers - one detachment each day.  The bathing and washing will be done between 5 pm & 6 pm.  The Non-Commissioned Officers will see that the men do not stay in the water longer than 15 minutes in compliance with Special Field Order #127 Para. II.  The Sergeant in charge will report to the commander of the Battery any man that does not wash his person and clothes at the time specified.[36]

On August 3, 2nd Lt. William Sinclair was appointed 1st Lieutenant by a commission from Governor Blair.  First Sgt. George Robinson also received a commission to 2nd Lieutenant, Henry Shier was appointed to 1st Sergeant, Corp. John Cheny became Sergeant, Corp. William White became 1st Corporal, and Pvt. Judson Parker was promoted to 2nd Corporal.[37]              

The four detachments of the Battery were under the watchful eyes of the following Chiefs of Piece:  Sgt. Alexander Hunter, #1 gun; Sgt. Thomas Gregg, #2 gun; Sgt. William Hyzer, #3 gun; and Sgt. Cheny, #4.[38]  The next day, Lt. Lamberg ordered 2nd Lt. George Robinson to command the First Section and 1st Sgt. Henry Shier to command the Second.[39] 

Having recovered sufficiently, Capt. Dees returned to command of the Battery on August 16th, and rearranged command of the two sections.  Lamberg took the First Section and Lt. Robinson the Second.[40]  Under this leadership, the Third Battery would face the test of battle, as the Confederates mustered all their forces for an assault along a thousand-mile front.

[1]  Record of Service - Roster of Michigan Soldiers in the Civil War.  v. 42.
[2]  Hempstead Diary.  
[3]  OR   Series I - Volume X, Chapter XXII - Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Mississippi, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. Mar 4-Jun 10, 1862. 
[4]  Military Records of Orson Prouty, Battery C.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[5]  Pension Records of Lt. Carl Lamberg, Battery C.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[6]  Military Records of Lt. Carl Lamberg, Battery C.  National Archives, Washington, D.C. 
[7]  Scott, Col. H. L.  Military Dictionary.  New York:  D. Van Nostrand, 1864.  
[8]  Hempstead Diary. 
[9]  Military Records of Lt. William Sinclair, Battery C.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[10]  Hempstead Diary.
[11]  "The Army of the Mississippi."  Harper's Weekly, June 21, 1862.
[12]  Mower was nicknamed "Fighting Joe" because it was said that he was "all fight from head to foot."  He was destined to become one of the finest combat soldiers in the Union army, and his path would often intersect with that of the Third Battery.  
[13]  OR 10(1):  722
[14]  Report of Capt. Alexander Dees to Adjutant General John Roberston, November 14, 1862.  Michigan State Archives, Lansing, Michigan.  
[15]  Report by Lt. Henry Shier to Lt. Col. Herrick, commanding Fuller's Brigade, dated August 20, 1863.  Military Record of Henry Shier, Battery C.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.  
[16]  OR 10(1): 722
[17]  Report of Capt. Alexander Dees to Adjutant General John Roberston, November 14, 1862.  Michigan State Archives, Lansing, Michigan.
[18]  Military Records of Joseph Watson, Battery C.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[19]  Rogers, Margaret Green.  Civil War Corinth 1861-1865.  Corinth, MS:  Rankin, 1987.  pp. 13-15.
[20]  Returns of Dees' Battery, by Lt. William Sinclair, July 3, 1862.  Michigan State Archives, Lansing, Michigan.
[21]  Rogers, Civil War Corinth.  p. 16.
[22]  Rogers, Civil War Corinth.
[23]  Ewing, Sherman at War.  p. 65.  
[24]  Returns of Dees' Battery for the month of June, 1862.  Michigan State Archives, Lansing, Michigan.  
[25]  Letter, Capt. Alexander Dees to Gov. Austin Blair, July 10, 1862.  Michigan State Archives, Lansing, Michigan.
[26]  Letter, Capt. Alexander Dees to Adjutant General John Robertson, July 15, 1862.  Michigan State Archives, Lansing, Michigan.
[27] Company Orders #9, Captain Alexander Dees, July 18, 1862.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[28]  Company Orders #10, Captain Alexander Dees, July 19, 1862.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.  
[29]  Application for Pension, Pension Records of Capt. Alexander Dees.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.  
[30]  Nofi, Albert.  A Civil War Treasury.  1992.  pp. 354-355.
[31]  Tornquist, Louise, Bette Tornquist Smith and Coral Willoughby.  The Tennant History (1803-1964).  Privately published, 1964.
[33]  Returns of Dees' Battery for the month of July, 1862.  Michigan State Archives, Lansing, Michigan.  
[34]  Company Orders #11, Lt. Carl Lamberg, July 22, 1862.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[35]  Ibid.
[36]  Company Orders #16, Lt. Carl Lamberg, July 26, 1862.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[37]  Company Orders #17, Lt. Carl Lamberg, August 3, 1862.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.  
[38]  Ibid.  
[39]  Company Orders #18, Lt. Carl Lamberg, August 4, 1862.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.
[40]  Company Orders #19, Lt. Carl Lamberg, August 15, 1862.  National Archives, Washington, D.C.