THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG

March 20, 1863 the regiment was issued new uniforms and ordered to cook three days rations, and be prepared to move the next morning. The following day the march proceeded towards Hayne's Bluff. This expedition was commanded by Brigadier-General Stephen D. Lee. At Hayne's Bluff the army boarded boats and arrived at Deer Creek on March 25, 1863, where earthworks were constructed. On April 29, 1863 the enemy attacked with their gunboats, which continued through May 1, 1863.

On May 3, 1863 the regiment received orders to keep three days rations cooked and be ready to march at a moment's notice.

The troops left on May 17, 1863, on the morning of May 18, 1863, the regiment reached Hill City and were immediately placed in the intrenchments. The Louisianians were supplied with Confederate Mississippi Rifles which were almost useless. On May 28 they were supplied with Enfield Rifles and Ely's cartridges, containing a peculiarly-shaped elongated ball and the finest English powder. Beside the rifle, each man was furnished with a musket loaded with buckshot, to be used in case of an assault and in close quarters.

The regament remained and fought daily battles and skirmishes until July 4, 1863, when negotiations for the surrender of the Cnfederate troops at Vicksburg.

HEADQUARTERS, FORNEY'S DIVISION,
July 4th, 1863.

I am directed by Lieutenant-General commanding to inform you, that the terms for the capitulation of Vicksburg and garrison have been completed, and are as follows:

The officers and men will be paroled at once, retaining their private baggage; commissioned officers their side-arms, and mounted officers one horse each.

At 10 o'clock, A. M., today, each brigade will be marched out in front of its respective position, stacking arms; it will then return, and bivouac in rear of the trenches until necessary rolls can be completed.

You will please state to your troops that these terms are concurred in by the general officers, and you will caution your men not to avoid being paroled, as it is to their advantage to have their papers properly made out.

So soon as the order is received you will cause white flags to be displayed along your lines.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Offical:

J. H. Forney, Major-General Commanding.

W. D. Hardiman, A. A. G.

The siege of Vicksburg had ended, after forty-eigth days, 20,000 Confederates had resisted the assault of 120,000 Union troops, numerous gunboats and other naval vessels.

July 5, 1863, rations for five days were issued to the Confederate soldiers by the Commissriat of the Federals. On the 7th the men were paroled separately to the following oath:

Vicksburg, Miss., July 7, 1863

To whom it may concern:

Know ye, that I, Thomas Williams, a private, Comany C, Third Regiment Louisiana Volunteers, C. S. A., being a prisoner of war in the hands of the United States forces, in virtue of capitulation of the City of Vicksburg and its garrisonby Lieutenant-General John C. Pemberton, C. S. A., commanding on the 4th day of July, 1863, do, in pursuance of terms of said capitulation, give this my solemn parole, under oath:

That I will not take up arms again against the United States, nor serve in any military police or constabulary force in any fort, garrison or field-work held by the Confederate States of America, against the United States of America, nor a guard of prisons, depots or stores, nor discharge any duties usually performed by officers or soldiers, against the United States of America, until duly exchanged by the proper authorities.

Sworn to and subscribed before me, at Vicksburg, Miss., this 7th day of July, 1863.

JOHN O. DUER,
Captain 40th Illinois Regim,ent, and Paroling Officer.

July 11, 1863 the army departed Vicksburg enroute to Enterprise, Mississippi. They arrived at Enterprise on the 16th and were issued a furlough for thirty days:

Special Orders, No.___

HEADQUARTERS THIRD LA. INFANTRY, Enterprise, Miss., July 21, 1863.

In compliance with Division Circular Order of this date, to me directed, I hereby furlough THomas Williams for (30) thirty days, to take effect from the 23d July. Members of companies raised on the east bank of the Mississippi River will rendezvous at Demopolis, Ala., or such other places as may be hereafter designated by the War Department. Members of those companies raised on the west bank of the Mississippi will rendezvous at Alexandria, La., to march to Demepolis, Ala., or to such other point as may be hereafter desginated by the Secretary of War.

Transportation will be furnished to Thomas Williams, to and from his home, to the place of rendezvous.

SAMUEL D. RUSSELL,
Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Third Louisiana Infantry.

In December, 1863, the paroled prisoners were declared exchanged, and were armed and equipped, the detachment of the Third Regiment were doing duty in Enterprise, Mississippi. General Polk issued an order for the consolidation into one regiment the men of the Third, Seventeenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-sixth, Twenty-Seventh, Twenty-Eighth and Thirty-First Louisiana Infantry, who were on the east side of the river. They were divided into companies and allowed to select their company officers. The Third Regiment formed one company, designated Company H, with the following officers: Captain C. H. Brashear; First Lieutenant J. P. Parsons; Second Lieutenant W. T. Fagan; Second Jr. Lieutenant A. J. Thomas. First Sergeant, C. Hurley; Second Sergeant, A. B. Booth; Third Sergeant, J. Roddy; Fourth Sergeant, Thomas Williams . First Corporal, W. E. Walker; Second Corporal, J. F. Chambers; Third Corporal, W. B. Sheffield; Fourth Corporal, R. J. Galloway.

Early in January, 1864, this organization known as the Twenty-Second Louisiana Heavy Artillery, were ordered to Mobile, and stationed in the redoubts and forts around the city. The squad comprising Company H, was recognized as the Third Louisiana Infantry, from the Secretary of War down to the particular friend of the regiment, General Louis Hebert.

General Orders
No. 56

Headquarters Trans-Miss. Dept
Shreveport, La. July 21, 1864.

All officers and men captured at Vicksburg, who have reported at Enterprise, Demopolis, Vienna, Natchitoches, Shreveport and Alexandria, at any time prior to April 1st, 1864, have been declared exchanged by the Commissioner of Exchange.

All those in this Department who are embraced in this list will immediately rejoin their commands in the field.

By command of
Gen. E. Kirby Smith.

S. S. Anderson, A. A. G.

After the evacuation of Mobile, the regiment proceeded to Meridian, Mississippi and renained at that vicinity until the final surrender of the troops under General Taylor to General Canby. Like their comrades in the Trans-Mississippi, they were among the very last to leave the Confedercy.

The remainder of the Third Regiment were sent to Camp Boggs at Shreveport, Louisiana. On April 1865 the gallant Third Louisiana departed the Confederacy for home and the future.