Lieutenant Colonel Sidney Burbank assumed command of the regiment, July 23, 1861, and headquarters were established at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where Companies A, B. C and G of the 1^st Battalion were organized. The field officers were Colonel Wm. T. Sherman, Lieutenant Colonel Sidney Burbank, and Majors C. C. Augur, S. W. Crawford, and Charles Hill. Recruiting stations were opened for the regiment at Dubuque, Keokuk and Iowa City, Iowa; Cincinnati and Bellefontaine, Ohio; and Madison, Wisconsin, and Company A of the 1^st Battalion was organized October 8, 1861; B. C and G. November 13, 1861; D, E, and F. April 1, 1862.

Philip H. Sheridan was appointed captain in the 13^th from a lieutenantcy in the Fourth, May 14, 1861, to fill a vacancy. He joined the regiment, November 10, 1861, but was soon thereafter appointed chief commissary and quartermaster to the Army of Southwest Missouri, which practically severed his connection with the regiment.

On the 12^th of February, 1863, the headquarters and so much of the regiment as had been recruited were removed to Alton, Ill., to guard the rebel prisoners confined in the prison at that place.

Headquarters of the regiment were removed, June 12, to Newport Barracks, and on the 4^th of September, 1862, the First Battalion left Alton by rail for Newport, Ky., where it was placed on guard at Beechwood Battery and vicinity. In October it was transferred to Memphis, Tenn., and on the both of December left that city on the flagboat Forest Queen with the expedition against Vicksburg under the command of Major General Wm. T. Sherman, and disembarked six days later on the south bank of the Yazoo River, about 13 miles from its mouth. On the both the battalion was ordered to the front and participated in an engagement on the banks of the Chickasaw Bayou, five miles from Vicksburg, and was under a heavy fire of musketry from 7 o’clock A. M., until after dark. The casualties were one private killed and 11 wounded.

On the night of December 31 the battalion embarked on the City of Alton and ascended the Arkansas to within three miles of the Post of Arkansas, arriving January 10, 1863. During that night the troops were under the fire of the enemy, and on the afternoon of the 11^th, participated in the general assault on the enemy’s works, resulting in the capture of the post. The battalion lost one man killed and Captain C. S. Smith and 22 men wounded.

The battalion reëmbarked January 14 on the steamer Forest Queen and on the 23d arrived at Young’s Point, La., three miles below Vicksburg, where it remained, taking part in digging the canal, until March 17, when it accompanied the expedition up Deer Creek to the relief of Admiral Porter, who was near Rolling Fork with a part of his fleet. On the afternoon of the 22d it became engaged and drove the enemy from the vicinity of the gunboats at Black Bayou.

The battalion returned to Young’s Point, March 27, where it remained in camp until April 29, when it accompanied the 2d Division of Sherman’s Corps on a reconnaissance in force to the right of the enemy’s lines, ascending the Yazoo River to the vicinity of Haynes’ Bluff, Miss., and returned to camp near Vicksburg, May 1. Embarked the next day for Milliken’s Bend, La., and thence, on the 6^th, to join the army under General Grant then in Mississippi, accompanying the brigade to Champion Hills and arriving there on the 16^th to take part that afternoon in the battle of “Champion Hills” or “Baker’s Creek.” It then proceeded to Vicksburg, and on the 19^th of May participated in the successful assault upon the enemy’s fortifications, Walnut Hills, Miss. In this action Captain C. Washington was killed, and of the enlisted men 21 were killed and 46 wounded.

Company E of the 1^st Battalion was sent by special train to Dayton, Ohio, for the purpose of arresting C. L. Vallandigham and returned to Cincinnati, May 5, in charge of said prisoner and remained there doing guard duty until May 26, when Captain Alexander Murray, with a guard of 11 men, escorted and delivered him to General Rosecrans. On the 16^th of June the company rejoined the fist Battalion, which was still in camp at Walnut Hills.

On July 4 the battalion left camp to join the expedition under General Sherman, then at Black River. Arriving there on the 6^th it crossed the river and proceeded to Jackson, Miss., in front of the enemy’s works, where one private was killed and four wounded. It remained at Jackson until the city was evacuated by the enemy,—July 16,—and returned to Camp Sherman, Miss., arriving on the 25^th.

The following extract from the proceedings of a Board of Officers convened by G. O. No. 64, Hd. Qrs. 15^th A. C., Camp Sherman, Miss., August 5, 1863, shows without further comment the distinguished services rendered by the 13^th Infantry in the operations before Vicksburg:

“The Board being organized established the following rules of guidance:
”1. Troops that have participated in a battle or siege with credit, are entitled to its name on their colors.
”2. Art. 1^st. The regiment that in force planted its colors on the parapet, and suffered the greatest relative loss, shall have inscribed on its banner, First at Vicksburg.’
”Art. 2d. Those engaged with credit, suffering loss, shall have the inscription, ‘Vicksburg, Siege and Assault 19^th and 22d.’ ‘Vicksburg, Siege and Assault 19^th (or 22d).’
”Art. 3d. Troops in reserve and in the line of circumvallation shall have the inscription, ‘Siege of Vicksburg.’
”The Board, after a careful examination of the papers and the evidence submitted in support of claims, decided unanimously the following commands entitled to the inscriptions appended to their respective titles: * * *
”1^st Battalion, 13^th Infantry, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Champion Hills, First at Vicksburg, Jackson.

* * * * * ** *

“The Board find the 13^th U. S. Infantry entitled to ‘First Honor at Vicksburg,’ having in a body planted and maintained its colors on the parapet with a loss of 43.3 per cent., including its gallant commander,—Washington,—who died on the parapet. Its conduct and loss the Board, after a careful examination, believes unequalled in the army, and respectfully ask the General Commanding the Department to allow it the inscription awarded.”

The battalion left Camp Sherman September 27, 1863, for Memphis, Tenn., where it arrived October 3. When the train bewaring the battalion arrived at Collierville, Tenn. (being en route from Memphis to Chattanooga), the battalion commander, Captain C. G. Smith, was informed that an attack was about to be made on the forces stationed there (66^th Indiana Volunteers). He immediately ordered the battalion off the cars and formed in line of battle on the road, with two companies deployed on the right and left as skirmishers. When scarcely in position the battalion was attacked by a force of 3150 men commanded by the rebel General Chalmers. A battery of five pieces of artillery opened upon them with grape and solid shot, and the battalion, having no support against artillery at such long range, withdrew to the railroad cut, except the skirmishers, who fell back gradually, having maintained their position for about an hour and a half. The enemy opened a flank fire on the left, and the battalion had therefore to retreat to the rifle pits where the 66^th Indiana had been driven, the enemy pursued with overpowering numbers.

Seeing the enemy taking possession of the train and setting fire to it, Lieutenant Griffin with about forty men was ordered if possible to drive the enemy off, put out the fire, and push the train up under cover of the fort. This duty was accomplished in the most brave and gallant manner, whereby the battalion sustained the reputation it had already gained in former engagements. The casualties attending this fight were 15 men killed and 27 wounded.

This battle was fought under the eye of General Sherman who complimented the battalion for its bravery.

After this engagement the battalion proceeded to Corinth, Miss., thence to Chattanooga, November 21.

On July 4, 1863, Colonel Sherman was promoted brigadier general, U. S. Army, and Lieutenant Colonel J. P. Sanderson 15^th Infantry, was promoted colonel of the regiment.

The following extracts from General Sherman’s memoirs, in which is given his touching letter on the death of his boy Willie, are of special interest to members of the Thirteenth.

“There was a short railroad in operation from Vicksburg to the bridge across the Big Black, whence supplies in abundance were hauled to our respective camps. With a knowledge of this fact Mrs. Sherman came down from Ohio with Minnie, Lizzie, Willie, and Tom, to pay us a visit in our camp at Parson Fox’s. Willie was then nine years old and well advanced for his years, and took the most intense interest in the affairs of the army. He was a great favorite with the soldiers, and used to ride with me on horseback in the numerous drills and reviews of the time. He then had the promise of as long life as any of my children, and displayed more interest in the war than any of them. He was called a “ sergeant” in the regular battalion, learned the manual of arms, and regularly attended the parade and guard-mounting of the Thirteenth, back of my camp.

* *****

“I took passage for myself and family in the steamer Atlantic, Captain Henry McDougall. When the boat was ready to start Willie was missing. Mrs. Sherman supposed him to have been with me, whereas I supposed he was with her. An officer of the Thirteenth went up to General McPherson’s house for him, and soon returned, with Captain Clift leading him, carrying in his hands a small double-barrelled shotgun; and I joked him about carrying away captured property. In a short time we got off. As we all stood on the guards to look at our old camps at Young’s Point, I remarked that Willie was not well, and he admitted that he was sick. His mother put him to bed, and consulted Dr. Roler, of the Fifty-fifth Illinois, who found symptoms of typhoid fever. The river was low; we made slow progress till above Helena; and, as we approached Memphis, Dr. Roler told me that Willie’s life was in danger, and he was extremely anxious to reach Memphis for certain medicines and for consultation. We arrived at Memphis on the 2d of October, carried Willie up to the Gayoso Hotel, and got the most experienced physician there, who acted with Dr. Roler, but he sank rapidly, and died the evening of the 3d of October. The blow was a terrible one to us all; so sudden and so unexpected, that I could not help reproaching myself for having consented to his visit in that sickly region in the summer time. Of all my children, he seemed the most precious. Born in San Francisco, I had watched with intense interest his development, and he seemed more than any of the children to take an interest in my special profession.”

“GAYOSO HOUSE, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,
”October 4, 1863—Midnight.

“Captain C. C. Smith, commanding Battalion Thirteenth United States Regulars.

“My Dear Friend: I cannot sleep to-night until I record an expression of the deep feelings of my heart to you, and to all the officers and soldiers of the battalion for their kind behavior to my poor child. I realize that you all feel for my family the attachment of kindred, and I assure you of full reciprocity.

“Consistent with a sense of duty to my profession and office, I could not leave my post, and sent for the family to come to me in that fatal climate, and in that sickly period of the year, and behold the result; the child that bore my name, and in whose future I reposed with more confidence than I did in my own plan of life, now floats a mere corpse, seeking a grave in a distant land, with a weeping mother, brother, and sisters, clustered about him. For myself I ask no sympathy. On, on I must go to meet a soldier’s fate, or live to see our country rise superior to all factions, till its flag is adored and respected by ourselves and by all the powers of the earth.

“But Willie was, or thought he was, a sergeant in the Thirteenth. I have seen his eye brighten, his heart beat, as he beheld the battalion under arms, and asked me if they were not real soldiers. Child as he was, he had the enthusiasm, the pure love of truth, honor and love of country, which should animate all soldiers.

“God only knows why he should die thus young. He is dead, but will not be forgotten till those who knew him in life have followed him to that same mysterious end.

“Please convey to the battalion my heartfelt thanks, and assure each and all that if in after years they call on me or mine, and mention that they were of the Thirteenth Regulars when Willie was a sergeant, they will have a key to the affections of my family that will open all it has; that we will share with them our last blanket, our last crust!

“Your friend,

(Signed) “W. T. SHERMAN,
”Major General.”

Over Willie’s grave in Calvary Cemetery, near St. Louis, is erected a beautiful marble monument, designed and executed by the officers and soldiers of the 1^st Battalion, 13^th Infantry, which claimed him as a sergeant and comrade.

The battalion was in reserve at the battle of Mission Ridge, November 24, and on the 26^th marched to Graysville, Gal, in pursuit of Bragg. Continuing the march on the 27^th the battalion reached Maysville, December 6. The return march began December 7, reaching Chattanooga, December 17[,] Bellefonte, Ala., December 31, and Huntsville, Ala., January 5, 1864. On April 4 the battalion was transferred to Nashville, Tenn., where it was detailed as special guard to General Sherman’s headquarters, which duty it continued to perform until the close of the year, being encamped at Edgefield, about two miles from Nashville, Tenn. It remained at this point until July 13, 1865. On October 14, 1864, Colonel Sanderson died at St. Louis, while on detached service as provost marshal of Missouri, and was succeeded by Colonel I. V. D. Reeve.

The headquarters of the regiment moved from Newport Barracks, May 10, 1865, to Camp Dennison, Ohio, where Companies A and B. ad Battalion, were organized during that month, and Companies C, D, E, F. G and H. in July. On July 1s the 1^st Battalion left Nashville for St. Louis, arriving on the both; thence August 24, to Fort Leavenworth, where it arrived August 31. Companies A, B. D, E and G went on to Fort Riley, September 5, arriving on the 18^th.

During November, 1865, the headquarters of the regiment were moved to Fort Leavenworth. The 2d Battalion left Camp Dennison in August for Jefferson Barracks, where it arrived September 5, but left for Fort Larned, Kansas, via Fort Leavenworth, in November, reaching that post in December. While en route, Company D was detached for duty at Fort Ellsworth, and Companies B and E ordered to take post at Fort Zarah, Kansas. Companies A, B and C, 3d Battalion, were organized at Jefferson Barracks during January, 1866, and Companies F. G and H. in March.

The companies of the 1^st Battalion at Fort Riley left that post April 11 for Fort Leavenworth, where they were joined by the remaining companies and proceeded up the Missouri River to establish a military post north of the Black Hills, D. T.; but on arriving at Fort Sully on the 27^th, they reembarked under orders to establish a new post at or near Fort Benton, M. T., arriving at and establishing Camp Cooke, M. T., May 19.

The 2d and 3d Battalions concentrated at Fort Leavenworth, and during May proceeded to the District of the Upper Missouri. The headquarters of the regiment left Fort Leavenworth, May I, and arrived at Fort Rice, D. T., May 16. The ad Battalion was distributed as follows: Headquarters and Companies A and B at Fort Randall; C, E and H. at Fort Sully; G at Fort Thompson; F at Fort James, and D at Fort Dakota, all these stations being in Dakota. The headquarters of the ad Battalion were established at Fort Rice with Companies B. E, F. G and H. A was at Fort Sully, C at Buford, and D at Berthold.

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