Battery G, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery

Battery G Monument
Deaths at Vicksburg
Battery Records

(including the Horizon Disaster and other Vicksburg Reports)

Site of Battery G monument, Vicksburg National Military Park

On your way to tour stop 2, the Shirley House, the main park road will take a sharp bend to the left. Just before you turn left, there is a small pullover. If you pull off the road at this sharp bend, before proceeding to the Shirley House and the Illinois Monument, it is a short walk to the Battery G monument. Follow the trace of the Old Jackson Road on your right, back to a cut in a hill where the large guns of McPherson’s Battery will be on a hill to your right. You can take a look at the guns, or follow on along the route of the old Jackson Road, through the cut in the hill. There will be a modern road outside of the park boundary. You can easily cross this quiet road on foot to get to the Battery G monument, which should be the second or third monument you come to, outside of the park boundary.

Vicksburg National Military Park

Deaths at Vicksburg and vicinity (and burials where known):

Carlson, Nicholas – Died: Drowned May 1, 1863 during sinking of the transport steamer, Horizon, as the battery was being ferried across the Mississippi River near Bruinsburg. One report by E.K. Owen, naval officer, indicates that his body was recovered and buried, probably near Bruinsburg. The whereabouts of his grave today is unknown.

Davis, Jesse W. – Died: Oct. 15, 1863 at Vicksburg. Buried: Vicksburg National Cemetery, Section I, Gravestone 7712.

Ferris, Edward – Died: Aug. 31, 1863 of dysentery, in a hospital at or near Vicksburg. Buried: Vicksburg National Cemetery, Section I, Gravestone 8033.

Lindebeck, Francis – Died: Drowned May 1, 1863 during sinking of the transport steamer, Horizon, as the battery was being ferried across the Mississippi River near Bruinsburg. One report by E.K. Owen, naval officer, indicates that his body was recovered and buried, probably near Bruinsburg. The whereabouts of his grave today is unknown.

Scott, Dennis – Died: Sept. 7, 1863 at Vicksburg. Buried: Vicksburg National Cemetery, Section. I, Gravestone 7592.

Weir, John – Died: Oct. 14, 1863, killed in action at Brownsville, Miss. He may be buried at Vicksburg National Cemetery, Sec. G, Gravestone 4745. The stone is marked, “We–, J. E.”

Excerpts from Battery Records:
The Horizon Disaster

May 1, 1863: “Embarked on transport Horizon at 2 A.M. While crossing the river to Miss. shore [near Bruinsburg] were run into by steamer Moderator & sunk. Privates Linderbeck & Carlson were drowned. Everything belonging to Battery was lost except 13 Horses 6 mules 18 wedge tents 1 wall Tents part of Co records & papers, [rear?] one casson, & forge wagon, Battery Wagon, 48 Knapsacks 25 Ponchos Fragments of arty Harness.” – Battery G Morning Report Book (from We Enlisted As Patriots).

Report of Capt. Stewart R. Tresilian regarding the crossing at Bruinsburg June 29 1863.

Report of Maj. Gen. John A. Logan regarding the sinking of the Horizon.

(Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, Series I, Vol. 24)
An accident waiting to happen? Repairs of the Horizon as recorded in the log of the U.S. gunboat Tuscumbia, April 26 through May 1 makes several mentions of the Horizon.

Abstract of the log of the U.S. gunboat Benton, April 29 through May 2 mentions both the Horizon and Moderator.

Salvage operations

(Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, Series I, Vol. 25)
Three reports concerning salvage operations, some quite detailed, written in late May by Lt. Comdr. E.K. Owen, commander of the U.S.S. Louisville.
Letter from Capt. Pierce to Rear-Admiral Porter, July 28, 1863, about investigating the wreck.

VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN

Spring, 1863
(O.R. Series I, Vol. 24, part II)
Report of Capt. Tresilian, Third Division engineer, about troop movements in late April – including Battery G submerging a bridge. A hint of events to come?

Table of Organization – Battery G part of Col. Edward H. Wolfe’s Third Brigade, Second Division, Detachment Army of the Tennessee under the command of Major General A.J. Smith.
Return of Casualties in the U.S. Forces – One man wounded in Battery G.
Report of Col. Edward H. Wolfe, commanding Third Brigade, Second Division. (The third page of his report makes specific mention Battery G and the distinguished actions of Cpl. Samuel J. Churchill, for which he was later awarded the Medal of Honor.)
Report of Capt. John W. Lowell, commanding Battery G, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery, and acting chief of artillery for Second Division.
Report of Col. Phineas Pease, 49th Illinois Infantry, positioned near Battery G.
Report of Brig. Gen. Kenner Garrard, commanding Second Division. Numerous mentions of Battery G and other artillery throughout his report.
Report of Lieut. Thomas J. Ginn, 3rd Battery Indiana Light Artillery, positioned near Battery G.