Casualties at Milliken’s Bend
The casualties at Milliken’s Bend stunned both sides. No one was expecting the battle to be so severe.
McCulloch’s Brigade lost 44 killed, 130 wounded, and 10 missing. This amounted to a 12% loss – much different than the one death when they attacked the outpost at Perkins’ Landing just a week earlier.
Contrary to Union reports, which declared Col. Allen dead on the field, Allen, though seriously wounded, survived. Another Yankee report said McCulloch was killed – this too, was false.
Most of the Confederate wounded were treated in field hospitals established in houses not far from the battlefield. A few, taken prisoner, were treated with their enemies at Van Buren General Hospital at Milliken’s Bend.
Union losses were shocking. 492 men were killed, wounded or missing from the African Brigade. Bringing an initial 1,148 men into the battle, the total loss comes in at an astonishing 43 percent. Quite a number of these losses, about 132, were men who were missing – most of them, taken prisoner. If they are omitted from the above, that still gives a percentage killed and wounded of 31 percent, nearly a third of the force – a striking figure, even for Civil War battles where enormous casualties had become almost routine.
Other bloody distinctions came for the 9th Louisiana Infantry, A.D. and the 23rd Iowa. The 9th lost 68% of its starting force from all causes – the highest percentage loss of any African-American unit during the war. They sustained 66 men killed in action – the highest loss in a single engagement by any Union unit during the entire Vicksburg campaign. The 23rd lost 54 percent killed and wounded – with no missing men – an enormous loss considering they began the fight with only 120 men.
Numerous officers on both sides stated that their companies sustained nearly 50% casualties.
No one had thought this little fight would become so severe. The Confederates expected a cakewalk, like the easy time they had at Perkins’ Landing the week before. They probably thought it would be even easier, as the Union defenders were mostly former slaves and new recruits at that. Most of the black troops fought well, despite their short training. Although they were overwhelmed, and therefore suffered enormous casualties, they nevertheless fought stubbornly, so much so that Confederate commander Henry McCulloch admitted that they fought with “considerable obstinancy.” The former slaves were beginning to earn respect from their Confederate enemies, as well as from whites in the North. Milliken’s Bend and the casualties suffered and inflicted there, prompted both sides to reconsider their preconceptions about the capabilities of black men, and their usefulness to the Federal army.
My great grandfather Levi Heishman from Indiana was a casualty of this battle. I was raised in ohio and ky and 150 yes after the battle married a man from vucksburg
Marsha – Thanks for sharing this information, and sorry I did not reply more quickly. Do you know what unit he was affiliated with?
My great grandfather is also Levi Heishman. My grandmother is Hallie Leona Heisman
According to family lore passed on by my great aunt, her grandfather, Benjamin Perrin, was an officer in one of the regiments at Milliken’s Bend. The records I got from NARA show him as KIA, June 7, 1863 at Milliken’s Bend while on detached service with the 9th Louisiana AD. He is identified as a sergeant in Co. I, 68th OVI. From other sources, it seems that Co I of the 68th had been at the Bend – perhaps as drill masters or a provost marshal’s guard – but rejoined their regiment before the battle.
Can anyone shed some light on what my ancestor did at Milliken’s Bend?
Thank you
Hmm. A copy of the initial appointment of officers to the 9th La. A.D. shows two men from the 68th, former 1st Sgt. of Co. I, Lyman Hissong, who was serving as a captain; and former QM Sergt. (Ohio company not stated) Jacob Bruner, who was serving as a first lieutenant. Bruner was killed in action. Perrin’s name does not appear on this list of officers, which is dated Apr. 14, 1863. (This document is not readily available, however, I have transcribed it, here: https://www.millikensbend.com/officers-of-the-9th-louisiana-infantry-african-descent/ .)
Another source, the Official Army Register (part 8, pp. 152-153), also does not list Perrin as an officer in the 9th Louisiana (later, 5th US Colored Heavy Artillery).
I will keep looking to see if I can find out anything further.
.
Thank you very muchI knew about Jacob Bruner from the 68th OVI because I have seen letters somewhere on-line, maybe the Ohio Historical Society. I think that “officer” was family legend, after all, my great grandmother was something like 7 years old when her father died. The NARA records I got identify him as a sergeant. It would be interesting to know if he had an official reason to be at the battle. I remember reading somewhere that the 68th had been at the Bend but moved on some time before the battle, maybe even that Co. I was the last to leave. He was described as on detached service with the 9th La. AD, maybe that was the company commander covering up for agreeing to let him hang out with his friends for a few days in June.
Well, I wouldn’t call it just a legend, at this point. What I would recommend would be to get his pension record from NARA, if possible. That might help clarify. But pension records are expensive. So in lieu of that, you might want to write to the Ohio Historical, and ask for his records there. It would be especially helpful, I think, to maybe request Company I muster rolls for the period, say, Apr through July 1863.
Many many regiments passed through Milliken’s Bend on their way to Vicksburg. It was a major pit stop for Grant’s army, until they got across the Mississippi and moved on Vicksburg. By the time of the battle at Milliken’s Bend, June 7, 1863, it had become something of a backwater. As far as I know, only the four regiments of the African Brigade, and the tiny portion of the all-white 23rd Iowa were there. Oh, and the 10th Illinois Cavalry nearby, but they wouldn’t like being listed in the same paragraph.
The detached service thing makes sense. ALL of the officers with the African Brigade, including the 9th La. were on detached service until the regiment was recruited to full strength. The fact that Perrin was a sergeant in his Ohio unit also fits with the background of many of the new officers for the 9th La.
I’m wondering if perhaps he served as a First Sgt. in the 9th? Most of the 1st Sgt.s were white, because they had to submit reports and keep records, and therefore had to be literate — which most of the former slaves were not. The document that I have listing the new officers of the 9th, does not list the first sergeants.
Hmmm… again. I’ll keep pondering.
Doug! I found it!!! See Jacob Bruner’s letter here. https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll98/id/282 where he states “our orderly sergeant is Perrin”
Doug, Benjamin Perrin was my G-G-G-Uncle. My Grandfather was named James Benjamin Perrin in memorial of his 2 Great Uncles who died in the civil war. My late Uncle James Benjamin Perrin Jr researched our family tree & you can find info on Benjamin in “The Perrin Family in the Civil War” online. On April 10th, 163 moved to Milliken’s Bend to assist in organizing the 9th Regiment Louisiana Volunteers of African descent.
My great great grandfather George W Smiley fought with the Iowa 23rd. His death is listed as July 5, 1863. Not sure where I got info. Since the battle was in June I’m wondering if he died later from complications from Milliken Bend battle. Is there a way I can find out? I know he has a marked grave at Vicksburg National Cemetery.
It’s certainly possible he was at the Milliken’s Bend fight. Do you know what company he was with? It may also be that he was wounded at Big Black River Bridge in May, or just simply that he died of illness. Your best bet would be to obtain his service record from the National Archives http://www.archives.gov or write to the Iowa Historical Society http://www.iowahistory.org/archives/ to see if they have further information.
George W. Smiley was also my great great grandfather. A story I’ve heard, was that he was shot through both hands & later died of dysentery.
Iowa 23rd Infantry Company A
https://books.google.com/books?id=R3cUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA231&lpg=PA231&dq=iowa+23rd+infantry++george+w.+smiley&source=bl&ots=T6JPSgk-1t&sig=waQJLfxzDttC11L1iyEQO9Qc6TI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwit0uaDyd7LAhXpwYMKHfQRBkcQ6AEINDAE#v=onepage&q=iowa%2023rd%20infantry%20%20george%20w.%20smiley&f=false
Wounded through both hands during Battle of Port Gibson
http://iastory.com/1887/Display.mvc?437
I think the reason he died @ Miliken’s Bend is because there was possibly a hospital there.
Yes, that is correct. Van Buren General Hospital was located at Milliken’s Bend.
My great grandfather, Alonzo D. Pillow, died at Milliken’s Landing, June, 1863. Just learned this. He was Confederate, (from Texas) 17th Infantry, Co. A, (I think)? Allen’s Regiment.
Were the dead Conferate’s buried in a mass grave there. Any markings that you know of. Thanks in advance.
Betty P
Betty – Thanks for stopping by and thanks for your inquiry.
I’ve not found anything so far that has told me where the Confederate soldiers were buried. Before the Confederates left the vicinity, they stayed nearby for a couple of hours before withdrawing to Richmond, LA — which is now Tallulah. It seems likely to me that any of the men that died on the field were possibly buried nearby, while the troops were resting, waiting for reinforcements, and deciding what to do. On the other hand, they may not have had time to do that, as it was unclear if they were going to continue the attack or if the Yankees were going to attack them, so they may not have let their guard down long enough to perform any burials. Also, it’s quite likely that a number of the killed in action died within Yankee lines, and unless the Rebs made special efforts to remove the bodies, the Yanks probably would have been the ones to perform the burials. So I think it depends, for your ancestor, if he died outright during the fighting, or if he was perhaps seriously wounded, was evacuated from the scene, and then died of his wounds.
I found this information about Millikens Bend Cemetery in Ouachita Parish on find-a-grave; a number of the burials are from the time of the battle at Milliken’s Bend, and many are identified as men of the 17th Texas Infantry. Pillow’s name does not appear on this listing.
There is also this listing for the Old Monroe Confederate Hospital cemetery, in Monroe, LA. Monroe is where the Confederate wounded were sent to – but it was quite some distance (about 70 miles) from Milliken’s Bend.
Two Confederates were reinterred, accidentally, in the National Cemetery at Vicksburg. Perhaps others were, as well, listed now as “unknown.”
I doubt that Confederates from Milliken’s Bend would have been reinterred at the Confederate Cemetery in Vicksburg, although that is possible. While the US dead were removed from Milliken’s Bend and other sites and reinterred in the National Cemetery at Vicksburg, that process was managed by the Federal government. There was no such systematic reburial of the Confederate dead after the war.
You might wish to continue browsing at Find-a-Grave, particularly for cemeteries in Madison Parish (where Milliken’s Bend is located); neighboring East Carroll Parish (Milliken’s Bend was on the parish border); or Ouachita Parish, where Monroe is. Of course, any place in between Milliken’s Bend and Monroe could be a candidate, too, if he was wounded and died on the retreat.
Best of luck.
My great grand father, William H. Black, was in Co. F, 17th Texas Inf and was captured and exchanged 3 months later.
Thanks for sharing this information, Bruce. You may also be interested in the Descendant’s pages I have set up, here: https://www.millikensbend.com/descendants-17th-texas-infantry/ where, if you wish, you can share more of his story.
My 4th Great Grandfather Lewis Martin Littlepage died at Milliken’s Bend according to records, but died on Jan 22, 1863…. months before the battle. There is even a picture of the record the Army sent his widow recording her death. Supposedly buried near Young’s Point on the bank of the Mississippi. Any info you have on an earlier battle at Milliken’s Bend?
During the winter of ’63, Grant’s army was busy on the west bank of the Mississippi, dredging and cutting canals, trying to find a way to bypass the bluffs and Confederate batteries at Vicksburg. So the Federal army was definitely present. Without further details, I think it likely that he died of disease or injury. There were several Federal hospitals in the vicinity, including at Milliken’s Bend, and I believe also at Young’s Point – though I’m not certain of when they were established.
Do you know if the burials at Perkins Plantation were reburied after the war? I am looking for the burial site of a union soldier who died of disease in early May, 1863 and was taken to “Perkins Plantation hospital” for burial – as he was near there when he died. I have not found his name listed in the National Cemeteries which were established after the war, where remains were taken for reburials.
I’m not certain, but I would imagine if he was taken in the reburials, he would have ended up at Vicksburg National Cemetery. I know I have found some men who were buried on the west side of the River who got transferred over to Vicksburg – basically, anybody who would’ved died during the Vicksburg campaign. There are many Unknown graves at Vicksburg, and it is quite possible he could have been one of those. I don’t think Perkins’ burials would have ended up at Natchez, as I think that would have been a ways out of their purview, but see their information here: https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/national_cemeteries/Mississippi/Natchez_National_Cemetery.html
Does anyone know where Jacob Bruner, 1st Lieutenant, 9th Louisiana Regiment of African Descent is buried? He was killed at the Battle of Milliken’s Bend. He was my 4th Great Uncle.
Dave – Thanks for stopping by and posting your inquiry. I’ve done some searching. You are probably already aware of Bruner’s letters at the Ohio History Connection, some of which are online. He is also mentioned in this transcript from a more-recent oral history. However, neither of these mention his burial location.
I did some more digging, and I found the article referred to by Ohio History Connection of a letter from Bruner’s comrade, Lyman Hissong, which was published in the Paulding Independent newspaper, July 16, 1863. It is not available online. In it, Hissong says “He was as decently buried as circumstances would allow. I had a head board placed at the head of his grave and plainly marked so that it can be found at any time.” That, at least, indicates he was buried on the field, at the time. Of course, his family may have had his body shipped back home, or he may have been reburied after the war, possibly as an “unknown”, in Vicksburg National Cemetery. I find no listing for him in the VA’s National Cemetery grave locator. I’d recommend you contact the Ohio History Connection to see about getting a copy of the article from the Paulding Independent, and certainly if you were unaware of their letters from Bruner, those will be of interest, as well. It’s possible that some of the materials in that collection, including materials that are not accessible online, might have more details about his burial.
My great grandfather John Hancock Smith was killed June 7, 1863. He was 5th Sergeant, Company B 17th Texas Infantry, Bastrop County Texas. Do you have any information of where he might of been buried. I believe he was attached to the 16th Texas Cavalry at Milkens Bend and shows up as a casualty of the 16th Texas. Any help appreciated as I plan on visiting the
area of where the battle took place this summer. (I know the battlefield is no longer there having been washed away)
Thomas – Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, there’s no firm answer to your question. My best suggestions appear in this post about Confederate burials: https://www.millikensbend.com/confederate-burials/
The 17th Texas Infantry, the 16th Texas Cavalry and the 16th Texas Infantry were all at Milliken’s Bend. The 16th Cav was dismounted, so they were functioning as infantry. I can’t really explain the variation in regiments in terms of your ancestor’s service; my best suggestion for that would be to consult his actual service records, though it sounds like you may have already done that.
During your trip, I highly recommend visiting the Hermione House Museum in Tallulah. It is very impressive for a small community museum. Check their hours and call ahead, though. Their hours are limited. More information about Madison Parish w/a link for Hermione House here: http://ladelta65.org/places/Tallulah.htm
Thank you. Tallulah was very interesting as well as the Vicksburg National Battlefield.
The USS Cairo exhibit was excellent.
I’m so glad you got to visit these sites, Thomas, and thanks for reporting back.
where can I find a listing of all the names of the black soldiers who died in the Milligan Bend battle of June 7, 1863.. need info asap
Sam – I have yet to find a comprehensive listing of all of the casualties for the Black regiments at Milliken’s Bend. The two regiments which took the heaviest casualties lost their records in the fighting. When I examined the records books at the National Archives in Washington, DC, the books began in August – two months after the battle. I have some information about some of the men who died – but many of them did not live long enough between their enlistment and their death in battle to even have their names recorded. It’s very frustrating to not even know their names. I’m ever so slowly working on trying to develop such a list from the various sources I consulted during the course of my research, but it is a very slow process. I’m sorry I did not have more helpful information for you.
Do you have any info on Charles David Bishop? He is my 3rd Great grandfather and from my research it would seem he died at the Millikens Bend Battle.
Kevin – Thanks for stopping by. What regiment was he with? I would recommend that you request his service records from the National Archives or if you have access to Fold3.com you may be able to find his military record there. I have no comprehensive listing of casualties, and what I do have is arranged by regiment, not name.
I am looking for the grave of a Civil War Soldier (Union) from Missouri. His name is Louis Bernard Ste. Gemme he died 15 April 1863 at hospital at Milliken’s Bend. Can anyone help?
My understanding is that most of the Union burials from Milliken’s Bend were reinterred after the war at Vicksburg National Cemetery.
Hello,
My great uncle died in the Battle of Milliken’s Bend. He was a private with the Iowa 23rd Regiment. His name was John Brown. Is there a record of his burial?
Florence –
Thank you for stopping by and leaving this comment. There’s a few different possibilities about where he could have been buried. Most likely, he was probably buried near Milliken’s Bend, and probably reinterred at Vicksburg National Cemetery after the war. Many of these reburials were simply as “Unknowns” – as by that time wooden grave markers and also floods from the Mississippi River in the Milliken’s Bend area had undoubtedly deteriorated many markers. A few men from the 23rd may have had their bodies claimed by family and sent North for burial, but that involved expense that was often beyond the means of many people. If he was wounded in battle, and then died from his wounds, it is possible that he had been moved to a military hospital at Memphis, St. Louis, or even in Iowa – so any of those major military cemeteries might also be his final resting place. If you have not yet already, you may wish to check Vicksburg National Cemetery’s database. You might also wish to write to the Iowa Historical Society. They have a lot of detailed records about individual men who served. Good luck in your search! In addition, feel free to post more on the Descendants Page for the 23rd.