I recently had the honor and pleasure of appearing in a VirtualBookSigning at the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop in Chicago with Allen Guelzo, author of Gettysburg: The Last Invasion.

As we discussed our works, it occurred to me that there are several (albeit tangential) connections between Milliken’s Bend and Gettysburg.

1) One matter that was quite surprising to me, when I realized it while writing my book, was that both the 23rd Iowa (all-white) and the 9th Louisiana Infantry, African Descent had approximately the same percentage of their force killed in action (19% and 23% respectively) as did the 1st Minnesota at Gettysburg (19%), long known for its heroism and extraordinary losses.

2) Lt. Col. Arthur Fremantle of Her Majesty’s Coldstream Guards, has long been cited as as an eyewitness at Gettysburg, attached to Lee’s army. However, in mid-May, 1863, his journey through the South took him through Monroe, Louisiana, where he met Paul Octave Hebert, in charge of the post.

3) Another interesting connection with Gettysburg is Elizabeth Meade Ingraham, a planter’s wife living near Port Gibson, Mississippi. Her diary provides a riveting account of what many of the larger planters in the region must have suffered at the hands of the Yankees. Although loyal to the Confederacy, she was the sister of George Gordon Meade, the Union commander at Gettysburg.

4) During his discussion at the VirtualBookSigning, Dr. Guelzo mentioned his research into the story about Gen. Lee giving Stuart a tongue-lashing for Stuart’s so-called joyride. As Dr. Guelzo investigated this, he determined that it was an apocraphyal story, probably invented to help deflect blame from Robert E. Lee for the loss at Gettysburg. Likewise, I encountered a similar story about Brig Gen. Paul Octave Hebert, which had been repeated through the years, in many different sources, stating that he had been present at Milliken’s Bend, and that this was his only combat experience during the war. Not true, as far as I can find. Hebert never mentions his presence at the Bend, and no wartime records support that statement. I believe the story began with John Dmitry in 1899, who wrote the Louisiana volume of Confederate Military History.

Though far apart in geography and national prominence, there are distinct and unusual connections that can be drawn between Milliken’s Bend and Gettysburg. Although I was aware of many of these, in an isolated perspective, I had not thought to group them together to see that there were actually several connections to be drawn to that battle. I appreciate the opportunity to have appeared with Dr. Guelzo, and many thanks to my gracious hosts at the Abraham Lincoln Book Shop.