Many men from Illinois had a hand in the Milliken’s Bend story, and this seems like a timely subject, in anticipation of the upcoming Decatur Civil War Symposium. In April 1863, Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas traveled along the Mississippi River, more »
Elisha DeWitt’s heart must have swelled with patriotism. In August 1861, just eighteen years old, he signed on with the 7th Missouri Infantry (U.S.) at Rolla. Enlisting early in the war when the eagerness of youth and lofty patriotic ideals more »
John Gordon was just 15 years old when he enlisted in Company B, 11th Louisiana Infantry, African Descent on May 8, 1863. He was probably involved in the fighting at Milliken’s Bend, as there is no evidence that he was more »
There are a number of reasons why Milliken’s Bend should be remembered, but I’ll concentrate on what I believe to be the three most significant historical reasons. 1) Along with Port Hudson and Fort Wagner, Milliken’s Bend was a significant more »
I’m often asked, why has Milliken’s Bend been so forgotten? There are a number of factors: Even at the time the fight at Milliken’s Bend occurred, June 7, 1863, it was quickly overshadowed by other larger and momentous events. Most more »