THE CAMPAIGN IN MISSISSIPPI The Eighth took part in the campaign in Mississippi in 1863, the following account of which was given by Colonel Geddes: "On the 2d of May, 1863, my regiment was ordered to leave Duckport, Louisiana, with the division to which it was attached, namely, the Third division, Fifteenth Army corps, under the command of Brigadier General J. M. Tuttle, and march to Hard Times Landing, opposite Grand Gulf, Mississippi, sixty miles distant. "On the 7th of May it crossed the river with the advance of the army and took up the line or march toward Jackson, Mississippi.  It took part in the storming of that place on the 14th of May, and assisted in the destruction of railroads in the vicinity.  Ordered from Jackson on the 16th of May, by forced marches, it followed on the rebel retreat from Champion's Hill to their entrenchments at Vicksburg, assisted in the charge made on the rebel works on the 22d and operated with the army of investment for thiry-four days, during which time it assisted in clearing obstructions, making roads, constructing field works, mounting guns and projecting approaches to within twenty yards of the rebel works, under an almost incessant fire. "On the 22d of June it was ordered to operate on our line of circumvallation under command of Major General W. T. Sherman, where it remained until the surrender of Vicksburg.  It was ordered on the 4th of July to join the expeditionary army under Major General Sherman, was sent in pursuit of the rebel force commanded by General Johnston and was present during the seven days' siege of Jackson, and final occupation of that city, which took place on the 17th of July, 1863. "After the evacuation of Jackson by the rebels the regiment composed part of a force under Major General Frederick Steel, which was ordered to Brandon, Mississippi, and was attached to a brigade under my command that engaged the enemy for two hours, repulsing them with loss and capturing Brandon. "It also assisted in destroying the Meridian railroad fifteen miles east of Jackson and finally on the 23d of July, 1863, retired with the expeditionary army to its present position on the right bank of Big Black river, fifteen miles from Vicksburg. "From the 2d of May to the 25th of July the regiment, without tents or transportation, marched over 300 miles, engaged the enemy at Vicksburg, twice at Jackson and at Brandon, and although during the operations of this ever memorable campaign both the officers and men of the regiment suffered much exposure and hardships of a very trying character, they endured all without a murmur and with a fortitude which elicited on several occasions the unreserved commendation of the commanding general." The regiments participated in many campaigns and battles, including a fight with Forrest at Memphis, August 21, 1864.  The last principal engagement was the capture of Spanish Fort, Alabama, April 8, 1865.  It was mustered out at the close of the war with due honors. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L