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Where was the regiment on
July 6, 1863
On this day, Gen. Grant, having just secured the surrender of Vicksburg and parole of the 30,000 Confederate prisoners captured, ordered Gen. Sherman to march east to Jackson and pursue Confederate General Joseph Johnston. Johnston still had a force of 30,000 troops and was loose in the interior of Mississippi.
The 16th Ohio, part of Gen. Osterhaus' Ninth Division, was closest to the Big Black River and was first to begin the march east toward Jackson, Mississippi, and Johnston's army. The Division was delayed due to some of Sherman's other troops taking a longer time to cross the Big Black River, further north, and managed to progress only eight miles in the stifling July heat. They camped for the night near Edwards Depot.
Period map showing the approximate campsite of the 16th Ohio near Edwards Depot, Mississippi, July 6, 1863:
Modern day map of the 16th Ohio's march from their camp near Big Black River Bridge, east eight miles to near Edwards Depot, Mississippi, on July 6, 1863:
Blue pin - approximate position of 16th Ohio with Gen. Osterhaus' Ninth Division from June 24 to July 6, 1863, while guarding Grant's siege at Vicksburg from attack by Confederate General Joe Johnston.Red pin - approximate campsite of 16th Ohio the night of July 6, 1863, after marching east from Bovina Station.
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