August 13, 1863

DEPARTING VICKSBURG - SOUTH TOWARD NEW ORLEANS

On this day, the 16th Ohio with its brigade, left its camp on the banks of the Mississippi River at Vicksburg on steamboats bound for New Orleans. The flotilla was part of what Pvt. Peter Perrine, Company C, calls Elliot's Marine Fleet. Private Frank Mason, of the 42nd Ohio, brigaded with the 16th and also on the journey down the Mississippi, describes the trip:

The weather during the trip down was bright and beautiful, though warm, and the troops, now quite accustomed to the heat, enjoyed the voyage thoroughly. The fleet had in tow several barges loaded with wagons and mules, one of which was snagged and sunk, two of the guards on board being drowned.

With specific locations of trip progress not available, we will estimate the positions of the 16th Ohio, and its transport fleet, knowing it to have taken three full days to reach their destination of Carrollton, Louisiana.

* Some information and italicized text, above, taken from The Forty-Second Ohio Infantry - A History of the Organization and Services of That Regiment In the War of the Rebellion, 1876 - F. H. Mason, late Private of Company A - Cobb, Andrews & Co., Publishers.

Period map showing the approximate route of the 16th Ohio from Vicksburg, Mississippi to a point south on the Mississippi River on August 13, 1863.

Modern day map showing the approximate route of the 16th Ohio from Vicksburg, Mississippi to a point south on the Mississippi River on August 13, 1863. We have estimated the distance travelled by the regiment to about 1/3 of the way to their final destination of Carrollton, Louisiana.

It should be noted that the Mississippi River has changed course many times in many places since 1863. The route shown follows the border between Louisiana and Mississippi, assuming the border originally followed the river which has since deviated.

Aqua pin - Approximate location of the 16th Ohio's campsite at Vicksburg, Mississippi, from July 30 to August 13, 1863.
Purple pin - Estimated point reached by the 16th Ohio on the evening of August 13, 1863.