CIVIL WAR EXPERIENCES

OF

JAMES JONES SISSON

NOTE: In 1925, or so, the editor of the Harveyville (Kansas) paper asked the few remaining old soldiers to write up their war record. This is James Jones Sisson’s story.

I enlisted in Co. D., 13th Iowa Infantry, mustered in U. S. Army October 21, 1861 at Davenport, Iowa. Went to St. Louis, from there to Jefferson City, drilled until March.

Then went by way of St. Louis to Pittsburg Landing (also known as Shiloh), arriving April 1, 1862. At 7 o’clock the 6th of April the long roll for battle sounded. We went into battle without breakfast, and had nothing to eat until 10 o’clock the next day. The 13th Iowa lost 127 men, killed and wounded. We fought all day Sunday and until 3 o’clock Monday before the enemy gave way. They having lost their greatest General, Albert Sidney Johnson, at the close of battle.

The 13th, 15th, and 16th, were organized and called Crocker’s Brigade, and remained so for the remainder of the war.

We dug breastworks and skirmished for about a month and helped take Corinth. We then went to Bolivar and battled with Price and Vandorn, then retreated. Went back to Corinth, and fought Price and Vandorn on the 3rd of October, the fight lasted all day. We then started with Grant to take Vicksburg. Got as far as Oxford, Miss., then fell back by way of Memphis. Then went down the Mississippi River to Milligins Bend. There we worked on Grant’s canal until May 1, 1863.

We marched across the country to Haynes Bluff on the Louisiana side, then went from there to Port Gibson, Miss. From there to Champion Hill.

Had a battle and took 6,000 prisoners. Pemberton on retreat to Vicksburg, where we surrounded him about the 20th of May. The siege lasted until the 4th of July 1863, when Pemberton surrendered to Grant 33,000, men.

After the surrender we fought Joe Johnson at Jackson, Miss. Then went back to Vicksburg and patrolled the city. In Feb., 1864 we reenlisted. In March I got a 30 day furlough and went home to Iowa. (Ioka, Keokuk Co., Iowa).

We joined Sherman’s army at East Point, Tenn. April 1, 1864. The next engagement was at Kenesaw Mountain. From there to Nickajack Creek July 5. On the 20th we fought up Cold Hollow. General Gresham lost his leg that day. The 21st we made a charge up Bald Hill. Lost120 men. The 22nd we ocupied the extreme left of Sherman’s army at Atlanta, Ga. Were engaged until 4 0’clock, then were cut off and surrounded and started on our way to Andersonville.

Remained a prisoner until April 16, 1865, then released near Jacksonville, Florida.

Weight when captured 180 lbs, when released 115 lbs.

Discharged August 26, 1865 at Davenport, Iowa.

Written by James Jones Sisson.

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JAMES JONES SISSON

J. J. Sisson, of Harveyville

Here is an old friend at whom we want to throw a bouquet or two before it is too late. Since 1871 he has been a resident of our county and though his hair is turning gray and his step is a little slower, yet his heart is young and he enjoys his friends as much as he ever did.

He is one of the few soldiers of 1861-1865 who are still with us and we are proud that we could call him our friend for many years. He is one of the true-blue kind on whom you can always depend, one in whom there is no deceit nor hyprocrisy. Time has dealt kindly with him, and we hope will continue to do so, that he may be spared to enjoy the companionship of those who love him.

Source: Harveyville, Kansas Newspaper

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Notes copied from James Jones Sisson’s obituary.

(Tells of his escape from Andersonville, and his recapture).

Mr. Sisson was one of the remaining seven veterans of the great Civil War living in this community, having enlisted in Co. D, 13th Iowa Infantry, Oct 21, 1861 at Davenport, Iowa. He served his country faithfully with this company for three long years, enduring all the hardships of those strenuous campaigns. The principal engagements in which he participated were the batles of Corinth, Vicksburg and Shiloh.

After a short furlough he reenlisted, in February 1864, and started with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. While on this march at Atlanta on July 22 he was captured by the enemy and taken to prison, spending a little time in Libby prison, but the greater part of the next nine months in Andersonville prison. With some of his comrades, he made his

escape from this horrible life, but after a few days of wandering, hunger drove them out in search of food, and they were recaptured and held prisoners until April 16, 1865. He was honorably discharged from service August 26, 1865.

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Personal notes from his granddaughter: "Grandpa was there, at Andersonville Prison, when the spring broke out one morning, after the men had prayed for rain. Grandpa spent his last $5.00 for a chicken back. The guards would sell them a few bites of food, for terrible prices, but refused the wagon loads of fruit and vegetables, the local people brought to the gates."

Note: James Jones Sisson lived to the age of 88.

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Lineage: Richard(1); George(2); Thomas(3); Giles(4); John, Sr.(5); John, Jr.(6);

Daniel(7); James Jones Sisson(8)

Contributed and Transcribed by: Mary Jo Sisson March

)

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