Content of the Letter
James Leeper, a Vicksburg contribute, was writing home to his wife, Mary Leeper. James had described the sights he had saw, how many men they had lost, and described the steps they took to attack the enemy, or other union soldiers.
While sneaking up the rear of Vicksburg to surprise attack the other Regiment, Leeper was struck by a fragment of a shell about four inches deep. After four days of required rest, he was able to walk and participate again.
A little later on in the letter, James describes to Mary that his Colonel Reiguin [?] is making a list for the paper of those that were wounded and those that were dead. By the ending of the letter, James asks Mary to write back soon because he has not heard of from her for more than two weeks.
While sneaking up the rear of Vicksburg to surprise attack the other Regiment, Leeper was struck by a fragment of a shell about four inches deep. After four days of required rest, he was able to walk and participate again.
A little later on in the letter, James describes to Mary that his Colonel Reiguin [?] is making a list for the paper of those that were wounded and those that were dead. By the ending of the letter, James asks Mary to write back soon because he has not heard of from her for more than two weeks.
Personal Information
James Leeper was born in Louisiana in 1830. He married Mary Jane Phillips sometime in the 1850’s and had five children. James lived the rest of his life with his family in Jeffersonville, in Clark County, Indiana until he later died sometime during the 1870’s at about 40 years of age. Today, James and some of his children are buried at Eastern Cemetery in Jeffersonville.
Military Career
James Leeper was enlisted in the 49th Indiana Regiment sometime in October 1861. However, he didn’t enroll till November 11th 1861. He was commissioned as a Captain in Company B. (A Company is basically a military Unit consisting of 80-250 soldiers usually commanded by a Captain or Major.) In November of 1861, James was promoted to major, and then in October 1864, to a Lieutenant Colonel. In 1864, when the regiment was enlisted in Texas, James Remained with the veterans as Colonel.
Transcription of the Letter
Under the Vicksburg fortification May 23rd 1863
Dear mary
Since my last we have passed through some quite exciting scenes, no less exciting than hazzardous [hazardous]. On the 16” [th] we attacked the enemy 30 000 [30,000] strong after the engagement which lasted from 8 a m till 5 p m we succeeded in driving them from the field with terrible loss. We captured 15 or 18 field pieces and between 1500 and 2500 prisoners. We pushed forward from Champion Hill to Big Black riverbridge, 15 miles in rear of Vicksburg, where we attacked them again in therir rifle pits at 1 a m on the 17” [17th] [unknown word] the battle when there [their] works were of short duration lasting only till 11 O clock when their works were [unknown word] by the 49” [49th] and served other regiements at the same time routing the enemy completely where we captured 18 pieces of artillary and 2000 or 3000 prisoners. On the 16” [th] at the battle of Champion Hill. I lost 2 men killed David Danohew and William P Blakely one severely wounded. Wesly Middleton, and one taken prisoner, James McGregor. I can not give you full particulars. The Regt lost-15 command 6 killed and 2 or three missing. On the 17” [17th] only one wounded Capt Mc Conahay
Dear mary
Since my last we have passed through some quite exciting scenes, no less exciting than hazzardous [hazardous]. On the 16” [th] we attacked the enemy 30 000 [30,000] strong after the engagement which lasted from 8 a m till 5 p m we succeeded in driving them from the field with terrible loss. We captured 15 or 18 field pieces and between 1500 and 2500 prisoners. We pushed forward from Champion Hill to Big Black riverbridge, 15 miles in rear of Vicksburg, where we attacked them again in therir rifle pits at 1 a m on the 17” [17th] [unknown word] the battle when there [their] works were of short duration lasting only till 11 O clock when their works were [unknown word] by the 49” [49th] and served other regiements at the same time routing the enemy completely where we captured 18 pieces of artillary and 2000 or 3000 prisoners. On the 16” [th] at the battle of Champion Hill. I lost 2 men killed David Danohew and William P Blakely one severely wounded. Wesly Middleton, and one taken prisoner, James McGregor. I can not give you full particulars. The Regt lost-15 command 6 killed and 2 or three missing. On the 17” [17th] only one wounded Capt Mc Conahay
in the arm s light. On the 18th we moved up to the rear of Vicksburg and began the attack on the 19” [19th] A little after 12 [noon] our Regt was sent forward until arriving under a terrible cross fire from both cannon and small arms we were halted behind a hill that partically protected us. At 3 Pm, we were ordered to move over the hill which, brought us within 400 yards of their fort This movement was executed on double quick As soon as we showed ourselves on top of the hill and while going down the side next [to] the fort from 3 different works. In this move I was struck by a fragment of a shell about 4 inches in length which inflected quite a painful wound for 2 or 3 days but I am now able to walk about and will be able to take my place again in a few days. It was an upper thigh or groin. My watch was completely smashed to pieces and it is said by all the surgeons had not been for my watch I would have certainly been killed. I was wounded on Tuesday the 19”[th] 4 days ago and now able [to] walk where I have business by taking time. Brig Gen AL. Le who had taken command of our bigade [brigade] the day previous was wounded by a small ball passing through the
corner of his mouth. He was struck about the same time I was. Some 4 or 5 of my Co [company] slightly wounded on the 19” [19th]. Yesterday Luke S Becket received a shot in the knee in consequence which his leg was amputated Col Reiguin [?] is now making out a list of the killed and wounded for publication which you will see. Vicksburg is certainly a very strangely fortified place and cannot be taken only by the hardest fighting. Its defenders are obstinate and determined but no more so than our own men who are very sanguine of success. Give yourself no uneasiness on my account. We are annoying them from every side. The place must succumb, we are determined. I have not heard from you for more than two weeks
with this I will close
Write soon etc.
Affectionately yours etc.
James
with this I will close
Write soon etc.
Affectionately yours etc.
James
Thanks to the Indiana Historical Society for donating the Civil War letter to our group.
Sources
#, Collection, and M. 0728. "James Leeper Papers." JAMES LEEPER PAPERS, 1855–1912; BULK 1861–1865 (n.d.): n. pag. James Leeper Papers. Web.
"Col James Leeper." Find A Grave - Millions of Cemetery Records and Online Memorials. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.
"Reunion of the 16th Regiment, O.V.I." Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.
"Battle Of Vicksburg." HistoryNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.
"James Leeper." Soldier History. N.p., n.d. Web.
#, Collection, and M. 0728. "James Leeper Papers." JAMES LEEPER PAPERS, 1855–1912; BULK 1861–1865 (n.d.): n. pag. James Leeper Papers. Web.
"Col James Leeper." Find A Grave - Millions of Cemetery Records and Online Memorials. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.
"Reunion of the 16th Regiment, O.V.I." Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.
"Battle Of Vicksburg." HistoryNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.
"James Leeper." Soldier History. N.p., n.d. Web.