The following letters were written by Isaac Thorn Bishop (1844-1920), a native of Somers, Kenosha county, Wisconsin, who was working as a dry goods clerk in Kenosha when he volunteered for service as a private in Battery B, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery Regiment. He was quickly transferred, however, to Co. C, 55th Illinois Infantry and joined the regiment following their transfer to the western theater. He saw extensive combat during the Vicksburg Campaign, and wrote an account of the Battle of Arkansas Post in a letter to his sister on 14 January 1863 [see Letter 1 transcript below from The Telegraph-Courier, 12 February 1863 via Newspapers.com].
In the summer of 1863, while at Young’s Point, opposite Vicksburg, they helped to dig the canal which was usually called by the soldiers, “Grant’s Ditch.” Isaac then fought with his regiment from Grand Gulf to Raymond, and next at Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, and in the siege of Vicksburg. During the siege of Vicksburg he was assigned special duty in the Ordnance Department of the 15th Army Corps. After the capitulation of Vicksburg, he was transferred to the Post Ordnance Department. In January 1864, he was assigned to duty in the Ordnance Department, Military Division of the Mississippi, located at Nashville, Tenn., by order of Lieut. Gen. U.S. Grant, where he remained until the close of the War, in May 1865.
Isaac wrote all of these letter to his older sister, Victoria A. Bishop (1841-1903) who never married and most likely deserves the credit for having preserved her brother’s letters.
See also—1863: Jacob Bishop to Isaac Thorn Bishop, published in 2015 on Spared & Shared 9.
Other letters by member of Co. C, 55th Illinois Vols. published on Spared & Shared include:
Augustus C. Goakey, Co. C, 55th Illinois (3 Letters)
Thomas Goakey, Co. C, 55th Illinois (7 Letters)
Henry H. Joslin, Co. C, 55th Illinois (1 Letter)
Letter 1
On board the Southwestern
January 14th 1863.
Dear sister,
Since I wrote to you last I have been through another bloody battle, and have been through hardships and trials that would wreck the strongest frame of man. But I can put up with it because we have had such good luck.
We sailed up the Arkansas river about 150 miles; stopped about five miles below Fort Arkansas Post, (this is an old military post—the oldest fort in the United States, having been built before the Revolutionary war) and landed our forces Saturday morning; 25,000 infantry, four companies of cavalry, 10 batteries, and four iron-clad gunboats. We marched slowly along until within about a half mile of the Rebel lines, drove in their pickets, and then the order came for the 55th [Illinois] to deploy as skirmishers and advance. It was getting pretty dark then, so that we could not see ten rods. All that we could see to aim at was the flash of their guns. After we had gone about fifty yards, we stopped and kept up a continual fire.
There happened to be a large stump right before me when we stopped, and I just dropped down behind that where I was safe, and loaded and fired as fast as I could. I can tell you, it looked pretty to see the bomb shells fly over us and burst, but we had not been there long before they got the range on us with their artillery, and then—boom, boom—went the shells right amongst us. One hit and burst right on a man’s hip that lay a little way from me and tore him up dreadfully. And then a piece struck the man lying next to me and wounded him. Then the Colonel drew us back a little way, and stopped firing for that night.
Sunday morning—as it is a rule for the northern army not to fight on Sunday—we did not make the attack but at one o’clock, the rebels began to throw shot and shell at as, and you know the yankees could not stand that, and so we let into them. Our gunboats threw shell into the Fort from the river and we shelled them from the land, at the same time advancing towards their breastworks, and everyone that attempted to shoot would fall. We fired at them so fast that they could not get time to [reload and] shoot.
When we got within about 20 rods [110 yards] of the breastworks, one of our regiments laid down and crept along on our bellies We did not get up to fire, but would load and then roll over on our backs, and fire. We worked it in that way about one hour, and then the firing began to cease a little, and we jumped up to see what was the matter, and to our surprise, they had run up the white flag to surrender. Then our men gave three cheers and all was still as death for a moment—except the groans of the dying and wounded—and then we surrounded them to see what we had got. We marched them into the fort, and as they went in,
they piled up their arms at the door.
Well now I will tell you what we got: nine thousand stands of arms—most of them the best of Enfield rifles, seven thousand prisoners, and as near as I can find out, about one million bushels of corn and meal, every horse and mule they had, all their commissary goods and wagons, cartridge boxes, belts, any quantities of sugar, molasses, beet &c., three siege guns, 132-pounders, 20 pieces of light artillery, and a boat load of ammunition. Perhaps you remember of reading about the rebels taking a boat loaded with ammunition a short time ago? Well we took all that back again and considerable more with it.
But the joke comes now on the rebels. The next morning after the battle, two regiments of reinforcements and the stage with four horses came in and we took them; so you can see we made a clean sweep of everything. I got a nice dirk knife and scabbard which I am going to send home the first chance l can get. Also some secesh letters by which you will see how things are going in Texas.
Monday morning. I visited the battlefield before breakfast. I thought Vicksburg was a dreadful sight, but it was nothing like this; our artillery just tore them all to pieces. I will tell you a few of the horrible sights I saw on the field. First about their artillery. The battery on the left had only two horses left out of twenty-four. I saw one cannon with six splendid gray horses hitched to it, but they were all blowed to pieces with balls, and the caisson that belonged to it had four dead ones hitched to it; their horses were nearly all killed. Our guns threw shot so thick that the rebels were obliged to leave their guns and go to their breastworks.
Now to the men. The first was a man with his head all gone but just his face. I thought that was dreadful but the next was four lay side by side, one was cut open from his hips to his shoulders, the next was one with both legs off at the knees, right by his side was one that his hips and legs were about four feet from the rest of his body, the next was one that a shel had struck and cut one arm off and set fire to his clothes, and it burnt him all over to a crisp. One more and I will stop, and that was three brothers lay together, two of them were struck by our balls and the other seeing both his brothers dead he drew his revolver and shot himself. They lay side by side just where they fell.
Your affectionate brother, — Isaac Bishop
Letter 2
Louisiana
January 29, 1863
Dear Sister,
I am so pleased because I received a letter from you today and one from Joseph that I thought I would write a few lines to let you know that I am well and I hope these lines will reach you the same.
Since I wrote you last, we have moved back about half a mile in a very pleasant place right in the edge of the timber and a very good camping place. All we have to do is to work two day hours in a day and stand guard once a week. We work on the levee and canal. We have got the water to running through and we have to make a levee to keep the water from drowning us out. The levee is fifteen feet thick. If this levee should give way, there would be some tall running among the boys to get to the old levee along the Mississippi river. There has got to be a tremendous sight of work done at it yet before the boats can run through but the boys are willing to do a sight of work at it rather than try and climb the hills at Vicksburg under the enemy’s fire. I tell you, it is amusing to see eight or ten regiments to work at it. You may judge for yourself how much they enjoy it. The officers let the boys work to suit themselves. They will work a little while and then talk awhile. Two hours a day is only just exercise for us.
From my tent I can see the city. Oh how I dread the place. But if we can only get the canal dug, I don’t think they will try and take the place. Generals Sherman, Grant, McClernand, Steel, Stewart and Banks were here this morning. It would be worth $50 to Father if he could see them and their staff ride by our house. You said when you got three letters from me that some of them were laughing, some crying. I should like to know what they were crying about. Don’t cry over my departure for pity sake. If this war ended today, I would not come home until spring—it is much more comfortable down here in the winter than it is up there.
If Aunt Ann says the 55th was not in the Vicksburg battle, she is very much mistaken for we were in the fight three days. Haven’t you got the letter I wrote after the fight at Arkansas Post [dated Jan. 14th]? It was a very hard battle for a little while. We were in the hottest of it. I believe the earnest prayers of our chaplain [Milton Lorenzo Haney 1] has saved many a poor man’s life in the two recent battles for we have lost but two men in our regiment and they fell like rain drops on each side of us. I think he is one of the finest men I ever saw. Vick, I wish you could hear him preach once. He beats anyone I ever heard in my life. I was very much pleased with that lock of hair of Lizzie’s. Tell her to write in the next letter.
Since the fight at the Post, I have written two letters to Phebe, one to you, one to Fannie, sent several secesh letters, a gold pen, ring, and some [religious] tracts. You asked me if I wanted you to send me a box of socks and gloves. I have no need of gloves now and I have three pair of socks. I got some things at Arkansas Post. I received Father’s letter and am going to answer it as soon as I can. I shall write often while we are here and I shall number the letters on the envelopes so you can tell how many are lost.
It is getting so dark that I must close for this time hoping I soon shall have the privilege of shaking hands with you. Love to all. — Isaac Bishop
1 The chaplain of the 55th Illinois Infantry was a Methodist named Milton Lorenzo Haney (1825-1922). He was known as the “fighting chaplain” and was awarded the Medal of Honor while voluntarily carrying a musket in the ranks during the fighting on 22 July 1864 before Atlanta.
Letter 3
Haines Bluff
June 2, 1863
Dear Sister,
As I have a few spare moments, I will occupy them by writing to you. It is a beautiful morning and everything looks bright. We have just got into camp here. We left Vicksburg the next day after I wrote Phebe’s letter, marched out near Yazoo City where we met Gen. Johnston with reinforcements for the rebs at Vicksburg. We had a skirmish with them but our force was so much larger than his, he was obliged to get up & dust. He was intending to come up & attack us in the rear which we were pecking them in the city, but old Gen. Grant was too smart for him. We have got them in now like sheep penned up. We’re just merely guarding prisoners.
Just think how we have whipped them within the last six weeks. First at Grand Gulf, next at Port Gibson, then we marched on towards Vicksburg, met them again at Walnut Hill. Here we had a hard fight but drove them on like chaff before the wind. Next at Raymond where they got a sound whipping. Grant divided his troops and sent part of them to Jackson & they gobbled every thing the rebs had there. Then they rushed back to Haines Bluff where they took the rebs by surprise & gobbled everything at this point, siege guns and all. While Grant’s left wing was up to this little trick, we pitched into them at the Big Black Bridge and gave them the soundest whipping the rebs ever got, taking 27 siege guns and any quantity of ammunition. And now we have got them in the little place & guarding them as a little boy guards his chickens.
My health is good as usual. Will Shepherd says to remember him to all the friends (I suppose he means Phebe). I can tell you he is a splendid fellow. I received your letter & Mary Graves’ dated May 16th and Mary L’s May 10th. Tell Mary just as quick as I get in camp where I can write, I will write every week to her. You cannot think how thankful I feel that you write so often. Give my love to all friends and accept this from, — Isaac
Letter 4
Vicksburg [Mississippi]
July 17, 1863
My dear sister Vickie,
It is a long time since I have written to you but I assure you that you are not forgotten by me. But you know last winter Phebe had weak eyes and she could not write, so I am trying to make it up with her now. But after this, I will try and answer every one of them. My health is not very good. I have the [malarial] fever every two or three days. The only way I can stop it is to dope down the quinine and that is enough to kill anyone.
Nothing of local importance has transpired since I wrote you last. Our men have improved the city very much since we came here. Gen. Sherman is having a hard fight out at Jackson. They have been fighting four days and old Johnston holds his ground yet. Our loss is very heavy. One of our generals made a charge without orders and he lost nearly half of his division. His men were mown down like grass. This poor fool was Gen. [Jacob Gartner] Lauman. He was immediately relieved from his command and put under arrest.
The Old 55th [Illinois] is standing her ground in the fight. I do not know how many they have lost in the late battle. This makes nine fights the 55th have been engaged in. I feel proud tp say that I belong to the 55th Illinois Vols. for they are highly spoken of all through Grant’s army.
We are going to Memphis as soon as we can get our business fixed up here. I think we will go within a week. Did Mother get the note I sent her? And another little thing, ask Father if Mr. Windslow paid that note I left with Mr. Doan. Tell Joe I have a life preserver that I confiscated here [that] I am going to send home when I get to Memphis. Also a Miss Leslie’s Cookery Book for you and several other books. When you write, tell what coffee & sugar is worth now. How does the mustard in front of the house look?
Vic, I am going up town this afternoon to see some young gals. By the way, Vic, do you know Mariah Mygatt that used to live in Kenosha? I think she went to school in our district once. I saw Mr. Mygatt yesterday. He says she is teaching school out in the country about 7 miles. I never thought of seeing Kenosha friends in Vicksburg. They lived in a cave dug in the bank during the siege. I am getting along finely in the Ordnance Department. You must write often and I will do the same. Give my love to all the folks and a cordially portion to yourself. and never forget your absent brother, — I. T. Bishop
P. S. Last night in sleep’s delightful land, we sat together, hand in hand.
Spared & Shared 23 