Wisconsin 2nd Cavalry (Union)

Second Springfield

Brigadier General Marmaduke's expedition into Missouri approached Springfield on the morning of January 8, 1863. That morning, the Confederates advanced in battle line to the attack. The day included desperate fighting with attacks and counterattacks until after dark; but the Federal troops held, and the Rebels withdrew during the night. The Confederates appeared in force the next morning but retired without attacking. The Federal depot was successfully defended, and Union strength in the area continued.READ MORE

Vicksburg

In mid-May, 1863, after six months of unsuccessful attempts, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Tennessee finally converged on Vicksburg, defended by a Confederate army under Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton. Capture of the Mississippi River town was critical to Union control of the strategic river. Vicksburg was located on a high river bluff defended with artillery, and Pemberton's men had constructed a series of fortifications in an 8-mile arc surrounding the city on the landward side. After crossing the…READ MORE