Small Battles, Big Results at Pamplin History Park

The 23rd annual seminar at Petersburg, Virginia's Pamplin History Park will take place this weekend, October 18-20 and will consist of seven presentations based along this year's theme "Small Battles, Big Results."

Of particular interest to me is Rod Gragg speaking about new perspectives on Fort Fisher which is my major interest in the Civil War and why I became interested in history and that war in the first place.  You can read more about him and his book "Confederate Goliath" in my Running the Blockade blog from yesterday.

Other battles presented will be:

Iuka
Ringgold
Mine Run
Ball's Bluff
Champion Hill
Fort Pillow

--Old Secesh

13th Illinois Infantry-- Part 4: Heroics at Ringgold Gap

The 13th also were at the siege and capture of Vicksburg and second capture of Jackson, Mississippi.  After that they were sent to Chattanooga and participated in the big Union victory at Missionary Ridge.

Their last major action evidently was in the pursuit of Confederates to Atlanta when they sustained heavy casualties at Ringgold Gap in Georgia, where the regiment lost 67 men, including Major Douglas R. Bushnell on November 27, 1863.  Also lost at the battle were Captain Blanchard and the color bearer, Riley, who was shot through the breast and as he fell got his blood on the banner.

The 13th held their position under Confederate attack for two hours, most of which were without ammunition and at the point of their fixed bayonets.

--Old Secesh