Captain Gurley and his Co. C of the 33rd Wisconsin were at Vicksburg for forty days and involved in several fights including Gurley personally leading some charges. After the fall of Vicksburg, he ended up on the staff of the 4th Division commanded by General Jacob Lauman.
As such, he was at the Second Battle of Jackson (Mississippi) which ended in disaster and with Lauman being removed from command.
Captain Gurley continued with the staff, now under General Walter Quintin Gresham and was with him when he was wounded during the Atlanta Campaign on July 21, 1864. General Gresham's knee was shattered by a sharpshooter's bullet which ended his military career.
The next day, July 22, the division occupied the ground known as Bald Hill and this is where John Gurley earned his "Eagles,' promotion to colonel.
The question was, was that infantry moving in the woods or cavalry. Gurley's actions, if incorrect would end his military career.
See the next post.
--Old Secesh
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