Episode 41: CPL Ephraim M. Anderson and the 2nd Missouri (Confederate) at the Battle of Champion Hill

At the Battle of Champion Hill, 16 May 1863, CPL Ephraim M. Anderson and the 2nd Missouri (Confederate) rush north along with their entire division to bolster the Confederate left flank which was crumbling under an advance by the Union Army of the Tennessee. After forming in line of battle, the Missourians charged and successfully routed this first Union line, and advanced toward Champion Hill where a second Union line formed.

Sources used for episode:

Anderson, Ephraim M. Memoirs: Historical and Personal; Including the Campaigns of the First Missouri Confederate Brigade. St. Louis: Times Printing Co., 1868. https://www.fold3.com/memorial/658505066/ephraim-m-anderson-civil-war-stories.

Scott, Robert N. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 24, pt. 2: Reports. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077723033&view=1up&seq=3.

Transcript

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Hello, everyone. My name is Bill Coghlan, and welcome to First Person Civil War Podcast, which retells the stories of the soldiers and officers on the ground in the battles of the Civil War. Episode 41 is entitled, Corporal Ephraim M. Anderson and the 2nd Missouri Confederate at the Battle of Champion Hill and relies on his book, Memoirs, Historical and Personal, including the campaigns of the 1st Missouri Confederate Brigade, which he published in 1868. Ephraim McDowell Anderson was born in 1843 in Knoxville, Tennessee, and according to 1860 census records, he moved with his family to a farm in Union, Missouri, which is approximately 50 miles west of St. Louis. By May of 1861, Ephraim lived in the small town of Middle Grove, which is 35 miles north of Columbia. As South Carolina and other states seceded from the Union, Ephraim Anderson claims there was a majority sentiment of neutrality among Missourians, until an incident on 10 May 1861, just outside of St. Louis. On that day, several Union regiments marched out of the city toward Camp Jackson and arrested members of a secessionist militia unit. As the men marched back to the city arsenal, Pro secessionists gathered to oppose them. What followed was gunfire and several days of rioting within St. Louis, but greater ramifications across Missouri. In its wake, men, such as Ephraim Anderson, cast their lot with the South. This, at once, was invasion. Outrage. War. Indicating a fixed determination to trample on all the rights, laws, securities, and guarantees of the state. It proved the beginning of a grand and unscrupulous system of violence and plunder, persistently carried out in Missouri. This is in reference to the battles, skirmishes, and partisan fighting across the state during the entirety of the war. And he continues, the call of the governor for 50, 000 men went forth. It swept over the wide border like the breath of the storm, and the flash of the lightning. Ephraim Anderson joined a company of men that formed in Middle Grove, and fought at the Battle of Boonville, just west of Columbia. The company remained together and eventually mustered into service in St. Clair County as Company G, 2nd Missouri. Private Anderson and the 2nd Missouri Confederate were present at battles such as Pea Ridge and the Second Battle of Corinth. Following that battle, the Second Missouri Confederate was reassigned to the defenses at Grand Gulf along the Mississippi River. By late April into early May 1863, After almost four months of operations against Vicksburg, Major General Grant, and the Army of the Tennessee successfully crossed the Mississippi River south of Grand Gulf and can now march upon the vital city of Vicksburg from the south. Enlistment records are incomplete. But at some point, Ephraim Anderson promoted to corporal, and the 2nd Missouri Confederate were assigned to the All Missouri 1st Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Francis M. Cockrell, which abandoned their position and linked up with Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton's Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, and assigned to Brigadier General John S. Bowen's division. For over half a month. Major General Grant marched his army East toward Jackson, Mississippi, and contended with elements of general Johnston's forces. before he turned his army west to march on Vicksburg itself. By mid May, Lt. Gen. Pemberton marched his army out of Vicksburg to harass Union supply lines, and instead met Maj. Gen. Grant's Army of the Tennessee east of Bakers Creek on a plantation owned by Sidney S. Champion. On 16 May 1863, the 2nd Missouri Confederate formed with their brigade with the expectation that they would soon encounter the Union Army advancing from the east. On that morning, Corporal Anderson's company joined two others on the picket line and briefly advanced east toward Jackson Creek before being recalled after sighting what was most likely the 17th Ohio Light Artillery. This formidable array of metal opened, firing over our heads. Which was ten guns from the Missouri Brigade. With a tremendous crash upon the enemy before his guns were fairly unlimbered, at the distance of perhaps 1, 000 yards. He succeeded, however, in getting into position. And replied in a brisk and spirited manner with six fine parrot guns. The most splendid artillery duel followed that I have ever witnessed in open fields. Where both parties were in full view. This lasted 30 minutes, during which time, the guns on both sides, were handled in the most skillful and scientific manner. While Corporal Anderson watched the artillery duel in the center of the battlefield, the Confederate left flank was crumbling. Soon, Bowen's division received orders to rush north to bolster the Confederate line. As Corporal Anderson and the Missourians arrived, they passed through the shattered remnants of the Confederate left flank and formed in line of battle. Cockrell rode down the lines in one hand, held the reigns and a large magnolia flower. While with the other, he waived his sword and gave the order to charge with a shout of defiance and with gleaming bayonets and banners pointing to the front. The gray line leapt forward, and moving a quick time across the field, dislodged the enemy with a heavy volley from the edge of the woods and pressed on. Receiving the volley and charge of Corporal Anderson and the 2nd Missouri Confederate, was the 1st Brigade, 12th Division of the 13th Corps, commanded by Brigadier General George F. McGinnis. The rebels were driven about 600 yards when, being strongly reinforced, they turned upon us and made a most determined stand. At this point occurred one of the most obstinate and murderous conflicts of the war. For half an hour, each side took their turn in driving and being driven. Corporal Anderson agrees with Brigadier General McGinnis as to the magnitude of the fight when these two brigades met in battle. The battle here, raged, fearfully one. Unbroken deafening roar of musketry was all that could be heard. The opposing lines were so much in the woods and so contiguous that artillery could not be used. The ground was fought over three times, and, as the wave of battle rolled to and fro, the scene became bloody and terrific. The actors, self reliant and determined, do or die, seemed to be the feeling of our men, and right manfully, and nobly, did they stand up to their work. In this Clash Bowen's division routed the Union 12th Division. The Confederates continued their march north toward Champion Hill, and prior to his command breaking for the rear. Brigadier General McGinnis called upon any available reinforcements to his position, which brigadier General Marcellus m Crocker's seventh division of the 17th Corps responded marching into position to oppose the Missouri Brigade was the Division's 3rd Brigade. Commanded that day by Colonel George B. Boomer. This brigade was instantly faced about, and moved by the left flank double quick up the hill, through a scorching fire, the 93rd being in advance, followed by the 10th Iowa, 26th Missouri, and 5th Iowa, pushing forward until the whole line was on the summit of the ridge. The brigade was ordered to move by the right flank and commence firing, which was done steadily. Whether Corporal Anderson and the Missouri Brigade, as well as the 26th Missouri Union knew it or not, but at this point in the battle, men from the same state, but on different sides of the conflict, were firing at each other. Though successful in their first charge, Corporal Anderson recognized that the 2nd Missouri Confederate could not stay in this second position for long. By this time, hostile columns were closing in upon our flank. The troops, which at first were confronted by us, finding nothing to oppose their advance after we marched to support Stevenson, had moved, not only on fleche, a French term meaning to soar, But we're immediately threatening our rear, and at the end of all this hard and desperate fighting, this gallant and triumphant advance, it seemed to be necessary to fall back. Our position was compromised, and the dense gathering of lines of the enemy threatened us on three sides. Having successfully checked the Confederate advance, Colonel Boomer sent the 26th Missouri Union to pursue Corporal Anderson, the 2nd Missouri Confederate, and the rest of their brigade. The enemy, by this time being checked, were breaking and commenced their retreat. The 26th Missouri, upon being faced to the front, commenced firing. They, being in plain view of the enemy. were also exposed to the flanking fire, and were ordered to change front to the rear, and gave the regiment a position somewhat sheltered by a gully in the side of the hill, from which they kept up a constant fire upon the enemy, materially aiding the two regiments on our left in checking them. Their position again becoming exposed to a flank fire, they were ordered to fall back until the crest of the hill. A few yards distant, again changing front which position they held until their cartridges were exhausted, and they were ordered to the rear for ammunition. The Second Missouri Confederate, still a cohesive unit. retreated to a third and final Confederate line, which consisted of the remnants of two Confederate divisions who had already sustained heavy casualties. Corporal Anderson, now in the center of this line, witnessed a disheartening sight. The arrival of still more fresh Union troops onto the battlefield. In front on our flank, and approaching the rear, we're now at least 30 to 40, 000 men. The whole of the center of one wing of General Grant's army. And I feel confident that the last figure is nearer correct than the first. Under the circumstances, we were ordered to fall back, and this was a necessity. Brigadier General Cockrell, commander of the Missouri Brigade, argued in his report as to why he kept his brigade in the third line longer than he should have, as he hoped Confederate reinforcements could arrive to bolster their lines. At this time, I received notice through Captain Pittman of Brigadier General Greenstaff that there was an order to retreat, which I delayed communicating. Hoping that Major General Loring's division might still arrive in time to push forward the successes and advantages so gallantly and dearly won. Having met with and been informed by the Lieutenant General Commanding and answer to my request for reinforcements that he had not a man until General Loring should arrive. Covering the retreat of Corporal Anderson and the 2nd Missouri Confederate toward Bakers Creek was one of the internal batteries of the Missouri Brigade. As we came near the edge of the woods in our retreat, and we're about entering the field, a federal column that had reached our rear rushed down toward the forks of the road and fired a volley at us. But, coming in range of the battery, the indomitable Landis opened upon it. The thunder of his guns was glorious music to us. And we had the pleasure of seeing the head of the column reel and scatter in the woods on either side of the road. Even Corporal Anderson noted the absence of Major General Loring's division, who delayed sending his brigades north until the Confederates were already in retreat from the Union's final assault. Up to this time, I do not think that Loring's division could have been engaged by any extent. If it was, the din of battle and the clash of arms had prevented our hearing the guns. But now, about a mile back up the road, it was fighting. In fact, it was only one of his three brigades. Whether Loring's division shared in this action, I am unable to say. But quite a battle took place at that point, In sight of the road, which we were retreating, And which led back to Edwards Depot. As the Confederates crossed Baker's Creek that evening, the Battle of Champion Hill ended. Lieutenant General Pemberton's Men fought the next day at the Battle of Big Black River Bridge and by 18 May, we're back inside the fortifications of Vicksburg and surrounded by the Army of the Tennessee. Upon the surrender of Vicksburg on 4 July 1863, Corporal Anderson and the 2nd Missouri Confederate received paroles, which meant they could remain as a unit, but were forbidden to fight until being exchanged. The regiment was officially exchanged on 13 September. And because of the years of fighting, the 2nd Missouri consolidated with the 6th Missouri. And Corporal Anderson remained in the ranks through the Atlanta Campaign, the Franklin Nashville Campaign, and finally, the Battle of Fort Blakely on 9 April, 1865. which was one of the last battles of the Civil War. Following the war, Ephraim Anderson returned to Missouri and in 1868 published memoirs, historical and personal. Including the campaigns of the 1st Missouri Confederate Brigade. Just as I highlighted Corporal Leander Stillwell's explanation in the introduction episode of the podcast, Ephraim Anderson gives a similar justification as to why he wrote his book. My motive in writing is partly to illustrate the life of the soldier. The military memoirs and histories of the day appear to be devoted exclusively to the lives, characters, and exploits of distinguished chiefs, and the most important events connected with their career, or calculated to embellish general history. I wish to introduce the reader to, Reader into the tents, and around the campfires of the common soldier, to scenes with which I was long familiar, while at the same time we will go with him in the ranks, upon those fields made memorable and glorious by his courage and his devotion. Thank you for listening to the 41st episode. The link to Corporal Anderson's book is now available on the podcast website. First person Civil War podcast.com. On Facebook, Instagram, x, and LinkedIn. This week you will find a drawing of the final Union assault upon Confederate positions at Champion Hill. I encourage everyone to follow, like, and subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform you use. Links to all social media accounts can be found at the top of the podcast's website. Also, check out the podcast on YouTube, as I've started posting shorts on that platform. In two weeks time, Private Herbert W. Beecher, of the 1st Connecticut Light Artillery Battery, provides next episode's first person account at the Battle of Secessionville. My name is Bill Coghlan, and thank you for listening to First Person Civil War Podcast.