A Fit Representation of Pandemonium: East Tennessee Confederate Soldiers in the Campaign for Vicksburg

by William D. Taylor

In many ways, this is very much a common soldier's story. What makes it uncommon, however, is the origin of the men fighting to defend Confederate interests at Vicksburg in 1862 and 1863. These East Tennesseans have never had a voice, since it was the victors from their section of the state who wrote the histories. Their service at Vicksburg was primarily as infantrymen, but some participated as cavalry scouts, others as artillerymen. These men experienced unrelenting bombardment and sharpshooter fire in the trenches around Fortress Vicksburg, or stood picket, or participated with valor in battles at Chickasaw Bayou, Baker's Creek, or desperate sorties in the dead of night between the lines. Using a number of letters home, reminiscences, records, and diaries kept during the long hours in the hot and filthy ?ditches?, a story emerges of sacrifice and adaptability, of boredom and submission to inevitability. They fought valiantly for Mississippians who often despised and belittled them.

558 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2007