Gilbert Bass (abt. 1836 - 1863)

Born about 1836 in St. Landry, Louisiana, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died Jun 1863 at about age 27 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States

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Biography

Gilbert Bass served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: March 23, 1862
Mustered out: killed in Vicksburg
Side: CSA
Regiment(s): 26th Regiment, Louisiana Infantry

Gilbert Bass was Killed in Action during United States Civil War.

Gilbert Bass was born ca. 1836, in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, to Drury Bass and Susannah Bell. At approximately the age of 20 he married Elizabeth Groves, aged 14 years. She was the daughter of James Groves, Jr and Nancy Perkins, born in 1842 in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. How they met we can speculate, but we will never know. Gilbert and Elizabeth had two daughters, Nancy and [[Bass-2629|Susannah]. In his letters to Elizabeth in 1862-3 he would affectionately call them Nana and Anna. I believe they were living in Vernon Parish, possibly on land owned by her father at the beginning of the Civil War.

Gilbert enlisted in the Confederate States Army in March 1862. He was sent to train at Camp Moore, Louisiana, near the Louisiana - Mississippi border. His letters revealed while there he injured his foot and was unable to drill for two weeks. He made many predictions about his future which, unfortunately, came true. He felt he would never see his wife and children again. He never did.

In May of 1862 his unit, Company C., 26th Louisiana Infantry, was sent to Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi to aid in the defense of those two locations. Though not very well educated, his simplistic observations of the Civil War give a good account of the situation in Vicksburg from 1862 to 1863. He remained homesick the whole time he served there. Sickness was rampant at Vicksburg, but he survived measles and small pox. Confederate supplies were scarce. He asked for pants and socks and a quilt to brave the winter there. His final letter, dated April 1863, during the Union siege of Vicksburg, describes delivering a cannon to the battle lines at night with Union pickets firing at the sound of his wagon. He describes the battlefield, littered with bodies and the wounded of Union soldiers crying and moaning for help.

Exactly when Gilbert died we will never know. He may have died 26-27 June 1863 when Union forces under Col. Logan tunneled under the Louisiana Redan and blew it up. Many CSA soldiers were lost and unaccounted. One sure thing is that Gilbert was not alive when Vicksburg surrendered to the Union on 4 July 1863. His brother-in-law, Leonard Covington Sweat, who served in the same unit with him returned home, but Gilbert did not.

The burial records of the CSA were lost following the surrender of Vicksburg. During the period of the defense of Vicksburg, CSA soldiers were buried in open trenches at the Vicksburg Cemetery. Some of the records were found many years after the War and many soldiers were memorialized, but Gilbert's was not in those records. ^[1] It is my belief after reading his letters (contained within A Backward Glance), he died and is buried in an unmarked grave in Vicksburg Cemetery.^[2]

This document presents Civil War events called the Vicksburg Campaign, which covered the Defense and Siege of Vicksburg. The Vicksburg Campaign began with Union Naval engagements and Grant's movement toward Vicksburg in the spring of 1862.  The Confederate Defense of Vicksburg did not begin until the capture of New Orleans in May 1862, and continued through the Union Siege of Vicksburg until the Confederate surrender in July 1863. The timeline was prepared through multiple sources which held pieces of events but not the complete story. The movement and events of the 27th Louisiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment were extracted from the book, Twenty-seventh Louisiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment.^[4] It gives insight to the events described in Gilbert’s letters. The timeline is presented and compared to transcripts of fourteen letters written by Gilbert Bass to his wife, Elizabeth Groves Bass and her father, James Groves, Jr. These letters covered a period from March 1862 until the Siege of Vicksburg in May 1863.^[5] The letters lift a shroud of time to view the emotions of Gilbert expressed toward Elizabeth, his daughters, and some events of the Defense of Vicksburg.

• Gilbert Bass
• Elizabeth Groves Bass
• James Groves, Jr.

Gilbert Bass was one of eleven children born to Drury and Susannah Bell Bass. He was born circa 1836 in St Landry Parish, Louisiana but raised near Hinston, Rapides Parish near the Calcasieu River. Both of his parents were native born Louisianians. Gilbert was married circa 1856 to Elizabeth Groves Bass. (Marriage documents were most likely lost in the Rapides Parish Courthouse fire that occurred after the withdrawal of Union troops at the end of the Civil War.) Elizabeth Groves was one of nine children born to James Groves, Jr and Nancy Perkins Groves. Her father, James Groves, Jr., was the son of James Groves, a War of 1812 veteran. Both of Elizabeth’s parents were native-born Louisianians who lived at Walnut Hill in Rapides Parish near the Calcasieu River. Gilbert and Elizabeth could both be described as Louisiana “Red Bones,” both having Native American ancestors. In the 1860 Census Gilbert and Elizabeth Bass and one of their two daughters were located in Rapides Parish near James Groves, Jr’s properties at Walnut Hill, Rapides Parish (now part of Vernon Parish), Louisiana near present-day Leesville, Vernon Parish. During the 1860s the fastest way to get there was via a trail 20 to 30 miles south that ran from Texas via Huddleston (no longer exists) and Hinston which indirectly approached Alexandria, Rapides Parish, located 50 miles to the east. According to Curry Ford, ^[6] there was a stage line that ran from near Boyce, Rapides Parish, Louisiana on the Red River to Burr’s Ferry at the Sabine River. This stage line made regular stops at Walnut Hill. It was two or more days trip via horse and wagon. From many accounts this trail ran like a tunnel through virgin timber which at times blocked the sunlight. There was no direct route because 10 or more miles of almost impassable palmetto swamp was between the foothills and Alexandria. The only U. S. Post Office was located in Alexandria. Although isolated they were still receiving information about the Civil War-- though somewhat delayed.

February 6, 1862 It was on this date that General U. S. Grant received the first major victories at Confederate Forts Henry and Donelson in Tennessee. News of these defeats caused the Confederate leadership to react. It was apparent to them that Union forces would push south to Mississippi and capture Vicksburg which controlled passage of the Mississippi River. It must have been the news of these defeats that inspired thousands of Louisiana men to volunteer for service in the Confederate Army. This was prior to the mandatory conscription that was imposed upon the civilians of the Confederacy.

March 9, 1862 The battle between the Ironclads, U.S.S. Monitor and C.S.S. Virginia, ended in a draw.

March 13-14, 1863 Gilbert Bass joined a band of volunteers which formed at Alexandria, Louisiana, the parish seat of Rapides Parish. They called themselves the “Rapides Terribles.“ This band of volunteers would ultimately become Company C of the 27th Louisiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment (27th LA ). It was one of seven volunteer companies that would comprise the regiment. This unit of unarmed men was sent initially to Camp Todd, New Orleans, Louisiana. Their mode of transportation was not revealed, but most likely was by steamboat or a combination of both because it only took them just under a week to travel there. Other volunteer companies north of Alexandria were transported by steamboat via the Red River. It was 200 plus miles from Alexandria to New Orleans. There were no railroads between Alexandria and New Orleans nor anywhere else. An 1855 map of Louisiana shows a main trail from Alexandria south to Opelousas which branched due East to St Francisville, then intersected the River Road that followed the plantations along the Mississippi River south through Baton Rouge, west to St. Martinville, and through St. Mary and Terrebonne Parishes to approach New Orleans from the southwest. Large groups of men typically traveled slowly on foot, 15 to 20 miles a day, making this mode less probable.

March 15, 1862 Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, Letter 1: This letter is the first of Gilbert's Civil War letters to his wife, Elizabeth Groves Bass. This letter contained the following:

1. His unit’s trip to New Orleans would begin on Sunday, March 16.
2. He was not feeling well. Suffering with a hangover from too much whiskey the previous day.
3. His father-in-law, James Groves, Jr, was with him when he joined the unit. (Note: James was there most likely because two of his sons-in-law, Gilbert Bass and Leonard Covington Sweat (Mary Grove’s husband) had joined the same volunteer unit. James Groves, Jr. was conscripted later and served as a private in Co. K, 6th Louisiana Cavalry until he was paroled as a prisoner of war on June 7th 1865 at Natchitoches, Louisiana.)
4. He requested that Elizabeth thank her mother, Nancy Perkins Groves, for the book she gave him.
5. He expressed some regrets about leaving her and if he had to do it again he would not. He was very confident that he would be home in five or six months.
6. He asked her to take care of his children and herself.

March 15 1862

My Dear Beloved wife

I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines hoping that they may reach you injoying good health. This is for myself I have been sick every since your papy left me. I drank too much whisk [whiskey] but I hope the lord will forgave me and I will try to do better. If I was just back with you dear all the wars that was ever created could not get me to leave you. But I hope the lord will be with us both that we may meat [meet] once more in this world, if not, I hope we will meat in heaven. I haven’t anything to write to you only we have to start tomorrow which is Sunday. I will write to you when I get to new Orleans how long the companey is agoing. I will be home in five or six months anyhow. Tell your Mother that I am very thankful to her for the good feeling she had for me gaving me that book. Tell her that I shall never forget her as long as I live. Take good cear (care) of my children and allso yourself. I hope God will be with you as long as the world stands. Nothing More, only your dear beloved husband till death, so goodby my dear.

Gilbert Bass

March 23, 1862 New Orleans, LA, Letter 2: This letter revealed the following:

1. Gilbert and his comrades arrived at New Orleans where he had been mustered into the service of the Confederacy. (He and other volunteers were sworn into the Confederate Service with a commitment of three years by Lt David Todd, Lincoln’s brother-In-law.)
2. His unit would go to Camp Moore for training. (This training camp was located 75 miles north of New Orleans via rail near Tangipahoa City, Louisiana. Maj. Gen. Mansfield Lovell, Commander of District 1, ordered the unarmed volunteers located at Camp Walker near the racetrack to Camp Moore.)
3. Gilbert received his first military supplies, a blanket full of holes, “not worth 2 bits.” (There are many accounts that described units of Confederate soldiers as “shoe-less and dressed in rags.” This was one of many descriptions of the continuing failure of the Confederacy to supply and support their troops.)
4. As in the present day military, as to where he and his fellow troops would be deployed was convoluted with rumors. He and the troops initially thought they would be sent to Manassas, Virginia. He admitted to Elizabeth that he was not sure where he would be sent. (Note: I am quite sure his commanders knew how events were intensifying in Mississippi.)
5. Captain Hatch (Joseph T. Hatch) was his Company commander.
6. Gilbert reminds Elizabeth a promise (unknown) that she made to him and for her to kiss his children.

March 23, 1862

My Dear Beloved wife, after my respects to you it is with pleasure that I have the oppertuney to writ you a fiew lines to let you know that I am well to day and hopeing that those fiew lines may reach you and the familey injoying good health. I haven’t nay thing to write to you about any more than I am in the city of new orleans and I am mustard in the state service for duration of the war. I can’t tell you where to write to. I don’t know how long I shall stay hear. We calculated to go to camp more and I recond we will be station there but I don’t know how long. We may be mustard in the confederate states. If we are I think that we will be sent to manassas in verginia and if not I don’t know where in the name of god we will be sent to. That is all I can tell you till I do go. I said to you not to write till you received another letter but the captain came in just when I was writing my letter and said to tell you all write [when you] wanted to. That if we went off before your letters reached he would fix for them to be fored to us. You must direct your letters to me in the cear of Captain Hatch. The teribles you be shure to back your letters as I tell you and they will come. My Dear if I have liston to you I would have bin with you today, but as it is I am along ways from you. I have received one old blanket full of holes that is not wurth two bits and if I was with you the wars could not get me to start agane. I have nothing more to write to [you] onley] you must [not] forget what you promist to me. Kiss my dear little children and receave the same. Your husband.

Gilbert Bass

April 4, 1862, Camp Moore, Letter 3: Gilbert wrote to his father-in-law, James Groves, Sr. This letter contained the following:

1. His unit had been drilling for about two weeks, but he had been prevented to do so because of a sore foot.
2. There was some sickness but not serious at the camp. (There had been multiple breakouts of measles and typhoid since the start of the training camp in 1861.)
3. He was not sending his money home to Elizabeth. He was keeping in case he got sick.
4. He felt that he would be returning home in five or six months if God was willing.

April 4, 1862

Mr. James Groves

My Dear father, after my respects to you it is with pleasure that I seat my self to let you know that I am well today with exsepttion of my foot. I haven’t been able to drill for two weaks but I am in hopes that those few lines may fine you and family enjoying good health. I haven’t any knews to write to you of any importance. We have some little sickness in camp but none dangerous. They have alittle feaver that is about all the sickness there is. I will say to you what I think of our officers. I am very pleasd of them my self but there is some of the boys that does not like them but I don’t know what it is for I can’t see any thing rong qabout them my self. Now I want you to write to me how my wife and dear little children is agetting along. I know that they do as well if I was with them. I want to know if they say well I should have sent my money back but I did not know how I should get long. Balmorton told me I had better keep it in case that I got sick. I shall be home in five ore sicks months if it is god will that I live that long and then I can bring it with me and I hope that it will do as well as for me to send it unless knowd about tricks that I did. Gave my respects to mother and except same your self and the family. Nothing More so good by

Gilbert Bass

April 6-7, 1862, Gen. Grant and Union forces defeated Gen. P. T. G. Beauregard's Confederate Infantry units at the Battle of Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. Gen. P. T. G. Beauregard withdrew his forces southward to Corinth, Mississippi. Urgency was building within the Confederacy Leadership to send forces to protect Jackson and Vicksburg.

Island No. 10 fell to Union forces under Gen. Pope which opened the Mississippi River to Union control as far south as Fort Pillow, 40 miles north of Memphis, Tennessee.

Following the Battle of Shiloh, Gen. William T. Sherman and his unit were sent to Memphis.

April 24, 1862, the city of New Orleans surrendered to Adm. Farragut. The following date Camp Moore received the news of New Orleans capture.

April 28, 1862, M.G. Lovell ordered the 27th LA to cook four days of rations and prepare to move to some unknown location (Jackson, Mississippi).

April 30, 1862, Camp Moore, Letter 4: This letter to Elizabeth told the following:

1. The city (New Orleans) had fallen to the Union. (He did not relay any information concerning the defeat at Shiloh, Tennessee. Chances are his unit was not informed.)
2. The 27th LA was being sent to Jackson, Mississippi on May 1. He was unsure whether he would fight or not.
3. Gilbert feared he would never see her and his kids again, instructing Elizabeth to take good care of his dear children. If he did not survive, for her to remember the promise (unknown) she made to him.
4. He acknowledged he had received the lock of hair that she had sent.

April 30 1862

My Dear Beloved wife, with trembling heat [heart] and hands I seat my self to compos those fiew lines that I misery exespect to let you know that I am well to day. Hopeing that those fiew lines may reach you and my dear little children injoying good health and allso the rest of the familey. I have nothing to write to you onley distress. The Yankeys has taken the city tho I reckon that you have heard it. I am in a hurry now so that I have not got time to write to you. I have to leave to morrow for Jackson. Whether I am agoing to fight or not I won't know. I did onley think that I would be at home in a short time but I have lost all hope now. I don't know whether I shall even see you face againe that has been so dear to me. If it is gods will that I never do see you again don't forget what you promist me. Those fiew lines that write to you this eavning may be the last but I trust the lord it may not be such atime I nevery expect to see you when I left you. You kneed not to write to me till you get another letter from me. I will write as soon as soon as I get to where every I am going to. Take good care of my dear little children and your self allso that you keep your health. You must excuse my short letter. Gave my respects to the familey and except [accept] the same your self. My Dear when this you see remember me tho many miles apart we be. Nothing More onley your tru husband till death from Gilbert Bass to his god bless wife Elizabeth Bass.I received the trade of hair that you sent me and glad I was to see apice of the hair that came of the head of the one that I love so dar. So goodby.

Gilbert Bass

May 1, 1862, the 27th LA regiment would leave Camp Moore after receiving supplies shipped from New Orleans before the city surrendered to the Union Army. They boarded rail cars and departed for Jackson, Mississippi.

May 2, 1862, the 27th LA regiment arrived at Jackson, MS. Upon arrival their commanding general Brigadier General Martin Luther Smith decided the regiment was needed more at Vicksburg. Some of infantry companies of the Regiment were left near Mississippi Springs.

May 4, 1862, the Regiment arrived at Vicksburg by rail. (The large locomotive engine requested by Gen. Smith used to pull them had a tall stack, which caused them to dismount, disassemble and reassemble bridges over the tracks as they traveled the 50 miles to Vicksburg.) Upon arriving they would move to a valley in a finger of the river one mile south of Vicksburg and build “Camp McLauren.”

May 9–12 ,1862, Baton Rouge and Natchez surrendered to Admiral David Farragut.

May 13, 1862, 27th LA regiment was relocated to a cotton field on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.

May 18, 1862, the upper and lower Union fleets began a river siege of Vicksburg. Bombardments of Vicksburg would continue until July 27.

May 27, 1862, the 27th LA Regiment suffered an outbreak of measles.

May 29, 1862, Gen. Beauregard removed his Confederate forces from Corinth, Mississippi to defend Jackson and Vicksburg.

May 30, 1862, the U.S.S. Winona concentrated mortar fire on the encampment of the 26th and 27th LA regiments located on the main ridge.

May 31, 1862, the Battle of Seven Pines proved to be a major set-back for Union Gen. McClelland as he attempted to capture Richmond during Peninsula Campaign from the southeast.

June 4, 1862, Confederates withdrew from Fort Pillow (forty miles north of Memphis, Tennessee) as P. T. G. Beauregard withdrew his forces from Corinth, Mississippi in an effort to defend Jackson and Vicksburg. The bulk of these forces were sent to supplement the regiments at Vicksburg. Gen. Smith at Vicksburg would receive four additional LA regiments, four companies of MS infantry, a battery of field artillery, and four companies of cavalry. They would be located from Walnut Hill (north of Vicksburg) to Warrenton (south of Vicksburg).

June 6, 1862, the Confederate Navy was defeated just north of Memphis which resulted in the surrender of Memphis. Seven of the eight C.S.S. ram boats were sunk.

Prior to the surrender of Memphis, the C.S.S. Arkansas gunboat was towed unfinished south to Vicksburg then north to Greenwood, Mississippi via the Yazoo River to be completed in secrecy.

June 8, 1862, Vicksburg, MS, Letter 5: In this letter Gilbert told Elizabeth the following:

1. His regiment had been increased by 1100 men. He and along with 200 others were sick from an outbreak of measles. He conveyed that he was writing with a weak hand. (This was not uncommon when large groups of people from different locations were congregated.)
2. There had been a big battle (Most likely, this was the Battle of Seven Pines) at Richmond, Virginia, and the Confederacy had defeated the Union.
3. There had been a battle at Memphis where the Union sank four gunboats and took the city.
4. The Union had possession of Fort Pillow and Corinth. He feared that the Union would be near them at Vicksburg soon.
5. Four Union gunboats were in sight and that there had been more of them but they left. He thought were they used to transport Union troops. He was confident that the Confederacy would hold them at bay with their gun batteries and strong land forces.
6. The Vicksburg garrison was 8000 strong at his location.
7. Gilbert complained that he had written her four letters yet he had not received any from her. He reminisced that it had only been three months since she was washing his clothes in preparation for his departure. Gilbert told her that the time felt like a year to him thinking that he would home by now.
8. Her sister Mary, Leonard C. Sweat’s wife, needed to write to Leonard. Leonard was was ill and had been for last two months. (Measles? Most likely he had contracted them at Camp Moore and was till recovering from complications.) He was weak and could barely lift his head. (He did not reveal Leonard’s location, which was at Mississippi Springs, Mississippi. In a later letter he would reveal that Leonard and he were corresponding via letter intra-unit mail.)
9. He asked her to send him a couple of goose quills for tooth picks.

June 8 1862

My Dear wife after my respects to you it is with pleasure that I seat my self to write those fiew lines that I don't know that I shall every have the chance of writing you any more. god knows the chance for me. I am not well nor I don't know that I shall every be well any more. There is the rise of 11 hundred men in this Regiment and nevery over two hundred for duty and I have not bin on drill in two weaks. But god bless you I hope that those fiew words that leaves my weeke hand this eavning may reach you and my dear little children well and also the rest of the familey. I can say to you that there has bin abig fight at Richman Verginna and we whipped them but there was another fight at Minpfries and the yankes whipped our men and taken posseshion of it and also sunk four of our gunboats and they have got posseshion of fort hillo and Corrinth and we are looking for them hear now. There are four gun boats lying hear in sight of us and bin more but they have left but for what we don't know. It may be for trups we don't know. I think that we will keep them of at bay tim our battroes [batteries] or strong and our land fource is toreble strong. We have about eight thousand able men hear. I think My Dear wife this is the fourth letter that I have written to you and have not received a word from you. If you don't want to write to me get someone to write to me and then I will quit writeing to you but I hope that is not the case. This day three months ago you [were] washing my clothes for me to start and I did not think that I would be gon that long. It seams to me like it has bin twelve months. Tell mary [Groves Sweat] that len [Leonard Sweat] has bin sick two months and says that he can [can't] sit up to write to her but she must write to him. My dear wife I [don't] know whether you can read this or not. You catch one ole goose and cut two of her guiles for toth pichess [tooth picks] for I can't get them hear and you must send them shure don't forget it. That is all unless I was with you then I could tell you what I wanted. Gave my respects to the familey. Nothing More onley yours tru husband till death.

Gilbert Bass

June 18, 1862, the 27th LA was relocated two miles above Vicksburg, one mile from the Mississippi, to the rear of the Vicksburg City Cemetery. The encampment was called “Camp Tucker.”

June 25, 1862, the Union Navy approached Vicksburg again with nine mortar schooners on the east bank, out of range of Vicksburg’s artillery. There were also nine mortars schooners camouflaged on the Louisiana side of the river.

June 27, 1862, the Union Navy began a furious bombardment of Vicksburg in the afternoon and ended in early evening in prelude to the passing attempt on the next day.

June 28, 1862, the Union Navy attempted to pass Vicksburg from the south. The 27th LA was located on picket duty two miles above Vicksburg. There were 36 Union gunboats versus ten Confederate gun batteries as Union gunboats passed. The bombardment lasted three hours. Seven of the Union gunboats succeeded in passing to join the Northern Fleet. Confederates lost two men and three wounded along with one civilian casualty (a woman in town). Union losses were 45 dead.

July 8, 1862, Adm. Farragut withdrew with 12 mortar schooners to return to Norfolk, Virginia. Adm. Porter was left in command. The 27th LA relocated to a wooded area near the cemetery to get relief from the intense summer heat, this location was called Camp Norwood.

July 12, 1862, the C.S.S. Arkansas, now completed, began its movement down the Yazoo River. It experienced steering problems, moving in circles until repaired.

July 15, 1862, the C.S.S. Arkansas attacked the Union flotilla from the mouth of the Yazoo River. This boat had been towed from Memphis before its surrender. The completion of its assembly was conducted in secrecy near Greenwood, MS on the Yazoo River. This gunboat/ram engaged the Union Flotilla within sight of Vicksburg. It damaged 16 Union boats including two gunboats with little damage to itself. U.S.S. Richmond damaged the C.S.S. Arkansas, which caused it to return to Vicksburg and dock at the Jackson Street pier. Some soldiers from the 27th were at the dock cheering it when it arrived. There it would replace its ten dead and 15 wounded crew members, repair damage, and refuel.

That night the U.S.S. Hartford and part of the fleet moved from above Vicksburg and passed the Confederate batteries undetected.

July 1862, Vicksburg, MS, Letter 6: Gilbert wrote to James Groves, Jr. In this letter was the following:

1. Leonard C. Sweat had been located at Mississippi Springs the previous two months. (This possibly indicated that a portion of the 27th LA was left behind to help defend Jackson.)
2. Vicksburg had received Union bombardment for two weeks.
3. The Union Navy had been firing at Vicksburg for two weeks. On 27- 28 June, five Union gunboats succeeded in passing Vicksburg. As the three Union gunboats attempted to pass there was a continuous roar for almost two hours as Vicksburg received a bombardment that killed 8-10 men and a woman. The Confederate gun batteries had sunk three Union boats. Gilbert indicated that he lacked more information because he was about mile away from it.
4. The “Arkansas Ram,” C.S.S. Arkansas, had come down the river, had sunk a Union boat and captured a Union mail boat along with 60 passengers. The "Arkansas Ram" had received some damage which had been repaired, and was prepared and ready to fight again. His accounts mirrored historical accounts.

July [1862] Vicksburg Miss. Camp Norwood

Mr. James Groves

Dear father after my respects to you it is with pleasure that I seat my self to let you know that I am yet on the land of the living and injoying tolerable good health and I am in hopes that when these fiew [lines] reaches you it may find you and family injoying the same blessings. I have not got any news to write to you of any important. I can say the letter you wrote to lenard [Leonard Sweat] came to hand and I broke it. He was not hear and I was ancious to hear from home and glad I was for I had not heard from [home] since Captin Hatch came back. Lenord is at the Miss. Spring and has been about two months. I got aletter from him aday or two ago and he was alittle on the mend [ill]. [I will] Say to you something about the bombardment that I know about it. They was fighering [firing] for two or three weaks but on the 27 and 28 of June they undertakened either [to] pass up the river or take the place and five [boats] did pass but the last hour and ahalf or two hours it was a continuel roar. I was about amile above town. They killed eight or ten of our men at the battries and one woman intown but we sunk three of there boats and injerd five more. we had another little fight afiew days ago. the Arkansas Ram came down the river and sunk three more and burned two more. they shot severril holes in her but she is now reddy to gave them another fight. Our artilier sunk another one of ther boats and taken ther mail boat and sixety prisoners that was aborde yesterday. I could tell you agrate deal if I was there. Excuse bad writeing and mistakes for I am in ahurry for [I] have to cook rushing to go on pickit. I will write more the nex letter. Gave my respects to the family and kiss mother and the two little babs. Nothing More yours tru son till death

Gilbert Bass

July 27, 1862, the upper and lower Union fleets moved from the front of Vicksburg. The first attempted siege of Vicksburg ended.

August 6, 1862, the C.S.S. Arkansas would be used in an attempt to retake Baton Rouge but ran aground and was scuttled by its crew.

August 27, 1862, Camp Norwood, Vicksburg, MS, Letter 7: Gilbert wrote to James Groves, Jr. In this letter was the following:

1. Gilbert doubted there would be a fight at Vicksburg and speculated it would only be between gunboats and gun batteries.
2. Union troops were now five miles above the town. Gilbert thought there would be a loud battle before the Union left. 15,000 Union troops had been sighted as they landed north of the mouth of the Yazoo River about three miles from Milikin’s Bend about ten miles from where his unit was stationed. (Note: These must have been some of Gen. Sherman’s forces as he had occupied Memphis after its surrender.)
3. Gilbert was confident that the Union forces would not attack, certain that the garrison would not fight unless the Union began it first. The 27th LA troops were wanting to fight. He felt he would not fight because now he was being paid 18½ dollars a month to drive a wagon and that was a better way to pass the time (rather than fighting).
4. He was homesick and wished he could have a 12-month furlough. To leave the war to be with her, he was willing to “bee (be) blacked and hired to some good person”. (Note: I am not quite sure about this colloquialism. The best I can render would he rather be painted black and sold as slave. ) He was desperate no doubt to see his wife and kids. He doubted that there would be any furloughs between then and Christmas unless it was up to the officers. He felt that he would not be able to see his wife until his three year enlistment was up.
5. On an up note, he bragged that the previous evening he had eaten a peach pie for supper he had proudly prepared himself with fine crust.

August 27 1862 Vicksburg Mississippi Camp Norwood

Mr. James Groves

Dear father after my respects to you it is with pleasure that I seat my self to let you know that I am yet alive but not well. My throught [throat] rises about once amonth which keeps me feeling very bad. It keeps me chocked rite bad for two or three days when it first rises but it gets well in aweaks time so that I can do duty. But I am in hopes to god that when this letter reaches you it may fine you and the familey well and doing well and injoying good health. I received your letter and you don't know how much satisfaction it gave me to hear that you were all well. I have not got any news to write to you of any interiss for I never hear any thing that is worth writing to you about for I know that you hear mor than I can tell you. I can say to you that the yankes has came back above town about five miles and the calculation is that there will bee aland fight before that [they] leave hear agane. But I don't think that there will [be] any fight here onley the gunboats and the battries. Altho there is fifteen thousand landed up at the mouth of the Asue river about three miles about Miliganes Bend which is about ten miles from where we are stationed. I don't think that they will ever attack us and I am sertin that we will not attack them for unless they began to figher on us there will bee no fight for such leading officers you never heard of as we have got. The boys that is left is ancious for a fight that is for my self I don't reckon that I shall ever be in a fight for they gave me eighteen dollars and ahalf to drive a wagon and I taken the job and it suits me very well for I can pass off the time better. I believe it seames long any way. But I put my trust in the almighty that is above us all to take me through and I hope that he will for I would bee willing to bee blacked and highered to some good man if I could get out of the ware for twelve months if that would get me out. But I will try to stand it till I get out. All that pesters me is that I am afraid that you will have to leave home before it ends but I hope not. You can tell Elizabeth that I don't reckon that I shall get to come and see her and the children till the ware ends or till my three years is out for I don't think that there will be any furloughs given unless it is to officers. But if I can I shall be home between now and Christmas. Will be asson as she need to look for me, if I can get of I shall come soon. I will no by the time I do write agane and I will let her no. You tell her that the letter that she wrote to me that it gave me grate pleasure to read it for it was so long that I like never got through reading it for I have written three or four letters since I got it but I live in hopes that she will write to me after awhile. Tell her that I have not for got her if she has me well I have not got many more lines to write this time. You all might come over hear and see me for it is not far. You and mother might come any how for you have not got any little children. I had affine peach py for dinner to day and if you had bin hear you could have taken dinner with me and seed what affine cook I was. It had [a] fine crust on it. Kiss my little babys for me. I can't. Excuse bad writing and mistakes. I have nothing more to write to come to aclose for the present. Write soon to me. Your son till death, so good by.

Gilbert Bass

August 31, 1862, Camp Norwood, Vicksburg, MS, Letter 8: Gilbert told Elizabeth the following:

1. Through the mercy of God he was alive but not very well. He believed no man ever feels well in Vicksburg when they have to go through so many hardships. He hoped and trusted in God that his letter would reach her and his dear little children, finding them in good health.
2. Gilbert expressed his pleasure in the reception of her letter delivered by Lt. McCormick and learning they were in good health. He told her he was afraid that she would not write anymore since he had not received a letter in a long time.
3. The Union Navy had left the area. (I believe he was referring the July 27, 1863 event of the Union Navy withdrawing after ending its first attempt of a siege.) He and his unit had received information from Alexandria and he was glad to know that Union forces were not on the river (Red River?).
4. Gilbert promised to send Elizabeth something if she would send him some pantaloons and socks. He told her he would try to make out with the shirts he had. He wanted her to send him his pants whenever she could.
5. He told Elizabeth that he was including a half sheet of paper for her young sisters, Massina and Lucinda, so they could write to him. He asked her to tell Almerinda E. McGee Groves, (John Penderson Groves’ wife) he would write soon. He had to close his letter because he was on call and had to go. He closed with “God bless my dear wife….Your husband till death.”

August 31, 1862 Camp Norwood near Vicksburg Mississippi

My Dear beloved wife. After my respects to you it is with the greatest of pleasure that I once more seat my self to let you know that through the mercy of god that I am yet alive and able to go but not verry well. I don't believe that aman is ever well hear or that is I don't believe that he ever feals well at no time for they have to go through so many hard ships. I can't tell you unless I was with you. But I am inhopes and trust to god that when this letter reaches you it may find you and our dear little children well and also the rest of the family well and injoying good health. The letter that you sent to me by lutinent Macomic has come to hand and you don't know the pleasure it gave me and to hear that you all were well for thought you were not going to write to me any more for it bin along time sinse I have received one from you. I have not got any news to write you onley what you have heard. I don't reckon you have heard of those gunboats being at the mouth of the river. I reckon I can say to you that the yankes has all left hear agane and we also had about came from Alexander [Alexandria] hear to Vicksburg last night and you don't know how glad I was to no the yankes was all left the river. I have some hopes of seeing you once more in life. I bring samething to you and those clothes if you can send me some pantloons and socks I will try to make out for shirts. But if you can see any possiable chance send me the pants. Tell Massina and Lucinda that there is ahalf sheat of paper for them to write me aletter for the other one was solong that I have no[t] got through reading it yet. Tell Almerida that I will [write] to her in my next letter for I have to close for I am [on] call and must go. God bless you my dear wife. Write soon. Nothing More your tru husband till death.

October 3, 1862, Camp Norwood, Letter 9: Gilbert wrote to Elizabeth telling her the following:

1. He was neither sick or well. He wished that when this letter reached her, she and the children would be in good health. He was pleased that her letter was so expedient, arriving in six days. Gilbert still wished that he could get a furlough to visit them.
2. The regiment’s health was improving.
3. He thought that there would be peace soon so he could go home and eat Christmas dinner with them.
4. He was desperate for clothing and begged her to send him some. He continued to point out supply issues. (This was the plight of poor enlisted Confederate soldiers through out the Civil War.)
5. Gilbert in a post script asked Elizabeth to relay how Josh Turner’s family was faring as Josh had heard no information on them. (There were two Turners in Gilbert's Company, James and Joseph.)

October the 3rd 1862 Camp Norwood Near Vicksburg Mississippi

My Dear beloved wife after my respects to you it is with pleasure that I once more seat my self to write to you a fiew lines to let you know I am yet on the land of the living and in tolrible health. I am neither sick or well but I am in hopes that when this letter reaches you it may find you and our dear little children well and injoying good health and also the rest of the familey. I also received your letter which you sent by Sweat and you don’t know the pleasure that it gave me to hear so straite from you it came in six days. That is the soonest news that I have heard from you since I left. You wrote to me to know if I wanted any money. You keep the money that you have got and buy what you want and if I should haptin to get a furlough I should want money to pay my way back and if you was to spend it hear I should spend it. I think I shall be home by Christmas to eat dinner with you for I think that peace will bee made in that time if not I shall try verry hard to get afurlough by that time. If we stary hear I think that I can get off by the middle of nest month or that is by hopes if I dy in disspair that is about all that I have to write to you about the health is improveing hear. The regement is in perty fair health with the exceptions of the Sanders. You sed you would sent my clothes if you had of had them home. I wish to god that you had have had them for I am verry scarece and no way to get any. My dear wife I shall have to close for this time and write more next time. I shall write ever weak if you would write as often to me as I do to you I should hear from you oftiner that I do. Maby you have not any paper. I will send you some. I should send you more but I have not got time to go to town. I will send it by hillier. My dear wife I hate to close my letter but I have not got any thing more. If I was with you how happy I should bee. I hope that we will meat before verry long. Gave my respect to the familey and kiss the babys for me. God bless you my dear wife. I will close. So good by. Nothing More. Your loveing Husband.

Gilbert Bass

When you write you must write how Josh Turner familey is getting along for he can’t never hear from them.

October 10, 1862, John C. Pemberton was promoted to Lt General, and assigned to defend Vicksburg, the Mississippi River and Mississippi, by Confederate President Jefferson Davis. He was ordered to defend Vicksburg at all costs.

October 14, 1862, General Pemberton arrived in Jackson, Mississippi.

November 3, 1862, the 27th LA regiment was ordered to build 14’x16’ winter quarters. This task was rendered very difficult due to lack of good lumber and tools. It would not be completed until late November.

November 27, 1862, Camp Norwood, Vicksburg, Letter 10: Gilbert reported to Elizabeth the following:

1. The regiment's soldiers were in good spirits. They had just received a new General (most likely Brigadier Gen. Stephen Dill Lee) whom he described as a real gentleman. He felt this man would allow him to get a furlough.
2. His unit was building winter quarters, but they had not finished yet. (When they were completed, the winter quarters site was named Camp McLauren after one of their commanders.)
3. There were 500 Negroes (slaves) at work building up the breastworks.
4. Timber surrounding the eastern approach to Vicksburg had been cut to form a half-mile wide strip to keep Union troops away until the end of the war. It was impossible for the Union army to get through because the timber was lying so thickly on the ground.
5. He was sending the needles and pins she requested with Mrs. St Johns. He was unable to buy hair pins for her.
6. He received the quilt and pants that she had sent him. He was in dire need of some knitted gloves from Almerinda Groves and some socks.
7. He sent greetings to Elizabeth’s young sisters, Lucinda and Massina.
8. He requested that she write him more often and asked her to kiss his letter because he kissed it and that was the only way they could kiss.

Nov. 27 Camp Norwood Near Vicksburg

My Dear beloved wife after my respects to you it is with pleasure that through mercer of god our creater that I seat my self to let you know that I am yet on the land of the living and injoying good health and I am in hopes and trust to god that when this letter reaches you it may find you and our dear little children injoying the same blessings of god that I now injoy. I have not got any thing mush to write to you about for times is very hard hear and ever thing is very high but we are all in good spirits at this time. We have got a new jinerrel. I think that there is some prospects now of getting afurlow I think. He seams to be ajentleman which I take him to be and I hope that I am not rong. I am going to try for a furlough shortly. We are bilding winter quarters at this time but I don't know when we will get them done. I can say to you that there is about five hundred negros hear at work trowing up brest works. They have cut all the timber down for ahalf mile wide to keep the yanks of and think that it will keep them away till the ware ends. It is impossible to get through it is laying so thick on the ground. That is about all that I can tell you about it unless I was with you. I received the quilt that you sent me by Mr. St.Johns and you don't know how glad that I was to get it. If you had not have sent it to me I don't know what I should have done for I onley had one blanket to lay on and cover with. But I have done find ever sense I got it. I have slept warm I also received the pants that you sent me and was glad to get them. But I would rather have had two or three pares of socks. You wrote to me to get you two papers of kneedles and apaper of pins and above of hairpins. The hairpins I could not get them but the needles and pins I got them and Mrs. St. Johns will bring them to you. I wish that you would get Almerinda to knit me apir of gloves and send them by some one. I do ask you to send me aheep but I can't help it for I can't get it hear but I hope the day is not long till I shall bee with you to make up for all that I now ask you for now. I want you to gave my compliments to Linda (Lucinda Groves] and Mass [Massina Groves] and tell them that I am yet reading the letters that they wrote to me. My dear wife you will have to excuse my letter. It is write bad for I have not got time to do any better. I want you to write oftin to me if you can. Kiss the children for me and also your mother and kiss those fiew lines for me for I have kissed [them] and that is all the way that I have got to kiss you. Gave my respects to the familey. Nothing More onley I remain yours for ever tru husband till death. So good by. My Dear wife write your loving husband.

Gilbert Bass

December 1, 1862, the 27th LA regiment was ordered to Grenada, Mississippi via Jackson to oppose Grant’s expedition. They were not allowed to cook in preparation of the movement and hastily boarded on a train to Jackson.

December 2, 1862, the 27th LA regiment returned at night in the cold and rain after they received counter-orders.

Mid December, 1862, the 27th LA Regiment was assigned to provost guard duty for Vicksburg. They would remain at this duty until Spring, 1863.

December 19, 1862, President Davis and General Johnston arrived in Jackson, Mississippi. The 27th LA Regiment was directed to quarter in the Prentiss House Hotel. This was because there was a lack of wood and water at their location. It was cold and they were literally sleeping in mud.

January 1863 During this month the bulk of Union troops were moved from Memphis to Milliken’s Bend and Young’s Point to prepare for the siege of Vicksburg.

February 1863, Vicksburg, Mississippi, Letter 11 to Elizabeth: The following was revealed:

1. Gilbert had received her letter. He was glad that she was well but upset that Nancy was ill. He cried and was unable to sleep with concern about his daughter’s health, not expecting to see her again. He hoped that God would spare Nancy until he got back home. He was willing to die to see them.
2. He was in good health except for his eyes which had been failing him for three months. He was unable to read or write without glasses. (Most likely, this was conjunctivitis caused by him sleeping in wet, unsanitary conditions.) He was afraid he would lose his eyesight. When the fight was over and the Union forces were gone he would get a furlough and go home if he had enough money to hire someone to drive him home.
3. Elizabeth need not send him the shirts that he requested but send him some pants because he had only one pair and they were in bad shape.
4. He suggested if he could not leave that Elizabeth and Mary come in the summer to visit if the Union Navy was not there. He wanted to see her badly. Asked her to tell her dad, James Groves, jr., he could come and visit if it didn’t cost him too much, and that she could come along with him. (He was very homesick.)
5. She had written him that James Bass and William Wales had gone to Mexico. Gilbert asked if they left to avoid conscription.
6. Reacting to her having told him that there were Union companies near (Alexandria or western Rapides Parish), he told her to tell them that when the war ended he and his unit would track them down and kill them and leave them in the woods like dogs.
7. Gilbert and his unit could see 83 Union transports loaded with men with several gunboats as they landed North of Vicksburg on the Louisiana shore. For two days the Union had been surveying the river. He was unsure of the purpose but speculated that it was so they could construct artillery batteries opposite Vicksburg to assist gunboats and transports in passing to the south. He felt they would take Port Hudson, which was not well fortified, then travel up the Red River because it was impossible for them to take Vicksburg. His garrison could kill them all if they didn’t die first.
8. He complained that there was an large outbreak of pneumonia and that the doctors were not fit to treat a dog. Nearly every day the doctors let every sick man die because they did not know what to do.
9. Two Union deserters called from the opposite side of the river for a boat. A skiff was sent across the river for them.
10. A gun boat passed without causing damage. It was very bold and never fired a gun while it passed. He did not know its purpose but speculated it was to destroy skiffs and flat boats to prevent the crossing of the river.
11. He wanted her to respond quickly with information on the health of Nancy and the family.
12. He closed his letter complaining that his eyes were bothering him.
13. Postscript: He asked her to kiss the children for him and kiss the letter for him because that was the only way he could kiss her.

Febuary Vicksburg Mississippi

My Dear beloved wife. It is with the greatest of pleasure that I this eavning seat my self to let you no that I received the letter that you sent by Mr. Watson. And I was glad to hear that you were well but it grave [grieved] me to hear that little Nan were sick. I could keep from crying when I red the letter nor I could not sleap none that night for I fear that shee will die from what you wrote and what mr. Watson tole me. I don’t exespect to ever see her any more it almost kills me to think that I can’t come home to see her but I hope that god will spair her life till I get back home. Any how god nows I can’t tell you how bad that I want to see you and them two little children. If I could get to see you and them I would bee willing to dy i believe. I am in hopes that when this letter gets [to] you that it may find poor little Nan well you also the rest of the familey. I am in good health at this time but I don’t no how long that I shall stay so if my eyes were good I would [be] in as good health as I ever were. But I can’t see to read or write unless I have on spectiles with the exeseptions of that I am in fine health. But they [eyes] pain me some times so bad that I can’t rest at nite. They have bin failing me for the last three months and they are at this time very sore. I fear that I shall loose my eye sight when ever this fight comes of and the yankes is all gone you may look for me for I am coming home to see you if I have mony enough to pay my way home. I think that I can get afurlough. The yankyes are all gone from hear. If I can’t get a furlough I will higher [hire] some one to drive my wagon till I can come home to see you an then I don’t care how long they stay hear for my part if I could get to see you and my dear little children once more in life. You also wrote to me that you would send me some shirts and pants. You nead not to send me but one shirt for I have got two good shirts but that is for pants I have not got one pair of pants that is worth any thing. I have got the shirt that you sent me and I also bought the one that mary [Mary Groves Sweat] sent to len [Leonard C. Sweat]. They were fine shirts as I ever seen any where my Dear wife. If I can’t get to come home I want you and mary to come over hear in the somer if you can get any one to come with you. For you don’t know how bad I want to see you. I will write to you when the yankyes are all gone. You tell your papy (James Groves Jr.) that he might come and see us for it won’t cost him much and you could come with him. I would bee the gladest in the world to see him. You wrote to me that wales [William Wales] and John Bass had gone to Mexico. Did they run away from the canscript law or what. You never rote. You also sed that there were union Companys there. You can tell them that the ware will end some day and then we will clean them out where ever we find them. We have plenty of men in our company to kill the last man of them and leave them laying in the woods like dogs. I cannot tell you anything about the ware for I reckon that you no more than I can tell you about it. Onley we are laying hear in town where we can see eighty three transports and them loaded with men and they have also several gunboats in the same fleat. It looks scary to look at them old gunboats. They have landed there men on that side of the river or that is poshen [position] of there men. They have bin savaing [surveying?] the river for the last two days but for what purpose I don’t know. But it is the calculation that they aim to plant batterys opsit our batterys to try to drive our men away from them so that they can pass down with there transports to land trops above porte Hudson [Port Hudson]. If they can get there men down the river they will take porte Hudson very easy for it is not fortfide above and they will gain an take the batreys and all the men prisinors and I think thay then will try then to go up red river for they no that it is imposiable for them to take Vicksburg. The yankeys think that this place is apurfect states pen and they don’t miss if for we will kill the last one of them if our men don’t die before they come. We have mighty bad management hear we have not got any doctors that is fit to doctor adog. They let nearly every man that is taken sick die for they don't know what to do for them no more than I do. We have a grate many cases of neumoney [pneumonia] hear at this time is the most disease that we have in camps.

Since I have bin writeing this little letter there were two yankys came to the river and called for aboat and there was askift sent over after them. They had deserted from there regiment and there was also one of there boats that past down yesterday morning with out being hurt. The ole gun boat was very bold. She never figherd agun and past on down the river. But I don’t know what she aims to do. I think that she aims to destroy all the skifts and flats that she can fine to prevent any one from crossing the river. You must write to me soon as you get this letter and let me no how Nan is for I am ancious to no how she is and the rest of the family also. I shall have to close my letter for the want to words. You must excuse bade writing and mistakes for I am pestered and I can’t see to write any better. Gave my respects to the family and receive them you self.

March 6, 1863, 27th LA with the garrison assembled to witness the execution of a Union prisoner, who was a Confederate deserter.

March 10, 1863, Vicksburg, Letter 12 to Elizabeth:

1. Gilbert was upset that he had not received a letter from her by way of Mr. Watson. Evidently some members of his company had received letters but not him. He was concerned about the health of Nancy and feared that she had died having received Watson’s description of her illness.
2. His unit had been expecting a battle every day. His patience was wearing down. He and the troops were nearly starved. They had nothing to eat but bread and molasses. They did get some old beef which he described as “not fit for the dogs” but that was long gone.
3. He had sat and cried all day for nothing. If he is alive in the summer and able to walk he would come home. He had not seen his wife in over a year. He told her that he had been well educated by the war.
4. There were cases of pneumonia and smallpox.
5. He described his eye-witness account of the execution a couple of days before of the two men who had spiked the cannons at Fort Jackson. (Note: By another personal account, the whole brigade witnessed the execution of one young confederate deserter from the First Louisiana Heavy Artillery, who had been captured serving as a Union soldier at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, having duly received a court martial Another personal account said the deserter had been part of a Tennessee Regiment. Both confirmed the execution of one deserter on March 6, 1863. ^[7]

He told her it looked bad when they fell and pondered whether it was right or not.

1. Gilbert was concerned about the health of his daughters, Anna (Susannah, Annie) and Nanna (Nancy).

March 10 1863 Vicksburg Miss

My Dear Beloved wife after my respects to you I imbrace the opportunity of writeing you afiew lines once more to let you know that I am yet alive and well but I think that you think that I am ded. But I am not for I have not got aletter from you since ole man Watson came. You kned not to say that you write for if youwas to write I should get aletter once and awhile. I don't think that you write onley when some body comes but not to write atole. You no that I am not there to see whether you write by mail and you think that I will say well she writes but they don't come. They get mi slayed but I say that you don't write for the rest of the company gets letters. And if you was to write I would get letter to you wrote to me to send you paper and I sent it by John Liles [Lyles] and you yet don't write. You wrote to me when Watson came overthat poor little Nan was mighty sick and from what Watson tole me I fear that she is ded. Write to me if you please if you onley knowed how bad that I want to hear from you and then you would write to me immediately.But I am In hopes and trust to god whom I have put my trust in every sense I left you that this letter may come safe to your hand and find you and our dear little children well is my preys [prayers] to god. But it is sed that preys of the wicked balith not but god has hear my preys so far. My dear wife I have not got any thing to write to you that is interesting. We are looking for afight every day and I don't care how soon it comes of for my patient is nearly worn out and I am nearly starved out for we don't get any thing to eat but bred and molas. We did get some olde beafe that a dog wouldn't eaten but it has played out now. I have set and crid this day more than I ever did before for nothing but just to think that I am lighed hear and can't get away. But if I live and stay able to walk I am comeing home in the somer or try mighty hard for this day twelve months ago is the las time that I seen your face and I think that is long enough for anybody to stay away from home. Them that wants to go hom bad most all dies but I hope that I will live this infurnel ware out if I do I have learned something. Any one that lives this ware out will have affine edication or I think that I will have perty good schooling my self. There is a good deal of sickness hear at this time. Good many cases of newsmoney and plenty of smallpocks. There is several cases in our company. There is one thing I forgot we have taken the men that spiked the cannons at Fort Jackson and they were shot a day or two ago. I was there and seen them fall it looked mighty bad but I reckon that it was right. My Dear wife you must be shure to write as soon as you get this letter and let me no how you are and how Anna and poor little Nan is for I want hear mity bad. Anser this letter and I will write more the next time. I shall have to close this time. God bless you and my dear little children. so good by.

Gilbert Bass to his loving wife Elizabeth Bass.

March 11-16, 1863, Porter’s Union Navy attempted passage of Yazoo River to approach Vicksburg from the North. Union was repulsed at Ft Pemberton unable to debark troops due to flooded banks. Then attempted a by-pass to the Yazoo River south of Ft Pemberton, called the Steele Bayou Expedition. This attempt failed miserably because the Navy without ground troop support was restrained by the plantation owners and Confederate Infantry. Ft. Pemberton would be deserted later to help defend Vicksburg from attack from the south.

March 25, 1863, two Union gunboats attempted passage by Vicksburg. They were traveling one-half mile apart. The second one, U.S.S. Switzerland, a side-wheeler ram, (converted steam boat) was struck through the boiler and sunk. The men aboard tried to escape via skiffs and jumping overboard swimming to the Louisiana shore. Vicksburg artillery struck one of the skiffs.

March 26, 1863, Vicksburg, MS, Letter 13 to Elizabeth:

1. The previous day two Union gunboats had tried to pass Vicksburg from the North. One boat was a half-mile ahead of a steamboat protected by iron or cotton. The Confederates' gun batteries forced the steamboat to the Louisiana shore. The Union gunboat moved quickly to try to help it but the Confederates' batteries shot a hole through the steamboat's boiler. Men were scalded to death and some swam to escape.
2. The Vicksburg garrison had installed a new gun which he called a “wind splitter” (This was possibly the British Whitworth, breech-loaded rifle. With a range of 2800 yards, its rounds made a distinctive whistling sound as they passed through the air.) Gilbert felt it would sink all the Union boats.
3. He felt the war would never end. He hoped the day was close at hand when he could hear the word that they all could go home, that peace was made.
4. He hoped his letter would arrive before her brother John Penderson Groves left to return to his unit. (Note: Penderson Groves was a Captain in Co. B, 1st Nelligan’s Louisiana Infantry (enlisted August 2, 1861). He was wounded in the Battle of Monacacy, Maryland, but he died from his wounds July 10, 1864, and was buried in Frederick, Maryland.)
5. He told her he was sending the envelopes that she had requested. He did not think there was any use of sending them by mail. (The Union Navy was blocking any river crossings.)
6. Gilbert commented on her last letter in which she told him that her father, James Groves, Jr. had to report. He did not know what she and her family would do if he had to leave home.

March 26, 1863 Vicksburg Miss.

My Dear beloved wife. After my respects to you it is with the greatest of pleasure that I this day seat my self to let you no that I received the letter that you wrote to me but it was almost assame as no letter for I would give asent for aletter after somebody else has red it. Hearafter when you write aletter and put it in anybodyes letter always seal it or don't write for I am a man that always wants to brake every thing that belongs to me. But I hopt that this letter that leaves me today may reach you and my dear little children well and the rest of the familey also as it leaves me well and fat as a buck thank the Lord. I have got some good news to write to you. Listen yesterday morning there was two of the yanky gunboats tried to pass our battereys but our brave galent boys who stood at them did some good shotting. The first one that was about a half a mile ahead was suppose to be asteam boat will [well] partected with cotton or iron but our batterys fighered so she floated down hear the Lousaner [Louisiana] shoer when the other that was sed to be one of there bes iron clad gunboats with a full head of steam making for to help her when our brave boys plared aball through her and in to the boler [boiler] which beyond adoubt many to was scalded to death when she took figher and sunk. And the shouting that was give to see her sink I stood and seen many a man swimming for his life. There is none say so about this but I do for I seen it my self and you may be shure that I was glad to see her gounder [grounded] and I think that every one that passes from this out will go under for we have got a gun that was put up afiew days ago to is called a windsplitter and I think that she will sink all the boats that the yankys has got. I wish that every one that they have got would come down this morning for I am tighered of wating for I had assoon bed ded almost as to have to stay hear always. For some times it seames to me like the ware will never end but I hope that the day is clost at hand when the word will bee you can all go home peace is made and I think that will be between now and next fall. If you get this letter before Pen [Penderson Groves] leaves home tell him to come by for I would the best in the world to see him and talke with him awile. Well you wrote to me to send you some invelops. I will send you some the first time I have any oppertuny for I don't think it is any use to send them by mail. You wrote to me that your father [James Groves Jr.] had to report himself. You did not say for what. You did not say whether he had to leave home or not but I hope not for I don't know what you all would do if he was to have to leave. Well this is about all that I have to write this time. You must excuse mistakes for I am in ahurry. Gave my respects to the familey and receive them your self. Also kiss poor little Nana and Anna for me. Those lines for me for you are too far off for me to kiss. Good by my dear wife.

Gilbert Bass

March 29 – 30 1863, Gen. McClernand (Union XIII Corps) began moving down the Louisiana bank of the Mississippi to New Carthage, Louisiana.

April 16, 1863, seven Union gunboats attempted to pass Vicksburg. In the process the steamer Henry Clay was hit and on fire and grounded on the Louisiana shore.

April 17, 1863, Gen. Grierson and his cavalry set out from LaGrange, Tennessee, his mission to destroy railroads to slow any Confederate reinforcement movements from the East.

April 20, 1863, the 27th LA Regiment was relocated behind Sky Parlor Hill to escape constant bombardment.

April 21, 1863, six steamers loaded with rations, medical supplies, and forage attempted a run pass Vicksburg. All the steamers made it past. However, the gunboat Tigress assisting the run was struck 30 times and sunk.

April 24, 1863, General Grierson breaks railroad between Jackson and Meridian Mississippi at Newton Station.

April 29, 1863, Admiral Porter’s fleet failed to reduce Grand Gulf, Mississippi. Grant decided to cross the river further south, out of range of Port Gibson’s artillery. General Sherman began a fake attack of Hayne’s Bluff, north of Vicksburg, which caused Gen. Pemberton to pull troops from the south of Vicksburg.

April 30, 1863, while Sherman continued to pretend to attack Hayne’s Bluff, Grant’s units XIII (Gen. McClernand) and XVII Corps (McPherson) began to cross the Mississippi River to Bruinsburg, Mississippi. Grant ordered Sherman to join him.

May 1, 1863, the crossing of the Mississippi was completed with no Confederate opposition. Battle of Port Gibson, General Bowen was defeated by Grant’s Union forces.

May 2, 1863, Gen. Grierson arrived at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

May 5 – 7, 1863, Gen. McPherson moved north at Vicksburg from Hankinson’s Ferry on the Big Black River.

May 8, 1863, Gen. Sherman, XV Corps, joined Grant’s units.

May 9, 1863, President Davis ordered Gen. Joe Johnston to go from Tullhoma, Alabama to Mississippi and take command of the field.

May 12, 1863, Battle of Raymond was won by Grant’s forces. Gen. McPherson defeated Gen. Gregg.

May 13, 1863, Gen. Joe Johnston arrived at Jackson to take command. He wired President Davis at Richmond that he is too late.

May 14, 1863, Jackson, Mississippi, was taken by Union forces as Gen. Joe Johnston withdraws his forces to Canton, Mississippi. Johnston was sent by President Davis to rescue Vicksburg, but was unable to raise enough soldiers fast enough.

May 16, 1863, the Battle of Champion Hill was lost by Gen. Pemberton. Confederate Gen. Loring’s Division was separated from Pemberton’s army, and moved toward Johnston’s forces in the east.

May 17, 1863, Battle of Black River Bridge was lost as the Pemberton’s Confederate forces retreated to Vicksburg. The Union captured 1700 prisoners.

May 18, 1863, Vicksburg was completely surrounded. Four Confederate divisions (Stevenson’s, Bowen’s, Forney’s, and Smith’s ) were trapped inside the Vicksburg defensive lines.

May 19, 1863, Sherman attacked Vicksburg via the Graveyard Road. When Union troops approached Vicksburg, they were caught in a kill zone between the 27th LA Regiment Lunette and the Stockade Redan. Union forces were repulsed and forced to retreat. Union forces lost 1000 men. The dead and dying Union soldiers remained.

May 22, 1863, a second Union attack against all Confederate positions was repulsed. This was the last mass attack against Vicksburg.

May 26, 1863, a 2 ½ hour truce was proposed by Gen. Pemberton and accepted by Gen. Grant to remove the Union dead and dying from the battlefield.

May 1, 1863, Gilbert’s last pay date, which indicated he was in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Later, his Confederate military records were annotated in pencil indicating he was killed during the War Between the States, with no mention of the location.

April – May 1863, Letter 14, Vicksburg, MS. Gilbert wrote to Elizabeth: (Note: I believe this, the final letter, was started in late April and continued well past 19 May 1863. I have no proof but believe it was delivered to Elizabeth after the surrender of Vicksburg. This is mainly deduced because the Union had a tight grip on Vicksburg and no mail was getting in or out. Military action was increasing around Vicksburg and the surrounding area. Four Confederate divisions were retreating to Vicksburg after having been defeated at Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hill, Big Black River Bridge, and Jackson, as the Union Army was surrounding the city and its defenses.)

1. Gilbert complained that his knee was hurting. In the process he revealed that he was drunk before Christmas. This confirms an event reported by Terry G. Scriber in his book, Twenty-Seven Louisiana Volunteer Regiments, in which soldiers of the 27th LA were assigned as provost guards of some confiscated whiskey to be delivered to the hospital. Some of it did not make it there.
2. His unit was fighting with the Union Army who were near. The Confederates had defeated them, having taken 300 prisoners, with the loss of only a few men. (Admission of defeat by Union forces would have been demoralizing.)
3. He did not feel he would be in any fight because he had been driving a wagon for five days. He had contended with sickness and God had spared his life.
4. He had interrupted writing the letter so he could take a canon to the battlefield. It was dark and raining when he got there. Union pickets were shooting toward the sounds of his wagon but unable to see him. He described them like bees buzzing overhead too high to hit him. He observed many Union dead and heard many dying lying in the rain begging to be taken out. Union troops had advanced on that area not seeing the Confederates in gun pits who surprised and killed them. He described the Union dead as stacked and lying in place. He wrote that they were expecting another attack. (Note: His trip to the battlefield visually fit the descriptions of May 19 assault by Sherman's Corps down the Graveyard Road against the 27th LA Lunette and the Stockade Redan.) The rest of his letter is missing but suggests he continued it for more days.

April Mississippi Vicksburg

My Dear wife after my respects to you it with the grattest of pleasure that I seat my self this night of our lord to let you no that I am yet got verry bad pain in my knee joint that pesters me agrate del at night. I don't pester me in the day. The docter says that it is remattichs pains but I think that I hurt it the night before Christmas for we were all tight is the truth of the bisnes. It was the first time that I have bin tight since I left Alexander but I hope that inhopes that you will not think hard of me this time and I will not do so any more till I get back home forI want to see you and the children once more. I received the letter that you sent by Hatch and also the socks and gloves and was glad to get them and to hear that you are all well and I am that this letter may reach you and our dear little children well and the rest of the familey also. We are at this time fighting the yankeys clost by this place and whipping them baddley. Our men has taken three hundred prisiners and kill agrate many more. We lost but fiew. That is (unreadable), it were not in the exspect that they will have to go before the fight ends. That for my self I don't reckon that I shall be in any fight for I have bin driving a wagon for five days and have no danger to content with but sickness and god has spared my life this long and I hope that he will spar my life, have anyhow since I comenst writing this letter I had to quite writing and go to take a conon to the battle field. It was raining verry hard and it was verry dark when I got there and the yankey pickets was shooting at me whole time that I was there. They could not see me but they shot at the nois of the wagon The balls whistled over my head like bees but thank god they were to high to hit me. It was a dreadful place to be for was agrate many laying ded and the praiers of the wounded has to listten as they were beging our men to take them up out of the rain and could help shed tears to hear the groans of them. If I could have done it I should have taken all up and cared them to shelter the way that our (unreadable) to kill (unreadable) of them and lose no more than they did. Abody was laying rifle pits and yankeeys idid not see them and I was goint at a doble quick to charge abattery and our men raised up and fighered on them and serprised agrat many. They were laying cross each other every way that any one could mention they were. Alnd it was a sight to see so many ded men and (unreadable) respects (unreadable) no way atal but they are leaving thereas fast as possiable and we are looking for abig sight now in opision may but I think that we whip them without any trouble with that we are fivd hear [the end of this letter is missing].

June 3, 1863, Elizabeth's final letter to Gilbert. There are none of her previous letters to Gilbert that we know of to reveal. This suggests that possibly Gilbert did not receive this letter as the grip on Vicksburg by the Union Army and Navy was firm, allowing nothing in or out since well before May.

1. She expressed her stress having not heard from him since Lt. Macranna (McCranie, Andrew J. , 2nd Lieutenant) arrived from Vicksburg. (I am unsure of when he arrived. His history revealed he never returned to Vicksburg. He was not paroled with 27th LA. )
2. They were in hard times since the Union occupied Alexandria. Cows were selling for 60 dollars each but none available. Corn and meat was scarce. Union troops were confiscating many horses.
3. She revealed that slaves owned by people they knew were gone (freed) or ran away.
4. Mr. Wales had rejoined the Army and was serving with Canfield’s Company.
5. Jim and John Bass had not returned home from Mexico. Her brother (possibly John Penderson Groves) had tried to talk to them before they left. Josh (unknown) had been taken prisoner at the battle (don’t know to what battle she was referring).
6. In a postscript, stated that she had completed the clothing he had requested but was unable to send them back with Lt. McCranie because he was not returning to Vicksburg with a wagon. (Vicksburg was under heavy siege, which explained why he was not paroled with the 27th LA. He was unable to return to the 27th LA.) She told him to try and buy some clothing.
7. Elizabeth begged him to come home as soon as he could because she wanted to see him badly. She had heard rumors that his unit had taken new wives, but hoped it was not true. Elizabeth had shed many tears over the thought but did not believe it. Asked him not to forget her and children.

June the 3, 1863

Dear Beloved Husband

I once more have the opportunity of writing you a fue [few] lines to let you no [know] that wee are all well at this time and I hope and pray to God that those fue lines may find you the same. I have not heard from you sence Lieutenant Maccrana came home. I got the letter that you sent by him and the paper allso and I was glad to hear that you was well and harty. As for nuse [news] I have not got any at all. We have not got any more [unreadable] sence the yankeys came to elescandria [Alexandria] it is hard times hear [here]. There is nothing to be had at any price at all. Cows are a seling for sixety dollars and can’t be had at that. An corn is very scarce here now and meat to. The yankeys took a great many niggers often the byo [bayou]. There was a great many niggros left from out her in the piney woods. Miss [unreadable] lost five and fare Cloth [Faircloth] lost fore and Gill lost three and Smart lost one and Brister lost his niggers and Cavanaugh lost three and Milla lost of Jery. The yankeys took a great many horses often the byo. Mr. Wales has gon back to the arma. He is in Canfields Company and John Bass is at home yet and Jim Bass has not gone back yet. Brother tried to get him afo [unreadable] back his [unreadable]. Josh was taken prisoner down at the battle.

Dear husband I have got your cloths made and can’t get no chance to send them to you. Maccrony is not agoing to take a wagon back with him and he can’t carry them for me. You will haf to by you some clothes if you can. You must try and come home if you can. I want to see you very much. I heard bad nuse about you all and I hope that it is a ly [lie] I heard that you all was marred of or had wifes but I hope that it is not the case with you. I hope that you ant forgot your loving wife that has sheded as many tears as I have an has seed as many over of distress about you. I do not believe it but I will write to you and if it is the case I hope you will not forget me an your Children.

Elizabeth Bass

June 3, 1863, Union Gen. N. Kimball’s Provisional Division arrived.

June 6 - 7, 1863, Grant’s Satartia trip.

June 7, 1863, Battle of Milliken’s Bend, Confederates under Gen. Richard Taylor attacked Grant’s base on the Louisiana shore but were repulsed.

June 11, 1863, Union Gen. F. J. Herron’s division arrived from Arkansas.

June 12, 1863, 1/XVI (Gen. W. S. Smith) arrived.

June 14, 1863, two Union divisions began to arrive from Kentucky.

June 18, 1863, Grant relieved McClernand of command.

June 22, 1863, Sherman’s expeditionary force was formed.

June 25 – 28, 1863, a mine was exploded under the 3rd Louisiana Redan. Combat raged for three days afterward until Union forces withdrew.

June 28, 1863, anonymous soldiers warned Gen. Pemberton that the garrison was close to mutiny due to reduced rations. Those standing the line had been there without relief since May.

July 1, 1863, another mine was detonated under the 3rd Louisiana Redan, but no Union attack occurred.

July 3, 1863, a flag of truce appeared between the lines as Grant and Pemberton discussed the surrender of the city and its garrison.

July 4, 1863, Pemberton surrendered Vicksburg and its garrison to Grant. Confederate soldiers surrendered their weapons and began to receive paroles.

July 7, 1863, Leonard Covington Sweat was paroled. He returned to Walnut Hill, Louisiana, never to rejoin the Confederate Army, unlike a lot of his 27th LA regiment cohorts.

Gilbert Bass described in his letters a graphic story of the Defense of Vicksburg.There is no doubt that Gilbert Bass tragically served and died at Vicksburg. His burial site is an unmarked and unidentified mass grave somewhere within the Vicksburg City Cemetery. Gilbert never saw Elizabeth and his daughters again. Elizabeth remarried in 1867 to James Henry Hunt by whom she had nine children. Elizabeth Groves Bass Hunt and James H. Hunt are buried at the Hemphill Star Cemetery, near Cotile Lake, Wilda Community, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, in a stand of cedars between the eastern and western gates. Her second daughter with Gilbert Bass, Susannah (Anna, Annie) Bass Kingrey and her husband, Joseph S. Kingrey (aka Kingery) (my great grandparents) are buried left of the eastern gate of the same cemetery. Joseph’s mother, Rachel Garland Kingery, widow of Pvt. Daniel H. Kingery, Company F, 26th Louisiana Infantry Regiment (died January 22, 1863 at Vicksburg), is buried in the same cemetery in the same stand of cedars as Elizabeth Groves Bass Hunt’s grave. Gilbert’s brother-in-law, Leonard C. Sweat, was paroled and returned home in July 1863. He and his wife, Mary Groves Sweat, had nine more children. Leonard died in 1931 at the age of 92. He is buried beside Mary at the Glass Window Cemetery, Walnut Hill, Vernon Parish, Louisiana. Elizabeth's parents, James Groves, Jr and Nancy Perkins Groves are also buried at the Glass Window Cemetery. So ends the tragic story of Gilbert and Elizabeth Bass and the Defense of Vicksburg.

Sources

1. ↑ Tim Kanavaugh, Park Ranger, Vicksburg Military Park, Vicksburg, MS., telephone conversation, Feb 2016.
2. ↑ Jane Parker McManus, A Backward Glance, (Pineville, LA: Parker Enterprises, 1986).
3. ↑ Researched, Compiled, and Edited by Eugene E. Morse
4. ↑ by Terry G. Scriber, (Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing Co., 2004).
5. ↑ These letters were viewed, photo-copied and transcribed by Jane Parker McManus during the 1970s, and were included in her 1985 book, A Backward Glance. The transcripts in this request are included with the permission of Jane P. McManus. The letters were loaned to Jane as she was researching the genealogy of the Grove and Bass families in Vernon Parish. She was allowed to view these letters and copy them with the aid of Annie Garland Parker, a noted Rapides Parish Genealogist. She does not recall who loaned them. It is through Jane Parker McManus’ generous effort that transcripts of them exist and that we can exam their contents. She did not attempt to correct the spelling and grammatical errors. They are in the words of Gilbert, who had a limited education.
6. ↑ "The Rawhide Fight,” Leesville Leader, 1955.
7. ↑ Alan C. Richard, Jr. & Mary Margaret Higginbotham Richard, The Defense of Vicksburg, a Louisiana Chronicle, (College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2004)

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCJD-TT9 : 12 April 2016), Gilbert Bass in household of Drury Bass, St. Landry parish, St. Landry, Louisiana, United States; citing family 696, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• "United States Census, 1860," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFP7-WF7 : accessed 12 July 2015), Gilbert Bass, Rapides, Louisiana, United States; from "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing p. 79, household ID 550, NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 803,423.

Decisive Battles of the Civil War, William Swinton, Promontory Press, NYC, NY, 1986, ISBN 978-0- 88394-064-8.

THE CIVIL WAR, Bruce Catton, The Fairfax Press, NY, 1980 edition, ISBN 0-517-29409-5

Chronology of Grant’s Final Campaign and Siege of Vicksburg, March 29-July 4, http//www.jepperson.org/vicks1.htm

Last Pay Record of Gilbert Bass

Acknowledgments

This profile researched and written by Eugene Morse.