Biography/History:

Daniel Jones was born about 1840 in Ohio. During the Civil War, Daniel Jones enlisted in Company B, Seventeenth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, United States Army, on March 25, 1862. Daniel Jones' career is best traced through his regiment. The Seventeenth consisted of ten companies organized at Keokuk, Iowa, between March 21 and April 16, 1862. The regiment was mustered on April 16, 1862. On April 19, 1862, the regiment traveled from Keokuk to St. Louis, Missouri by steamer. The Seventeenth arrived in St. Louis on April 20, 1862, where they received their required arms and equipment for active duty. The regiment departed St. Louis on May 5, 1862, traveling by steamer to Landing, Tennessee.

Along with other Federal forces, the Seventeenth Regiment was involved in the siege of Corinth from May 5-30, 1862, until the town was evacuated. For the remainder of the summer, the regiment worked to perfect itself in drill maneuvers, develop discipline, and monitor enemy forces. On September 18, 1862, the regiment marched towards Iuka, Mississippi, The following day, the Seventeenth engaged Confederate troops. From the start of the engagement, the regiment was without its commanding officer, who was severely injured. Leadership of the regiment fell upon Captain J.L. Young, who was responsible for reorganizing the regiment and keeping them in line until Confederate forces sounded their retreat from the battlefield. The Seventeenth Regiment suffered the heaviest losses of Union forces involved in the Battle of Iuka.

After the Battle of Iuka, the Seventeenth Regiment was among the Federal forces that returned to Corinth where Confederate forces attempted to regain control of the town. On October 2, 1862, forces under the command of Major General Earl Van Dorn, Confederate States of America, attacked several Union outposts. Union forces under the leadership of Major General William Starke Rosecrans repelled the attacks. General Van Dorn broke off the action and retreated to Holly Springs, Marshall County, Mississippi, with the majority of his forces intact. Union forces ended their pursuit of Van Dorn's forces at Ripley, Tippah County, Mississippi.

On December 26, 1862, the Seventeenth marched from Holly Springs to Memphis, Tennessee, where it was responsible for guarding the Memphis and Charleston Railroad until February 8, 1863. On March 2, 1863, the regiment traveled by steamer from Memphis to Grand Lake, Louisiana. The regiment maneuvered the Mississippi River by steamboats to communities such as Helena, Arkansas and Milliken's Bend, Louisiana (present day East Carroll Parish, Louisiana), where it docked on April 26, 1863. The Seventeenth marched to Grand Gulf where it was rushed to the front line. The battle of Port Gibson ended before the regiment's arrival. However, the Seventeenth pursued Confederate forces retreating from the battle of Port Gibson to the Big Black River.

By this time, the Vicksburg campaign (October 1862-July 1863) was well underway. The Seventeenth Iowa was only involved in minor skirmishes until May 12, 1863. The regiment was part of the final stage of fighting at Raymond, Hinds County, Mississippi. On May 14, 1863, the Seventeenth opposed Confederate troops at the Battle of Jackson. Under the command of Colonel D.B. Hillis, the Seventeenth was able to dislodge Confederate troops from their trenches and assist in capturing the fort, despite coming under heavy fire. Confederate soldiers retreated north, but not before burning the provisions they were forced to abandon. For their part, Union troops also plundered Jackson, commandeering provisions, burning bridges and buildings, and destroying rail lines.

Following the Battle of Jackson, the Seventeenth Iowa marched towards Vicksburg. Over the course of their march, the regiment encountered Confederate troops attempting to impede the Union advance. While in Clinton, Hinds County, Mississippi, the regiment performed guard duty for General Ulysses S. Grant, who had established his headquarters here. On May 16, 1863, the regiment was ordered to advance on Champion Hill. Arriving on the afternoon of May 16th, the regiment assembled on the north side of the hill. Under heavy fire from Confederate troops, the Seventeenth advanced slowly, charging rebel troops on five occasions. The regiment was able to dislodge Confederate forces from their positions. Ultimately, the regiment was able to take a battery belonging to the Thirty-first Alabama Regiment, while capturing 175 prisoners.

As a member of the Seventeenth Iowa Regiment, Daniel Jones was an active participant in key battles that constituted the Vicksburg campaign.

Scope and Content:

The Jones (Daniel) Civil War letter was written to his sister, Emily Jones Whittaker, on her twenty-eight birthday, May 26, 1863, while at the rear of the Union camp in Vicksburg, Warren County, Mississippi. The letter begins with Jones acknowledging receipt of his sister's letter, which he explains the conditions the regiment endured on its march from Milliken's Bend to Grand Gulf, Claiborne County, Mississippi. Jones' letter details the losses suffered by Seventeenth during the Battle of Jackson. Of interest is Jones' observations of the march on Jackson and the subsequent plundering of Jackson by both Confederate and Union forces, and conversations held between Confederate and Union soldiers during breaks in the battle.

Series Identification:

1. Series 1: Letter. 1863.