October 18, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., 1834-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis and his wife

Gorsuch, Captain and Provost Marshal of the 13th Army Corps, writes to his aunt and uncle in Hamilton, Ohio. He states that his corps will soon embark on the Texas Expedition. He discusses details regarding recruitment of Union soldiers in the South. Administered the Oath of Allegiance to the United States in French to many Louisiana French-speakers. Due to his own ability to speak French, Gorsuch has become popular among the Louisiana soldiers. He discusses the possibility of raising a brigade in Louisiana, and the likelihood that this would advance him in the military and politics much…

GLC00653.09.14

April 22, 1864

Gorsuch, Joseph B., 1834-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis

Gorsuch, Captain and Provost Marshal 13th Corps, Army of the Tennessee, writes to his uncle. He states that he just arrived, on the ship Clinton, from Texas. He refers to mutual acquaintances (possibly from Butler County, Ohio) including Captain Cummins and Elisha Lesourd. He reports that General John Alexander McClernand is in Louisiana to help reinforce the Red River Campaign. He relates that much has been said regarding General Nathaniel Prentiss Banks's choice to order McClernand to Texas instead of to command active portions of the 13th Corps in the Campaign. He requests acknowledgment…

GLC00653.09.16

circa 1862-1864

Gorsuch, Joseph B., 1834-1908

Envelope

Title: unknown

The two envelopes held correspondence sent from Gorsuch, Captain and Provost Marshal of the 13th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to his aunt and uncle in Hamilton, Ohio. One envelope indicates a date of July 30, though no year is cited. On the other envelope, the date is obscured.

GLC00653.09.20

January 5, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., 1834-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Curtis

Written on the Mississippi River. Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, writes to his uncle in Hamilton, Ohio regarding the recent Battle of Chickasaw Bayou. He relates that his regiment left Memphis, Tennessee on December 23, 1861 and sailed toward Vicksburg, Mississippi (possibly on the Mississippi River). He mentions foliage, sawmills, and plantations visible from the river. He reports the destruction of Confederate rail lines, cotton gins, and bridges. He relates that his men went six miles up the Yazoo River, and waited outside of Vicksburg before battle began on…

GLC00653.09.01

January 5, 1862

Gorsuch, Joseph B., 1834-1908

Map

Title: [Depiction of the battle of Chickasaw Bayou]

Drawn by Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Depicts the Yazoo River, fleet location, Confederate fortifications, Chickasaw Bayou, the Mississippi River, and the Vicksburg Texas Railroad, among other details. Indicates the line of battle, position of Gorsuch's regiment, and Union batteries. This map is possibly the map transmitted within a letter Gorsuch wrote to his uncle Joseph Curtis 5 January 1863 (refer to GLC00653.09.01). Fragile, including a slightly torn crease.

GLC00653.09.02

February 1, 1863

Gorsuch, Joseph B., 1834-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph and his wife

Written in the field near Vicksburg, on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River. Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, discusses recent Union attempts to take Vicksburg, Mississippi by way of a constructed canal. He writes: "You need not be troubled but what we will take Vicksburg, but I confess that I consider it very doubtful whether we will now. If we do take it, it will be by very hard fighting. The rebels appreciate the importance of this point as well as we do... I hope that our Generals will not waste any more valuable lives... Bayonet charges are very…

GLC00653.09.03