SIEGE OF JACKSON - DAYS 4 THROUGH 8

During this time, the 16th Ohio remained on the siege line at Jackson, Mississippi. Firing between the Confederate and Union lines was constant and the siege duty was actually an on-going battle and very perilous.

Note: Much of the information used to describe these Day-By-Day accounts comes from a series of newspaper articles entitled Camp and Field, The Old 16th Ohio, written by 16th Ohio Corporal Theodore Wolbach, Company E, and published in the Holmes County (Ohio) Republican newspaper in 1881 and 1882. This website has a copy of the entire series of 78 chapters except for one, published April 13, 1882, which has not been located. The missing article covers the period between July 13 and 22, 1863, and, regretfully, reduces the facts and details that can be provided here for these ten days. Other sources and research will be used to provide the location and general actions of the regiment during this time.

---

Period military map showing the approximate position (see red star) of the 16th Ohio, part of Gen. Osterhaus' Ninth Division, at Jackson, Mississippi, July 13 to 16, 1863, when Union troops laid siege to the city:

---

Modern day map showing the approximate position of the 16th Ohio in position outside Rebel works at Jackson, Mississippi, from July 13 to 16, 1863

Blue pin - approximate position of 16th Ohio with Gen. Osterhaus' Ninth Division from June 24 to July 6, 1863, while guarding Grant's siege at Vicksburg from attack by Confederate General Joe Johnston.
Red pin - approximate campsite of 16th Ohio the night of July 6, 1863, after marching east from Bovina Station.
Green pin - Near Bolton Station, Mississippi, approximate campsite of 16th Ohio the night of July 7, 1863, after marching east from Edwards Depot.
Yellow pin - a point about four miles past Bolton, Mississippi, where the 16th Ohio camped the night of July 8, 1863.
Purple pin - a point about four miles east of Jackson, Mississippi, where the 16th Ohio camped the night of July 9, 1863.
Aqua pin - the approximate position of the 16th Ohio after taking up positions outside the Confederate fortifications at Jackson, Mississippi, on July 10, 1863.
Red pushpin - site of Mississippi State Capitol during the Civil War; Gen. Osterhaus' division and the 16th Ohio were positioned 1 1/2 miles due west of here.