21ST MISSISSIPPI VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
The original unit was formed by men from Wilkinson Country, Mississippi, in the late summer of 1861. Official company and unit designation came on October 10 of that year. The 21st saw its first major engagement during the seven days battles (June 26 - July 1, 1862) Of the peninsular campaign under the command of General P.T.E. Beauregard. It was during this period that the 21st became part of the brigade commanded by Cononel Barksdale. During this period the 21st suffered 151 casualties out of 792 effectives.
The unit next participated in Gen. Robert E. Lee's Maryland campaign and was involved in the capture of Harpers Ferry. Elements of the 21st participated at the Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam for the Yankees) in the vicinity of the Dunker Church. Following Gen. Lee's withdrawl the 21st saw action at the Battle of Fredericksburg where they were posted in the town itself to harass the Union troops crossing the river there. Unit loses were 38 men.
After spending winter quarters in the Fredericksburg area the 21st saw action in the Chancellorville Campaign (April 27 - May 6, 1863) Here they were positioned between Marye House and the plank road. Unit losses here 28 men. Gettysburg was the next port for the 21st. During this conflagration the unit lost 105 men. No reports as to the participation of the 21st at Gettysburg exist, presumably due to the death of General Barksdale (the Colonel was promoted) on the second day of the battle (2 July, 1863). The 21st did not participate in Pikett's charge on the last day of this battle.
After Gettysburg the 21st went west with General Longstreet to participate in the Battle of Chickamauga. Here the Union forces were defeated and the siege of Chattanooga begun. In April of 1864, the 21st returned to the Eastern Theatre where they were actively engaged in the Battle of Spottsylvania. The 21st next saw action as part of the relieving force that prevented the premature capture of Petersburg in June of 1864. from this point the 21st manned the Petersburg line. Elements of the 21st accompanied Gen. Jubal Early on his Washington Adventure but subsequently returned to the North side of the Petersburg line near Fort Gilmer. As Confederate fortunes turnned from bad to worse the 21st ultimately found itself forming part of the rearguard as General Lee evacuated Petersburg and Richmond. Its last act of service came on April 6, 1865 where, acting as rearguard during the Battle of Saylers Creek they were overwhelmed by superior Federal numbers. 44 men escaped this debacle to surrender with the rest of the army of Northern Virginia. .The units colours were not turned over and were smuggled out to fly proudly at Vicksburg, Mississippi today.
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