They were all volunteers-and unmarried—those 150 Union men
called the "Forlorn Hope." Powerful cannon had pounded the
Confederates for four straight hours. Laden with planks and hastily
built ladders, they struggled up the road in front of you. Their job:
bridge the seven-foot-deep ditch that fronted the Confederate fort
looming 200 yards ahead. As they moved down the open road
deadly fire from the fort cut the boys in blue to pieces.

Only a handful made it to the ditch alive, where they remained
pinned down. The Union attack bogged down. A second advance
was ordered. Again, the Federals were ripped apart as they
advanced along the road. The numbing casualties of May 22
convinced General Grant to lay siege to Vicksburg. Almost half of
the Forlorn Hope volunteers were casualties during the May 22
assault. The survivors were awarded the Medal of Honor.

"This is murder; bring those troops back!
General William T. Sherman

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Show me all markers in:  Vicksburg, MS  |  Warren County  |  39183  |  Mississippi  |  United States of America

U.S. Battery E,
Dash of Courage
Ohio Thirtieth Infantry;
U.S. Ewing's Approach.
Buckland's Brigade; Assaults, May 19 and May 22, 1863.
Ohio Thirty Seventh Infantry;
Ohio Ninety Fifth Regiment
Iowa 2nd Battery
47th Ohio Infantry Regimental Monument
U.S. Battery B,

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