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Re: 52nd GA Infantry
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I believe it unlikely that he died from enemy action.

The 52nd Georgia was assigned to the siege line on the extreme left of Barton's brigade where Reynold's brigade's right touched. Barton's brigade assignment was the southern portion with it's right on South Fort, just above the river. This part of the siege line saw very little action except for shell fire.

There was considerable sickness prevalent among the soldiers and most of these men died of disease.

Back in March 1863, a member of the 3rd Tennessee wrote from Vicksburg "I am told by Louisianians that the Georgians died here last summer like sheep with the rot"

Following are excerpts of Official Reports. The first is in response to Pemberton's question as attempt a breakthrough out of Vicksburg.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, STEVENSON'S DIVISION,
July 1, 1863.

GENERAL: In reply to your inquiry as to the "ability of my men to march and undergo the fatigues and hardships incidental thereto," I have the honor to state that probably half of them are fit to take the field.

The command suffers greatly from intermittent fever, and is generally debilitated from the long exposure and inaction of the trenches. Of those now reported for duty, fully one-half are undergoing treatment. These I think are unfit for the field.

Very respectfully,
S. M. BARTON,
Brigadier-General.
Major-General STEVENSON,
Commanding Division.

STEVENSON'S DIVISION.
Maj. Gen. C. L. STEVENSON.

First Brigade.

Brig. Gen. S. M. BARTON.
40th Georgia, Lieut. Col. R. M. Young.
41st Georgia, Col. William E. Curtiss.
42d Georgia, Col. R. J. Henderson.
43d Georgia, Capt. M. M. Grantham.
52d Georgia, Maj. John Jay Moore.
Hudson's (Mississippi) battery, Lieut. Milton H. Trantham.
Pointe Coupee (Louisiana) Artillery, Company A (section), Lieut. John Yoist.
Pointe Coupee (Louisiana) Artillery, Company C, Capt. Alexander Chust.

05 18 1863 [Monday]

This day, General Pemberton told Carter Stevenson to occupy with his division the defense from the railroad to South Fort-some four miles in length. Foremost in Pemberton’s mind in making this assignent was knowledge that several of Stevenson’s brigades had not fought well at Champion Hill, and it would be good tactics to assign them to what would initially be a quiet sector. Barton’s Georgians, the worst offenders in the Champion Hill debacle, were sent into the rifle-pits northeast of South Fort. Reynold’s Tennesseans took position on Barton’s left, their left anchored on the Hall’s Ferry road They were disgusted to discover that, the trenches assigned to them were so weak and easily enfiladed, it was necessary to fill up some of the rifle-pits and dig new ones. Cumming’s Georgian, who had also sinned at Champion Hill, were responsible for the earthworks extending from the Hall’s Ferry road to Square Fort. Lee’s Alabamans, having acquitted themselves with honor in the late engagements, occupied the left of Stevenson’s line, extending from Square Fort to the railroad, where the division linked up with Forney’s command. (OR I, XXIV pt II, pp. 343-44, XXIV, pt I, pp. 264)

HEADQUARTERS RIGHT,
June 17, 1863--7.30 a.m.

MAJOR: An effort was made last night to retake the picket posts in front of the Fortieth Georgia, but the enemy was found in so great force that the loss which must have ensued in forcing the point would have been out of proportion to the value gained. It was, therefore, abandoned, and other posts established, which, it is thought, will render the first untenable by the enemy. This proves to be the case.

A dash was made on the extreme outpost of the Forty-second Georgia last night, and the post and 4 men captured. The post has been retaken this morning.

An effort was also made to establish a battery opposite the Fifty-second Georgia, but was defeated.

Very respectfully,
S. M. BARTON,
Brigadier-General.
[J. J. REEVE.]

HEADQUARTERS FORCES ON THE RIGHT,
June 24, 1863.

MAJOR: The firing of the enemy on General Barton has been very severe to-day. They kept up a fire with nine pieces, and this evening drove in one of his pickets, capturing 7 men. General Barton seems to apprehend an attack on his right, and states that the enemy is in much greater force there than heretofore. I have sent him two regiments.

To-night the enemy opened with grape and canister on the position recently taken from them by General Cumming's brigade, and, moving up a force, succeeded in recapturing it. Our pickets on Lee's line were met by an officer to-night, sent by Grant to say that he would place no more pickets in front of that line, and would fire on ours. Our pickets were consequently withdrawn to the immediate front of the works. I have one regiment in reserve in rear of Cumming's, and can spare no more men for the river front, as the loss of the work on the Hall's Ferry road renders that position very weak, and I may have to recall one of the regiments sent to the river front.
I am, major, respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. L. STEVENSON,
Major-General, Commanding.

Maj. R. W. MEMMINGER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
P. S.--I am just about starting for the lines myself.

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