Hello everyone. My name is Miguel Guevara and I am doing a project on a Confederate soldier who died at the Battle of Vicksburg and is buried at Vicksburg National Cemetery. My soldier's name is J.M. Bergis. He is listed as having died on July 2, 1863 as a private with the 37th Mississippi Infantry, E Company (Shubutta Guards from Clarke County). I did a little digging and didn't find him on any rosters for the 37th Mississippi, but I did find a "J.M. Burgess" as having fought as a private with F company (DeSoto Rifles also from Clarke County). I'm not sure what to think of the name change (except for potential misspelling) or about the change in companies, though I heard it was common for companies to join other companies if they suffered heavy losses. I know that the 37th was part of Hebert's Brigade and was in charge of defending an area by Jackson Road and Graveyard road. I also found out that Union forces exploded an underground mine under the Main Redan where the Brigade was located on June 1, 1863. Seeing that Bergis died on June 2, I've deduced that he probably died from the mine explosion itself or from injuries inflicted from the mine over the course of the next day.

If anyone has any information on my soldier, his unit (brigade, regiment, or even company), or the events of the battle involving Hebert's Brigade I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

You can respond here or if you want you can e-mail me at schnitzel4life@yahoo.com. Thanks