Army of Mississippi
On the 5th of March 1862, Confederate leaders gathered to form a new military force known as the Army of Mississippi. This unit emerged from scattered regiments across the Western Theater of the American Civil War. Major portions of the Army of Pensacola joined the formation on the 13th of March 1862. The structure grew further when it consolidated with the Army of Central Kentucky and the Army of Louisiana on the 29th of March 1862. General P.G.T. Beauregard assumed command shortly after the initial organization date. He took actual control of the troops on the 17th of March 1862. The army operated under various names including Army of the West during its early months.
General Albert Sidney Johnston led the force into battle at Shiloh on the 6th of April 1862. Johnston fell in combat during that engagement marking his death in action. Beauregard resumed leadership following the battle on the same day. The unit then moved toward Corinth where Braxton Bragg took over command on the 7th of May 1862. Bragg held this position until the 5th of July 1862. William J. Hardee served temporarily as commander between the 5th and the 15th of July 1862. Bragg returned to lead the army again starting the 15th of August 1862. These operations defined the unit's role in the Western Theater before late summer.
Braxton Bragg commanded the force through the 28th of September 1862 when Leonidas Polk briefly took temporary charge. Polk led the unit until the 7th of November 1862. On the 20th of November 1862, Confederate authorities officially renamed the Army of Mississippi to the Army of Tennessee. This change reflected a broader reorganization of Confederate forces in the region. The new name signaled a shift in strategic focus for the coming months. Braxton Bragg remained in command after the official renaming occurred. The transition marked the end of the first iteration of the Army of Mississippi.
A second formation called the Army of Vicksburg organized on the 7th of December 1862. This group consisted of troops from the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. It included elements from the short-lived Army of West Tennessee. Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton served as its primary commander from that date forward. Earl Van Dorn held temporary command between the 9th and the 17th of December 1862. Pemberton resumed leadership on the 17th of December 1862 and kept it until the 4th of July 1863. Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant led the opposing force during the siege campaign. The surrender of this unit opened the Mississippi River to Union control.
The third iteration began under Lieutenant General William J. Hardee on the 30th of July 1863. He commanded until the 23rd of October 1863 when Leonidas Polk took over leadership. Polk led the force through the 14th of June 1864 during the Atlanta campaign. William W. Loring assumed command on the 14th of June 1864 and held it until the 4th of July 1864. Around the 4th of May 1864, the unit was retitled III Corps, Army of Tennessee. Despite the official name change, soldiers continued using the former designation for some time. This final phase ended with the reorganization into a corps structure within the larger Confederate army system.
Common questions
When was the Army of Mississippi formed?
Confederate leaders gathered to form the Army of Mississippi on the 5th of March 1862. This unit emerged from scattered regiments across the Western Theater of the American Civil War.
Who commanded the Army of Mississippi at the Battle of Shiloh?
General Albert Sidney Johnston led the force into battle at Shiloh on the 6th of April 1862. Johnston fell in combat during that engagement marking his death in action.
What date did Confederate authorities rename the Army of Mississippi to the Army of Tennessee?
On the 20th of November 1862, Confederate authorities officially renamed the Army of Mississippi to the Army of Tennessee. This change reflected a broader reorganization of Confederate forces in the region.
Which Union general opposed the Army of Mississippi during the siege campaign?
Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant led the opposing force during the siege campaign against the Army of Mississippi. The surrender of this unit opened the Mississippi River to Union control.
When did the third iteration of the Army of Mississippi begin under William J. Hardee?
The third iteration began under Lieutenant General William J. Hardee on the 30th of July 1863. He commanded until the 23rd of October 1863 when Leonidas Polk took over leadership.