A Brief History

In March and April, 1862, Mississippi leaders heeded the "call to arms" and marshalled new units of volunteers to fight for the Confederacy.

David W. Hurst, 42, an attorney and delegate to the state convention from Amite County, organized one of the units from Amite County and later became Colonel of the 33rd Mississippi Volunteers. Hiram Morgan also raised a unit from Amite County. In neighboring Pike County the 40-year old former District Attorney, John T. Lamkin, enlisted more than seventy volunteers.

While Kincheon R. Webb was mustering recruits in Franklin County, the Reverend Harvey F. Johnson and Richmond 0. Byrne were doing likewise in neighboring Lawrence County. A.R. Booth rallied a group from Neshoba County. Robert J. Hall, an attorney, mobilized a unit from Leake County.

In the northern part of the state William B. Johnson, a 40-year old planter from Panola County, James M. Tinnon, from Choctaw County, and William S. Warren, from Coahoma County, also assembled units to serve.

The vast majority of these Mississippi volunteers were farmers. Rarely traveling far from their fields, going to war would prove to be an exciting experience for them. Ranging from beardless boys to venerable greybeards, the majority of the 33rd were in their 20's and 30's. Educated and uneducated, rich and poor, rural and urban, all were ready to fight to protect their families and homes from invasion, and to defend Mississippi's sovereignty.

This is the story of the nearly 1,400 men whose names and records that I have found associated with the 33rd. In 1893 G.H. Baskett described a typical Confederate soldier in The Confederate Veteran.

1862
The first few months for the 33rd were spent in training at Grenada. In the late summer, Co. C and perhaps others were sent briefly to Port Hudson, LA. On their return, they were active in the Battle of Corinth. [Detailed chronology of events.]

1863
Again, the 33rd was active on the homefront, in Mississippi, throughout the year. During the early months, they were part of the Delta Campaign at Deer Creek, Rolling Fork and Ft. Pemberton --- repulsing Sherman and Grant, as the Federal forces tried to gain access to Vicksburg. The 33rd was present, but not actively involved, at Champion Hill. They confronted the Federal force at the second battle at Jackson. [Detailed chronology of events.]

1864
Throughout the Atlanta Campaign, from Resaca, to New Hope Church, to Kennesaw Mountain, to Peachtree Creek, to Atlanta, the 33rd was often in the forefront of action and often suffered severe losses. October through December brought even more destruction to the 33rd. In Tennessee, they were part of the ill-fated battle of "Bloody Franklin," they froze in the icy sleet on the outskirts of Nashville, and marched bare-footed back to Mississippi, leaving bloody footprints in the snow. [Detailed chronology of events.]

1865
From Mississippi, the remnant of the 33rd was sent to North Carolina to reinforce Gen. Johnston in the Army of Tennessee's "last hurrah." After the battle of Bentonville, it was only a short time until the army was surrendered, then the 33rd came home. [Detailed chronology of events.]

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Battle flag: Collection of the Old Capitol Museum of Mississippi History, Jackson, MS.