By May of 1863, the surviving men of the 87th Illinois Infantry were no longer inexperienced volunteers. Their journey south along the Mississippi River carried them directly into the most decisive theater of the western war. Vicksburg loomed ahead as both a military objective and a psychological trial. Control of this river stronghold meant control of the Confederacy’s lifeline, and the men of the 87th understood that the coming fight would test every limit they possessed.
The siege of Vicksburg introduced a new and brutal reality. Prolonged exposure to artillery fire, disease, and exhaustion defined daily life along the riverbanks. The regiment moved through multiple battle zones in Mississippi including operations around Jackson. Each engagement reinforced the sense that the war in the West was not a series of isolated battles but a grinding campaign of endurance. Soldiers learned quickly that survival depended as much on discipline and resolve as on firepower.
Port Hudson further cemented these lessons in a different way. While the siege ended in Confederate surrender, the 87th Illinois arrived after the primary fighting had concluded. They were not actively involved in the final assault. Instead, the regiment served in a support role as they marched toward New Orleans. Even without participating in the direct attack, the men witnessed the heavy cost of the victory. Union forces had suffered casualties at nearly twice the rate of the defenders. These experiences shaped their understanding of warfare not as a glorious endeavor but as an unrelenting struggle marked by sacrifice.
It was during this period that Josiah encountered African American soldiers serving in the United States Colored Troops. He recorded the sight of two regiments marching toward Port Hudson and later camping near the 87th. These soldiers made up a significant portion of the Union force despite receiving lower pay than white troops. Their presence underscored the expanding scope of the war and the changing nature of the Union army. For Josiah, these moments were notable enough to preserve in his personal notebook, offering insight into the evolving dynamics within the ranks.
Modern researchers retracing this route travel thousands of miles by automobile, yet the distance only hints at the hardship faced by the soldiers who marched it on foot. The Mississippi corridor demanded constant movement through heat and mud and danger. Vicksburg today remains a landscape heavy with memory. However, it is important to distinguish it from the region the soldiers called home. The Land Between the Rivers was a reference to the land mass in southern Illinois located between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, encompassing 20 counties including Little Egypt, the place from where many of them began their journey.
As 1863 closed, the regiment had endured months of continuous operations. Despite the dangers and losses, Josiah recorded that he had come through the year safely. His words reflect not triumph but quiet resilience. The journey down the Mississippi transformed the 87th Illinois Infantry, preparing them for the challenges that still lay ahead and leaving behind a record of perseverance written in both history and memory.