XVII Corps (Union Army)
XVII Corps | |
---|---|
Francis P. Blair, Jr. | |
Insignia | |
1st Division | ![]() |
2nd Division | ![]() |
3rd Division | ![]() |
XVII Corps was a
Creation
In October 1862 the
Vicksburg Campaign
Grant's
Chattanooga and Meridian
While most of the XVII Corps was left in Mississippi, William T. Sherman took the 2nd Division, led by Brig. Gen. John E. Smith, to help in lifting the siege of Chattanooga. Two of Smith's brigades (led by Green Berry Raum and Karl Leopold Matthies) took a significant part in the Battle of Missionary Ridge.
In the winter of 1863–1864 Sherman returned to Vicksburg to lead the Meridian campaign. McPherson led the corps during the campaign. Only the 3rd and 4th Divisions and the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division took part (the 2nd Division still being at Chattanooga).
Atlanta Campaign
![Black and white photo shows seven men in dark military uniforems.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/The_photographic_history_of_the_Civil_War_-_in_ten_volumes_%281911%29_%2814576267110%29.jpg/220px-The_photographic_history_of_the_Civil_War_-_in_ten_volumes_%281911%29_%2814576267110%29.jpg)
In 1864 General McPherson assumed command of the Army of the Tennessee and for a short time no officer was appointed to command the corps. Eventually Major General
March to the Sea and the Carolinas
Blair led the corps during the March to the Sea and took part in the capture of Savannah, Georgia. The corps consisted of three divisions; First Division (formerly Fourth Division, XVI Corps) under Joseph A. Mower, Second Division (formerly Third) under Leggett, and Third (formerly Fourth) under Giles Smith. The XVII Corps fought exclusively in the Battle of Salkehatchie River, where two of Blair's brigade defeated a Confederate force attempting to block Sherman's crossing of the river. Blair and the corps were present at the Battle of Bentonville but did not take an active part in the fighting.
Red River Division
One division formerly part of the XVII Corps was dubbed the Red River Division or the Provisional Division and was attached to the Right Wing-XVI Corps under Andrew J. Smith. The division was led by
Command history
James B. McPherson | 22 December 1862 – 12 March 1864 |
no commander | 12 March 1864 – 4 May 1864 |
Francis P. Blair, Jr.
|
4 May 1864 – 22 September 1864 |
Thomas E. G. Ransom | 22 September 1864 – 10 October 1864 |
Mortimer D. Leggett
|
10 October 1864 – 24 October 1864 |
Joseph A. Mower | 24 October 1864 – 31 October 1864 |
Francis P. Blair, Jr.
|
31 October 1864 – 19 July 1865 |
W. W. Belknap
|
19 July 1865 – 1 August 1865 |