disturbing peaceful commerce.
What was done is related by Governor Pettus in his message to the extra session of the legislature in the summer of 1861.
He sent Capt. J. F. Kerr, with 16 men of the Jackson artillery company, and ordered Capt. H. H. Miller to call out the volunteer companies of Vicksburg, and take such position as would enable him to prevent any hostile expedition descending the river.
On January 10th, Captain Kerr arrived at Vicksburg and—with the Vicksburg Southrons, Capt. L. Moore; the Vicksburg Sharpshooters, Capt. Horace Miller; and the Warren Guards, Captain Brown—proceeded to Fort Hill, above the city, and erected a fort on the bluff.
On the next day the steamer O. A. Tyler, from Cincinnati, appeared in the river and, attempting to pass on her way down, was fired on by Captain Kerr.
This was the first shot fired during the war on the Mississippi river.
When it was learned that the forts and arsenals below Vicksburg were in the hands of Louisiana, the mili
nt was very rapid.
After several regiments had been furnished to the Confederate States, the organization of Mississippi volunteers was continued until eighty companies had been formed and ordered into camp at the four brigade places of rendezvous—Iuka, Enterprise, Corinth and Grenada.
On May 21, 1861, the following companies were ordered to proceed forthwith to Corinth and report to Maj.-Gen. Charles Clark, commanding:
Choctaw Guards, Capt. J. W. Hemphill.
Long Creek Rifles, Capt. L. S. Terry.
Shubuta Rifles, Capt. R. J. Lawrence.
Cherry Creek Rifles, Capt. John B. Herring.
McClung Rifles, Capt. Edgar Sykes.
Confederate Rifles, Capt. Jos. M. Jayne.
Winona Stars, Capt. Thomas Booth.
Magnolia Guards, Capt. John M. Lyles.
Water Valley Rifle Guards, Capt. B. H. Collins.
Burnsville Blues, Capt. J. C. Walters.
Grenada Rifles, Capt. W. S. Statham.
Gainesville Volunteers, Capt. J. B. Deason.
Summit Rifles, Capt. J. D. Blincoe.
Vicksburg Southrons, Ca
