Thomas Prisk – Co. E of the 11th Wis. Regiment – Mineral Point

    Samuel Prisk and his brother Thomas served in Co. E of the 11th Wis. Regiment. This regiment suffered great losses at the Battle of Vicksburg as recorded in numerous sources including the 1881 History of Iowa County. The regiment was considered very important in the final breaking of the siege of Vicksburg. There is a monument there in their honor and both Samuel and Thomas Prisk’s names are listed on this monument as Corporals. However, Thomas was promoted to 1st Sergeant for exemplary service during battle. Samuel enrolled as Corporal at Camp Randall and mustered out as a 1st Sergeant in Farmer’s Guard.
   The siege of Vicksburg ran from May 18 until July 4, 1863, and reported 4835 casualties. WI Reg. 11th reported 114 losses at Vicksburg. 12 were killed in battle and 102 from disease. Iowa county had 14 death reported at Vicksburg – 2 killed in action, 3 of wounds, and the remainder of disease.

   Thomas Prisk isn’t included in that statistic. He came home an invalid from injuries suffered at Vicksburg and malaria. He died shortly after and is buried at Graceland Cemetery in Mineral Point.

Thank you to RUTH Jungbluth for sharing this information with us. Ruth is a great-granddaughter of Samuel.