15TH ARMY CORPS AT VICKSBURG MEMORIAL

IOWA 3RD CAVALRY AND 4TH CAVALRY WERE ELEMENTS OF 15TH ARMY CORPS. BOTH OF THESE UNITS SPENT MUCH OF THE WAR IN OPERATIONS WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. THE IOWA 4TH CAVALRY WAS IN EARLIER BATTLES IN THE CAMPAIGN LEADING UP TO THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG. DURING THE SIEGE BOTH UNITS HAD THE VERY IMPORTANT DUTY TO GUARD THE REAR AS AN ATTACK BY CONFEDERATE GENERAL JOSEPH JOHNSTON FROM THE EAST WAS OF GREAT CONCERN.