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The following is the regimental history of the 58th Ohio Infantry. This will be our primary impression for the Twin Rivers Event.

58th Regiment Infantry

This Regiment organized and entered the field in February, 1862, under Colonel V. Bausenwein, who soon being discharged was succeeded by Colonels Rumpel, Dister, Jackson and Frisner, successively. It first engaged the enemy at Fort Donelson, and next at Shiloh. It moved upon Corinth, and after the evacuation marched to Memphis and thence to Arkansas. In October it moved into Missouri for recuperation and in December joined Sherman's first assault upon Vicksburg, where the Regiment was lead by the gallant Colonel Dister over the Rebel works. Colonel Dister was killed upon the parapets with many other gallant officers and men. In January, 1863, it took part in the capture of Arkansas Post, and in April joined Grant's Vicksburg campaign, fighting at Grand Gulf with severe loss. It was at this time transferred to the army operating on the Lower Mississippi, and in September returned to Vicksburg, performing guard duty until mustered out January 14, 1865.

Ohio Regiments in the Civil War

Organized at Camp Chase, Ohio, October 1, 1861, to January 28, 1862. Moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, February 10, 1862; thence to Fort Donelson, Tenn. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. Helena, Ark., District of Eastern Arkansas, to November, 1862, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 11th Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, Sherman's Yazoo Expedition, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to February, 1863. Detached duty on ironclads Mississippi Squadron to September, 1863. 1st Brigade 1st Division, 17th Army Corps, to September, 1864. Post and Defenses of Vicksburg, Miss., to September, 1865.

SERVICE.--Investment and capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 14-16, 1862. Expedition toward Purdy and operations about Crump's Landing, Tenn., March 9-14. Battle of Shiloh April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. March to Memphis, Tenn., June 1-17, and duty there until July 24. Moved to Helena, Ark., July 24, and duty there until October 5. Expedition to Milliken's Bend, La., August 16-27. Capture of Steamer "Fair Play" August 17. Milliken's Bend August 18. Haines Bluff August 20. Bolivar August 22 and 25. Greenville August 23. Moved to St. Genevieve, Mo., October 5. Expedition to Pilot Knob October 22-November 12. Moved to Helena, Ark., and Expedition against Arkansas Post, Ark., November 16-21. At Camp Steele, Helena, Ark., until December 22. Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 22, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28. Chickasaw Bluff December 29. Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10, 1863. Assault and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, January 10-11. Moved to Young's Point, La., January 17-21. Assigned to duty by Companies on the ironclads of the Mississippi Squadron February 8, and participated in the following service: Attack on Fort Pemberton March 13. Expedition up Steele's Bayou March 16-22. Deer Creek, "Long Taw," March 21. Running Vicksburg Batteries April 15. Grand Gulf April 29. Haines Bluff April 30-May 1 and 6. Expedition up Wachita to Trinity May 8-12. Fort Beauregard May 10-12. Siege of Vicksburg May 18-July 4. Yazoo City May 23. Lake Providence June 10. Patrol duty on the Mississippi River from mouth of Red River until July 26. Expedition to Grand Gulf July 10-17. Grand Gulf July 16. Relieved from duty with the fleet and ordered to Vicksburg, Miss. Provost duty at Vicksburg July, 1863, to September, 1865. Old members ordered to Columbus, Ohio, December 24, 1864. Mustered out January 14, 1865. Veterans and Recruits consolidated to a Battalion of five Companies and mustered out September 16, 1865.
 
Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 85 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 215 Enlisted men by disease. Total 305.

The image at right is of Captain William S. Friesner, Co. A, 58th Ohio Infantry. Company A was attached as marines aboard the ram Monarch as well as the gunboats Louisville and Cincinnati. Captain Friesner was aboard the Cincinnati when CS batteries sunk her north of Vicksburg. He was later detached on provost duty escorting prisoners of war, Friesner claimed to be the last man to escape from the doomed riverboat Sultana.

Source: CDV Dennis Keese Collection, Military Images, No. 1, July/August 2005.