Persimmon regiment facts for kids
The Persimmon regiment was a special nickname given to certain groups of soldiers during the American Civil War. This name was used for regiments that sometimes stopped marching to enjoy persimmons, a sweet fruit that was very popular in the southern parts of the United States. Three different regiments in the Union Army ended up with this interesting nickname.
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What Was a Persimmon Regiment?
A "Persimmon regiment" was a funny way to describe a group of soldiers who loved persimmons so much they would sometimes put finding the fruit ahead of their military duties. These regiments were part of the Union Army, fighting for the North during the American Civil War (1861-1865). The persimmon fruit was a common and tasty snack, especially when other food was hard to find.
The 73rd Illinois Regiment
The 73rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment earned this nickname in 1862. As they marched from Crab Orchard, Kentucky, towards Nashville, Tennessee, many soldiers would immediately look for persimmon trees after stopping for the night. They would often go searching for these fruits even before setting up their tents or making their morning coffee. This habit was also noticed around the time of the Battle of Mill Springs.
Their commander, Colonel Bernard Laiboldt, noticed how often this happened. He once joked that with the 73rd Illinois's love for persimmons and the 2nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry's love for rails (used for fences), he could capture the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. He said this would be possible if a big pile of persimmon trees and rails were waiting for them in Richmond's main public square.
The 35th Ohio Infantry
The 35th Ohio Infantry also became known as a "Persimmon regiment." This happened in December 1861 during a small fight. Instead of focusing on the battle with the Confederate States Army, fifteen soldiers from the Ohio regiment decided to look for persimmons. Because they were busy finding fruit, they were captured by the Confederate forces.
The 100th Indiana Regiment
The 100th Indiana Regiment received the nickname while taking part in General Ulysses S. Grant's Vicksburg campaign. On the very first day of their march from Memphis, Tennessee, to Vicksburg, Mississippi, the regiment was supposed to be the rear guard. This meant they were supposed to protect the back of the army.
However, they found an orchard full of ripe persimmons. They spent a long time picking the fruit, ignoring their duty. Because of this, they fell behind and were arrested for being "stragglers" (soldiers who fall behind their group). After this incident, Confederate forces managed to stop Grant's army from getting new food supplies. This meant the 100th Indiana often had only persimmons to eat.
At first, the nickname was used to make fun of them. But later, the 100th Indiana Regiment showed great bravery in battles. Because of their courage, the nickname became something they were proud of, even long after the war ended.
