two-month-long campaign, it was the first regiment to enter the strategic rail center of Corinth, Mississippi, following the Confederate evacuation in May 1862, and in late December, it took part in the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou. In January 1863, it stormed the breastworks of Fort Hindman to capture Arkansas Post. The 8th Missouri saw considerable service in the Battle of Vicksburg, where eleven men of the regiment won the Medal of Honor in one day during the May 22, 1863, assault on Stockade Redan. The regiment marched on to participate in the Battle of Jackson, the Battle of Chattanooga, and the opening phases of the Atlanta Campaign. On June 25, 1864, the three-year enlistments of most of the regiment's members expired and they returned to their homes. Those who remained on active duty were consolidated into a battalion of two companies, and as such participated in the rest of the Atlanta Campaign and Sherman's March to the Sea. In February 1865, the remaining veterans of the 8th Missouri were attached as an extra company to the 6th Missouri Infantry. In this capacity, they took part in the Carolinas Campaign and the Grand Review of the Armies in Washington, D.C., before being mustered out of service in June 1865. Notable members Eight were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions on May 22, 1863, during the Siege of Vicksburg: John G. K. Ayers — Participating in this diversionary "forlorn hope" attack on Confederate defenses. Matthew Bickford — Participating in the "same forlorn hope." James S. Cunningham — Participating in the "same forlorn hope." David H. Johnston — Participating in the "same forlorn hope." John O'Dea — Participating in the "same forlorn hope." William Reed — Participating in the "same forlorn hope." Howell G. Trogden — Participating in the "same forlorn hope." John W. Wagner — Participating in the "same forlorn hope." Ephraim Shay — Mechanical engineer and later creator/designer of the Shay Locomotive. Giles Alexander Smith — Union General Morgan Lewis Smith — Union General Notes See also List of Missouri Union Civil War units References External links 8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry roster manuscript William Henry Bates Collection at St. Louis Public Library 8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry (US) (Re-enactor) homepage (Archived 2009-10-23) A Forlorn Hope Vicksburg Medal of Honor Recipients Military units and formations established in 1861 Military units and formations disestablished in 1865 Units and formations of the Union