The 42nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment was organized at Oxford, commanded by Colonel Hugh Reid Miller, Lieutenant Colonel Hillery Moseley and Major William A. Feeney.

Company A – “Carroll Fencibles” – Carroll County
Company B – “Senatobia Invincibles” – Panola County
Company C – “Nelson’s Avengers” – Yalobusha County
Company D – Yalobusha County
Company E – “Davenport Rifles” – Tishomingo County
Company F – Calhoun County
Company G – “Gaston Rifles” – Calhoun County
Company H – Yalobusha County
Company I – “Mississippi Reds” – Panola County
Company K – Itawamba County

Battle of Gettysburg

The 42nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment was commanded at Gettysburg by Colonel Hugh Reid Miller. Lieutenant-Colonel Moseley and Major Feeney were severely wounded during the fighting on July 1. Colonel Miller was mortally wounded and captured on July 3 during Pickett’s Charge. Captain Andrew M. Nelson took command as senior captain.

The regiment brought 575 men to the field, losing 46 percent casualties in fighting on Seminary Ridge on the opening day of the battle and during Pickett’s Charge on July 3. Sixty-two men were killed or mortally wounded during the battle, and thirteen prisoners died of wounds shortly after. 

From the monument to Davis’ Brigade on Confederate Avenue at Gettysburg:

July 1. Formed line west of Herr’s Tavern and crossing the Run at 10 A. M. dislodged 2nd Maine Battery and the 2nd Brigade 1st Division First Corps. Threatened on the right it wheeled and occupied railroad cut too deep and steep for defense whereby it lost many prisoners and a stand of colors. Joined later by the 11th Regiment previously on duty guarding trains the Brigade fought until the day’s contest ended.

July 2. Lay all day west of the Run. At evening took position near here.

July 3. In Longstreet’s assault the Brigade formed the left center of Pettigrew’s Division and advanced to the stone wall south of Bryan Barn where with regiments shrunken to companies and field officers all disabled further effort was useless.

July 4. After night withdrew and began the march to Hagerstown.

Bristoe Campaign

The regiment lost six men killed and 25 wounded.

Bristoe Station

Mine Run Campaign

Battle of the Wilderness (First Day)

Moved up the Orange Plank Road to meet Federal forces moving through the wilderness. The regiment was on the left of Heth’s Division, north of the Plank Road, and held off a series of attacks by Hancock’s Federal Second Corps. The brigade was relieved at dusk by Thomas’ Brigade of Wilcox’s Division and moved south of the Plank Road. 

Battle of the Wilderness (Second Day)

The Federal pre-dawn attack broke the Confederate line but the 2nd, 11th, 29th and 42nd Mississippi held the line for two hours until Longstreet’s reinforcements reached the battlefield and launched a counterattack. The brigade reformed and attacked when Longstreet was wounded and his attack stalled. It pushed back Federals threatening an Alabama brigade, then built and defended a log barricade until withdrawn to Lee’s defensive line. Colonel Feeney was killed and Lieutenant Colonel Nelson and Adjutant Carr were wounded.

Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

North Anna

Battle of Cold Harbor

Siege of Petersburg

Weldon Railroad

Jones’ Farm

The regiment lost 8 men wounded or missing.

Hatcher’s Run

Final Assault on Petersburg

Colonel Nelson was captured with most of the regiment and the colors during the initial Federal breakthrough by the Vermont Brigade.

Appomattox Court House

The 42nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment surrendered 1 Lieutenant, 1 Chaplain, and 5 enlisted men with Lee’s army.