Confederate Memorial Day 2016 At Soldiers' Rest
CSA Cemetery, Vicksburg, Mississippi

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There were five siblings of the Bobb family that migrated to Vicksburg between 1825 and 1835. They left few records and the history is very confusing. Sister Charlotte Bobb married her cousin John Bob and created much confusion. Also, as the Bobb family loved the name “John,” there are many John Bobbs about. During the 1850s there were three prominent men walking the streets of Vicksburg who answered to the name “John Bobb.”

Captain John Bobb, progenitor of the Vicksburg Bobbs

Person # 1. The first was Captain John Bobb, who appears to be the father of the entire Bobb Clan in the Vicksburg area. He was thought to be with Andrew Jackson in New Orleans. He was a steam engine man, and remember steam was on the cutting edge of technology of this era, much as computers and telephones are today (2016). He soon established a saw mill, at the foot of South Street just outside the City of Vicksburg. He, among other things, operated a steam boat landing, ferry boats and steam boats. Also, he was a master brick maker. He died during the spring of 1863, just as the Siege of Vicksburg was getting geared up. He is buried in the large Bobb family lot adjoining Lovers Lane Street in Vicksburg City Cemetery.

John Bobb. Jr., in Mexican War and served with Wirt Adams, CSA Cavalry

Person # 2. His son, John Bobb, Jr., was a babe in arms when the family arrived in Vicksburg in 1825, when Vicksburg was brand new. He grew up in his daddy’s saw mill and on his steam boats. He was with Jefferson Davis in Mexico in that war. As his daddy grew older and in poor health, he gradually took over much of his responsibilities of the family businesses. When the Civil War began he joined the Confederate Army and rode with Wirt Adams' Regiment. After the surrender he worked for the duration of his life as an engineer on the larger steam boats in the area. He died in 1889 and is buried in the Bobb family lot.

John H Bobb of McRaven, who was murdered

Person # 3. John H Bobb and Baby Sister Sarah Bobb were the last siblings to arrive about 1835. (Sarah would later marry James Crichlow. They are the ancestors of the Crichlow family in Vicksburg.) I am convinced the Bobb family built and constructed the Vicksburg home we know as McRaven for John H Bobb and his new (second wife) to live in. John H Bobb was an older man, a business man and banker type, and also a master brick maker. John H and Salena Bobb continued to live in McRaven until John H was murdered.

On April 2, 1864, John H Bobb awoke to find black reconstruction soldiers pilfering his garden. (Whether a flower garden or a vegetable garden, I do not know.) Mr. Bobb accosted the man and in the confusion that followed, Mr. Bobb picked up a brick bat (A bat is a broken brick.) and struck the man. Later in the day, Mr. Bobb and his nephew, Austin Mattlingly were enroute to McRaven for lunch, walking up the Rail Road from Cherry Street to McRaven when they were accosted by a platoon of black reconstruction soldiers. Thinking the soldiers were going to take them to the jail or to see the General or whatever, they went with them willingly. As they passed the wooded area (still there) south of the railroad, the soldiers turned and led them into the woods. They became alarmed and broke and ran. Several / many shots were fired. Mr. Bobb was struck in the back and killed. Mr. Mattingly made his escape, with several bullet holes in his garments. He reported the incident and General Slocum sent a detail to investigate. They found Mr. Bobb dead where he had fallen, he had been shot a second time in the face. Selena, his wife, was there and quite hysterical. No action was taken concerning the murder. John H Bobb was buried the next day in the Captain J M White lot in Vicksburg City Cemetery. He was said to be the first white man murdered by black reconstruction soldiers in the South. (He would not be the last.)

Austin Bobb died in service of CSA

Person # 4. Austin Bobb, brother of John Bobb, Jr., grew up as did John, Jr. In 1861, a cannon had been cast at Reading’s Foundry. While it was being test fired, the cannon blew up and Austin Bobb was killed. He is buried in the Bobb family lot with no grave stone at this time.

Austin Mattingly, Commissary Agent for CSA in the West

Person # 5. Austin Mattingly. Mary Bobb, sister of John, Jr., married Austin Mattingly. Mr. Mattingly was an older man. he worked as a Commissary Agent for the Confederate Army in the West. He died in 1889 and is buried in the Bobb family lot.

John Bobb Mattingly rode with Wirt Adams, CSA Cavalry

Person # 6. John Bobb Mattingly. Rode with Wirt Adams Regiment, Confederate Cavalry. After the surrender, he returned to Vicksburg and joined his daddy in the family business. Austin Mattingly and John Bobb Mattingly brought electric to Vicksburg. He died in 1931 and is buried in a private lot in Vicksburg City Cemetery. The Mattingly girl married the Barbour boy from Yazoo City. They are the ancestors of Sons of Confederate Veterans member Jeppie Barbour.

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