During the Vicksburg Campaign, the regiment was attached to the African Brigade, District of Northeast Louisiana.

Twelfth Army assumed direct command of 7th and 20th Indian Divisions, together with 22nd East African Brigade.

Wild took command of a brigade of black infantry that soon became known as "Wild's African Brigade."

After recovering, he raised a unit of former slaves called Wild's African Brigade.

As a colonel he led the African Brigade during the Siege of Vicksburg.

The South African Brigade and associated units moved in the direction of Sollum, at the western border of Egypt.

The South African Brigade on the left did the same thing at Borry Farm.

The two South African Brigades then launched a double flanking movement on Mega.

Meanwhile, the main body of the division, with the East African 22nd Brigade under command, advanced south from Tamandu.

Cunningham thus replaced 2nd and 5th Brigades with the 21st East African Brigade and withdrew them back into Kenya.