Grand Gulf in Claiborne County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
The Buildup for War
Grand Gulf Historic Tour
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 26, 2017
1. The Buildup for War Marker
Inscription.
The Buildup for War. Grand Gulf Historic Tour. By the use of flying batteries, the Confederates were so mobile that the Union troops had much difficulty in stopping fortification of bluffs behind Grand Gulf. Harassment forced Commodore David Farragut to convoy the unarmed ships. In March, 1863, Confederate fortifications were strengthened and armament was increased by addition of Wade's and Guibor's Missouri Batteries under command of Colonel William Wade, chief of artillery for Brigadier General John Bowen. Bowen had some 2,500 infantry to man the extensive new rifle pits. Dug into the side of the Point of Rock, about forty feet above the gulf. Fort Cobun was protected by a parapet nearly forty feet thick. Here was located the upper battery, mounting at time of attack, two 32-pounder rifles, one 8 inch Dahlgren and a 30-pounder Parrott rifle, with extensive rifle pits. Fort Wade, the lower fort, just behind the ruined town, was situated on a shelf about twenty feet above and a quarter of a mile distant from the river. Fort Wade's armament consisted of one 100-pounder Blakely rifle, one 8-inch Dahlgren and two 32-pounder rifles. Fort Wade also had extensive rifle pits.
By the use of flying batteries, the Confederates were so mobile that the Union troops had much difficulty in stopping fortification of bluffs behind Grand Gulf. Harassment forced Commodore David Farragut to convoy the unarmed ships. In March, 1863, Confederate fortifications were strengthened and armament was increased by addition of Wade's and Guibor's Missouri Batteries under command of Colonel William Wade, chief of artillery for Brigadier General John Bowen. Bowen had some 2,500 infantry to man the extensive new rifle pits. Dug into the side of the Point of Rock, about forty feet above the gulf. Fort Cobun was protected by a parapet nearly forty feet thick. Here was located the upper battery, mounting at time of attack, two 32-pounder rifles, one 8 inch Dahlgren and a 30-pounder Parrott rifle, with extensive rifle pits. Fort Wade, the lower fort, just behind the ruined town, was situated on a shelf about twenty feet above and a quarter of a mile distant from the river. Fort Wade's armament consisted of one 100-pounder Blakely rifle, one 8-inch Dahlgren and two 32-pounder rifles. Fort Wade also had extensive rifle pits.
Erected by the Grand Gulf Military Monument Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1863.
Location.
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32° 1.8′ N, 91° 3.19′ W. Marker is in Grand Gulf, Mississippi, in Claiborne County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Grand Gulf Road and River Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12006 Grand Gulf Road, Port Gibson MS 39150, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. The Buildup for War Marker (middle of the three).
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 26, 2017
3. Grand Gulf Military State Park entrance.
The water you can see is the overflow flood waters from the Mississippi River. The normal river flow is nearly a half mile from here. The road leading to Fort Cobun was also flooded.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 26, 2017
4. The Grand Gulf Military Park museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 236 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 30, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
