Near Champion Hill in Hinds County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
The Death of General Tilghman
At Champion Hill he led a brigade whose artillery battled against a Union battery all day. From a position on the next ridge to the left and astride Raymond Road, Tilghman's brigade covered the retreat of Pemberton's scattered army. At the height of this action, Tilghman was shot and killed. His troops took his body with them and buried him in Vicksburg. Tilghman's remains were later reinterred in Woodlawn Cemetery in New York City.
The Monuments
In 1907 Tilghman's sons, Frederick B. and Sidell Tilghman, proposed a dramatic equestrian statue in memory of their father for installation in the Vicksburg National Military Park. Sculpted by E. William Sievers, the monument was erected in 1926.
Tilghman's sons also erected a stone monument marking the spot where he was killed at Champion Hill. To identify the site, Capt. William T. Rigby, superintendent of the Vicksburg National Military Park, gathered with several eyewitnesses and neighbors, including J.G. Spencer of Port Gibson, to determine the exact location. Spencer was serving an artillery piece only 30 feet away when Tilghman was killed.
The stone monument is located just off the road approximately 0.2 miles to the left. The monument is located on private property.
"We learned from these prisoners that the last shot we had fired had killed General Tilghman the ball passing entirely through him, and killing his horse behind him."
Corp. Charles P Haseltine, Chicago Mercantile Battery,
"My Last Shot in the Vicksburg Campaign"
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1861.
Location. 32° 18.268′ N, 90° 33.689′ W. Marker is near Champion Hill, Mississippi, in Hinds County. Marker is on Adams Lane south of State Route 467, on the left when traveling south. Located in front of Cal-Maine Foods. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Adams Lane, Edwards MS 39066, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A Narrow Escape (a few steps from this marker); Chicago Mercantile Battery - Artillery in the Yard (a few steps from this marker); A Refugee Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Architecture and Renovations (within shouting distance of this marker); The Vicksburg Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); The Coker House and the Battle of Champion Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Lloyd Tilghman (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Battle of Champion Hill (approx. 2˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Champion Hill.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 715 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 3, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.