Vicksburg National Military Park in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
The Railroad Redoubt.
Confederate Position Tablet.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 24, 2017
1. The Railroad Redoubt Marker
Inscription.
The Railroad Redoubt.. Confederate Position Tablet.. This salient redoubt was occupied, May 22, 1863, by a detachment of the 30th Alabama. Supported by two companies, under Major O. Steele, of Waul’s Texas Legion. The entrenchment in rear was held by the 30th Alabama, reinforced during the day, by the 46th Alabama under command of Lieut. Col. E. W. Pettus, 20th Alabama - a large part of the 46th, including all its field officers, having been captured, May 16. In the battle of Champion Hill. About 11 a. m. a detachment of the Union assaulting force reached the ditch of the redoubt and placed flags on its parapet: a small party entered this work at its salient angle. Where a breach had been made by the union artillery, captured a Lieut. and a few enlisted men. Held the redoubt a short time and then retired to its ditch, after sustaining severe loss. This work was retaken about 5:30 p. m. By detachments of Capt. Bradley's and Lieut. Hogue's companies of Waul’s Texas Legion, led by Lieut. Col. E. W. Pettus, 20th Alabama; later in the evening. A Lieut. Col. and about 58 men were captured in the ditch. The casualties in the commands defending and recapturing the redoubt on that day cannot be accurately stated. After May 22, during the defense, this work was held by companies of the 46th Alabama. Counter-mines against the Union approach were prepared and one was fired the night of July 2. This tablet marks the salient angle at which the assaulting party entered this redoubt on May 22. Casualties in 46th Alabama during the defense, killed 15, wounded 45, total 60.
This salient redoubt was occupied, May 22, 1863, by a detachment of the 30th Alabama. Supported by two companies, under Major O. Steele, of Waul’s Texas Legion. The entrenchment in rear was held by the 30th Alabama, reinforced during the day, by the 46th Alabama under command of Lieut. Col. E. W. Pettus, 20th Alabama - a large part of the 46th, including all its field officers, having been captured, May 16. In the battle of Champion Hill. About 11 a. m. a detachment of the Union assaulting force reached the ditch of the redoubt and placed flags on its parapet: a small party entered this work at its salient angle. Where a breach had been made by the union artillery, captured a Lieut. and a few enlisted men. Held the redoubt a short time and then retired to its ditch, after sustaining severe loss. This work was retaken about 5:30 p. m. By detachments of Capt. Bradley's and Lieut. Hogue's companies of Waul’s Texas Legion, led by Lieut. Col. E. W. Pettus, 20th Alabama; later in the evening. A Lieut. Col. and about 58 men were captured in the ditch. The casualties in the commands defending and recapturing the redoubt on that day cannot be accurately stated. After May 22, during the defense, this work was held by companies of the 46th Alabama. Counter-mines against the Union approach were prepared and one was fired the night of July 2.
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This tablet marks the salient angle at which the assaulting party entered this redoubt on May 22. Casualties in 46th Alabama during the defense, killed 15, wounded 45, total 60.
Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 22, 1863.
Location. 32° 20.54′ N, 90° 51.353′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker can be reached from Confederate Avenue, 0.2 miles Union Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Confederate Avenue, Vicksburg MS 39180, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding The Railroad Redoubt.. Confederates built this
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 24, 2017
2. The Railroad Redoubt marker between 2 blue Union ones.
work to protect the "Southern Railroad of Mississippi." On the morning of May 22, 1863, Union troops assailed this stronghold and forced out the defenders. A detachment of Col. Thomas Waul's Texas Legion counterattacked and, in a savage hand-to-hand fight with bayonets, clubbed muskets, and artillery shells used as grenades drove out the Federals. Tour Stop #13
Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 374 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on November 30, 2017, by T. Patton of Jefferson, Georgia. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
