Delta in Madison Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Grant's Canal
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 26, 2015
1. Grant's Canal Marker
Inscription.
Grant's Canal. . During the summer of 1862, the Federals’ first attempt to bypass Vicksburg by digging a canal across DeSoto Peninsula failed. By January, 1863, the Federals had reoccupied the Louisiana shore opposite Vicksburg. Gen. U.S. Grant ordered work on the canal resumed. The canal was to be 60 feet wide, one and one-half miles long, and deep enough to float any vessel on the river. Ground was broken on January 30. Negro work gangs assisted by fatigue details from the Union Army began the work. Later, steam pumps and dredge boats were employed. To stop the work, the Confederates emplaced several big guns on the shore opposite the canal’s exit but the work progressed. On March 7, the upper dam gave way, flooding the entire peninsula. “Grant’s Canal” had failed.
During the summer of 1862, the Federals’ first attempt to bypass Vicksburg by digging a canal across DeSoto Peninsula failed. By January, 1863, the Federals had reoccupied the Louisiana shore opposite Vicksburg. Gen. U.S. Grant ordered work on the canal resumed. The canal was to be 60 feet wide, one and one-half miles long, and deep enough to float any vessel on the river. Ground was broken on January 30. Negro work gangs assisted by fatigue details from the Union Army began the work. Later, steam pumps and dredge boats were employed. To stop the work, the Confederates emplaced several big guns on the shore opposite the canal’s exit but the work progressed. On March 7, the upper dam gave way, flooding the entire peninsula. “Grant’s Canal” had failed.
Erected 1962 by Louisiana Civil War Centennial Commission.
Location. 32° 19.258′ N, 90° 55.98′ W. Marker is in Delta, Louisiana, in Madison Parish. Marker can be reached
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from the intersection of Old Highway 80 East and Stafford Drive, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in the Grant’s Canal unit of the Vicksburg National Military Park; the above directions are to the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delta LA 71233, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Grant's Canal. From the National Park Service website for Vicksburg National Military Park. (Submitted on June 17, 2015.)
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 26, 2015
2. Grant's Canal and Mississippi Sidestep Markers
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 26, 2015
3. Grant's Canal Unit of the Vicksburg NMP
View to southeast from Old Highway 80 East
Photographed By Duane Hall, May 26, 2015
4. Preserved Section of Grant's Canal
View from Old Highway 80 East
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 581 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
