Port Gibson in Claiborne County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

The Federals Occupy Port Gibson

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 26, 2017

1. The Federals Occupy Port Gibson Marker

Inscription. About dark on May 1, 1863, Gen. W. E. Baldwin's Confederates retreated through Port Gibson. After crossing the suspension bridge over Little Bayou Pierre, the Confederates set it afire. On the morning of the 2d. the Union army entered the beautiful little city of 1,500, and Gen. S.G. Burbridge raised the "stars and stripes" over the Claiborne County Courthouse. While Gen. U.S. Grant put his engineers to work building a raft-bridge across the stream, the rest of the Union troops took a welcomed break. Churches, inns and houses were turned into hospitals to shelter the hundreds of wounded "Yanks" and "Rebs."

The raft-bridge was declared open for traffic at 4 P. M. Gen. J. B. McPherson's XVII Corps crossed the Little Bayou Pierre en route to Grindstone Ford. By noon on May 3 most of the Union army had marched on.

Union victory at the battle of Port Gibson secured Grant's bridgehead east of the Mississippi.

Erected 1963.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant

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series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 1, 1863.

Location. 31° 57.56′ N, 90° 59.205′ W. Marker is in Port Gibson, Mississippi, in Claiborne County. It is on Rodney Road west of Flower Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Rodney Road, Port Gibson MS 39150, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Mississippi, in Natchez Trace Corridor,

and in Greater Jackson.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Battle of Port Gibson (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Port Gibson (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Port Gibson Bank

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 26, 2017

2. The Federals Occupy Port Gibson Marker

(about 700 feet away); Commercial Building (about 700 feet away); O'Hara Cottage (approx. 0.2 miles away); Commercial Buildings (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Bernheimer Complex (approx. 0.2 miles away); Judge Maury House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Gibson.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Rabbit Foot Minstrels (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Battle of Port Gibson. (Submitted on May 29, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

The Federals Occupy Port Gibson Marker looking west on Rodney Road. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 26, 2017

3. The Federals Occupy Port Gibson Marker looking west on Rodney Road.

General Burbridge (left), General Baldwin, & General McPherson (right). image. Click for full size.

Public domain

4. General Burbridge (left), General Baldwin, & General McPherson (right).

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2017. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 605 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 28, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.