Near Grand Gulf in Claiborne County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Fort Cobun

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 2, 2017

1. Fort Cobun Marker

Inscription. On a ledge 40 feet above the Mississippi, the Confederates in March, 1863 , laid out Fort Cobun. Protected by a parapet nearly 40 feet thick were four big guns manned by Company A, 1st Louisiana Heavy Artillery. The guns of Fort Cobun under command of Captain John B. Grayson fired their first hostile shots on March 31 at Admiral David G. Farragut’s squadron as it passed down river. On April 29, seven of Admiral David D. Porter’s gunboats attacked the Grand Gulf fortifications. For more than five hours, the Union ironclads and the guns of Fort Cobun dueled. The Confederate artillerists disabled the “Tuscumbia”. Unable to knock out the Confederate guns, the Union gunboats broke off the bombardment.

Following the occupation of Grand Gulf, Admiral Porter said, “Grand Gulf is the strongest place on the Mississippi.”

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1863.

Location. 32° 2.562′ N, 91° 3.107′ W. Marker is near Grand Gulf, Mississippi, in Claiborne County. It can

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be reached from Grand Gulf Road 1.8 miles north of Frazier Road when traveling north. This marker, along with several others, are located in a wooded area at the end of Grand Gulf Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: Whirlpool (a few steps from this marker); Naval Battle During Grant’s Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Hot Shot Furnace (within shouting distance of this marker); Point of Rock (within shouting distance of this

Fort Cobun - Confederate Rifle Pits image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 2, 2017

2. Fort Cobun - Confederate Rifle Pits

marker); On to Vicksburg (approx. 0.7 miles away); Grand Gulf (approx. 0.7 miles away); Town of Grand Gulf (approx. 0.7 miles away); Confederate Riﬂe Pits (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Gulf.

Also see . . . Fort Cobun at Grand Gulf Military Monument. (Submitted on July 18, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 2, 2017

3. Fort Cobun Marker

The Battle of Grand Gulf image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse

4. The Battle of Grand Gulf

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 2, 2017

5. Fort Cobun - Confederate Rifle Pits

Shortly after the Union ironclads opened fire on April 29, 1863, the 12th Arkansas Sharpshooter Battalion moved up from the reserve and occupied these rifle pits.

Captain John B. Grayson image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse

6. Captain John B. Grayson

Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,180 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 18, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.