Vicksburg National Military Park in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Briefly Breaching the Line

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 24, 2017

1. Briefly Breaching the Line Marker

Inscription. At daybreak on May 22, 1863, hundreds of Federal cannon opened fire. The second Union attempt to take Vicksburg began. Three miles of Confederate fortifications were bombarded for four hours. Then the Union guns fell silent. Troops charged forward. Here at Railroad Redoubt soldiers scrambled up the parapets and rushed through a breach in the fort wall.

Vicious hand-to-hand combat followed, as the Federals fought to hold the fort. But their success was short-lived. Confederate reinforcements arrived. The attackers were driven out. The Union assault failed here and all along the line that day. Measuring his losses and the Confederate's formidable defenses, Grant decided to take Vicksburg by siege, not by storm.

[Map caption]
Guarding the Railroad
Nine Confederate forts guarded Vicksburg. Connecting these strongholds was a nearly continuous series of trenches. Railroad Redoubt guarded the tracks of the Southern Railroad of Mississippi leading into the city.

Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 22, 1863.

Location. 32° 20.559′

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

N, 90° 51.408′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker is on Confederate Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Located just below the Texas Monument in the southern part of the park below I-20. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. C.S. Waul's Texas Legion; Army of Vicksburg (a few steps from this marker); Texas Johnston's Army (a few steps from this marker); Texas Waul's Legion (within shouting distance of this marker); Texas (within shouting distance of this marker); C.S. Hudson's (Mississippi) Battery; (within shouting distance of this marker); Iowa (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); C.S. Alabama Battery (about 300 feet away); Iowa 21st Infantry (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg National Military Park.

Regarding Briefly Breaching the Line. Confederates built this 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.

Briefly Breaching the Line Marker looking up to the Texas Monument. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 24, 2017

2. Briefly Breaching the Line Marker looking up to the Texas Monument.

View of the redoubt in right background with Texas Memorial on left. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 24, 2017

3. View of the redoubt in right background with Texas Memorial on left.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2017. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 386 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.