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

Battle of Port Gibson

The Fight for Willow Creek

 
 
Battle of Port Gibson Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, November 29, 2019
1. Battle of Port Gibson Marker
Inscription.
Gen. W. E. Baldwin's brigade reached Willow Creek about the time Gen. M. E. Green's troops were driven from Magnolia Church. Confederate Gen. J. S. Bowen had Baldwin form his troops in this undergrowth-filled bottom. Rebel cannoneers emplaced guns on the ridge to the east.

About noon May 1 Gen. J. A. McClernand's Union corps renewed its advance. As the Federals descended the ridge to the west, they were fired on by Confederates. McClernand sent a powerful battle line to drive the Rebels from this bottom.

Bowen ordered Col. F M. Cockrell to take the Confederate reserve (two Missouri regiments) and turn the Federal right. Cockrell's Missourians surprised and rolled up Col. J. R. Slack's brigade. Because of the canebrakes, much of the fighting took place at ranges of 20 yards or less. To stop this drive, Gen. A P Hovey massed 24 pieces of artillery. Though Cockrell was repulsed, Bowen was undaunted. He told Baldwin to attack. Baldwin's thrust was repulsed. Bowen had seized the initiative from the numerically superior Federals. The Confederates held their ground until 6 P.M, when word was received that the Yankees had defeated the Confederates on the Bruinsburg road. Fearful lest his command be isolated, Bowen fell back.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 1, 1863.
 
Location.

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31° 57.276′ N, 91° 0.71′ W. Marker is in Port Gibson, Mississippi, in Claiborne County. Marker is on Bessie Weathers Road, 0.3 miles west of Rodney Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Gibson MS 39150, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Battle of Port Gibson (approx. 1.3 miles away); Old Magnolia Church Site (approx. 1.3 miles away); Magnolia Church and the Battle along the Rodney Road (approx. 1.3 miles away); Idlewild (approx. 1˝ miles away); The Quandary of Freedom (approx. 1˝ miles away); The Shaifer Farmstead (approx. 1˝ miles away); Field Surgery on the Porch (approx. 1˝ miles away); At the Center of the Battle (approx. 1˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Gibson.
 
Battle of Port Gibson Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, November 29, 2019
2. Battle of Port Gibson Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 313 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on December 26, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.

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Mar. 29, 2024