Battle of Port Gibson
The Fight for Willow Creek
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.
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Location. 31° 57.276′ N, 91° 0.71′ W. Marker is in Port Gibson, Mississippi, in Claiborne County. It 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.
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 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
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 576 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 26, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
