Near Edwards in Hinds County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
1863 Vicksburg Campaign
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 11, 2024
1. 1863 Vicksburg Campaign Marker
Inscription.
1863 Vicksburg Campaign. . For more than a year, Union forces struggled with difficult terrain and the seemingly impregnable Confederate defenses guarding the fortress city of Vicksburg. By the end of April, 1863, Major General Ulysses S. Grant's army of more than 30,000 was finally “in the enemy's country”. Following their landing, 30-miles south of Vicksburg, Grant's troops began an overland campaign deep into the heart of Mississippi. Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton, the commander of Confederate forces guarding Vicksburg, was taken off-guard by Grant's risky move. Pemberton's 22,000 soldiers struggled to halt Grant's advance. After several hard-fought battles, the out-numbered Confederates fell back to the defensive works at Vicksburg. In twenty days Grant's army marched more than two hundred miles and won five consecutive battles ending in the 47-day siege of Vicksburg and a Confederate surrender on July 4th, 1863. , The Battles , . May 1, Port Gibson – As Grant's army advanced inland, its march was blocked by Confederates commanded by Brigadier General John S. Bowen at Port Gibson. What began as a small skirmish around midnight, developed into a furious battle the following day. Overpowered, Bowen's troops evacuated Port Gibson, burning valuable bridges as they retreated towards Vicksburg. With a foothold secured, Grant began his march into the interior of Mississippi. , . May 12, Raymond – After splitting his army into three columns, Grant marched his troops northeast. The easternmost column, under the command of Major General John B. McPherson, clashed with Brigadier General John Gregg's Confederates at Raymond. After holding off twice their number for several hours, Gregg's outnumbered troops retreated towards Jackson, the state capitol. , . May 14, Jackson – Union troops commanded by William T. Sherman and James B. McPherson, converged on Jackson and defeated troops commanded by Joseph E. Johnston. Johnston abandoned the state capitol and retreated north. Union troops burnt factories, machine shops, cut telegraph lines, and destroyed railroad tracks. Grant then turned his army west toward Vicksburg. , . May 16, Champion Hill – Following the capture of Jackson, Grant's army marched west. Twenty miles east of Vicksburg, Grant's army of 32,000 clashed with 22,000 Confederates led by John C. Pemberton. After several hours of desperate fighting, Pemberton's overwhelmed army retreated west towards Vicksburg. With nearly 6,000 Confederate and Union troops killed, wounded or missing, the Battle of Champion Hill was the largest and bloodiest of the Vicksburg Campaign. , . May 17, Big Black River Bridge – In an attempt to slow Grant's pursuit, 5,000 troops commanded by Brigadier General John S. Bowen, took up positions guarding a valuable railroad bridge spanning the Big Black River. Following a determined Union charge, the Confederate line folded. Panicked soldiers fled across the river, burning the railroad bridge as they withdrew. Grant's army captured 1,751 troops and arrived on the outskirts of Vicksburg the following day.
For more than a year, Union forces struggled with difficult
terrain and the seemingly impregnable Confederate defenses
guarding the fortress city of Vicksburg. By the end of April,
1863, Major General Ulysses S. Grant's army of more than
30,000 was finally “in the enemy's country”. Following their
landing, 30-miles south of Vicksburg, Grant's troops began
an overland campaign deep into the heart of Mississippi.
Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton, the commander of
Confederate forces guarding Vicksburg, was taken off-guard
by Grant's risky move. Pemberton's 22,000 soldiers struggled
to halt Grant's advance. After several hard-fought battles, the
out-numbered Confederates fell back to the defensive works
at Vicksburg. In twenty days Grant's army marched more than
two hundred miles and won five consecutive battles ending in
the 47-day siege of Vicksburg and a Confederate surrender on
July 4th, 1863.
The Battles
• May 1, Port Gibson – As Grant's army advanced inland, its march was blocked by Confederates commanded by Brigadier General John S. Bowen at Port Gibson. What began as a small skirmish around midnight, developed into a furious battle the following day. Overpowered, Bowen's troops evacuated Port Gibson, burning valuable bridges as they retreated towards Vicksburg. With a foothold secured, Grant
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began his march into the interior of Mississippi. • May 12, Raymond – After splitting his army into three columns, Grant marched his troops northeast. The easternmost column, under the command of Major General John B. McPherson, clashed with Brigadier General John Gregg's Confederates at Raymond. After holding off twice their number for several hours, Gregg's outnumbered troops retreated towards Jackson, the state capitol. • May 14, Jackson – Union troops commanded by William T. Sherman and James B. McPherson, converged on Jackson and defeated troops commanded by Joseph E. Johnston. Johnston abandoned the state capitol and retreated north. Union troops burnt factories, machine shops, cut telegraph lines, and destroyed railroad tracks. Grant then turned his army west toward Vicksburg. • May 16, Champion Hill – Following the capture of Jackson, Grant's army marched west. Twenty miles east of Vicksburg, Grant's army of 32,000 clashed with 22,000 Confederates led by John C. Pemberton. After several hours of desperate fighting, Pemberton's overwhelmed army retreated west towards Vicksburg. With nearly 6,000 Confederate and Union troops killed, wounded or missing, the Battle of Champion Hill was the largest and bloodiest of the Vicksburg Campaign. • May 17, Big Black River Bridge – In an attempt to slow Grant's pursuit, 5,000 troops commanded
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 11, 2024
2. 1863 Vicksburg Campaign Marker Detail (map)
by Brigadier General John S. Bowen, took up positions guarding a valuable railroad bridge spanning the Big Black River. Following a determined Union charge, the Confederate line folded. Panicked soldiers fled across the river, burning the railroad bridge as they withdrew. Grant's army captured 1,751 troops and arrived on the outskirts of Vicksburg the following day.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1863.
Location. 32° 18.242′ N, 90° 33.715′ W. Marker is near Edwards, Mississippi, in Hinds County. Marker is on Adams Lane south of Mississippi Route 467, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edwards MS 39066, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 55 times since then. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.