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

Sheriff Peter Crosby

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, June 29, 2025

1. Sheriff Peter Crosby Marker

Inscription. Peter Crosby (1843-1884), a formerly enslaved Mississippian and Union veteran, was elected as the first African American sheriff in Warren County in 1873. One year later, an armed mob of Whites forced him to resign and jailed him. At the suggestion of the governor, a Black posse assembled to reinstate Crosby, but on December 7, 1874, many of them were killed by members of the White League in what became known as the Vicksburg Massacre. Federal troops then reinstated Crosby, who despite being shot in the face in 1875, completed his term.

Erected 2025 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is December 7, 1874.

Location. 32° 21.11′ N, 90° 52.684′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in Warren County. It is at the intersection of Cherry Street and Grove Street, on the right when traveling north on Cherry Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1009 Cherry St, Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Natchez Trace Corridor

and in Greater Jackson.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

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: Hard Times Square (a few steps from this marker); Vicksburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Federal Works Agency (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Old Natchez District (within shouting distance of this marker); Mississippi Dental Association (within shouting distance of this marker); South Central Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Growing and Changing (within shouting distance of this marker); If Walls Could Talk (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg.

Also see . . . Vicksburgh's Troubles: Black Political Participation and Redeemer-Era Violence. Shape Up Mississippi (Submitted on August 3, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, June 29, 2025

2. Sheriff Peter Crosby Marker

Informational sign, next to marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, June 29, 2025

3. Informational sign, next to marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.