Decatur in Newton County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Sherman at Decatur

Photographed by Jeff Lovorn, December 1, 2011

1. Sherman at Decatur Marker

Inscription. During the Meridian Expedition, Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman ordered the XVI Corps to move east while he waited with one infantry regiment at Decatur Crossroads. As Sherman retired for the night, the regiment mistakenly left him unguarded. Seeing an isolated wagon train but unaware of Sherman's presence, Confederate cavalry suddenly attacked, and the house where Sherman was quartered was surrounded. Rescued by the timely return of the 25th Wisconsin Infantry, Sherman narrowly escaped capture.

Erected 2009 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list.

Location. 32° 26.291′ N, 89° 6.399′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Mississippi, in Newton County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 15 and 7th Street, on the right when traveling north on State Highway 15. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Decatur MS 39327, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Mississippi. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Medgar Evers (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Beulah Hubbard School (approx.

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6.3 miles away); Doolittle C.S.A. Cemetery (approx. 8 miles away); McElroy-Hoye House (approx. 8.7 miles away); Newton County Blues (approx. 8.8 miles away); Grierson's Raid (approx. 8.8 miles away); Confederate Hospital (approx. 8.8 miles away); Boler's Inn (approx. 9.3 miles away).

Sherman at Decatur Marker at Newton County Archives building. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 24, 2023

2. Sherman at Decatur Marker at Newton County Archives building.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2011, by Jeff Lovorn of Florence, Mississippi. This page has been viewed 1,442 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 31, 2011, by Jeff Lovorn of Florence, Mississippi. 2. submitted on October 26, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.