Near Baldwyn in Lee County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Union Wagon Train
Photographed By David Graff, April 23, 2012
1. Union Wagon Train Marker
A critical factor in the Union defeat at Brice's Crossroads was the decision by an unknown officer to bring most if not all of the Union supply train across the Tishomingo Creek Bridge and into the field across the road from where you now stand. When the time came for retreat, the slow-moving wagons clogged the narrow bridge, creating a panic among exhausted Union troops who were desperate to get away from the enemy fire.The supply train consisted of 250 wagons, each pulled by a team of four to six horses or mules. The wagons carried ammunition, food, forage and equipment, and also served as ambulances.
Quote (bottom of tablet): "Pack animals, wagons, ambulances, the sick, servants, all of those necessary evils which clog an army, came dragging and straggling along in front of the guard. They ought not to have gone over the bridge but ... they moved right on ..." - Captain William Forse Scott, 4th Iowa Cavalry
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 34° 30.666′ N, 88° 43.92′ W. Marker is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Terrain and Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker); Artillery at Log Cabin Ridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Brice's Cross Roads (within shouting distance of this marker); General Barteau's Flank Movement (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tishomingo Creek Bridge (about 300 feet away); Chief Tishomingo (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Brice's Cross Roads (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Tishomingo Creek Bridge (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baldwyn.
More about this marker. The marker is on a hill overlooking Tishomingo Creek and Bridge.
Regarding Union Wagon Train. The tablet has the following drawings and photographs:
Top Right Corner Drawing: "Baggage Train on the
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, November 27, 2015
2. Union Wagon Train Marker
Top Right Photograph: "Covered Wagon for Headquarters Baggage" - provided for the marker courtesy of the Library of Congress
Center Drawing: "Six-Mule Team Complete, Harnessed and Hitched to U.S. Army Wagon," provided for the marker from The Official Military Atlas of the Civil War, David Rumsey Map Collection"
Bottom Photos: "Union wagon train entering Petersburg, Virginia - April 1865" and "Wagon Train of the Military Telegraph Corps in Richmond, Virginia" - Both provided for the marker courtesy of the Library of Congress
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Photographed By David Graff, April 23, 2012
3. Tishomingo Creek Bridge from the Union Wagon Train Marker
The bridge was a chokepoint for the Union retreat. The original bridge was located slightly to the right of the modern bridge in the distance.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2012, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This page has been viewed 667 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on December 27, 2012, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Photos: 1. submitted on November 1, 2012, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 2. submitted on December 3, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 3. submitted on November 1, 2012, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
