Delta in Madison Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Grant's Canal

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 26, 2015

1. Grant's Canal Marker

Inscription. During the summer of 1862, the Federals’ first attempt to bypass Vicksburg by digging a canal across DeSoto Peninsula failed. By January, 1863, the Federals had reoccupied the Louisiana shore opposite Vicksburg. Gen. U.S. Grant ordered work on the canal resumed. The canal was to be 60 feet wide, one and one-half miles long, and deep enough to float any vessel on the river. Ground was broken on January 30. Negro work gangs assisted by fatigue details from the Union Army began the work. Later, steam pumps and dredge boats were employed. To stop the work, the Confederates emplaced several big guns on the shore opposite the canal’s exit but the work progressed. On March 7, the upper dam gave way, flooding the entire peninsula. “Grant’s Canal” had failed.

Erected 1962 by Louisiana Civil War Centennial Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Grant’s March Through Louisiana series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1863.

Location. 32° 19.258′ N, 90° 55.98′ W. Marker is in Delta, Louisiana, in Madison Parish. It can be reached

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from the intersection of Old Highway 80 East and Stafford Drive, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in the Grant’s Canal unit of the Vicksburg National Military Park; the above directions are to the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Delta LA 71233, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Louisiana.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Mississippi Delta.

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,

the Louisiana Purchase,

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: Mississippi Sidestep (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Grant's Canal (here, next to this marker); U.S. Operations Against Vicksburg (here, next to this marker); Williams' Canal – 1862 (here, next to this marker); Grant's Canal – 1863 (a few steps from this marker); Freedmen Fight at Milliken's Bend (a few steps from this marker); U.S. African Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker); Ninth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Delta.

Also see . . . Grant's Canal. From the National Park Service website for Vicksburg National Military Park. (Submitted on June 17, 2015.)

Grant's Canal and Mississippi Sidestep Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 26, 2015

2. Grant's Canal and Mississippi Sidestep Markers

Grant's Canal Unit of the Vicksburg NMP image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 26, 2015

3. Grant's Canal Unit of the Vicksburg NMP

View to southeast from Old Highway 80 East

Preserved Section of Grant's Canal image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, May 26, 2015

4. Preserved Section of Grant's Canal

View from Old Highway 80 East

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,101 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 17, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.