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

Confederate Fort

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

1. Confederate Fort Marker

Inscription. Main defensive position on Yalobusha River line held by Gen. Pemberton in fall of 1862 to repel Gen. Grant, whose army of 25,000 was moving to attack Vicksburg.

Erected 1954 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 33° 47.299′ N, 89° 46.083′ W. Marker is in Grenada, Mississippi, in Grenada County. It is at the intersection of Loop State Highway 333 and E J Henry Road, on the right when traveling north on State Highway 333. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2088 Scenic Route 333, Grenada MS 38901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Mississippi. 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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Grenada Dam (approx. 1.3 miles away); J. Augustine Signaigo (approx. 1.7 miles away); Grenada Depot (approx. 1.8 miles away); a different marker also named J. Augustine Signaigo (approx. 2 miles away); Grenada Blues (approx. 2 miles away); Edward C. Walthall

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(approx. 2.1 miles away); Belle Flower M.B. Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); Magic Slim (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grenada.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Grenada County Confederate Monument (was approx. 2 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Regarding Confederate Fort. Two forts were built in anticipation of a battle being fought on the Yalobusha River when General Grant was advancing down the Mississippi Central Railroad. They can be viewed and markers are present to show sonic interpretations of the fort sites. Five other Civil War Forts exist on private property. One fort has been restored while the others remain in its natural condition.

The City of Grenada served as a vital rail center and supply depot during the American Civil War. Following the Union victories at Shiloh in Tennessee and Corinth in northeast Mississippi, General John C. Pemberton, commanding the Confederate forces, established a strong defensive line, known as the Yalobusha Line, along the railroad that ran from Greenwood, Mississippi to Columbus, Mississippi. Pemberton used the Yalobusha Line to block Union General Ulysses S. Grant’s attempt to

Reasons for Confederate Forts on nearby sign. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

2. Reasons for Confederate Forts on nearby sign.

During the Civil War, Grenada served as the center of the Yalabousha Line. This defensive line reached from Greenwood on the west to Columbus on the east. Confederate troops concentrated at this important rail center and supply depot. From here, they were moved to other important points along the line. Eight forts were constructed around Grenada to protect these vital installations. The fort you are bout to see was constructed to protect the Grenada - Graysport Road over which General Van Dorn traveled for his famous raid on General Grant’s supply depot at Holly Springs, Mississippi.

capture Vicksburg, Mississippi, by way of the Mississippi Central Railroad. During the winter of 1862 more than 22,000 Confederate Troops were stationed in and around Grenada, Mississippi. These troops constructed eight forts to protect this strategic rail center.

If it were not for the success of Confederate General Earl Van Dorn’s infamous Confederate Calvary Raid on Grant’s Supply Depot in Holly Springs, Mississippi, a major Civil War Battle most certainly would have taken place at Grenada.

Also see . . . Mississippi Central Railroad Campaign. Civil War Album website entry (Submitted on January 19, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Confederate Fort area. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

3. Confederate Fort area.

View of marker looking north on Mississippi Scenic Loop 333. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

4. View of marker looking north on Mississippi Scenic Loop 333.

View of marker looking south towards E J Henry Road. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 18, 2015

5. View of marker looking south towards E J Henry Road.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,400 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 23, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.