Within six weeks, Grant captured Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland River, establishing Federal control of both waterways. Green quickly mounted and raced back to Magnolia Church to alert his brigade. 17 (Dept. At dawn, the Federals . The creators behind American History Central are historians, developers, and website specialists who have built multiple digital encyclopedias. Having developed each other's positions, the opposing forces sat down and waited for daylight. Port Gibson: Featured Resources Civil War | Video Vicksburg Campaign Civil War | Article 10 Facts: The Vicksburg Campaign Civil War | Biography James B. McPherson quadrangle map, only one small, intensive level survey was performed within the battlefield area. Old Rodney Rd He intended to storm Grand Gulf, while his subordinate Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman and the XV Corps deceived the main army in Vicksburg by feigning an assault on the Yazoo Bluffs. Admiral David Farragut captured the port city of New Orleans on May 18, 1862, closing down Confederate access to the Gulf. Sign up to receive the latest information on the American Battlefield Trust's efforts to blaze The Liberty Trail in South Carolina. When . President Abraham Lincoln. Provided by Touchpoints Contact Info As Greens men scrambled to the rear, Brig. The house was used by Maj. Gen. John A McClernand for his headquarters and later used as a hospital. Despite the resulting delay, however, the Army of the Tennessee moved onto the river bluffs unopposed and pushed rapidly towards Port Gibson. The site is owned, operated, and funded by R.Squared Communications, LLC. [5] In 2011, the Civil War Preservation Trust was renamed the Civil War Trust, which in 2018 became a division of the American Battlefield Trust. Situated atop dominate bluffs overlooking a sweeping bend of the river, Vicksburg was a tough nut to crack. The house was used by Maj. Gen. John A McClernand for his headquarters and later used as a hospital. [6], The battlefield area is about 4 miles (6.4km) west of Port Gibson. Struck with the realization that McPherson could cut him off from the bridge over the Big Black River, Bowen ordered the formidable defenses at Grand Gulf abandoned, the magazine exploded, and the heavy artillery destroyed. The land on the Louisiana side of the river, opposite Vicksburg, was rough, etched with poor roads and many streams. The 11th Wisconsin Infantry was among the first units to attack and remained in front throughout the battle. May 1, 1863 The Federal landing at Bruinsburg, Mississippi, on April 30, 1863, and the ensuing victory at the Battle of Port Gibson the next day, cemented a Union presence in western Mississippi that led to the eventual downfall of the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg on the Mississippi River. Gen. Alvin P. Hovey's 12th Division arrived and surged forward just as Carr's men were storming the Confederate position. First Sergeant Charles Hobbs of the 99th Illinois recorded of his experience that night: As we pass along an old darkey gives us his blessings, but fears there will be few of us ever to return. The battle began around midnight near the Shaifer House four miles west of town. The Federals divided their forces and moved along two roughly parallel roads that converged near their objective, about ten miles to the east. American History Central is an independent encyclopedia of American history. McClernand and McPherson then rendezvoused with Porter at Bruinsburg, fewer than ten miles downriver from Grand Gulf. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Forced to defend two approaches to Port Gibson, Bowen divided his already heavily outnumbered forces. Stay up-to-date on the American Battlefield Trust's battlefield preservation efforts, travel tips, upcoming events, history content and more. Join us July 13-16! Johnstons removal prevented him from uniting his forces with Pemberton, now isolated at Vicksburg. Donations to the Trust are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. The First American President: Setting the Precedent, African Americans During the Revolutionary War, Save 42 Historic Acres at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Phase Three of Gaines Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign, An Unparalleled Preservation Opportunity at Gettysburg Battlefield, For Sale: Three Battlefield Tracts Spanning Three Wars, Preserve 128 Sacred Acres at Antietam and Shepherdstown. The Port Gibson Battlefield is the site near Port Gibson, Mississippi where the 1863 Battle of Port Gibson was fought during the American Civil War. At the time of the battle in 1863, the terraces of the area would have been in agriculture, with the ravines filled with dense jungle-like growth. It was a Union victory that sent Confederates in retreat, giving Grant a firm foothold in Mississippi south of Vicksburg. If Bowen had known that Grant's men were landing at Bruinsburg and not Rodney, he would have taken a position on the bluffs above Bruinsburg, denying Grant's army a bridgehead into the area. Bowen deployed Brigadier General Martin E. Green's Brigade west of Port Gibson along Rodney Road and he stationed Brigadier General Edward D. Tracy's brigade across Bruinsburg Road. For the first time after seven attempts General Grant was able to establish a beachhead on dry soil on the same side of the Mississippi River as his foe. Battle of Port Gibson. Hallecks departure left Major General Ulysses S. Grant in charge of operations in the Western Theater. Fighting in the scattered fields and forest around the Shaifer House intensified as more Union regiments and batteries came into action. Port Gibson Battlefield The A. K. Shaifer House was the site of the opening shots in the Battle of Port Gibson. Battle of Port Gibson Marker. To divert attention from his main operations, Grant ordered Sherman to feign an attack against Confederate forces stationed at Snyders Bluff, upriver from Vicksburg, from April 29 through May 1. Sporadic skirmishing and artillery fire continued until 3 a.m. Gen. William E. Baldwin's Brigade arrived later and was positioned in support of Green's Brigade. The battlefield covers about 3,400 acres (1,400 ha) of land west of the city, astride Rodney Road, where Union Army forces were establishing a beachhead after crossing the Mississippi River in a bid to take the Confederate fortress of Vicksburg. The Confederate defeat resulted in their losing the ability to hold Mississippi and defend against an amphibious attack . Port Hudson Union Official Records. Sign up for our quarterly email series highlighting the environmental benefits of battlefield preservation. In May of 1962, the Grand Gulf Military Monument Park was officially opened, dedicated to preserving the memory of both the town and the battle in which occurred there. Grant's plan to detach McClernand to Banks would have to wait. The 23rd Wisconsin Infantry was held in reserve during the morning but in the afternoon captured 20 prisoners. The Mississippi served as a highway to move men and materials from places as far as way as Pittsburgh to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico, and in early 1863, only two Confederate strong points stood between the Federals and dominance of the mighty river. Grant also ordered Colonel Benjamin Garrison to stage a daring cavalry raid through central Mississippi, which forced Confederate Commander of the Army of Mississippi, John C. Pemberton, to divert troops away from Vicksburg. If Union forces could gain control of the Mississippi, they could deny the Confederacy easy access to supplies from the Gulf of Mexico and territories in the American West. As McPhersons troops moved along Rodney Road in the dark, they encountered light opposition from Greens advance patrols until stopping at about 3 a.m. Additionally, Confederate dead from the Battle of Port Gibson are buried in "Soldiers' Row" of Wintergreen Cemetery, located in the town of Port Gibson. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 644 acres at Port Gibson Battlefield. Every purchase supports the mission. Stay up-to-date on the American Battlefield Trust's battlefield preservation efforts, travel tips, upcoming events, history content and more. The only Confederate cavalry in the area, Wirt Adams's regiment, had been ordered away to pursue Grierson's raiders, and Maj. Gen. John S. Bowen performed a reconnaissance in force to determine Grant's intentions. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 56,000 acres in 25 states! After a prolonged siege, Grant eventually forced Pemberton to surrender on July 4, 1863. The Battle of Georgia Landing or Battle of Labadieville (October 27, 1862) was fought between a Union Army force led by Brigadier General Godfrey Weitzel and a Confederate States Army force commanded by Brigadier General Alfred Mouton near Labadieville, Assumption Parish, Louisiana, during the American Civil War.After a sharp clash, the Union troops compelled Mouton's outnumbered force to retreat. Confederate forces were entrenched at Magnolia Church. Noted are the Battle of Port Gibson, May 1, 1863, the Battle of Raymond, May 12, 1863, the Battle of Jackson, May 14, 1863, the Battle of Champion Hill, May 16, 1863, and the Battle of Big Black River Bridge, May 17, 1863. Built between 1859-1861, the plantation was the home of wealthy planter, Smith Coffee Daniell, II. Resounding Union victories at the Battle of Champion Hill (May 16) and the Battle of Big Black River (May 17), forced Pemberton to take refuge within the City of Vicksburg proper. Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton, the commander of Confederate troops in and around Vicksburg, had roughly 30,000 soldiers at his disposal. Join us July 13-16! La.) With two of the three main rivers connecting the North and South under Union control, the Federals turned their attention to the Mississippi River. Restoration of the sit is in progress and the majority of the battlefield is privately owned. . At nightfall they were forced to yield and the Union victory established a foothold to attack Vicksburg. Windsor Ruins. The area is now largely wooded, with a scattering of non-historic houses and other buildings, mainly along Rodney Road which roughly bisects the battlefield. On January 30, 1862, the Western Theater commander, General Henry Halleck, reluctantly approved Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grants request to attack Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River. Please call for camping info. Port Gibson NYT May 12, 1863. Canals were dug and abandoned. The battle secured a Union beachhead east of the Mississippi River and enabled Grant to move northeastward unopposed. During the winter, Grant made several unsuccessful attempts to approach Vicksburg from other directions. Send Students on School Field Trips to Battlefields Your Gift Tripled! Bowen moved south from Grand Gulf with Brig. Noted are the Battle of Port Gibson, May 1, 1863, the Battle of Raymond, May 12, 1863, the Battle of Jackson, May 14, 1863, the Battle of Champion Hill, May 16, 1863, and the Battle of Big Black River Bridge, May 17, 1863. The Confederate right did not last long. A flanking assault by Col. Francis Cockrell's Missouri brigade crumpled the Federal right flank and gave McClernand pause. https://www.nps.gov/vick/learn/historyculture/battleportgibson.htm. In the aftermath of the battle, Grant turned his army east and drove General Joseph E. Johnston's forces away from the state capital at Jackson, Mississippi, on May 14, 1863. Port Hudson Maps. The Union Army was led by Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, and they were victorious. of Ms. & E. As a result, the landing was unchallenged and the only Confederates nearby were Major General John S. Bowen's force of 6,000-8,000 soldiers who had marched to Port Gibson after thwarting Grant's landing at Grand Gulf the previous day. As long as they held it, Union forces could not ship men or supplies any further south. Join us July 13-16! After landing at Bruinsburg, Ulysses S. Grant . The Confederate force now retreated back towards Grand Gulf. At dawn, the Federals advanced against the flanks of Bowen's line posted on the . This strategic battle was fought eight miles west of Bethel Church on May 1, 1863. Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson showed up late in the afternoon with Brig. Johnston's removal prevented him from uniting his forces with Pemberton, now isolated at Vicksburg. To the north, nearly impenetrable swamps and bayous protected Vicksburg. Hinds County and Warren County, MS|May 17, 1863, Warren County, MS|May 18-Jul 4, 1863. Successive Union attacks buckled the Confederate lines. William T. Shermanattempted to storm the city but came up short at Chickasaw Bayou. This was the largest amphibious landing of troops prior to World War II. If the Union could gain control of the Mississippi, the Confederacy would be denied easy access to supplies from the Gulf of Mexico and territories in the American West. Port Gibson, MS 39150 The victory was key in setting the foundation for Grant's successful conclusion to the Vicksburg Campaign. The Union victory secured that beachhead and paved the way for the eventual fall of Vicksburg. As an Amazon Associate, the owner of Ohio Civil War Central can earn from qualifying purchases. After a prolonged siege, Grant eventually forced Pemberton to surrender on July 4, 1863. When spring arrived, he set a new plan into motion. Port Hudson Conf Official Records. Part of the battle was fought on the Bruinsburg Road at Point Lookout. Unaware that Grant had pulled back, Sherman attacked and was defeated at the Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs (December 29, 1862). Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History, NearBruinsburg in Claiborne County, Mississippi , 1. The A. K. Shaifer House was the site of the opening shots in the Battle of Port Gibson. Advanced elements of the XVII Corps arrived in time to save the bridge from destruction. By late 1861, President Abraham Lincoln was pressuring Union commanders in the west to invade the South. The Confederate victory proved inconsequential, however. A few miles to the south, McClernands Corps traveled along Rodney Road. Confederate Brig. [4], The surviving Shaifer plantation house is now owned by the state. The general tried to calm their fears by telling them that the enemy could not possibly arrive before daylight. The Union victory at the Battle of Port Gibson cost Grant 875 casualties (131 killed, 719 wounded, and 25 missing). [4], After a number of failed attempts to reach Vicksburg from the north and northeast, Union General Ulysses S. Grant decided to march his army down the west side of the Mississippi River, past Vicksburg, and locate a crossing area from which he could reach the city from the south. Leading up to the Battle of Port Gibson in the spring of 1863, confederate troops used the roof observatory as a lookout as Grant's army crossed the Mississippi River. . With the aid of Admiral Porter's gunboats, Grant attempted to move Major General John A. McClernand's 13th Army Corps down the Mississippi River on transport barges and execute a landing on the east bank at Grand Gulf, located at the juncture of the Mississippi and the Big Black River roughly thirty miles below Vicksburg. A 2,080-acre (840ha) area surrounding part of the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and a larger area was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2005. Gen. William Baldwin, just arriving from Vicksburg, and Col. Francis Cockrells from Grand Gulf, were placed into position astride the road at White and Irwins Branches of Willow Creek, a mile and a half east of Magnolia Church. It is an original segment of the Natchez Trace.. Battle of Chickasaw Bayou (December 2629, 1862), The Union victory at the Battle of Port Gibson, Battle of Big Black River Bridge (May 17). Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643. The federal soldiers clambered aboard the barges at Disharoons plantation on the Louisiana side of the river, crossed over, and disembarked at Bruinsburg on the Mississippi side. See and touch history at Historic Sites, Museums and special events, Restore your historic home or property, get tax credits, renovation tips, This map depicts the opening battles in the Union campaign against Vicksburg, Mississippi, in May 1863. 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