Defending Jackson Miss.

[atlantis]

Joe Johnston doesn't appear to have put up much of a defense of Jackson. Could Jackson have been defended or was Johnston right to withdraw. The timeline seems to have given Johnston time to entrench.
Pemberton gets a lot of bad press for Vicksburg, but Johnston seems to get a pass on Jackson and Jackson was torched.

Any opinions on the defense of Jackson.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Over the years, there have been quite a lot of conversations and debates about this question.
The CWT search function should find many old threads about Johnston, Jackson, and also
his part regarding Vicksburg.

I've expressed my opinion in previous threads.
But I will say Johnston could have done much more.

Not only about Jackson, but the entire Vicksburg
Campaign.

However, you do ask a great question ... and I will enjoy reading some new thoughts.

 

[DixieRifles]

Which battle of Jackson?
I think it was occupied 3 or 4 times. I think you are referring to the Siege that was after the fall of Vicksburg.

 

[atlantis]

My understanding is that Loring's division had lost much of its armament by the time it joined Johnston, still they could have been put to use as pioneers until arms were procured. And with the use of land mines[torpedoes] in conjunction with fieldworks I think the possibility for a robust defense of the city exists.