- Joined
- Jun 21, 2012
- Location
- Louisville, KY
In early 1863, then-Major General Ulysses S. Grant devised a plan to flank the the Confederate defenses surrounding Vicksburg by utilizing the backwaters of the Mississippi Delta. In the first days of February, Union forces breached a levee along the Mississippi River north of Vicksburg which allowed water to flood into the surrounding area and giving them access to a number of rivers.
Union forces consisted of 9 regiments under the command of Brig. General Leonard Ross. The naval contingent, under the command of Lt. Commander Watson Smith, was made up of two ironclads (USS Baron De Kalb & USS Chillicothe) along with a number of tinclads, rams and transport barges for the troops.
When it became apparent to the Confederates what was happening, Lt. General John Pemberton ordered troops to immediately fortify the region to stop the combined Union operation. Troops under Major General William Loring began preparing to repel the invading troops by constructing a fort along the Tallahatchie River near Greenwood, Mississippi. The fortification was primarily made of up of cotton bales which were then covered with earthworks and was named Fort Pemberton. The landward fortifications were not as extensive as those facing the river since the flooding had caused most of the area to become impassible for opposing infantry. Troops also felled trees in the river in front of the fort and scuttled a steamer as an added obstruction.
On March 11, 1863 the USS Baron De Kalb and Chillicothe engaged Fort Pemberton however they received more damage than they inflicted, the USS Chillicothe taking most of the damage. Union forces tried multiple times to reduce Fort Pemberton over the next week until they finally withdrew on March 17. A second attack was considered but was never attempted before all forces returned to the Mississippi River. Following the failed Yazoo Pass operation, Confederate troops abandoned Fort Pemberton to reinforce Vicksburg.
Today the site of Fort Pemberton is Fort Pemberton Memorial Park. The park features historic markers and a monument describing the Yazoo Pass Expedition as well as some remnants of the earthworks. The site previously featured a period cannon which has since been removed. The park is located along the north side of US 49 just west of Greenwood.
Union forces consisted of 9 regiments under the command of Brig. General Leonard Ross. The naval contingent, under the command of Lt. Commander Watson Smith, was made up of two ironclads (USS Baron De Kalb & USS Chillicothe) along with a number of tinclads, rams and transport barges for the troops.
When it became apparent to the Confederates what was happening, Lt. General John Pemberton ordered troops to immediately fortify the region to stop the combined Union operation. Troops under Major General William Loring began preparing to repel the invading troops by constructing a fort along the Tallahatchie River near Greenwood, Mississippi. The fortification was primarily made of up of cotton bales which were then covered with earthworks and was named Fort Pemberton. The landward fortifications were not as extensive as those facing the river since the flooding had caused most of the area to become impassible for opposing infantry. Troops also felled trees in the river in front of the fort and scuttled a steamer as an added obstruction.
On March 11, 1863 the USS Baron De Kalb and Chillicothe engaged Fort Pemberton however they received more damage than they inflicted, the USS Chillicothe taking most of the damage. Union forces tried multiple times to reduce Fort Pemberton over the next week until they finally withdrew on March 17. A second attack was considered but was never attempted before all forces returned to the Mississippi River. Following the failed Yazoo Pass operation, Confederate troops abandoned Fort Pemberton to reinforce Vicksburg.
Today the site of Fort Pemberton is Fort Pemberton Memorial Park. The park features historic markers and a monument describing the Yazoo Pass Expedition as well as some remnants of the earthworks. The site previously featured a period cannon which has since been removed. The park is located along the north side of US 49 just west of Greenwood.