- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Location
- East Texas
Part I - Grant's Campaign for Vicksburg
Rosswood Plantation near Port Gibson, Mississippi
This thread is intended to be only a sampling of places and things to see near and along the Great River Road on both sides of the Mississippi River that pertain to the 1863 campaign conducted by Union generals Ulysses S. Grant and Nathaniel P. Banks against the twin Confederate bastions of Vicksburg, Mississippi and Port Hudson, Louisiana. The photos were all taken during a visit to the region in May, 2007; those depicting Vicksburg itself have been featured in previous threads. ( http://civilwartalk.com/threads/vicksburg-national-military-park.86707/ ; http://civilwartalk.com/threads/vicksburg-scenes.86715/ ) This is by no means a complete tour of the area but intended to give an idea of its historical richness; each entry is easily deserving a separate thread of its own.
Grant's Canal, Delta, Louisiana
Just across the Mississippi River from the city of Vicksburg perched on its high bluffs is the tiny community of Delta. Along old U.S. 80 before reaching the river bridge is the site of Grant's Canal, one of the early attempts to bypass the Vicksburg river defenses. It's now a unit of Vicksburg National Military Park and contains only this short and shallow depression, all that remains of a ditch once deep and wide enough to carry steamboats!
Raymond, Mississippi
Failing to isolate Vicksburg by diverting part of the great river through the canal, Grant resorted to crossing the Mississippi farther south and approaching the citadel from its land side. Small battles were fought at places like Raymond as the confused Confederates attempted to divine Grant's intentions. The 1850's courthouse served as a hospital following the battle here, as did the nearby church.
Confederate Dead from the battle and the hospitals lie in the small cemetery; many were from Brig. Gen. John Gregg's 7th Texas Infantry Regiment, the main force involved.
The Texas State Monument stands on the small battlefield where Gregg's 7th Texas made their attack against the head of the overwhelming Union force commanded by Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson.
For more about Raymond and its battlefield: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/photos-of-the-raymond-battlefield.90805/#post-732305
Champion's Hill Battlefield
At the time of my visit in 2007 most of the Champion's Hill battlefield remained in the ownership of the Champion family and was off-limits to visitors. Above, the area known as the Crossroads; along the road leading away the Missouri Confederate division of Maj. Gen. John Bowen rushed to resist the Federal assault on the hill itself - note the posted keep out signs! Below, a huge and ancient live oak, a now-dead but still standing witness tree at the site of the Champion House.
Rosswood Plantation near Port Gibson, Mississippi
This thread is intended to be only a sampling of places and things to see near and along the Great River Road on both sides of the Mississippi River that pertain to the 1863 campaign conducted by Union generals Ulysses S. Grant and Nathaniel P. Banks against the twin Confederate bastions of Vicksburg, Mississippi and Port Hudson, Louisiana. The photos were all taken during a visit to the region in May, 2007; those depicting Vicksburg itself have been featured in previous threads. ( http://civilwartalk.com/threads/vicksburg-national-military-park.86707/ ; http://civilwartalk.com/threads/vicksburg-scenes.86715/ ) This is by no means a complete tour of the area but intended to give an idea of its historical richness; each entry is easily deserving a separate thread of its own.
Grant's Canal, Delta, Louisiana
Just across the Mississippi River from the city of Vicksburg perched on its high bluffs is the tiny community of Delta. Along old U.S. 80 before reaching the river bridge is the site of Grant's Canal, one of the early attempts to bypass the Vicksburg river defenses. It's now a unit of Vicksburg National Military Park and contains only this short and shallow depression, all that remains of a ditch once deep and wide enough to carry steamboats!
Raymond, Mississippi
Failing to isolate Vicksburg by diverting part of the great river through the canal, Grant resorted to crossing the Mississippi farther south and approaching the citadel from its land side. Small battles were fought at places like Raymond as the confused Confederates attempted to divine Grant's intentions. The 1850's courthouse served as a hospital following the battle here, as did the nearby church.
Confederate Dead from the battle and the hospitals lie in the small cemetery; many were from Brig. Gen. John Gregg's 7th Texas Infantry Regiment, the main force involved.
The Texas State Monument stands on the small battlefield where Gregg's 7th Texas made their attack against the head of the overwhelming Union force commanded by Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson.
For more about Raymond and its battlefield: http://civilwartalk.com/threads/photos-of-the-raymond-battlefield.90805/#post-732305
Champion's Hill Battlefield
At the time of my visit in 2007 most of the Champion's Hill battlefield remained in the ownership of the Champion family and was off-limits to visitors. Above, the area known as the Crossroads; along the road leading away the Missouri Confederate division of Maj. Gen. John Bowen rushed to resist the Federal assault on the hill itself - note the posted keep out signs! Below, a huge and ancient live oak, a now-dead but still standing witness tree at the site of the Champion House.
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