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. Despite heavy Rebel fire, Porter passed the city, losing only one ship. Sundown found the two sides settling into a stalemate along a broad front on the Rodney Road several miles from Port Gibson. Restoration of the sit is in progress and the majority of the battlefield is privately owned. The Majority of our funds go directly to Preservation and Education. 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. 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. The A. K. Shaifer House was the site of the opening shots in the Battle of Port Gibson. By late 1861, President Abraham Lincoln was pressuring Union commanders in the west to invade the South. Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643. In late April, Grant finally struck gold. Just then, a single shot rang out as the Confederate pickets spotted movement in the distance. The absence of any Confederate cavalry would have a major impact on the campaign. The Confederate victory proved inconsequential, however. View the original source document: WHI 90836, Location: Port Gibson, Mississippi (Google Map), Campaign: Grant's Operations Against Vicksburg (March-July 1863). 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. Gen. Martin E. Green was inspecting his picket line at the Shaifer House shortly after midnight when he was amused to see Mrs. Shaifer and the women of the house frantically loading a wagon with all their household items. Gen. John Bowen clashed with elements of two Union corps commanded by Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant. The first Union objective was Port Gibson, roughly ten miles east of Bruinsburgand commanding the local road network. Port Gibson was the opening battle in a successful two-month-long Union campaign to capture Vicksburg, Mississippi, and take control of the Mississippi River. . Join us July 13-16! The Battle of Port Gibson was a resounding Union victory that secured Grant's beachhead east of the Mississippi River and cleared the way to the Southern Railroad supplying Vicksburg. Bowen repulsed the Union navy at Grand Gulf, Major Gen. U.S. Grant landed his troops on the Louisiana side and marched them down river. The Union victory secured that beachhead and paved the way for the eventual fall of Vicksburg. Fortunately for Grant, Pemberton took his orders to defend Vicksburg at all costs literally. 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. As the long column tramped down this road many officers were on foot. Battle of Port Gibson Marker. Join us July 13-16! The site is owned, operated, and funded by R.Squared Communications, LLC. Gen. Eugene A. Carr engaged Confederate pickets near the Shaifer House. He devised a turning movement in which one brigade would move slowly forward through the canebrake, while the second brigade would descend into the Widow's Creek bottoms and strike for the Confederates' left flank. Gen. Peter J. Osterhaus's 9th Division facing that direction. The battle began around midnight near the Shaifer House four miles west of town. 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. When spring arrived, Grant set a new plan into motion. The Battle of Port Gibson on May 1, 1863 was a pivotal event of the Civil War in Mississippi which featured the largest amphibious operation of the United States army prior to June 6, 1944. Donations to the Trust are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. 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. [4], U.S. National Register of Historic Places, List of National Historic Landmarks in Mississippi, National Register of Historic Places listings in Claiborne County, Mississippi, "National Historic Landmark Nomination: Battle of Port Gibson / Battle of Thompson's Hill / Battle of Magnolia Hills", History Under Siege: Port Gibson designated by the Civil War Preservation Trust as a Top 10 most endangered Civil War battlefield in 2009, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Port_Gibson_Battlefield&oldid=1103087379, This page was last edited on 8 August 2022, at 08:24. Despite heavy Rebel fire, Porter passed the city, losing only one ship. Windsor Plantation. Stay up-to-date on our FREE educational resources & professional development opportunities, all designed to support your work teaching American history. 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. Records 53-97. On the night of April 16, seven gunboats and three supply ships under the command of Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter ran the gauntlet of Confederate batteries along the river. Having developed each other's positions, the opposing forces sat down and waited for daylight. The creators behind Ohio Civil War Central are historians, developers, and website specialists. The house was used by Maj. Gen. John A McClernand for his headquarters and later used as a hospital. The Federals divided their forces and moved along two roughly parallel roads that converged near their objective, about ten miles to the east. The initial landing was unopposed, and Grant moved quickly to secure the beachhead, moving troops up the road toward Port Gibson. Defending that border was difficult for the Confederacy because three major rivers (the Mississippi, which flows south to the Gulf of Mexico, and the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, which flow north to the Ohio River) provided relatively easy access to the South. Soon after, Tracy was killed by a snipers bullet. Confederate forces were entrenched at nearby Magnolia Church. Provided by Touchpoints Contact Info Subscribe to the American Battlefield Trust's quarterly email series of curated stories for the curious-minded sort! . Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. Fighting in the scattered fields and forest around the Shaifer House intensified as more Union regiments and batteries came into action. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 56,000 acres in 25 states! The 11th Wisconsin Infantry was among the first units to attack and remained in front throughout the battle. As he relaxed, he caught up on correspondence, including a message from Banks that he was nowhere near Port Hudson. The Majority of our funds go directly to Preservation and Education. To the east, a ring of forts, mounting 172 guns, shielded the city from an overland assault. The Trust and its partners have acquired and preserved 644 acres (2.61km2) of the Port Gibson battlefield. Nothing seemed to work. Stay up-to-date on the American Battlefield Trust's battlefield preservation efforts, travel tips, upcoming events, history content and more. 3 Mississippi (Claiborne County), Port Gibson Battle of Port Gibson On May 1, 1863, Confederate forces under Brig. The land on the Louisiana side of the river, opposite Vicksburg, was rough, etched with poor roads and many streams. Begin or dive deeper into researching your family tree, Learn about the spaces, places, & unique story of your community, The largest North American Heritage collection after the Library of Congress. Every purchase supports the mission. Restoration of the site is in progress and the majority of the battlefield is privately owned. Defending that border was difficult for the Confederacy because three major rivers (the Mississippi, which flows south to the Gulf of Mexico, and the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, which flow north to the Ohio River) provided relatively easy access to the South. Stay up-to-date on our FREE educational resources & professional development opportunities, all designed to support your work teaching American history. The Union Army was led by Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, and they were victorious. This survey was of a two-acre borrow area . The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Battle of Raymond: May 12 He sent three divisions, commanded by his most trusted subordinate, General William T. Sherman, down the river from Memphis to attack Vicksburg from the north. Canals were dug and abandoned. . Send Students on School Field Trips to Battlefields Your Gift Tripled! Ohio Civil War Central is an independent encyclopedia of Ohio history. The brigades of Brig. Rather than form on Garrotts endangered right, Green assumed position on his left and, thus, provided little support. The Confederate force now retreated back towards Grand Gulf. A late 1862 advance south from Tennessee ended with Confederates severing Grants supply lines. Green quickly mounted and raced back to Magnolia Church to alert his brigade. Mine Run - Union Off. The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Bowen deployed Brigadier General Martin E. Greens Brigade west of Port Gibson along Rodney Road and he stationed Brigadier General Edward D. Tracys brigade across Bruinsburg Road. Hallecks departure left Major General Ulysses S. Grant in charge of operations in the Western Theater. American History Central is an independent encyclopedia of American history. Every purchase supports the mission. The Federals divided their forces and moved along two roughly parallel roads that converged near their objective, about ten miles to the east. This historical marker is Near Bruinsburg in Claiborne County Mississippi, 3. After a prolonged siege, Grant eventually forced Pemberton to surrender on July 4, 1863. Fighting in the scattered fields and forest around the Shaifer House intensified as more Union regiments and batteries came into action. A desperate Confederate counterattack by Cockrells Missourians was repulsed, and Bowen ordered a retreat. As the situation deteriorated, Bowen wired his superiors: "We have been engaged in a furious battle ever since daylight; losses very heavy. Known as The Gibraltar of the Confederacy, the city seemed to be impregnable. Brig. Grant would then detach Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand's XIII Corps to Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks at Port Hudson, Louisiana, while Sherman hurried to join Grant and James B. McPherson and the XVII Corps for an inland move against the railroad. The house was used by Maj. Gen. John A McClernand for his headquarters and later used as a hospital. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Port Hudson Maps. Sign up to receive the latest information on the American Battlefield Trust's efforts to blaze The Liberty Trail in South Carolina. [6], The battlefield area is about 4 miles (6.4km) west of Port Gibson. 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. Part of the battle was fought on the Bruinsburg Road at Point Lookout. To complete the river crossing, however, Grant needed the help of his naval forces. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 56,000 acres in 25 states! The battle began around midnight near the Shaifer House four miles west of town. Tracy dispatched infantry and artillery to Greens assistance minutes before cannons began to pound his own line, signaling the advance of a new Union column under Brig. This FREE annual event brings together educators from all over the world for sessions, lectures, and tours from leading experts. The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations to the Trust are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. Despite a valiant effort by Col. Isham W. Garrot, taking over for Tracy, his line was outflanked and he was forced to withdraw. The Union Army was led by Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, and was victorious. Every purchase supports the mission. At roughly 8 a.m., a Union musket ball pierced General Tracys breast, killing him instantly, but his men held on until about 10 a.m. when their lines crumbled. The bluff upon which the city sits made it nearly impossible to assault from the river. Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. This strategic battle was fought eight miles west of Bethel Church on May 1, 1863. Port Gibson: Featured Resources Civil War | Video Vicksburg Campaign Civil War | Article 10 Facts: The Vicksburg Campaign Civil War | Biography James B. McPherson At the onset of the American Civil War, the State of Tennessee comprised most of the northern border of the Confederate States of America in the West. As Greens men scrambled to the rear, Brig. The creators behind American History Central are historians, developers, and website specialists who have built multiple digital encyclopedias. Stay up-to-date on our FREE educational resources & professional development opportunities, all designed to support your work teaching American history. 4. Ohio Civil War Central also displays ads from third-party networks. This strategic battle was fought eight miles west of Bethel Church on May 1, 1863. This FREE annual event brings together educators from all over the world for sessions, lectures, and tours from leading experts. The site is owned, operated, and funded by R.Squared Communications, LLC. Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643. (CSA). The Battle of Port Gibson was fought near Port Gibson, Mississippi, on May 1, 1863, between Union and Confederate forces during the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. Contents 1 Background 2 Battle 3 Aftermath 4 Battlefield preservation 5 See also 6 References Johnstons removal prevented him from uniting his forces with Pemberton, now isolated at Vicksburg. Union gunboats, investigating the nature of the explosion, arrived and took Grand Gulf without a shot. Copyright20062023,Somerightsreserved. Battle of Port Gibson - Grant's March Marker. quadrangle map, only one small, intensive level survey was performed within the battlefield area. Sign up for our quarterly email series highlighting the environmental benefits of battlefield preservation. 3. The only surviving historic structure is the Shaifer plantation house, which is where the battle began. Fighting erupted shortly after midnight on May 1 as Union soldiers encountered Bowen's men in the dense undergrowth near Magnolia Church and continued into the next day. The brigades of Brig. Gen. Martin E. Green's Brigade and took up a position astride the Rodney road just southwest of Port Gibson near Magnolia Church. Under threat of being surrounded, Bowen also evacuated the formidable Fort Cobun at Grand Gulf, yielding control of the area to Grants Army of the Tennessee. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This FREE annual event brings together educators from all over the world for sessions, lectures, and tours from leading experts. 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. Gen. Alvin P. Hovey's 12th Division arrived and surged forward just as Carr's men were storming the Confederate position. 601.437.5911. [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. 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. Wary of Tracy's Brigade to the north, McClernand posted Brig. One-hundred-foot-tall (30m) hills separated by nearly vertical ravines choked with canebrakes and underbrush rendered Bowen's position tenable, despite the overwhelming Union force heading his way. 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. Gen. Edward D. Tracy arrived later and was posted across the Bruinsburg Road two miles north of Green's position. On May 2, Grant quickly maneuvered Bowen out of position by sending McPherson to cross the Bayou Pierre at a ford several miles upstream. Sporadic skirmishing and artillery fire continued until 3 a.m. Green called for reinforcements from Brig. 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. A few miles to the south, McClernands Corps traveled along Rodney Road. The site is also known as the Grindstone Ford. Windsor survived the war, becoming a prominent landmark along the Mississippi River. The Union forces were brought across by Read Admiral D.D. Meanwhile, Grant's troop barges ran past Fort Cobun under the protection of Porter's gunboats. Eleven were killed on the field and 10 died of wounds. Despite the reinforcements, Green was still heavily outnumbered and around 10:00 a.m. his line collapsed. Every purchase supports the mission. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 56,000 acres in 25 states! By late 1861, President Abraham Lincoln was pressuring Union commanders in the west to invade the South. 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. 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