Battle of Jackson

n May 13 Major General James B. McPherson’s corps moved north through Raymond to Clinton while Major General William T. Sherman pushed northeast through Raymond to Mississippi Springs. To cover the march on Jackson, Major General John A. McClernand’s corps was placed in a defensive posture on a line from Raymond to Clinton.

That night as the Federals were poised to strike at Jackson, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston arrived in the capitol. President Jefferson Davis had ordered him to salvage the rapidly deteriorating situation in Mississippi. In his headquarters at the Bowman House, General Johnston learned of the troop strength and the condition of the fortifications around Jackson. He immediately wired Richmond, “I am too late.” He ordered the city evacuated while Brigadier General John Gregg fought a delaying action.

A torrential rain slowed the Federal advance along roads of mud. As Sherman’s and McPherson’s corps converged on Jackson, McPherson’s men were hit by Confederate artillery posted on the O. P. Wright farm. The Federals’ attack was delayed by sheets of rain that threatened to soak their cartridge boxes and ruin their ammunition. When the rain stopped about 11:00 a.m., the Federals then advanced with bayonets fixed and banners unfurled. Clashing in bitter hand-to-hand combat, McPherson’s men forced the Confederates back into the fortifications of Jackson.

herman’s corps reached Lynch Creek southwest of Jackson at 1:00 p.m. and was immediately fired upon by Confederate artillery posted in the open fields north of the stream. Union guns moved into position and in short order drove the Confederates back into the city’s defenses. The stream was full, but Sherman’s men were able to cross on a narrow wooden bridge.

Reforming their lines, the Federals advanced at 2:00 p.m. until they were stopped by canister fire. To avoid exposing his men to deadly fire, Sherman sent McMillen’s 35th Ohio east from his right flank to find a weak spot in the Confederate defense line. When they reached the line, they found only a few state troops and civilian volunteers manning the guns. The Ohio troops advanced without opposition along the railroad into Jackson. Gregg had evacuated Jackson and headed north out the Canton Road. The Federals captured 17 artillery pieces in the battle. About 3:00 p.m. the Union troops entered Jackson and placed the Stars and Stripes atop the capitol, declaring their victory.

Grant neutralized Jackson militarily by burning the machine shops and factories, cutting telegraph lines, and destroying railroad tracks, He then turned his army west toward his objective: Vicksburg.

Federal Casualties: 300
Confederate Casualties: 845 (estimated)