Vicksburg Campaign Trail
| 1. Grantís Canal Located in Delta, Louisiana, just across the Mississippi River Bridge. Site features the remains of Grantís second attempt at building canal. The purpose of the canal, begun in the spring of 1862, was to create a channel for navigation that would bypass the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg. Engineers thought the scouring effect of the Mississippi Riverís current would keep the canal open. As the men worked on the canal, many died from disease: dysentery, malaria and various deadly fevers. During the winter of 1863, a rise in the river broke the dam at the head of the canal causing Grant to make a bold change in operations. Work on the canal was abandoned. The segment of canal at Delta is all that remains. Other portions of the canal have disappeared over time. 2. Duckport Canal 3. Dalkeith 4. Millikenís Bend 5. Richmond Located 2 miles south of Tallulah on Roundaway Bayou. Union task force under Col. Thomas M. Bennett moving south as a part of the operation against Vicksburg, here met and routed Maj. Issac F. Harrisonís 15th Louisiana Calvary, March 31, 1863. Union soldiers of Gen. Joseph A. Moyer forced Confederate Gen. John G. Walker to evacuate Richmond after a skirmish 3 miles north of town. The Union Army burned the town which was never rebuilt. 6. Winter Quarters State Historic Site
7. Grand Gulf Military Park
8. Ruins of Windsor
9. Bethel Presbyterian
10. Old Rodney Road
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above us and the road is romantic in the extreme. The artillery wagons rattle forward and the heavy tramp of many men gives a dull but impressive sound.” Today, the old road appears much as it did in 1863.
11. Shaifer House
13. Grindstone Ford 16. Roach Plantation Antebellum home located on the Raymond-Utica Road. The Roach House was the site where General McPherson and his Seventeenth Corps camped May 11-12. At 3:30 a.m. on May 12, the men broke camp and began marching for Raymond. 17. Lebanon Presbyterian Church and Cemetery
18. Hinds County Courthouse in Raymond
19. St Markís Episcopal Church
20. Confederate Cemetery
21. Raymond Civil War Battlefield The site where General John Greggís army of three thousand men went against General James McPhersonís Seventeenth Corps. Battlefield site includes Fourteen Mile Creek, McGavockís Hill, Artillery Ridge and McPhersonís Ridge. |
22. Old Capitol Museum One of the three public buildings in the city that was not destroyed by the torches of General William Sherman. The Old Capitol was built in 1836 by William Nichols. The historic building is now a museum. Open Friday 8-5, Saturday 9:30-4:30 and Sunday 12:30-4:30.
23. Governorís Mansion
24. Manship House
25. Greenwood Cemetery The oldest public cemetery in the City of Jackson. A Confederate Cemetery is located on this site. Located at 324 George Street, Jackson. 26. The Oaks House Museum One of the few antebellum homes remaining in Jackson. General Grantís troops raided the house and General Sherman briefly used the house as headquarters. The museum interprets the life of the Boyd family from the 1840ís to the 1860ís. Located at 823 North Jefferson Street, Jackson. Open Friday and Saturday from 10-3. Fee charged 27. Billy Fields Road A ridge road running between Bolton and Edwards where most of the action of the Battle of Champion Hill took place. A historic marker notes the location of the heart of the battlefield. 28. Coker House Antebellum home near the Champion Hill Battlefield. After the Battle of Champion Hill, the Coker House was used as a hospital for wounded Union Soldiers. 29. General Lloyd Tilghman Monument Located on the Raymond-Edwards road near the Bakerís Creek crossing. General Tilghman, commanding First Brigade of Loringís Division, was killed near the close of the Battle of Champion Hill. After the turn-of-the-century, a memorial monument was erected on the site where he fell. 30. Old Vicksburg Courthouse
31. Pembertonís Headquarters
32. Vicksburg Military Park
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After crossing the river and landing at Bruinsburg, the Union army began marching inland toward Port Gibson. A short distance into the march, the soldiers found themselves staring at a magnificent five-story mansion known as Windsor Plantation. Young widow, Catherine Daniell, pleaded for the safety of her home and family. Her plea was granted but as the army left, Grant burned the barn as a warning. In 1890, Windsor was destroyed by fire. The twenty-two Corinthian columns that remain are among the most famous ruins in the world.
One of the oldest churches in the State of Mississippi. The present structure was built circa 1842 by Dr. Jeremiah Chamberlain, a Presbyterian minister. Dr. Chamberlain served as president of the prestigious Oakland College near Rodney. Oakland College later became Alcorn State University, the first black, land-grant college in the United States. As Grantís army marched inland, they lingered just long enough at Bethel to do a little target practice, shooting recklessly at the church belfry.
The old sunken road taken by Grantís army as they marched from Bruinsburg to Port Gibson. A Union soldier described the road saying,”The moon is shining
This is the only house that survives on the Old Rodney Road. The Battle of Port Gibson was fought around this site. During the battle, the evacuated home was used by General John McClernand as headquarters. It was also used as a hospital by both Union and Confederate troops.
The site of a destroyed suspension bridge over the Bayou Pierre River. The Rebels burned the bridge behind them as they fled. The Union army quickly repaired it and was able to cross. Remains of the suspension bridge can still be seen. Grindstone Ford is now a tourist stop on the Natchez Trace.
As the Union army marched from Hankinsonís Ferry toward Utica and Raymond, they camped at the town of Rocky Springs, a site on the old Natchez Trace. During the war years, Rocky Springs boasted a population of approximately 2,000 inhabitants. As the Union army marched into town, they were met by the icy stares of the people. Today, Rocky Springs is a ghost town. Only the old Methodist church and cemetery have survived.
A century and a half-year-old church located on the banks of the old roadbed between Utica and Raymond. The Union army passed this church on their march toward Raymond. The church represents one of the oldest surviving antebellum churches in the state.
Built by the famous Weldon Brothers from Natchez between 1857-1859. Following the Battle of Raymond, the courthouse served as a Confederate hospital.
The only antebellum church left standing in Raymond. Built in 1854, the church was used as a hospital to treat Union soldiers following the Battle of Raymond. Bloodstains are still visible on the old wooden floors.
Located in the Old Raymond Cemetery. The final resting place for one hundred and forty men who were killed during the Battle of Raymond. Most of the dead were from the 3rd Tennessee Infantry and the 7th Texas Infantry.
Greek Revival style of architecture constructed in 1842 by state architect, William Nichols, who also designed the Old Capitol. It is the oldest occupied governorís mansion in the United States. Tours available Fridays on the half hour, 9:30-11:00.
One of the few antebellum homes remaining in Jackson after the war. Built by the Manship family in 1857, the home is a rare example of the Gothic Revival residential style of architecture. Charles Henry Manship served as mayor of Jackson during the war years. In his capacity of mayor, Manship surrendered Jackson to General Sherman on July 16, 1863. The home has been restored and is now open to the public. Located at 420 E. Fortification Street. Open Friday 9-4 and Saturday 10-4.
One of the most famous buildings in the South and certainly Vicksburgís most imposing structure. Construction began in 1858 according to designs developed by the Weldon Brothers of Natchez. Today, the historic building is maintained as a museum with emphasis on Civil War history. Entrance fee
The antebellum home, now known as General John Pembertonís headquarters, is located next to the historic Balfour house. Recently restored, this home is noted as one of Vicksburgís architectural and historic treasures. Located at 1018 Crawford Street. Privately owned and not operated on a set schedule. Entrance fee
Established by Congress on February 21, 1899 to commemorate one of the most decisive battles of the American Civil War, the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg. This park is famous worldwide. It includes 1,325 historic markers and monuments, 20 miles of reconstructed trenches and earthworks, a 16 mile tour road, the Shirley House, one-hundred and forty-four cannons, a restored Union gunboat- the USS Cairo – and the National Cemetery.