Civil War Mississippi: A Guide

5. Grant Triumphant: Vicksburg, Final Campaign and Siege

F I V E Grant Triumphant: Vicksburg, Final Campaign and Siege The steady tramp of Union infantry and the clatter of artillery drifted through the steep ravines and across the high ridges west of Port Gibson. On they came, their path lit by moonlight filtering through the moss and leaves of large hardwood trees. These were the men ofJohn McClernand's XIII Corps, who had marched inland and then had turned right off the main road to Port Gibson. En route they had passed the magnificent mansion called Windsor, its giant columns casting eery shadows across the landscape. Union commanders feared that the road might be blocked up ahead. Scouts had found a connection from the main route to the RodneyPort Gibson road, which ran parallel a few hundred yards to the south. So the men marched, urged on by McClernand, who feared that the Rebels, surely knowingby now of the landing at Bruinsburg, would burn bridges across BayouPierre near Port Gibson before the Yankees could do anything about it. A desperate John Bowen was spending a hectic evening on the night of April go-May i, 1863. More than any other Confederate commander, Bowen had correctly guessed Grant's intentions, and he knew that if the Federals got a foothold in Mississippithere were not enough Confederate troops in the Port Gibson-Grand Gulf area to prevent an inland invasion. His only hope was to fight and beat Grant now and drive him back into the river. While he looked anxiously for help from Vicksburg, Bowen sent troops under Martin Green hurrying to Port Gibson to block roads 56 Vicksburg from the Mississippi leading into the town. Bowen's scouts had reported the false news that Union troops were streaming down both the Rodney and Bruinsburg roads. Green steered his troops onto the Rodney route, while a recently arrived brigade commanded by Edward Tracy marched down the Bruinsburg road. Bowen got word that William Baldwin'sbrigade should arrive from Vicksburgin time for the fight. Martin Green, who had served under Sterling Price, spread his troops along a good defensiveposition at Magnolia Church.Just beyond sat the modest dwelling of A. K. Shaifer. Shaifer wasnot home, but his wife and other members of the household were warned that they were in harm's way. Having suddenly become fugitives, they quickly hitched horse to wagon and started furiously toward Port Gibson, just as the first Yankee bullets of the Battle of Port Gibson struck the side of the house. Green must have felt a bit embarrassed by the Shaifers' close call; he hadjust reassured them that the enemy was not nearby. Although the real battle would not get under wayuntil daylight, the opposing forces skirmished heavily in the darkness, a rare sight in a Civil Warbattle. When dawn came, Union commanders stood in amazement at the rugged terrain. Cane-choked hollows, a jigsaw puzzle of ravines, and narrow ridges would make coordinated attacks difficult at best. Also, word came from scouts that Tracy's brigade was approaching the Shaifer house by a small lane nearby that connected the Rodney and Bruinsburg roads. To meet this threat, McClernand sent a division led by Peter Osterhaus, an experienced Prussian officer who had settled in Missouri before the war. Edward Tracy found himself in a quandary. Osterhaus's division suddenly appeared on his front, while at the same time he received an urgent appeal to send reinforcements to Green. The situation got further confused when Tracy died instantly from a sharpshooter's bullet. A colonel, Isham Garrott, took command and wasordered by Green to hold the Bruinsburg road at all costs. Green, meanwhile, Final Campaign and Siege 57 Schaifer House on Port Gibson Battlefield. Where first shots of the battle were fired. Photo: Michael B. Ballard had been driven from his position at Magnolia Church back several hundred yardsinto the Willow Creek bottom. Victorious Union divisions commanded by Eugene Carr and A. P. Hoveyrushed forward, their cheers echoing across the hollows. Now William Baldwin's brigade arrived and tried to salvage the Confederate left, which had been smashed by Hoveyand Carr.Baldwin stationed his men in a formidable defensive position amid the Willow Creek bottom, the two creek branches, and surrounding ridges. Colonel Francis Cockrell of Missouri appeared with his Grand Gulf troops and moved into position to support Baldwin. Martin Green, retreating beyond Baldwin to the Bruinsburg road, assumed command in that...