Civil War Mississippi: A Guide

Touring the War

Touring the War I U K A A N D C O R I N T H luka is located in the northeast corner of Mississippiat the intersection of highways 72 and 25. The battlefield is southwest of town along Highway 25 and has not been preserved, although a historic marker identifies the general location. Another interesting site near luka is the old Eastport area north of town. Civil War ships anchored there, and the surrounding hills are speckled with campsites and fortifications. To retrace the march of the Union army to luka from Corinth, follow Highway 72 (Ord's route) and Highway 45 south (Rosecrans's route). To continue following Rosecrans's approach, turn east at Rienzi onto Route 356. Go through Jacinto (or stop and visit the historic courthouse there) to Route 365; turn south and then turn left again onto Route 364. Continue until Highway 25 appears , and turn left (north) into luka. For information, contact the luka Public Library (662-423-6300). The historic town of Corinth is situated in northeast Mississippi at the intersection of highways 45 and 72 (east/west). The town still sits at a railroad intersection; the Memphis and Charleston is now called the Southern, and the Mobile and Ohio is the Illinois Central. Several Civil War sites remain, though it has been only in the last couple of decades that the town has made a concerted effort at preservation. A few state historical markers are scattered along streets. At present, a movementis under wayto have a national military park designated at Corinth, though this will be difficult since the town's expansion over the years has covered most of the battle sites. ii6 Touring the War The most impressive site isBatteryRobinett, reconstructed on the original ground of the fortification. Standing in Robinett and looking to the northwest, whence the Confederate attack came, a visitor can understand whythe attack failed. A beautiful national cemetery containing mostly Civil War dead stands in the south-central part of town. The remains of Civil War entrenchments can be spotted scattered about town; some are marked and some are not. Places to contact for maps and tourism information include the Northeast Mississippi Regional Library (662-287-7311), the Northeast Mississippi Museum Association (662-287-3120), and the Curlee House (662-287-9501). T H E V I C K S B U R G C A M P A I G N Begin at the Vicksburg National Military Park headquarters on Clay Street, about one hundred yards from the appropriate Interstate 20 exit. For information on all aspects of the campaign, and especially to arrange tours, call 601-636-0583. Taking this step will greatly facilitate visits to other areas that were part of the campaign. Some impressions of the early aspects of the campaign can be gained by driving along Highway61 north and south along the Mississippi . Cannon along the roadside mark some of the Confederate positions taken to combat the Union navy. Guns up on the bluffs inside park boundaries mark similar sites. For those interested in the Grant-Sherman campaign of 1862, the place to see in Vicksburg is on Highway 61 north of town where a historic marker gives the general location of Sherman's attack along Chickasaw Bayou. Another event during this period, the sinking of the USS Cairo, is dramatized by the salavaged remains of the vessel on display in the park. Adjacent to the ironclad is an excellent museum containing many relics from the Cairo. In north Mississippi, Grant's general route south from the Tennessee line is Highway7 to Grenada. A stop at Holly Springs is recommended. This historic town, the site of Van Dorn's raid, has many antebellum homes and a Touring theWar nj county museum. For information, contact the Marshall CountyMuseum (662-252-3669). The only site available for visiting regarding the early 1863 campaign of diversions is Fort Pemberton. Although there are plans to expand this site someday,it is currently very small and features a historic marker. The fort is located in Greenwood, Mississippi,a Delta town at the intersection of highways 82 and 4gE. For information, contact Cottonlandia Museum (662-453-0925). Several historic markers are scattered along the routes of Grierson's Raid. The exact route is probably impossible to trace by modern roads. The general trail, beginning at Ripley, is Highway 15 south to Pontotoc,Highway 41 southeast...