Misfire in Mississippi: McPherson's Canton Expedition

MISFIRE IN MISSISSIPPI: McPHERSON'S CANTON EXPEDITION Edwin C. Bearss In the fuist week of October, 1863, Major General James B. McPherson , field commander of Union troops in the Vicksburg area, confened with his superior, Major General Ulysses S. Grant. At this meeting Grant, who was under orders to proceed to Cairo, Illinois, preparatory to assuming command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, directed McPherson to make a forced reconnaissance to Canton, Mississippi. After capturing this vital railroad center, he was then to send raiding parties to threaten the important Mobüe and Ohio Railroad. Grant pointed out to McPherson that the expedition would create a valuable diversion, forcing the Rebel brass to hold troops in central Mississippi. Thus, it was hoped, the Confederates would be less able to harass William T. Sherman, who was to transfer his corps eastward from Memphis and reinforce the beleaguered Army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga.1 Upon the receipt of Grant's orders, McPherson quickly and efficiently commenced the organization of his task force. As finally constituted, McPherson's command consisted of two infantry divisions—one led by Major General John A. Logan, the other by Brigadier General James M. Turtle. For scouting and raiding purposes, Colonel Edward F. Winslow 's cavalry brigade would accompany the expedition. McPherson calculated that his force, when organized, would muster at least 8,000 rank and füe—more than enough to deal with any troops the Confederate authorities in central Mississippi might concentrate.3 Edwin C. Bearss, a National Park Service historian stationed at Vicksburg, is author of a recent book, Decision in Mississippi, and holder of the coveted Harry Truman Award for "meritorious service in the field of Civil War history." 1U1S. War Dept. (comp.), The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (Washington, 1880-1901), Ser. I, XXX, pt. II, 802, 805; pt. IV, 233. ( Cited hereafter as OR, with all references being to Ser. I.) 'Ibid., pt II, 802, 805. Logan's division (3,500 effectives) was organized as 401 402EDWIN C. BEARSS As McPherson matured his master plan for the descent on Canton, the units to compose his expeditionary force were stationed in various sections of Warren County. Therefore, it was mandatory that he designate a focal point, preparatory to crossing the Big Black River. Since there was sufficient level ground west of the Big Black to stage a force of 8,000, and the road that led eastward from the river gave ready access to the Canton road, McPherson chose Messinger's Ford as his point of concentration. Accordingly, on October 13 McPherson issued instructions for the commanders of all participating units to move their organizations to Messinger's Ford on the morrow.3 Shortly after daybreak on the 14th General Logan's division, stationed in Vicksburg as the XVII Corps' strategic reserve, was mustered. Once the rolls had been called, the troops—three days' rations in their haversacks —took up the march to the Big Black. Most of Logan's soldiers, bored by the past fortnight's garrison duty with its steady diet of guard and fatigue parties, cheered themselves with the prospect of an active campaign. The division followed the Bridgeport road to Tiffentown. Here the column turned into the Messinger's Ford road. Nightfall found Logan's troops, after a fourteen-mile march, encamped in the fields west of the Big Black River. McPherson, who had accompanied Logan 's division, established his headquarters in the George Messinger house.4 Since Tuttle's division was guarding the eastern approaches to Vicksburg , it was somewhat scattered. Brigadier General Ralph P. Buckland's brigade watched the Benton road at Oak Ridge; Brigadier General Joseph A. Mower's occupied the fortifications at the Big Black bridge; Colonel James C. Geddes' was stationed at Trible's plantation, covering the roads leading to Birdsong's Ferry and Messinger's Ford. On the 14th, after the 500 patients in the division hospitals had been evacuated to Vicksburg, the brigades constituting Tuttle's division converged on the designated staging area. Having a shorter distance to negotiate follows: 1st Brigade (Brig. Gen. Mortimer D. Leggett commanding)—20th...