Port Gibson

Images of the first land battlefield of the Vicksburg Campaign

(9 photos in gallery)

The Battle of Port Gibson

Rob Shenk

After crossing the Mississippi River on April 30, 1863, U.S. Grant's Federal troops met Confederates in the Battle of Port Gibson, the first land battle of the Vicksburg Campaign

Union March from Bruinsburg

Rob Shenk

The lead element of Grant's army--General John McClernand's Thirteenth Corps--crossed the Mississippi at Bruinsburg then made its way toward Port Gibson.

Windsor

William Boyd

Following the crossing of his corps, McClernand made his headquarters here, at the palatial mansion of Smith Coffee Daniel, II, known as Windsor.

Rodney Road

Rob Shenk

In the pre-dawn hours of May 1, the vanguard of McClernand's corps--the 21st Iowa--made their way down this narrow road before running into Confederates at the Shaifer House. The tangled thickets and ravines prevented the Federals from bringing their superior numbers to bear.

A. K. Shaifer House

Rob Shenk

The Arkansans and Mississippians of Brig. Gen. Martin Green's brigade deployed in the yard of A. K. Shaifer house in an effort to retard the Federal advance.

Opening Shots

Rob Shenk

This monument marks the spot from which the opening shots of the Battle of Port Gibson were fired. These were the first shots fired in a land battle during the Vicksburg Campaign

Bayou Pierre

Rob Shenk

While McClernand's main forced their way up Rodney Road, Brig. Gen. Peter Osterhaus' Union division met a brigade of Alabamians under Brig. Gen. Edward Tracy in the vicinity of Bayou Pierre. The Federals eventually drove the Confederates, whose losses included Gen. Tracy.

Logan's Troops Enter Port Gibson

After the battle, Brig. Gen. John A. Logan's troops entered the town of Port Gibson. Grant's campaign was off to a good start.

Wintergreen Confederate Cemetery

Rob Shenk

This cemetery is the final resting place to those Confederates who lost their lives at the Battle of Port Gibson. Port Gibson native, Earl van Dorn, is also buried here.