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Big Black River Bridge
Other Names: Big Black Location: Hinds County and Warren County Campaign: Grant’s Operations against Vicksburg (1863) Date(s): May 17, 1863 Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand [US]; Brig. Gen. John S. Bowen [CS] Forces Engaged: XIII Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee [US]; Bridgehead Defense Force (three brigades) [CS] Estimated Casualties: 2,273 total (US 273; CS 2,000) Description: Reeling from their defeat at Champion Hill, the Confederates
reached Big Black River Bridge, the night of May 16-17. Lt. Gen. John C.
Pemberton ordered Brig. Gen. John S. Bowen, with three brigades, to man
the fortifications on the east bank of the river and impede any Union pursuit.
Three divisions of Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand’s XIII Army Corps moved
out from Edwards Station on the morning of the 17th. The corps encountered
the Confederates behind breastworks and took cover as enemy artillery began
firing. Union Brig. Gen. Michael K. Lawler formed his 2nd Brigade, Carr’s
Division, which surged out of a meander scar, across the front of the Confederate
forces, and into the enemy’s breastworks, held by Vaughn’s East Tennessee
Brigade. Confused and panicked, the Rebels began to withdraw across the
Big Black on two bridges: the railroad bridge and the steamboat dock moored
athwart the river. As soon as they had crossed, the Confederates set fire
to the bridges, preventing close Union pursuit. The fleeing Confederates
who arrived in Vicksburg later that day were disorganized. The Union forces
captured approximately 1,800 troops at Big Black, a loss that the Confederates
could ill-afford. This battle sealed Vicksburg’s fate: the Confederate
force was
Result(s): Union victory CWSAC Reference #: MS010 Preservation Priority: II.2 (Class B) |
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