The engagement at Raymond led Grant to change the direction of his army's march and
move on Jackson, the state capital. It was Grant's intention to destroy Jackson as a rail
and communications center and scatter any Confederate reinforcements which might be on the
way to Vicksburg. McPherson's Corps moved north through Raymond to Clinton on May 13,
while Major General William T. Sherman pushed northeast through Raymond to Mississippi
Springs. To cover the march on Jackson, Major General
John A. McClernand's Corps was placed in a defensive posture on a line from Raymond to
Clinton. Late in the afternoon of May 13, as the Federals were poised to strike at
Jackson, a train arrived in the capital city carrying Confederate General Joseph E.
Johnston. Ordered to Jackson by President Jefferson Davis,
Johnston was to salvage the rapidly deteriorating situation in Mississippi. Establishing
his headquarters at the Bowman House, General Johnston was appraised of troop strength and
the condition of the fortifications around Jackson. He immediately wired authorities in
Richmond, "I am too late." Instead of fighting for Jackson, Johnston ordered the
city evacuated. Gregg was ordered to fight a delaying action to cover the evacuation.
A heavy rain fell during the night which turned the roads into mud. Advancing slowly
through a torrential rain, the corps of Sherman and McPherson converged on Jackson by
mid-morning of May 14. Around 9 o'clock, the lead elements of McPherson's corps were fired
upon by Confederate artillery posted on the O. P. Wright farm. Quickly deploying his men
into line of battle, the Union corps commander prepared to attack. Suddenly, the rain fell
in sheets and threatened to ruin the ammunition of his men by soaking the powder in their
cartridge-boxes. The attack was postponed until the rain stopped around 11:00 a.m. The
Federals then advanced with bayonets fixed and banners unfurled. Clashing with the
Confederates in a bitter hand-to-hand struggle, McPherson's men forced the Southerners
back into the fortifications of Jackson.
Sherman's corps meanwhile reached Lynch Creek southwest of Jackson at 11 o'clock and
was immediately fired upon by Confederate artillery posted in the open fields north of the
stream. Union cannon were hurried into position and in short order drove the Confederates
back into the city's defenses. The stream was bank full and Sherman's men crossed on a
narrow wooden bridge. Reforming their lines, the Federals advanced at 2:00 p.m. until they
were stopped by canister fire. Not wishing to expose his men to the deadly fire, Sherman
sent one regiment to the right (east) in search of a weak spot in the defense line. These
men reached the works and found them deserted, only a handful of state troops and civilian
volunteers were left to man the guns in Sherman's front.
At 2:00 p.m., Gregg was notified that the army's supply train had left Jackson and
decided to withdraw his command. The Confederates moved quickly to evacuate the city and
were well out the Canton Road to the north when Union troops entered Jackson around 3
o'clock. The "Stars and Stripes" were unfurled atop the capitol by McPherson's
men, symbolic of Union victory.
Confederate casualties in the battle of Jackson were not accurately reported, but
estimated at 845 killed, wounded, and missing. In addition, 17 artillery pieces were taken
by the Federals. Union casualties totaled 300 men of whom 42 were killed, 251 wounded, and
7 missing.
Not wishing to waste combat troops on occupation, Grant ordered Jackson neutralized
militarily. The torch was applied to machine shops and factories, telegraph lines were
cut, and railroad tracks destroyed. With Jackson neutralized and Johnston's force
scattered to the winds, Grant turned his army west with confidence toward his
objective--Vicksburg.
Map, Grant's March, Battle of Jackson, May 14 108k, Large Format
Map of Battle of Jackson 101k,
Large Format
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