Jackson to Vicksburg Civil War Sites
The landscape between Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi, a mere 45-mile stretch, holds within it a profound and often overlooked significance in the history of the American Civil War. This area served as the backdrop for critical battles that irrevocably shaped the course of the conflict, playing a vital role in the ultimate defeat of Vicksburg. While the Vicksburg Campaign encompassed a far wider scope, the battles fought here, specifically the Battle of Champion Hill on May 16, 1863, and the Battle of the Big Black River Bridge the following day, stand as testaments to the strategic importance of this region.
Despite their crucial role, these battles are often relegated to footnotes in history books. A combination of factors contributes to this relative obscurity: altered road names obscuring historical routes, a lack of comprehensive historical markers to guide exploration, and the location of many sites on private property, making access and research challenging. This article aims to shed light on some of these significant locations, offering a glimpse into the events that unfolded and their lasting impact.
General John C. Pemberton, the Confederate commander tasked with defending Vicksburg, expressed his reservations about the strategic decisions leading up to the Battle of Champion Hill. His own words, "I think it due to myself to state emphatically that the advance movement of the army from Edwards Depot on the afternoon of May 15 was made against my judgment, in opposition to my previously expressed intentions, and to the subversion of my matured plans," highlight the internal conflicts and strategic disagreements that plagued the Confederate forces during this critical period. This internal discord undoubtedly played a role in the Union’s eventual success.
The journey through these Jackson to Vicksburg Civil War Sites requires a degree of historical detective work. While numerous locations played a role in the events of 1863, this article focuses on several key areas, offering insight into their historical context and current state.
Key Sites Along the Jackson to Vicksburg Corridor
Askew Landing and the Bridgeport Plantation: As Confederate forces retreated from the devastating defeat at Champion Hill, they sought refuge and escape routes back to Vicksburg. One such route led them through the Bridgeport Plantation, situated northeast of Edwards near the banks of the Big Black River. This plantation, established by Duklet Askew in 1859, witnessed skirmishing as Confederates crossed the river, destroying the ferry in their wake to hinder Union pursuit. Today, the Bridgeport Plantation is a National Registered Historic Site and operates as an RV Campground, offering a blend of historical significance and modern recreation. The area provides a tangible connection to the Confederate retreat and the efforts to impede the advancing Union army.
Baker’s Creek and Champion Hill Road: This road served as a vital, albeit limited, avenue of escape for Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton’s army following the Battle of Champion Hill. As Union forces outflanked the Confederate left, the Raymond-Edwards Road crossing of Baker’s Creek became the primary escape route. Champion Hill Road itself roughly follows the path of the old Clinton Road. While the Midway Station and the Champion family cemetery remain on private property, accessible only through pre-arranged tours, the site where the Champion House once stood is located near the Missionary Baptist Church. Unfortunately, access to the church is also restricted, highlighting the challenges of exploring these historical locations.
Big Black River: This significant waterway, a tributary of the Mississippi River, stretches approximately 330 miles southwest from Webster County to its confluence with the Mississippi, south of Vicksburg. Its floodplain often transformed into impassable swamps during periods of heavy rainfall, a factor that shaped early settlement patterns and military strategy. In the early days of settlement, various ferries, including the Fox, Birdsong, Baldwin, Cox, and Askew Ferries, provided crucial river crossings. The Baldwin Ferry was destroyed during the Battle of the Big Black River, and the Askew Ferry met a similar fate as Confederates fled Champion Hill. The Battle of the Big Black River Bridge, fought on May 17, 1863, resulted in a decisive Union victory, effectively trapping Confederate forces within Vicksburg. Post-Civil War, the Big Black River, despite its navigational challenges, remained a vital transportation artery for interior Mississippi until the advent of widespread bridge construction in the 20th century.
Bolton: Situated northwest of Jackson and a short distance from the Champion Hill battlefield, Bolton itself did not witness direct combat. However, on the eve of the Battle of Champion Hill, Union General James B. McPherson’s corps encamped near Bolton, strategically positioned at the junction of the Jackson Road and the Raymond-Bolton Road. Other Union forces, under General John Alexander McClernand, were positioned further south along the Raymond-Bolton Road. This strategic deployment allowed for a rapid advance towards Edwards Station the following morning. Today, Bolton remains a small town with a population of just over 600, retaining some of its historical businesses and a palpable sense of community pride.
Bridgeport Road: This historic thoroughfare, once connecting Jackson to Vicksburg, holds the distinction of being the first state-built road through the Choctaw Session territory. Constructed between 1822 and 1825, it was named for the now-vanished community of Bridgeport, located at the Big Black River crossing. By the 1840s, it served as a federal Post Road, facilitating daily stagecoach service. The Bridgeport Road played a significant role in the movements of both Union and Confederate forces during the Vicksburg Campaign. After the Civil War, as rail transport gained prominence, the road declined. While much of the original route has been replaced or abandoned, a preserved 3/10-mile section northeast of Bolton remains in its original state. This section, a designated Mississippi Landmark, offers a glimpse into the past with its narrow, graveled surface and overhanging oak trees. It faced potential destruction in 2005 but was saved by the Mississippi Heritage Trust. Some old sections of Bridgeport Road can also be found at Askew’s Landing near Edwards.
Champion Hill: The heart of the Battle of Champion Hill unfolded on this property, also referred to as the Battle of Baker’s Creek. On May 16, 1863, Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant engaged Confederate Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton in a bloody conflict that resulted in an estimated 2,457 Union and 4,300 Confederate casualties. Access to the site is restricted to privately arranged tours, highlighting the ongoing efforts to preserve and interpret this crucial battlefield. The Champion Hill area, including portions of the original roads, is remarkably well-preserved, although no original buildings remain. Thousands of acres are privately owned, while another 800 acres are under the stewardship of the State of Mississippi. The Civil War Preservation Trust has protected 402 acres through conservation easements and land purchases, with the hope that these properties may one day become an extension of the Vicksburg National Military Park.
Champion House: The story of the Champion House is intertwined with the human cost of war. In 1853, Sid and Matilda Champion received the land as a wedding gift, constructing a two-story white frame house overlooking the railroad near Midway Station. When the Civil War erupted, Sid joined the Confederate army, leaving Matilda to manage the plantation. On May 15, 1863, as Grant’s army advanced, Matilda fled with her children to safety. The following day, the Battle of Champion Hill raged across their property. The house was used as a Union hospital and later burned by Union soldiers. After the war, Sid and Matilda returned to build a smaller house at Midway Station. Both are buried in the family cemetery. The original Champion home and a historical marker are located on the land where the Champion Hill Baptist Church now stands, but access is limited due to a locked gate.
Coker House: On May 16, 1863, Confederate troops initially deployed near the Coker House, engaging in an artillery duel with advancing Union forces. After the Confederate withdrawal, Union troops occupied the ridge, positioning artillery near the Coker House. The house subsequently served as a field hospital for soldiers from both sides. The Coker House, a one-story Greek Revival structure built in 1852, bore witness to the intense fighting. Despite falling into disrepair over the years, it stood as the only remaining structure directly associated with the Battle of Champion Hill. In 2006, after years of deterioration, the house was razed, but much of the original material was salvaged for a meticulous reconstruction. Historical marker plaques at the site detail the battle and the house’s history. The Coker House is located near the southern portion of the Champion Hill battlefield, east of Edwards on Mississippi Highway 467.
Cook Plantation: Established in the late 1830s, the Cook Plantation, owned by McKinney L. Cook and his wife, Jennette Winters Cook, encompassed approximately 800 acres. In 1852, Cook constructed a grand two-story Greek Revival mansion. During the Civil War, the plantation suffered significant damage as Confederate and Union troops passed through. While the mansion survived the initial conflict, it later served as a school for African Americans after the war. Although the mansion no longer stands, several buildings from its academic era remain. Today, the site is on the National Register of Historic Places but is largely unused and heavily guarded against trespassers.
Crossroads: This intersection of several roads was a strategically vital location during the Battle of Champion Hill, controlling much of the battlefield’s activity. The Confederate line initially stretched from the Crossroads, controlling both the Middle Road and the Raymond Road. However, a Union advance along the Jackson Road threatened the Confederate flank. Confederate troops were rushed to Champion Hill but were eventually driven back beyond the Crossroads. Confederate forces briefly regained control of Champion Hill before ultimately retreating. Today, the Crossroads is located at the intersection of Billy Fields Road. A historical marker commemorating the Battle of Champion Hill marks this important intersection. The marker, erected in 1977 by the National Park Service, can be easily overlooked as it blends into its surroundings.
Davis Plantation/Ellison House: On May 15, Confederate commander Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton established his headquarters in the Ellison House. The Confederate army manned a roadblock near this location. On May 16, a report of advancing Union forces led Pemberton to shift his command post to the nearby Isaac Roberts house. Union forces discovered that the bridge over Jackson Creek had been destroyed, halting their advance. After an artillery exchange, Union troops repaired the bridge and advanced. The Davis Plantation was located halfway between Chapel Hill Road and Jackson Creek, while the Ellison House was further west, between Jackson Creek and Bill Downing Road. Sadly, nothing remains of these houses today, and the sites are unmarked.
Exploring the Jackson to Vicksburg Civil War Sites
Visiting these Jackson to Vicksburg Civil War Sites can be both rewarding and challenging. The scarcity of historical markers, the changing road names, and the prevalence of private property require careful planning and research. However, the opportunity to walk the ground where pivotal battles were fought and to connect with the stories of the people who lived through this tumultuous period makes the effort worthwhile.
For those interested in exploring the Jackson to Vicksburg Civil War Sites, thorough preparation is essential. Consulting historical maps, contacting local historical societies, and respecting private property are crucial. While a comprehensive "tour guide" or official map may be lacking, the dedicated researcher can piece together a compelling narrative of the events that unfolded in this historically rich region. The existing markers, though sometimes weathered and difficult to spot, offer valuable insights into the significance of each location. The Jackson to Vicksburg Civil War Sites offer a unique window into a crucial chapter in American history, inviting exploration and remembrance.
The Jackson to Vicksburg Civil War Sites are a reminder of the sacrifices made and the strategic importance of this region during the Civil War.