Battle of Port Gibson

The Battle of Port Gibson was a delaying action undertaken by Confederates to show General Ulysses S. Grant's advance to Vicksburg.   Outnumbered approximately three to one, General John S. Bowen commanded Confederate forces consisting of a few brigades that faced two Federal corps under John McClernand and James McPherson.

battlefields.org

In the following video, I am at the A.K. Shaifer house talking about the opening shots of the Battle of Port Gibson, which occurred in the yard of the residence.  (Please note that the video is not as smooth as I would have liked it, which I apologize for.  Mark and I didn't have a lot of time, so we had to hurry and get it in.  Plus, I'm still working on speaking in front of a camera, which I dislike immensely.  I am much more comfortable in classroom or "live" settings.  No idea why cameras make me lose my mind!)

After engaging the approaching Federals at the Shaifer House, Green and his pickets fell back along the Rodney Road to Magnolia Church a little over a mile away.   All throughout the day, the battle raged there and the surrounding area.  Brigadier General Edward Tracy arrived from Vicksburg and deployed a couple of miles north across the Bruinsburg Road, anchoring the Confederate right.  Tracy would be killed in the fighting.  Francis Cockrell - who had been garrisoning Grand Gulf - also arrived on the field to provide much needed reinforcements.  His Missourians conducted a vicious counterattack on the Union right in an effort to prevent a flanking maneuver.  However, the advance broke down due to Federal superiority in artillery and manpower.  By the end of the day, Bowen ordered the overwhelmed Confederates to withdraw from Port Gibson.

The Federal victory here on May 1, 1863, solidified Grant's foothold on the eastern side of the Mississippi River and, therefore, kickstarted the beginning of the end of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and ultimately the Confederacy.

General Logan entering Port Gibson
Harper's Weekly, May 30, 1863

In a continuation of the previous video from the Shaifer House, I talk about two women soldiers who were present at the Battle of Port Gibson.

It is unknown to which specific regiment the woman in Cockrell's Missouri brigade belonged.  Therefore, her role in the battle is also unknown.  Various Missouri regiments were guarding a crossing at Bayou Pierre, stationed at the riverfront, or saw action with Cockrell during the battle.  You can read more about this woman of the Missouri brigade and Mary Smith of the 24th Iowa Infantry in my book, Behind the Rifle.

Here are random photos regarding the Shaifer House and Port Gibson.

This painting is of Mrs. Elizabeth Hannah Humphreys Shaifer, the wife of A.K. Shaifer who built the house.  It was hanging in the residence during the battle.  Notice the damage in the upper right-hand corner caused by a bullet fired when shots first rang out.  It is now in a private residence of a Shaifer descendant in Port Gibson.   Mark and I had the privilege of speaking to the nice gentleman who kindly showed it to us along with other artifacts.

Markers at the site of Magnolia Church:

Marker describing Cockrell's counterattack.  See the closeup below it.

The Old Rodney Road showing the direction the Confederates took as they fell back from the Shaifer House to Magnolia Church as well as the advancing Federals.  This picture gives you a good idea of the challenging terrain soldiers from both sides had to negotiate.  The area was filled with high loess hills and deep hollows and ravines covered in cane brakes and underbrush.  One Iowa soldier stated, "We had a tough time of it."  And so will you if you visit without a proper vehicle.  You really need a truck or ATV.  I would advise you not to even try to travel this road if it has been raining.

Until next formation....rest.