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Union Flag Carrier U. S. CIVIL WAR
PHOTOGRAPHS
Confederate Flag Carrier


VICKSBURG
MAY 18-JULY 4, 1863
(PAGE 1 OF 10)

ESTIMATED CASUALTIES: 19,233 TOTAL (US 10,142; CS 9,091)



Vicksburg 1862 120
Vicksburg, Mississippi - 1862.


Location

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Primary Text Source: U.S. Gov't, National Park Service.




Vicksburg Battlefield 119
Big Black River, Mississippi.
The Battlefield of May 17, 1863.
(Photograph published February. 1864)


 

BIG BLACK RIVER BRIDGE


Date(s): May 17, 1863
Estimated Casualties : 2,273 total (US 273; CS 2,000)

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.

Gen. Tilghman Monument
Brig. Gen. Lloyd Tilghman C.S.A. Monument
(Killed at the Battle of Champion Hill, May 16, 1863).


Gen. Tilghman 
   Monument Plaque
General Tilghman Monument Plaque


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 bottled up at Vicksburg.

 


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