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U. S. CIVIL WAR
PHOTOGRAPHS
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VICKSBURG
MAY 18-JULY 4, 1863
(PAGE 1 OF 10)
ESTIMATED CASUALTIES: 19,233 TOTAL (US 10,142; CS 9,091)
120
Vicksburg, Mississippi - 1862.
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Primary Text Source: U.S. Gov't, National Park Service.
119
Big Black River, Mississippi.
The Battlefield of May 17, 1863.
(Photograph published February. 1864)
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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.
Brig. Gen. Lloyd Tilghman C.S.A. Monument
(Killed at the Battle of Champion Hill, May 16, 1863).
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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Notes
