Big Black River Bridge, MS

Date(s): May 17, 1863

Campaign(s): Grant’s Operations Against Vicksburg [1863]

Battles in Campaign:

• Grand Gulf, MS - April 29, 1863 C¹

• Snyder's Bluff, MS - April 29-May 1, 1863 D¹

• Jackson, MS - May 14, 1863 B

• Port Gibson, MS - May 1, 1863 B

• Raymond, MS - May 12, 1863 B

• Champion Hill, MS - May 16, 1863 A

• Big Black River Bridge, MS - May 17, 1863 B

• Vicksburg, MS - May 18-July 4, 1863 A

• Hartsville, TN - July 4, 1863 C

• Milliken's Bend, LA - June 7, 1863 C¹

• Goodrich's Landing, LA - June 29–30, 1863 D¹

• Helena, AR - July 4, 1863 B

Situation:

Commanders:

• Union: Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand

• Confederate: Brig. Gen. John S. Bowen

Principal Forces:

• Union: XIII Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee

• Confederate: Bridgehead Defense Force (three brigades)

Description:

• After their defeat at Champion Hill, the Confederates reached Big Black River Bridge on the night of May 16-17.

• Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton ordered Brig. Gen. John S. Bowen to man the fortifications on the east bank of the river with his three brigades and slow any Union pursuit.

• Three divisions of Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand’s XIII Army Corps moved out from Edwards Station on the morning of the 17th.

• McClernand’s corps encountered the Confederates behind breastworks and took cover as enemy artillery began firing.

• Union Brig. Gen. Michael K. Lawler's 2nd Brigade attacked across the front of the Confederate forces and into the enemy’s breastworks, which was held by Vaughn’s East Tennessee Brigade.

• The confused and panicked Confederate troops withdrew across the Big Black on a railroad bridge and a steamboat dock.

• After they had crossed, the Confederates set fire to the bridges to prevent Union pursuit.

• However, the Union forces did capture approximately 1,800 troops.

• The disorganized Confederates arrived in Vicksburg later that day.

• The Confederate force was bottled up at Vicksburg which Grant put under siege.

Slide Presentation: None

Classification²: B

Casualties³:

• Union: 273

• Confederate: 2,000

Results: Union Victory

Battlefield Websites:

Recommended Resources:

¹National Park Service summary.

² Classification:

• A - having a decisive influence on a campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war

• B - having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign

• C - having observable influence on the outcome of a campaign

• D - having a limited influence on the outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important local objectives

³ Casualties are someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.

Revised 01/02/2009