Compiled by Jim Hachtel, President
Gen. William T. Sherman Memorial Civil War Roundtable
May 12, 1863 - Union troops win a battle at Raymond, Mississippi, a few miles west of Jackson. General James McPherson's XVII Union Corps of John Logan's 3rd Division encounters resistance from General John Gregg's Confederates moving from Vicksburg. General Grant modifies his approach plans to avoid a direct move to Jackson and the possibility of being caught between Pemberton's force moving from the west and the arriving army of General Johnston from the east. General Grant now plans to meet portions of the Confederate Army piecemeal and defeat them before they can unite.
May 13, 1863 - At Jackson, Mississippi, General Grant directs Generals Sherman and McPherson to move rapidly on the Mississippi Springs Road while General John McClernand moves north toward Clinton.
May 13, 1863 - General Joseph Johnston arrives in Jackson, Mississippi, too late to ready any defense. He is forced to evacuate men and supplies while General Gregg covers Johnston's withdrawal. Johnston directs General Pemberton to march east from Vicksburg and try to catch the Union forces between them.
May 14, 1863 - In Richmond, General Robert E. Lee attends a high level strategy conference. This is the first time any plan is discussed that mentions a Confederate invasion on Northern soil. General Lee argues that such a move would discredit the Republican Party and European intervention into the American Civil War could be a result.
May 14, 1863 - Port Hudson, Louisiana is the only strong point on the Mississippi River once Vicksburg is under Union control. Confederate General Franklin Gardner and 5,000 men are in place to defend Port Hudson while Union General Nathaniel P. Banks advances from Baton Rouge with 30,000 troops.
May 14, 1863 - Jackson, Mississippi, a strategic rail junction east of Vicksburg falls after a daylong battle in heavy rain. General McPherson makes first contact midmorning and shells the Confederate positions during the downpour. General Sherman arrives from the south. General Gregg's 6,000 Confederates spread their line to defend but are over run when McPherson orders a bayonet charge. Several cannons are captured and General Joseph Johnston evacuates the Confederate army trains.
May 15, 1863 - The 'Jeffersonian' newspaper office in Richmond, Indiana is ransacked by angry Federal Troops after anti-Union sentiments were printed.
May 15, 1863 - Just two days after General Joseph Johnston ordered General Pemberton to march east from Edward's Station, Mississippi, to trap General Grant between them, Pemberton disobeyed orders and marched south toward Grand Gulf to cut the Union supply line. Grant had already abandoned his supply line and is "living off the land."
May 16, 1863 - The most decisive battle of the Vicksburg Campaign takes place at Champion's Hill, Mississippi, about midway between Jackson and Vicksburg. General Pemberton's 22,000 men are engaged by Ulysses S. Grant's 32,000 men from McPherson's and McClernand's corps. While the fighting moves at close quarters and the initiative changes sides at least three times, all falls apart when General Loring refuses to obey an order from Pemberton to move to support the center and left.
May 17, 1863 - General Pemberton chooses to defend a bridge on the Big Black River, just 12 miles east of Vicksburg. He defends this spot thinking that General Loring's division, separated from the main army since the previous day, will re-establish contact here rather than on a better defensive position further to the west. Loring is meanwhile marching east toward Jackson to unite with General Johnston's army.
May 17, 1863 - On the west bank of the Mississippi, a Confederate Cavalry raid on Union forces is successful. Cattle and a few prisoners are taken. The cattle were destined for General Nathaniel Bank's army.
May 17, 1863 - The Confederates suffer further loss of men and equipment, including 18 cannons, along the Big Black River. In the two-week campaign, General Grant has now opened the road to Vicksburg.
May 18, 1863 - British House of Lord's Foreign Secretary Lord Russell declares "no intention" of intervening in the American conflict.
May 18, 1863 - General Grant moves across the Big Black River and takes a position adjacent to the Confederate works at Vicksburg. Grant's position completely seals Vicksburg from escape or reinforcement but General Pemberton vows to fight on. General Joseph E. Johnston warns General Pemberton to be aware that he could become trapped. It is too late.
May 18, 1863 - General W. T. Sherman continues to move on the Yazoo River. As a diversionary force, Sherman intends to storm Snyder's Bluff and/or Haynes's Bluff north of Vicksburg. Commander John Grimes leads Federal gunboats USS Baron de Kalb, Choctaw, Linden, Romeo, Petrel, and Forest Rose, up the Yazoo River in support of General Sherman. Ultimately, the diversionary tactics are not needed and the gunboats shell Vicksburg. Sherman is ordered to plan an attack on the north edge of Vicksburg.
