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Battle of Port Gibson or Thompson's Hill, MS
in the American Civil War
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Union Battle Summary |
| Port Gibson, Miss., May 1, 1863. 13th Army Corps, and
3rd Division of the 17th Corps. Port Gibson is a small village a few
miles southeast of Grand Gulf. The engagement here was the beginning
of Grant's active campaign against Vicksburg. The 13th corps,
Maj.-Gen. John A. McClernand commanding, left Bruinsburg about 4 p.m.
on April 30, with Carr's division in advance, followed in order by
Osterhaus, Hovey and A.J. Smith, and moved toward Port Gibson. That
same afternoon Confederate Gen. J.S. Brown, commanding the garrison at
Grand Gulf, learning that Grant had crossed the Mississippi at
Bruinsburg, sent a portion of Green's brigade to guard the approaches
to Port Gibson, and at the same time telegraphed to Pemberton that the
Union army was on the east side of the river. Pemberton became alarmed
and ordered Tracy's and Baldwin's brigades, of Stevenson's division,
to reinforce Grand Gulf. About an hour after midnight Carr came in
contact with Green's brigade, posted across the road about 3 miles
west of Port Gibson. A slight skirmish ensued, which resulted in the
withdrawal of the Confederates, and the Union troops rested on their
arms until daylight. At this point the road from Bruinsburg to Port
Gibson divides. When daylight came Green's brigade was drawn up across
the southern and Tracy's across the northern road. McClernand ordered
Osterhaus forward on the right hand road to attack Tracy, and Carr on
the left hand road against Green. At 5:30 Osterhaus was engaged, and
met with such a stubborn resistance that he was unable to make any
further advance until late in the afternoon. Carr formed his line with
Benton's brigade on the right of the road and Stone's on the left, and
moved forward against Green, who was strongly posted on a ridge. In
the advance the two brigades became separated, leaving a gap in the
line, which was closed by Hovey's division about 7 o'clock, when a
determined assault was made, the ridge was carried, 2 cannons, 3
caissons and about 400 prisoners being captured. Green fell back
toward Port Gibson, closely pressed by Hovey and Carr. Near the
village they encountered Baldwin's brigade coming up to Green's
support, and a severe contest of an hour and a half followed. Bowen in
the meantime had ordered Cockrell to send three regiments to Port
Gibson. These arrived about noon and two regiments were sent to the
assistance of Baldwin and one to Tracy. Green's brigade was withdrawn
from the southern road and sent to Tracy also. Bowen himself arrived
on the field about this time and led two of Cockrell's regiments in a
desperate effort to turn the Union right, but Burbridge's brigade, of
A.J. Smith's division, came up at this juncture and was thrown forward
to meet the movement. At the same time Hovey brought four batteries
into position to enfilade Bowen's line, forcing him to retire in some
confusion. Not knowing the strength of the enemy opposed to him,
McClernand sent back for reinforcements. McPherson sent Stevenson's
brigade to the support of Carr and Hovey and J.E. Smith's to Osterhaus.
About 5 p.m. the latter got into position to strike the enemy on the
right flank, while Osterhaus renewed the attack in front. Tracy had
been killed early in the engagement and Green, who was now in command,
hurriedly retreated in the direction of Grand Gulf, burning the bridge
over Bayou Pierre behind him, thus checking pursuit. Before
Stevenson's brigade reached the scene of action Baldwin was driven
from his position, falling back through Port Gibson and destroying the
bridge over the south fork of Bayou Pierre. Sunset found the Federals
in possession of the field, with a loss of 131 killed, 719 wounded and
25 missing. Bowen's entire force numbered about 8,500 men, but he was
able to hold the whole 13th corps in check the greater part of the
day, owing chiefly to his advantageous positions. He reported his loss
as being 68 killed, 380 wounded and 384 missing. This action is also
known as "Anderson's Hill," "Thompson's Hill," and "Magnolia Hills."
Source: The Union Army, Volume 6, Cyclopedia of Battles,
1908 |
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