Official Site: The Battle of Raymond, Mississippi (May 12, 1863)
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By Sue Burns Moore
It is a close race as to whether “Dixie” or the “Bonnie Blue Flag” was the most popular song of the South during the war, for both strongly gripped Southern hearts. During the Vicksburg siege, steamboats on the Mississippi River played both songs on their calliopes to encourage the Confederates in the trenches. However, the Bonnie Blue Flag was the only one actually written and sold as an anthem during the war. Its powerful lyrics and rollicking tune stirred patriotic men and women to tears and to action. In time, as with other famous war songs, questions arose as to who wrote it and when was it first performed.
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The Diary of
Pvt. Arthur P. McCullough
Co. D, 81st Illinois Infantry
Entries from May 1-17, 1863
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Raymond Battlefield Doubles in Size
by
Parker Hills
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A Union Civil War 12-pounder howitzer guards the historic road from Raymond to Utica on the Raymond Interpretive Walking Trail. Photo by Parker Hills |
On June 30, 2009, the issue was settled–the bucolic fields along Highway 18 south of Raymond would remain that way, even though the fight to save them lasted 1,065 days, as opposed to the single day of combat on those hallowed grounds in May of 1863. Friends of Raymond, a local non-profit volunteer historical preservation group, working with the Civil War Preservation Trust, a national organization dedicated to saving America’s Civil War battlefields, purchased 66.62 acres of core battlefield property, thus, ending a three year process of negotiations and fund-raising. As a result, the preserved area of the Raymond battlefield has grown from 65 acres to almost 150, because the purchase of the property brings with it a preservation easement for additional acreage on the battlefield.
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Grant’s March
Skirmish At Willow Springs
Historic Marker Rededicated
August 27, 2009
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Sam Price, Brig. Gen. Parker Hills, Ret., and Robert St. John pictured at the rededication of the Willow Springs historical marker at the Willow Springs Crossroads on August 27, 2009. Photograph by Rebecca Blackwell Drake |
The marker, originally placed at the Willow Springs Crossroads in the early 1960s, disappeared approximately ten years ago; was recently found under the porch of a rental house, and was rededicated by the Port Gibson Heritage Trust. Hills was the guest speaker for the historic event, Price has researched deeply into the area history, and St. John is president of the Trust.
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The Long Road Home
by Pvt. Myron B. Loop
The 68th Ohio Infantry
in the Battle of Raymond
Excerpt from Chapter Four
The early morning of May 9 found us once more in motion. After a march of about 10 miles we went into camp near the little village of Utica. Early the following morning, Sunday, our brigade was ordered out to lead the advance. However, the order was revoked and we remained in camp until late in the afternoon, when we formed into line as Third Division train guard, marched 10 miles, and toward the hour of midnight went into bivouac.
On May 11 we took up our line of march in the direction of Raymond. We moved rapidly over the ground, now in bright sunshine and now in a torrent of rain, until late in the day, when we came to a halt and stacked arms on Roach’s plantation, where we remained until the next morning.
The morning of Tuesday, May 12, we silently moved out of camp. Soon the enemy showed up in our front, when a heavy line of flankers was deployed on each side, and all moved forward in line of battle until about 10 o’clock, when we found the enemy strongly posted about two miles from Raymond.
Ten miles west of Port Gibson on the Rodney Road. On 30 April 1863 Grant and McClernand conferred briefly at this site after landing unopposed at Bruinsburg Plantation two miles to the west. Built by Smith Coffee Daniell III, the 5-story mansion burned in 1890, leaving only the 22 magnificent Corinthian columns as a reminder of its former grandeur.
Three miles south of Windsor on MS-552. After marching from Windsor on the afternoon of 30 April 1863, the Union soldiers of Grant’s army reached the road junction at Bethel Church. At the junction a Union officer directed the column into the historic Rodney Road leading east toward Port Gibson. Heavily damaged by a tornado in 1943, the present structure is a restoration of the 1863 building.
Now known as the Russum-Westside Road and the Shaifer Road, this road was the Rodney Road in 1863. The original width of the road is preserved in the abandoned section north of Bethel church. The road served as the main axis of advance for the Union army to Port Gibson. A Union soldier described his experience: “The moon is shining above us and the road is romantic in the extreme. The artillery wagons rattle forward and the heavy tramp of many men gives a dull but impressive sound.” Today, the old road appears much as it did in 1863.
Four miles west of Port Gibson on the Shaifer Road (the historic Rodney Road). The house was used by Maj. Gen. John McClernand as headquarters during the Battle of Port Gibson. It was later used as a hospital by both Union and Confederate troops. The Battle of Port Gibson began at this site when, near midnight on 30 April 1863, Confederate pickets fired on the Union advance guard as it marched eastward toward Port Gibson. Much of the battle was fought on the ridges immediately to the east as well as along the road 2 miles to the north. The site is now owned by the State of Mississippi.
Sixteen miles northeast of Port Gibson on the Natchez Trace. Union General McClernand arrived here on 6 May 1863 from Willow Springs. One of his soldiers wrote, “came to… Rocky Springs several stores and fair buildings. I called at one, where a crowd was gathering up the articles and got a couple of books.” Grant arrived here with Union General McPherson on 7 May from Hankinson’s Ferry. Another soldier noted, “here we have good, cold spring water, fresh from the bosom of the hills.” The only remnant of the 1863 town is an old cistern, an abandoned bank safe, and the old red-brick Methodist church and its cemetery.
Located in Raymond. The Courthouse was constructed by the famous Weldon Brothers of Natchez between 1857-1859 using skilled slave labor. One of the most elegant examples of Classic Revival architecture in Mississippi. It served as a Confederate hospital following the Battle of Raymond, 12 May 1863.
Next to the Raymond Courthouse. Built in 1854, St. Mark’s is the only antebellum church in Raymond and is still in use. The church was used as a hospital to treat Union soldiers following the Battle of Raymond. Bloodstains are still visible on the old wooden floors.
Located in the Old Raymond Cemetery on Port Gibson Street, 0.4 miles from the town center. The Confederate Cemetery is the final resting place for 140 men who were killed during the Battle of Raymond. Most of the dead are from the Third Tennessee and Seventh Texas Infantries.
Located near the center of Jackson at 100 South State Street. One of three public buildings in the city not destroyed by Maj. Gen William T. Sherman’s army when it occupied the city on 17-23 July 1863. The historic building, built in 1836 by William Nichols, architect from England and a resident of Raymond, is now a museum. Free. Open Friday 8-5, Saturday 9:30-4:30 and Sunday 12:30-4:30.
In the city center at 300 E. Capitol St. Designed in 1842 by William Nichols who was also the architect of the Old Capitol. It is an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture. It is the oldest occupied governor’s mansion in the United States. Tours available Fridays on the half hour, 9:30-11:00.
Located at 420 E. Fortification Street. Built in 1857, the restored house is a rare example of the Gothic Revival residential style of architecture. The house survived the destruction of Jackson during the Union occupations of 14-15 May, and 17-23 July 1863. Entrance fee.
Located at 1018 Crawford Street, near city center. Confederate Lt. Gen. John Pemberton used this house as his headquarters. Here, on the night of 2 July 1863, Pemberton met with his commanders to discuss surrender, and on the following day, sent a message to Grant to “arrange terms of capitulation of Vicksburg.” Vicksburg and the Confederate army were surrendered on 4 July.
Clay St. just off I-20. Established by Congress on February 21, 1899, to commemorate the most decisive campaign of the Civil War. The park includes 1,325 historic markers and monuments, a 16-mile tour road, the antebellum Shirley House, one hundred and forty-four cannons, the USS Cairo Museum, and the Vicksburg National Cemetery. Entrance fee.
One of the most famous buildings in the South and certainly Vicksburg’s most imposing structure. Construction began in 1858 according to designs developed by the Weldon Brothers of Natchez. Today, the historic building is maintained as a museum with emphasis on Civil War history. Entrance fee
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It is a close race as to whether “Dixie” or the “Bonnie Blue Flag” was the most popular song of the South during the war, for both strongly gripped Southern hearts. During the Vicksburg siege, steamboats on the Mississippi River played both songs on their calliopes to encourage the Confederates in the trenches. However, the Bonnie Blue Flag was the only one actually written and sold as an anthem during the war. Its powerful lyrics and rollicking tune stirred patriotic men and women to tears and to action. In time, as with other famous war songs, questions arose as to who wrote it and when was it first performed.
H. Grady Howell, Jr., born in Biloxi, is a ninth generation Mississippian. He holds both B.A. and M.A. degrees in History from Southeastern Louisiana University as well as diplomas in archivy from the National Archives (Washington, D.C.) and Emory University-Georgia Department of Archives and History (Atlanta, GA).
Resurrecting A Buried Southern Treasure
Tom Holder, born in Nashville, Tennessee, is named for his great grandfather, Thomas Wilson Long who fought with the 3rd Georgia Regiment, Ambrose Wright’s Brigade, A. P. Hill’s Division, and Lee’s ANV. Holder’s interest in General Granbury started as he grew up around the battlefields of Nashville and Franklin. The interest continued after moving to Texas where his parents now live in Granbury, named in honor of the General and the site of his final burial. Holder, who now resides in Fort Worth, Texas, is a graduate of the University of Texas in Arlington. He holds a BS degree in microbiology and has worked in the pharmaceutical industry since 1974. He is a past member of the New Orleans Civil War Round Table and a current member of the Ft. Worth Civil War Round Table. He is also a member of the K. M. Van Zandt SCV as well as Co. A., Waco Guards in Waco, Texas.
After crossing the river and landing at Bruinsburg, the Union army began marching inland toward Port Gibson. A short distance into the march, the soldiers found themselves staring at a magnificent five-story mansion known as Windsor Plantation. Young widow, Catherine Daniell, pleaded for the safety of her home and family. Her plea was granted but as the army left, Grant burned the barn as a warning. In 1890, Windsor was destroyed by fire. The twenty-two Corinthian columns that remain are among the most famous ruins in the world.
One of the oldest churches in the State of Mississippi. The present structure was built circa 1842 by Dr. Jeremiah Chamberlain, a Presbyterian minister. Dr. Chamberlain served as president of the prestigious Oakland College near Rodney. Oakland College later became Alcorn State University, the first black, land-grant college in the United States. As Grantís army marched inland, they lingered just long enough at Bethel to do a little target practice, shooting recklessly at the church belfry.
The old sunken road taken by Grantís army as they marched from Bruinsburg to Port Gibson. A Union soldier described the road saying,”The moon is shining
This is the only house that survives on the Old Rodney Road. The Battle of Port Gibson was fought around this site. During the battle, the evacuated home was used by General John McClernand as headquarters. It was also used as a hospital by both Union and Confederate troops.
The site of a destroyed suspension bridge over the Bayou Pierre River. The Rebels burned the bridge behind them as they fled. The Union army quickly repaired it and was able to cross. Remains of the suspension bridge can still be seen. Grindstone Ford is now a tourist stop on the Natchez Trace.
As the Union army marched from Hankinsonís Ferry toward Utica and Raymond, they camped at the town of Rocky Springs, a site on the old Natchez Trace. During the war years, Rocky Springs boasted a population of approximately 2,000 inhabitants. As the Union army marched into town, they were met by the icy stares of the people. Today, Rocky Springs is a ghost town. Only the old Methodist church and cemetery have survived.
A century and a half-year-old church located on the banks of the old roadbed between Utica and Raymond. The Union army passed this church on their march toward Raymond. The church represents one of the oldest surviving antebellum churches in the state.
Built by the famous Weldon Brothers from Natchez between 1857-1859. Following the Battle of Raymond, the courthouse served as a Confederate hospital.
The only antebellum church left standing in Raymond. Built in 1854, the church was used as a hospital to treat Union soldiers following the Battle of Raymond. Bloodstains are still visible on the old wooden floors.
Located in the Old Raymond Cemetery. The final resting place for one hundred and forty men who were killed during the Battle of Raymond. Most of the dead were from the 3rd Tennessee Infantry and the 7th Texas Infantry.
One of the three public buildings in the city that was not destroyed by the torches of General William Sherman. The Old Capitol was built in 1836 by William Nichols. The historic building is now a museum. Open Friday 8-5, Saturday 9:30-4:30 and Sunday 12:30-4:30.
Greek Revival style of architecture constructed in 1842 by state architect, William Nichols, who also designed the Old Capitol. It is the oldest occupied governorís mansion in the United States. Tours available Fridays on the half hour, 9:30-11:00.
One of the few antebellum homes remaining in Jackson after the war. Built by the Manship family in 1857, the home is a rare example of the Gothic Revival residential style of architecture. Charles Henry Manship served as mayor of Jackson during the war years. In his capacity of mayor, Manship surrendered Jackson to General Sherman on July 16, 1863. The home has been restored and is now open to the public. Located at 420 E. Fortification Street. Open Friday 9-4 and Saturday 10-4.
One of the most famous buildings in the South and certainly Vicksburgís most imposing structure. Construction began in 1858 according to designs developed by the Weldon Brothers of Natchez. Today, the historic building is maintained as a museum with emphasis on Civil War history. Entrance fee
The antebellum home, now known as General John Pembertonís headquarters, is located next to the historic Balfour house. Recently restored, this home is noted as one of Vicksburgís architectural and historic treasures. Located at 1018 Crawford Street. Privately owned and not operated on a set schedule. Entrance fee
Established by Congress on February 21, 1899 to commemorate one of the most decisive battles of the American Civil War, the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg. This park is famous worldwide. It includes 1,325 historic markers and monuments, 20 miles of reconstructed trenches and earthworks, a 16 mile tour road, the Shirley House, one-hundred and forty-four cannons, a restored Union gunboat- the USS Cairo – and the National Cemetery.
Civil War. Sid S. Champion, a 38-year-old plantation owner, was determined to join the Confederate Army in spite of the protests of his wife, Matilda, who was 34 years old and the mother of four young children. Sid was persuasive. He argued that the war would be brief and that the South would be victorious.
