Confederate Defense Of Vicksburg: A Case Study Of The Principle Of The Offensive In The Defense by Howard Major Robert Timothy;

Author:Howard, Major Robert Timothy;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Golden Springs Publishing
Published: 2014-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

FIGURE 6 — BATTLE OF CHAMPION HILL{96}

Pemberton’s reply to Johnston outlined a plan to reverse the army’s route of march, recross Bakers Creek, and return to Edward’s Station. From there he planned to move up the Brownsville road toward General Johnston’s position at Calhoun Station, seven miles south of Canton.

But the Confederate trains first had to he moved aside to make way for the front of the column which at that time was en the Raymond road heading east. Much confusion reigned as the elongated column of troops was reassembled and the wagons cleared out of the way. By 9: 30 the “road was open” and was “free for the passage of troops.”{97} However, by the time his army was ready to move, Pemberton began to get concerned about the mounting din of battle to the southeast. It became evident that the Yankees were so close that they would soon be in a position to assault his long column and overrun the scattered units. Pemberton decided to forgo the move to join Johnston and ordered his division commanders to deploy in line of battle.

After some time, a battle line about one and one quarter miles long was formed extending north to south along the military crest of the ridge overlooking Jackson Creek. This ridge was just to the east of the Ratliff road. Loring’s division was on the right (south), Bowen in the center, and Stevenson on the left (north) (see Figure 6). The Confederates believed that this orientation would offer the best defensive line; they apparently were unaware that three Yankee divisions from McPherson’s corps were advancing down the Jackson road (northern Union column) straight toward Pemberton’s vulnerable left flank.

About 9: 00 AM Brigadier General S, D. Lee, from Stevenson’s division, received a report from his forward elements that a strong Union column was approaching from the northeast.{98} This was startling news because there were no troops positioned to stop this advance and if this Union force continued unopposed, Edward’s Station and the road to Vicksburg would be in Yankee hands.

Lee quickly shifted his brigade further to the north to block the Union advance. His brigade then occupied a narrow ridge with his right flank anchored on the crest of Champion Hill. Soon after Lee adjusted his position, Grant, in the Union camp, was made aware of the existence of a number of Confederate positions near Champion Hill.

In anticipation for an expected battle, Grant’s staff gave him a hurried briefing on the terrain in the vicinity of the ridgeline. Satisfied that the Hill could be taken, Grant decided to assault and directed two divisions, led by Brigadier General Charles E. Hovey and Major General John A. Logan to deploy in battle formation.

Lee watched these two divisions form in the fields to his front but noticed that the Yankee formations were oriented in such a way that his left flank was again threatened. Consequently, he again shifted some of his troops further to the left. This caused concern to the

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