Raymond, MS

Date(s): May 12, 1863

Location: Please click on link below for map.

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

• 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. James B. McPherson

• Confederate: Brig. Gen. John Gregg

Principal Forces:

• Union: XVII Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee

• Confederate: Gregg’s Task Force (equivalent to a brigade)

Description:

• Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton, Confederate commander at Vicksburg, ordered Brig. Gen. John Gregg to lead his force from Port Hudson, Louisiana, to Jackson, Mississippi, and then to Raymond to intercept approaching Union troops.

• Before dawn on May 12, Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson had his XVII Army Corps on the march, and by 10:00 am they were about three miles from Raymond.

• Gregg decided to try to prevent the crossing of Fourteen Mile Creek and arrayed his men and artillery accordingly.

• As the Union forces approached, the Confederates opened fire, initially causing heavy casualties.

• Some Union troops broke, but Maj. Gen. John A. Logan rallied a force to hold the line.

• Confederate troops attacked the line but had to retire.

• More Federal troops arrived and the Union force counterattacked.

• Heavy fighting ensued that continued for six hours, but the overwhelming Union force prevailed. Gregg’s men left the field.

• Although Gregg’s men lost the battle, they had held up a much superior Union force for a day.

Slide Presentation: None

Classification²: B

Casualties³:

• Union: 442

• Confederate: 569

Results: Union Victory

Battlefield Websites: 

Recommended Resources:

¹ National 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 02/26/2009