(3-01) Enlarge National Park Service marker on Natchez Trace Parkway
 
GRINDSTONE FORD
 
This ford marked the beginning of the wilderness of the Choctaw nation and the end of the old Natchez District. Nearby Fort Deposit was a supply depot for troops clearing the Trace in 1801-02, and troops were assembled here during the Burr conspiracy allegedly to separate the Western States from the Union. The site takes its name from a nearby water mill.

The trail to your left takes you to the Old Trace and Grindstone Ford.

(3-01) Enlarge Remains of the wartime suspension bridge approach

(3-01) Enlarge Natchez Trace leading to Grindstone Ford

(March 2008) Enlarge Rocky Springs Methodist Church from Old Port Gibson Road. Click here for five pages of Rocky Springs photos
 

Five pages of Rocky Springs photos

(3-01) Enlarge Old Port Gibson Road crossing of Little Sand Creek. The view is looking east. Elements of McClernand's Corps camped here night of May 6. Other units of Grant's army camped here May 7 and 8

(3-01) Enlarge Little Sand Creek. View looking south from Old Port Gibson Road

(3-2020) Enlarge Interpretive Marker: To the Railroad. Marker is on the Old Port Gibson Road just east of Little Sand Creek, approximately ¼ mi. east of the Rocky Springs town site

(3-2020) Enlarge To the Railroad Interpretive Marker east of Little Sand Creek
 
TO THE RAILROAD
 
On May 8, 1863, as the Union XV Corps left Grand Gulf, two divisions of the XVII Corps rested at Hankinson's Ferry and Rocky Springs to wait for rations. Three divisions of the XIII Corps camped at Big Sand Creek, one and a half miles northeast, while a fourth was at Little Sand Creek. On May 9, the two XVII Corps divisions marched through here along the Natchez Trace and passed through the XIII Corps divisions, which remained in camp. The object of these maneuvers was to move the army toward the railroad.