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Battle of Port Gibson
Page5 Photos/text this page courtesy of Webmaster and Don Sides |
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| (March 15, 2013) Enlarge Rodney Road, west of Widows Creek |
(March 15, 2013)
Enlarge Rodney Road, west of
Widows Creek Another view west of the creek |
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(March 2003) Webmaster and Brian Risher approaching the A. K Shaifer
House Photo by Don Sides |
(March 2003) Webmaster and Brian in
one of the deeper cuts west of the Shaifer House |
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(March 2004)
Enlarge Rodney Road, west of A.K. Shaifer House |
(March 1993) A.K. Shaifer House. Three miles west of Port Gibson
on Old Rodney Road. Site Marker: Confederate Gen. Martin E. Green on
the afternoon of April 30, 1863, posted his brigade near Magnolia Church,
with an outpost here. Shortly after midnight, Green rode forward to check on
his pickets. Reaching this point, the general found Mrs. A.K. Shaifer and
the ladies of the house frantically pilling their household effects on a
wagon. Green assured the women that there was no need to hurry, since the
Yankees couldn't possibly arrive before daybreak. Hardly had Green spoken
before there was a crash of musketry .. the pickets had exchanged shots with
the Union vanguard, soldiers of the 21st Iowa. The women leaped into the
wagon and headed for Port Gibson, while Gen. Green returned to Magnolia
Church to alert his troops. The Confederate pickets fell back before
the Federal advance. During the Battle of Port Gibson, the Shaifer house
served as Gen. John A. McClernand's GHQ and a Union hospital |
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(March 1997) A.K. Shaifer
House.
South view toward Old Rodney Road. Site Marker: The Battle in
Retrospect. This Union victory at Port Gibson gave Grant the foothold on
the Mississippi side of the river that terminated a year of failure, and
subsequently led to capture of Vicksburg, his ultimate goal. The Port
Gibson battlefield has changed little since May, 1863. Ravines are still
filled with vines and immense canebrakes, and ridges are as steep-sided
as when Federal troops scaled them. The deep road beds have not changed,
and relics of the battle are still occasionally found on their surfaces.
Bridges have been added where once streams were forded. The Shaifer
house remains, but with walls showing scars from missiles fired during
the battle. Magnolia Church, where the Confederates placed their first
line of defense, is no longer standing. Only its brick foundation and
the cistern remain. The Port Gibson Battlefield is listed in the
National Register of Historic Places |
(March 15, 2013) Enlarge Old Rodney Road, east of A.K. Shaifer House |
