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Grand Gulf Military Monument - Mississippi
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The Battle of Grand Gulf, Mississippi
Overlooking the Mississippi River south of Vicksburg, the Grand Gulf
Military Monument preserves the scene of one of the most intense
naval bombardments of the Civil War. The park is located 7 miles
from Port Gibson off U.S. Highway 61.
Originally settled by the French during the 1700s, Grand Gulf takes
its name from a large whirlpool and bend of the Mississippi River.
The river has since shifted course slightly. During the 1800s, a
significant community grew at the site during the boom days of "King
Cotton." At one point the town had over 1,100 residents and was
briefly considered as a potential site for the state capital.
A series of disasters, however, brought the promising city to ruin. A
yellow fever epidemic struck the community in 1843, followed ten
years later by a massive tornado. Then between 1855 and 1860, the
Mississippi eroded away the business district destroying 55 blocks
of the original city. By the time of the Civil War, fewer than 200 people
still lived at Grand Gulf.
In anticipation of Union General U.S. Grant's attempt to land troops
for an attack on Vicksburg, Confederates under General J.S. Bowen
fortified Grand Gulf. Placing heavy artillery along the bluffs, Bowen
and his men constructed two primary batteries - Forts Cobun and
Wade - and surrounded the land approaches with a series of
entrenchments and artillery batteries. The Federals attacked on April
29, 1863.
The Battle of Grand Gulf was a massive artillery exchange between
Bowen's gunners and the heavily armed ships of the Union navy. For
hours, the two sides battered each other. The Southern forts were
severely battered, but Bowen and his men held to their guns. Finally,
Union Admiral David Porter accepted defeat and withdrew his
ironclads.
The battle ended in victory for the Confederates, but their success
was short-lived. Grant moved his men through Louisiana and came
across the Mississippi at Bruinsburg downstream, flanking Grand
Gulf and forcing the evacuation of the works there. He went on to
take Vicksburg in one of the most significant campaigns of the Civil
War.
Grand Gulf today is the site of a well-maintained state park that
preserves the remains of the Confederate fortifications as well as
the original site of the town of Grand Gulf. In addition to its Civil War
interest, the park also preserves a large variety of unique artifacts
related to the history of Mississippi. Among the most unique is a
homemade one-man submarine built by moonshiners during the
Prohibition Era.
The park is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding
major holidays. The remains of Forts Cobun and Wade can still be
seen, along with numerous other Confederate fortifications. There is
also a museum, observation tower, picnic areas, historic structures
and a campground.
To begin your exploration of Grand Gulf, please follow the links
below:
Military Monument preserves the scene of one of the most intense
naval bombardments of the Civil War. The park is located 7 miles
from Port Gibson off U.S. Highway 61.
Originally settled by the French during the 1700s, Grand Gulf takes
its name from a large whirlpool and bend of the Mississippi River.
The river has since shifted course slightly. During the 1800s, a
significant community grew at the site during the boom days of "King
Cotton." At one point the town had over 1,100 residents and was
briefly considered as a potential site for the state capital.
A series of disasters, however, brought the promising city to ruin. A
yellow fever epidemic struck the community in 1843, followed ten
years later by a massive tornado. Then between 1855 and 1860, the
Mississippi eroded away the business district destroying 55 blocks
of the original city. By the time of the Civil War, fewer than 200 people
still lived at Grand Gulf.
In anticipation of Union General U.S. Grant's attempt to land troops
for an attack on Vicksburg, Confederates under General J.S. Bowen
fortified Grand Gulf. Placing heavy artillery along the bluffs, Bowen
and his men constructed two primary batteries - Forts Cobun and
Wade - and surrounded the land approaches with a series of
entrenchments and artillery batteries. The Federals attacked on April
29, 1863.
The Battle of Grand Gulf was a massive artillery exchange between
Bowen's gunners and the heavily armed ships of the Union navy. For
hours, the two sides battered each other. The Southern forts were
severely battered, but Bowen and his men held to their guns. Finally,
Union Admiral David Porter accepted defeat and withdrew his
ironclads.
The battle ended in victory for the Confederates, but their success
was short-lived. Grant moved his men through Louisiana and came
across the Mississippi at Bruinsburg downstream, flanking Grand
Gulf and forcing the evacuation of the works there. He went on to
take Vicksburg in one of the most significant campaigns of the Civil
War.
Grand Gulf today is the site of a well-maintained state park that
preserves the remains of the Confederate fortifications as well as
the original site of the town of Grand Gulf. In addition to its Civil War
interest, the park also preserves a large variety of unique artifacts
related to the history of Mississippi. Among the most unique is a
homemade one-man submarine built by moonshiners during the
Prohibition Era.
The park is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding
major holidays. The remains of Forts Cobun and Wade can still be
seen, along with numerous other Confederate fortifications. There is
also a museum, observation tower, picnic areas, historic structures
and a campground.
To begin your exploration of Grand Gulf, please follow the links
below:
| Fort Cobun - Grand Gulf Military Monument Seen here are the earthworks of Fort Cobun, one of the primary Confederate forts at Grand Gulf. |
| Mortar - Grand Gulf Military Monument This massive mortar, left over from the Union attacks on Vicksburg, was found in the Mississippi River. |
| Moonshine Running Submarine Among the more unique artifacts preserved at Grand Gulf is this one-man submarine, once used by moonshine runners. |
| Historic Church at Grand Gulf Relocated to the park from nearby Rodney, this beautiful structure dates from the late 19th century and is used today as a memorial. |
| The Mississippi River from Grand Gulf The park at Grand Gulf offers visitors access to a spectacular vista of the Mississippi River. |