Note #4: Haines
Bluff was approximately ten miles north of Vicksburg on the Yazoo River. From Shelby Foote, The Civil war: a narrative, Vol.
II Fredericksburg to Meridian (New
York: Vintage Books, c. 1963), I gather
that it was fortifiable and seen as a defense for Vicksburg because troops
there could move south to attack Grant’s forces as they moved west towards
Vicksburg. However, Pemberton brings the
troops there back to Vicksburg on May 18th (I think) and Grant at
about the same time orders Sherman to move north and take Haines Bluff. (pp.
378-380). Sherman finds it empty and
Grant notifies Halleck “I have Haines Bluff and the Yazoo….” (p. 386).
Written by William Smith
Written by William Smith