Yazoo City Expedition

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Yazoo City Expedition
Part of the American Civil War
Yazoo river.gif
Yazoo River
DateMay 4–21, 1864 [1]
Location Yazoo County, Mississippi
Result Union victory [2]
Belligerents
Flag of the United States (1863-1865).svg United States (Union) Flag of the Confederate States of America (1863-1865).svg CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
John McArthur Wirt Adams
Units involved
Post of Vicksburg Adams' Cavalry Brigade
Strength
2 brigades of infantry brigade
Casualties and losses
5 killed
14 wounded [3]
unknown

The Yazoo City Expedition was an expedition of Union forces from the Vicksburg garrison under General John McArthur against Confederate forces in central Mississippi under General Wirt Adams.

Vicksburg, Mississippi City in Mississippi, United States

Vicksburg is the only city in, and county seat of, Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is located 234 miles (377 km) northwest of New Orleans at the confluence of the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and 40 miles (64 km) due west of Jackson, the state capital. It is located on the east bank of the Mississippi River across from the state of Louisiana.

John McArthur Union Army general

John McArthur was a Union general during the American Civil War. McArthur became one of the ablest Federal commanders in the Western Theater.

Contents

History

McArthur's expedition was in conjunction with a second Union raid under Samuel D. Sturgis in northern Mississippi. McArthur’s primary objective was to divert Confederate forces away from Sturgis’ front. Initially, Confederate department commander Stephen D. Lee showed little concern over these two raids concluding it was merely an attempt to divert attention. [4] However, McArthur’s expedition steadily drove Adams’ Confederates from their positions, skirmishing at Benton, Luce’s Plantation and Vaughn’s Station along the Mississippi Central Railroad. [5] Upon seeing the concentration of Confederate forces to his front, McArthur concluded his objective had been met, along with destruction of the Mississippi Central Railroad. [6] McArthur ordered Alfred W. Ellet and the Mississippi Marine Brigade to remain in Yazoo City while he returned to Vicksburg with the remainder of his force. Despite meeting his objectives, McArthur’s expedition was unable to prevent the defeat of Sturgis at the battle of Brices Crossroads. McArthur was still content with the showing of strength and proof Union forces could move into the interior of Mississippi when desired. [7]

Samuel D. Sturgis Union army general

Samuel Davis Sturgis was an American military officer who served in the Mexican–American War, as a Union general in the American Civil War, and later in the Indian Wars.

Stephen D. Lee Confederate Army general

Stephen Dill Lee was an American soldier, and the youngest Confederate lieutenant general of the American Civil War. He was the first president of the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College and served from 1880 until 1899.

Alfred W. Ellet Union Army general

Alfred Washington Ellet was a civil engineer and a brigadier general in the Union Army who commanded the United States Ram Fleet during the American Civil War.

Opposing forces

Union

Post of Vicksburg: Brigadier General John McArthur

Confederate

Department of Alabama, Mississippi & East Louisiana: Lieutenant General Stephen D. Lee

Battles

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References