Battle of Big Black River Bridge
Big Black River, Mississippi, USA
What happened
The Union XIII Corps under John A. McClernand fought Confederate troops under John S. Bowen during the Vicksburg campaign. A day after losing at Champion Hill, the Confederates held a line east of the Big Black River as a rearguard. A Union brigade under Michael Kelly Lawler charged out of a low dip in the ground, and the Confederate brigade facing it broke. The rest of the Confederate line pulled back across the river and burned the railway bridge behind them.
Why it matters
Vicksburg controlled the Mississippi River, which the Union saw as the key to splitting the Confederacy. The battle pushed Pemberton's army back inside Vicksburg's defences.
What came next
Union troops crossed the river on 18 May and the siege of Vicksburg followed. Pemberton surrendered on 4 July 1863.
Did you know?
Lawler's charge has been described as one of the shortest attacks of the war.
Timeline
- 12 May 1863Battle of Raymond.
- 16 May 1863Battle of Champion Hill.
- 17 May 1863Battle of Big Black River Bridge.
- 18 May 1863Union troops cross the Big Black River.
- 4 July 1863Vicksburg surrenders.