Battles & Campaigns · 1863
Battle of Raymond
Raymond, Mississippi, USA
What happened
A Union corps under James B. McPherson, part of Ulysses S. Grant's army, fought a Confederate brigade under John Gregg. During Grant's campaign to capture Vicksburg, McPherson's troops met Gregg's smaller force near the town of Raymond. After a hard fight the Confederates fell back and the Union won.
Why it matters
The fight showed Grant that the Confederate force at Jackson, the state capital, was stronger than he thought. He decided to deal with Jackson first before turning west toward Vicksburg.
What came next
Union troops took Jackson on 14 May and won at Champion Hill on 16 May; Vicksburg surrendered on 4 July 1863.
Did you know?
Union soldiers ate the fried chicken and lemonade that had been prepared for Gregg's men.
Timeline
- 12 May 1863Battle of Raymond.
- 14 May 1863Union troops take Jackson.
- 16 May 1863Battle of Champion Hill.
- 17 May 1863Battle of Big Black River Bridge.
- 4 Jul 1863Vicksburg surrenders.