The Crossroads at Champion Hill
| In 1977, Champion Hill was designated a National Historic Landmark by the
Secretary of the Interior. The historic marker is shown in the photographs at right and
below. It is one of only two monuments on the battlefield and is appropriately
placed at the Crossroads. Whoever held the Crossroads controlled the battlefield. |
The Crossroads at Champion Hill
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National Historic Landmark
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During the Civil War the Jackson Road veered north at this point and
crossed the crest of Champion Hill 800 yards away. The remains of the historic trace of
the road is to the right of the marker. The paved road leading to this site was referred
to as the Middle Road, and the dirt road running west from this point was the Ratliff
Road. |
| The Confederate line as established on the morning of May 16 extended from the
crossroads to the Ratliff Road and controlled both the Middle Road and the Raymond Road.
Unknown to the Confederate high command, strong Union columns were pushing down the
Jackson Road from Bolton. This would place the Federals on the flank and in rear of the
Confederate army. The movement was discovered in time and Confederate troops were rushed
to the crest of Champion Hill. The powerful Union advance, however, stormed the hill
and drove the Southerners back beyond the crossroads.. Early in the afternoon, Bowen's
Confederate division guiding on the Ratliff Road charged with a vengence and regained
control of Champion Hill. When Union troops broke through the roadblock on the Middle
Road, 600 yards to the east, Bowen's position became untenable and he was compelled to
retreat. With the battle lost, Confederate troops left this area via the Ratliff Road and
fled to the lower crossing of Bakers Creek. |
Historic Jackson Road
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Confederate General
Pemberton's field headquarters was established in the Isaac Roberts house on the morning
of May 16, 1863. (The site is private property and inaccessible to the public.) Early in
the afternoon, as General Bowen's division swept past to regain Champion Hill, Pemberton
waved his hat to inspire the men. A group of ladies standing nearby sang
"Dixie." When Bowen's counterattack was driven back, Pemberton sadly
issued orders for his army to retire from the field. |
| Late that night, Grant made the Roberts house his headquarters, but as it had been
converted into a Confederate field hospital, the Union commander slept on the porch. |
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Last update: Friday, November 05, 1999
http://www.nps.gov/vick/vcmpgn/crossrd.htm
Editor: G. Zeman |
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