|
 |
TOUR STOP 12
Second Texas Lunette
|
|
|
| The Second Texas Lunette (a crescent shaped fortification) was a Confederate fort
constructed to guard the Baldwin Ferry Road entrance into Vicksburg. In 1863, the road
approached the city from the Southeast, passed in front of the lunette, and then entered
Vicksburg. The lunette is named after the Second Texas Volunteer Infantry which garrisoned
it throughout the siege. |
 |
| The lunette was the subject of a tremendous artillery bombardment and repeated,
furious Union assaults on May 22. However, the determination and bravery of the attacking
Federals was matched by the Confederates, whose withering defensive fire consistently
forced the Union soldiers to retire. After the assaults, the commander of the Second Texas
stated:"along the road [Baldwin Ferry] for more than 200 yards the bodies lay so
thick that one might have walked the whole distance without touching the ground." |
 |
| With so many casualties, the Federals changed their strategy of attack against the
Second Texas Lunette and commenced mining operations by digging approach trenches. At the
time of the Vicksburg surrender, one of the trenches was within 10 yards of the outer
ditch of the fortification. |
|
|
|
 |
 |
| Previous |
Next |
  
 |
Last update: Monday, January 22, 2001
http://www.nps.gov/vick/ts_12/ts_12.htm
Editor: G. Zeman |
|
|
|
|
