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TOUR STOP 13
Railroad Redoubt
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| The Railroad Redoubt was a Confederate fortification built to protect
a vital entrance to the city, in this case the Southern Railroad of Mississippi. On
May 22, General Grant ordered a second major assault against the formidable Confederate
positions. Union forces began their carefully planned attack with a fierce artillery
bombardment, followed by the advance of the infantry. |
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| Unlike other points along the Confederate defense line, the blueclad soldiers found
that the redoubt's southeast angle had been partially destroyed by the artillery
bombardment. Union soldiers commanded by Sgt. Joseph E. Griffith of the 22nd Iowa
were
able to exploit this brief breakthrough and quickly entered the redoubt in an attempt to
storm the Confederate earthworks. The Confederates counterattacked and called up
reinforcements. Waul's Texas Legion arrived to drive out the Federals and "seal the
breach." Although Union forces sustained heavy losses, Griffith managed to
withdraw taking a dozen prisoners with him. By evening, the Federals had returned to their
lines. There were no further attacks on the railroad redoubt and mining operations
commenced. By the time of the surrender on July 4, 1863, approach trenches had reached the
redoubt's outer ditch. |
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Aerial photo: Railroad Redoubt
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Tour Stop 13 parking lot |
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Last update: Monday, January 22, 2001
http://www.nps.gov/vick/ts_13/ts_13.htm
Editor: G. Zeman |
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