Confederate Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn was born near Port Gibson on September 17, 1820.  Van Dorn graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1842. Van Dorn saw service in the Indian campaigns, served with gallantry in the war with Mexico, and attained the rank of major in the 2d U.S. Cavalry before the outbreak of the Civil War. Commissioned a brigadier general in the Confederate service in June 1861, and a major general three months later, Van Dorn commanded the Army of the West in the battle of Pea Ridge. Although defeated, he remained in high esteem and later commanded the Army of Mississippi in the battle of Corinth. Again defeated, he was removed as army commander and placed in charge of Confederate cavalry operating in Mississippi. In this capacity he enjoyed much success. The crowning achievement of his military career came in December 1862, when his command destroyed the Union supply base at Holly Springs, Mississippi, and helped halt Grant's overland campaign against Vicksburg. On May 7, 1863, Earl Van Dorn was shot and killed in Spring Hill, Tennessee, by Dr. James B. Peters for violating the "sanctity of his home."