Tour Stop #12 - 2nd Texas Lunette

One of two statues of Jefferson Davis stands near an artillery position in the 2nd Texas Lunette.

NPS

Quick Facts

Location:

Vicksburg, Mississippi

Amenities

6 listed

Accessible Sites, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Wheelchair Accessible, Wheelchairs Available

This Confederate fort, guarding the Baldwin’s Ferry Road leading into Vicksburg, was manned by the 2^nd Texas Infantry Regiment. It stood on the highest part of the private cemetery 500 feet to the east. Fierce fighting raged here May 22 when the Federal offensive nearly succeeded in capturing the lunette.

• Tour Stop #12 - The Second Texas Lunette

  
  

  This track discusses the Second Texas Infantry defending the lunette that protected the Baldwin's Ferry Road into Vicksburg.

  Date created:

  12/31/2021

  Audio Transcript

  This lunette, or crescent-shaped fort, was constructed to protect the Baldwin’s Ferry Road entrance to Vicksburg. It gets its name from the 2nd Texas Infantry that defended the fort through the entire siege.

  At 6:00 a.m. on May 22, 1863, the still morning air was shattered by a four-hour artillery bombardment from the guns of Grant’s army.

  At 10:00 a.m., the thunder of the cannon was replaced by rifle and musket fire of thousands of Union troops from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio as they marched forward through a Confederate rain of fire.

  Many of the blue-clad soldiers fell dead or wounded, while others took shelter behind what little protection they could find.

  A handful of Federals made it through the determined rebel resistance, most notably Corporal Thomas J. Higgins, the color bearer of the 99th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

  The courageous Corporal sprinted across the road and scaled the wall of the lunette only to find himself surrounded by the amazed Texans who had reached out to help the brave Federal over the wall, then shook his hand in amazement of his bravery and luck.

  The battle continued throughout the day, but by 5:00 p.m. the Texans were reinforced, and the Federals were forced to retreat to the safety of the Union lines.

  The cemetery occupying the site was established after the siege by the local Jewish congregation.