Following the Union occupation of Jackson,
Mississippi, both Confederate and Federal forces made plans for future
operations. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston retreated, with most of his army, up
the Canton Road, but he ordered Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton, commanding
about 23,000 men, to leave Edwards Station and attack the Federals at
Clinton. Pemberton and his generals felt that Johnston's plan was
dangerous and decided instead to attack the Union supply trains moving
from Grand Gulf to Raymond. On May 16, though, Pemberton received
another order from Johnston repeating his former directions. Pemberton
had already started after the supply trains and was on the
Raymond-Edwards Road with his rear at the crossroads one-third mile
south of the crest of Champion Hill. Thus, when he ordered a
countermarch, his rear, including his many supply wagons, became the
advance of his force. On May 16, 1863, about 7:00 am, the Union forces
engaged the Confederates and the Battle of Champion Hill began.
Pemberton's force drew up into a defensive line along a crest of a ridge
overlooking Jackson Creek. Pemberton was unaware that one Union column
was moving along the Jackson Road against his unprotected left flank.
For protection, Pemberton posted Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Lee's men atop
Champion Hill where they could watch for the reported Union column
moving to the crossroads. Lee spotted the Union troops and they soon saw
him. If this force was not stopped, it would cut the Rebels off from
their Vicksburg base. Pemberton received warning of the Union movement
and sent troops to his left flank. Union forces at the Champion House
moved into action and emplaced artillery to begin firing. When Grant
arrived at Champion Hill, around 10:00 am, he ordered the attack to
begin. By 11:30 am, Union forces had reached the Confederate main line
and about 1:00 pm, they took the crest while the Rebels retired in
disorder. The Federals swept forward, capturing the crossroads and
closing the Jackson Road escape route. One of Pemberton's divisions
(Bowen's) then counterattacked, pushing the Federals back beyond the
Champion Hill crest before their surge came to a halt. Grant then
counterattacked, committing forces that had just arrived from Clinton by
way of Bolton. Pemberton's men could not stand up to this assault, so
he ordered his men from the field to the one escape route still open:
the Raymond Road crossing of Bakers Creek. Brig. Gen. Lloyd Tilghman's
brigade formed the rearguard, and they held at all costs, including the
loss of Tilghman. In the late afternoon, Union troops seized the Bakers
Creek Bridge, and by midnight, they occupied Edwards. The Confederates
were in full retreat towards Vicksburg. If the Union forces caught these
Rebels, they would destroy them.