Big Black River Bridge

After the defeat at Champion Hill, Confederate forces retreated to the Big Black River on the night of May 16, 1863. There, Generals John Bowen and John Vaughn defended the east bank of the river and the bridge. On May 17, Federal forces under Gen. Michael Lawler routed the Confederates in a bayonet charge lasting only a few minutes. Many retreating soldiers drowned in the Big Black River. Confederate losses included 1,700 men captured and eighteen cannon abandoned.

Mississippi · United States