The Railroad Redoubt.

On May 22, 1863, this salient redoubt was occupied by a detachment of the 30th Alabama, supported by two companies under Major O. Steele of Waul’s Texas Legion. The entrenchment in the rear was held by the 30th Alabama and reinforced during the day by the 46th Alabama under Lieutenant Colonel E. W. Pettus of the 20th Alabama, after a large part of the 46th, including all its field officers, had been captured on May 16 in the Battle of Champion Hill. About 11 a. m., a detachment of the Union assaulting force reached the ditch of the redoubt, placed flags on its parapet, and a small party entered at its salient angle where a breach had been made by Union artillery, capturing a lieutenant and a few enlisted men. The attackers held the redoubt briefly, then retired to its ditch after sustaining severe loss. About 5:30 p. m., detachments of Captain Bradley's and Lieutenant Hogue's companies of Waul’s Texas Legion, led by Lieutenant Colonel E. W. Pettus, retook the work, and later in the evening a lieutenant colonel and about 58 men were captured in the ditch. After May 22, during the defense, companies of the 46th Alabama held the work, counter-mines were prepared against the Union approach, and one was fired on the night of July 2. Casualties in the 46th Alabama during the defense were 15 killed and 45 wounded, a total of 60.

Vicksburg, Mississippi · United States