At the Battle of Port Gibson, Gen. W. E. Baldwin's brigade reached Willow Creek about the time Gen. M. E. Green's troops were driven from Magnolia Church, and Confederate Gen. J. S. Bowen had Baldwin form his troops in this undergrowth-filled bottom while Rebel cannoneers emplaced guns on the ridge to the east. About noon on May 1, Gen. J. A. McClernand's Union corps renewed its advance, and as the Federals descended the ridge to the west they were fired on by Confederates. McClernand sent a powerful battle line to drive the Rebels from this bottom, but Bowen ordered Col. F M. Cockrell to take the Confederate reserve, two Missouri regiments, and turn the Federal right. Cockrell's Missourians surprised and rolled up Col. J. R. Slack's brigade, and because of the canebrakes much of the fighting took place at ranges of 20 yards or less. To stop this drive, Gen. A P Hovey massed 24 pieces of artillery. Though Cockrell was repulsed, Bowen was undaunted and told Baldwin to attack, but Baldwin's thrust was repulsed. Bowen had seized the initiative from the numerically superior Federals, and the Confederates held their ground until 6 P.M., when word was received that the Yankees had defeated the Confederates on the Bruinsburg road. Fearful that his command might be isolated, Bowen fell back.
