The Battle of Port Gibson was one of the turning points of the War between the States because this Confederate defeat led to the capture of Vicksburg. The strategic battle was fought eight miles west of Bethel Church on May 1, 1863. After Confederates under Brig. Gen. J.S. Bowen repulsed the Union navy at Grand Gulf, Major Gen. U.S. Grant landed his troops on the Louisiana side and marched them downriver. Union forces crossed on Rear Admiral D.D. Porter’s troop transports and landed at Bruinsburg in the largest amphibious landing of troops prior to World War II. Only enough horses to pull the artillery were brought. A portion of the troops turned left along the road past Windsor, but the main body turned right, came to Bethel Church, and turned east there. As the long column moved down this road, many officers were on foot, and supplies were loaded onto all sorts of wagons and carriages for the surprise march on the Confederates.
