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Guide to Civil War Battlefields in Mississippi
Beginning on April 12, 1861, and ending on April 9, 1865, the American Civil War saw the Northern and Pacific states take on the Southern states that sought to secede from the union and form the Confederate States of America – and many of the historic battles took place right here in Mississippi. Visit Mississippi takes a closer look at the role our state played in the war and where locals and tourists alike can revisit the past at many Civil War battlefields across Mississippi.
Mississippi’s Civil War Battles
Beginning with the First Battle of Bull Run, the Civil War resulted in a victory for the Northern and Pacific states and the dissolution of the Confederate States. The war also led to the abolishment of slavery, the ratification of the U.S. Constitution’s 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, and the start of the era of reconstruction. Mississippi alone saw many Civil War battles, including:
Battles in 1862
April 29-June 10: Corinth
September 19: Iuka
October 3-4: Corinth
December 26-29: Chickasaw Bayou/Walnut Hills
Battles in 1863
April 16: Vicksburg
April 29: Grand Gulf
April 29-May 1: Snyder’s Bluff/Snyder’s Mill
May 1: Port Gibson/Thompson’s Hill
May 12: Raymond
May 14: Jackson
May 16: Champion Hill/Baker’s Creek
May 17: Big Black River Bridge
May 18-July 4: Vicksburg
Battles of 1864
February 14-20: Meridian
February 22: Okolona
June 10: Brice’s Cross Roads/Tishomingo Creek
July 14-15: Tupelo/Harrisburg
Battlefields to Include on Your Itinerary
Thousands of visitors flock to Mississippi each year to take in the Civil War history and see some of the most popular battlefields and sites for themselves. These include the following and more:
Brice’s Crossroads National Battlefield
Located in Guntown, this battlefield was the location of a significant Confederate victory and saw over 12,000 men engaged in battle. Brice’s Crossroads National Battlefield was established in February 1929 by the U.S. National Park Service (NPS).
Tupelo National Battlefield
The site of the last Civil War battle in Mississippi, Tupelo National Battlefield is now protected by NPS. Over 20,000 Confederate and Union soldiers fought here, and at the time, Union forces also included soldiers from the United States Colored Troops. The battlefield is located in Tupelo.
Vicksburg National Military Park
Vicksburg is one of the most popular destinations in the state for Civil War and history buffs. Vicksburg National Military Park is home to 141 cannons and carriages, 15 historic bridges, nine fortifications, and the USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum, among a host of other attractions that commemorate this time in history. Visitors can also pay their respects at Vicksburg National Cemetery and view over 1,400 memorial monuments.
Find Our State’s Historic Civil War Sites with Visit Mississippi
Whether you’re planning on visiting several Civil War battlefields in Mississippi or just want to know which ones to highlight on your trip, the team at Visit Mississippi is standing by to help you plan your itinerary. For more information, contact us today. You can also request a tour guide or utilize our helpful trip planner online.
Learn more about Visit Mississippi
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