Milliken's Bend

Madison Parish, LA  |  Jun 7, 1863

In late May, 1863, as his Army of the Tennessee encircled the strategic Mississippi River town of Vicksburg, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant established advanced supply bases on the Yazoo River north of the city to feed his army. Supporting this supply route were other depots and camps on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi near Young’s Point and Milliken’s Bend. At the latter, several newly-recruited black regiments were posted to defend the facilities. Confederates, seeking to disrupt Grant’s supply lines, developed plans to attack the bases on the west side of the river. On June 7, the Texas Division under Maj. Gen. John G. Walker attacked the garrison at Milliken’s Bend, commanded by Col. Hermann Lieb. Hand-to-hand combat ensued as the Rebels breached the Union defenses. Lieb’s former slaves, with little training, fought valiantly against their attackers. Two Navy gunboats supported the infantry, and after heavy fighting Walker’s Texans withdrew. Although a small battle, the result proved that black Union soldiers would fight hard for their freedom.

All battles of the Grant's Operations Against Vicksburg Campaign

Port Gibson
Claiborne County, MS  |  May 1, 1863
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 1,628
Union: 861
Confederate: 767
Raymond
Hinds County, MS  |  May 12, 1863
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 961
Union: 446
Confederate: 515
Champion Hill
Hinds County, MS  |  May 16, 1863
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 6,297
Union: 2,457
Confederate: 3,840
Big Black River Bridge
Hinds County and Warren County, MS  |  May 17, 1863
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 2,273
Union: 273
Confederate: 1,751
La batalla de Vicksburg
Warren County, MS  |  May 18 - Jul 4, 1863
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 37,273
Union: 4,910
Confederate: 32,363
Vicksburg
Warren County, MS  |  May 18 - Jul 4, 1863
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 37,273
Union: 4,910
Confederate: 32,363
Milliken's Bend
Madison Parish, LA  |  Jun 7, 1863
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 837
Union: 652
Confederate: 185
Helena
Phillips County, AR  |  Jul 4, 1863
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 1,842
Union: 206
Confederate: 1,636

Related Battles

Madison Parish, LA | June 7, 1863
Result: Union Victory
Commanders
Forces Engaged
2,561
Union
1,061
Confed.
1,500
Estimated Casualties
837
Union
652
Confed.
185

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