Battle of Jackson

This article is about the battle in Jackson, Mississippi. For other uses, see Battle of Jackson (disambiguation).

Battle of Jackson
Part of the American Civil War

The Battle of Jackson, Mississippi by Alfred E. Mathews, 31st Ohio, shows the charge of the 17th Iowa, 80th Ohio and 10th Missouri on May 14, 1863
DateMay 14, 1863 (1863-05-14)
Location
Jackson, Mississippi
32°17′15″N 90°12′00″W / 32.28750°N 90.20000°W / 32.28750; -90.20000
Result Union victory
Belligerents
 United States (Union)  Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Units involved
XV Corps
XVII Corps		 Jackson Garrison
Casualties and losses
286–332 c. 200–850
Jackson is located in Mississippi
Jackson
Jackson
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Location in Mississippi

The Battle of Jackson was fought on May 14, 1863, in Jackson, Mississippi, as part of the Vicksburg campaign during the American Civil War. After entering the state of Mississippi in late April 1863, Major General Ulysses S. Grant of the Union Army moved his force inland to strike at the strategic Mississippi River town of Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Battle of Raymond, which was fought on May 12, convinced Grant that General Joseph E. Johnston's Confederate army was too strong to be safely bypassed, so he sent two corps, under major generals James B. McPherson and William T. Sherman, to capture Johnston's position at Jackson. Johnston did not believe the city was defensible and began withdrawing. Brigadier General John Gregg was tasked with commanding the Confederate rear guard, which fought Sherman's and McPherson's men at Jackson on May 14 before withdrawing. After taking the city, Union troops destroyed economic and military infrastructure and also plundered civilians' homes. Grant then moved against Vicksburg, which he placed under siege on May 18 and captured on July 4. Despite being reinforced, Johnston made only a weak effort to save the Vicksburg garrison, and was driven out of Jackson a second time in mid-July.