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N0KFQ > TODAY 22.04.12 21:06l 47 Lines 2085 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 21393_KB0WSA
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Apr 22
Path: IZ3LSV<IK6ZDE<I0OJJ<VE3UIL<N0KFQ<KB0WSA
Sent: 120422/1855Z 21393@KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.4.49
Apr 22, 1863:
Union raid cuts Mississippi telegraph wires
Colonel Benjamin Grierson's Union troops bring destruction to
Central Mississippi as part of a two-week raid along the entire
length of the state.
This action was a diversion in General Ulysses S. Grant's
campaign to capture Vicksburg, Mississippi, the last remaining
Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. Grant had his
army on the western shore of the river, but he was planning to
cross the mighty river south of Vicksburg, and move against
Vicksburg from the west. Grierson's orders were to destroy enemy
supplies, telegraph lines, and railroads in Mississippi.
Grierson crafted a brilliant campaign. He left La Grange,
Tennessee, on April 17 with 1,700 cavalry troopers and began
traveling down the eastern side of the state. Whenever
Confederate cavalry approached, Grierson sent out a diversionary
force to draw them away. The diversionary units then rode back to
La Grange, while the main force continued south. On April 22, he
dispatched Company B of the 7th Illinois regiment to destroy
telegraph lines at Macon, Mississippi, while Grierson rode to
Newton Station. Here, Grierson could inflict damage on the
Southern Mississippi Railroad, the one specific target identified
by Grant. On April 24, his men tore up the tracks and destroyed
two trainloads of ammunition bound for Vicksburg.
On May 2, Grierson and his men rode into Union occupied Baton
Rouge, Louisiana, ending one of the most spectacular raids of the
war. The Yankees killed about 100 Confederates, took 500
prisoners, destroyed 50 miles of rail line, and destroyed
hundreds of thousands of dollars of supplies and property.
Grierson lost just 3 men killed, 7 wounded, 14 missing. More
important, the raiders drew the attention of Confederate troops
in Mississippi and weakened the forces at Vicksburg and Port
Hudson, Louisiana. Both strongholds fell to the Union in July
1863. For his efforts, Grierson was promoted to brigadier
general.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ KB0WSA.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: n0kfq@winlink.org
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