Jackson Expedition facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jackson Expedition
Part of the American Civil War
Siege of Jackson, Mississippi, July 10–16, 1863
Date July 5–25, 1863 Location Near Jackson, Mississippi Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
William Tecumseh Sherman	Joseph E. Johnston
Strength
40,000	30,000
Casualties and losses
129 killed 762 wounded 231 missing	71 killed 504 wounded 25 missing

The Jackson Expedition, also known as the Siege of Jackson, was an important event during the American Civil War. It happened in July 1863, right after the big battle at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Union Army Major General William Tecumseh Sherman led this mission. His goal was to push away Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston's troops, who were trying to help the soldiers stuck in Vicksburg. Sherman's mission worked, and it helped the Union keep control of the important Mississippi River for the rest of the war.

Why the Expedition Happened

Before this expedition, there was another battle in Jackson, Mississippi, on May 14, 1863. During that fight, Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant's army captured Jackson, which was the capital city. But then, they left Jackson to move towards Vicksburg.

While the siege of Vicksburg was happening, General Johnston gathered about 30,000 Confederate soldiers in Jackson. He wanted to relieve the pressure on Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton's Confederate army, which was trapped in Vicksburg. Johnston slowly moved his troops closer to the back of Grant's army, which was surrounding Vicksburg. To stop this threat, Grant ordered General Sherman to deal with Johnston's forces.

The Expedition Begins

By July 1, 1863, General Johnston's Confederate army was positioned along the Big Black River. General Sherman used a new group of soldiers, called the IX Corps, to face this threat.

On July 5, the day after the surrender of Vicksburg was officially announced, Sherman was free to move against Johnston. Johnston quickly pulled his forces back across the Big Black River and through the Champion's Hill battlefields. Sherman's army followed closely behind. Sherman's forces included the IX Corps, XV Corps, XIII Corps, and a part of the XVI Corps.

The Siege of Jackson

Siege of Jackson

By July 10, the Union Army had surrounded Jackson. The most intense fighting happened on July 12, when the Union Army tried to attack but failed. Brigadier General Jacob Gartner Lauman led his soldiers too close to the Confederate defenses. These defenses were held by Brigadier General Daniel Weisiger Adams's soldiers. This mistake led to many Union casualties (soldiers killed or wounded). Because of this, Lauman was removed from his command for not following orders correctly from his superior, Major General Edward Ord.

Instead of risking his army being trapped, General Johnston decided to leave the state capital. He withdrew his troops on July 16. Sherman's forces then moved into and occupied the city the very next day.

The recapture of Jackson effectively ended the last threat to Vicksburg and secured the Union's control of the Mississippi River.