Yazoo City expedition facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yazoo City expedition
Part of the American Civil War
Yazoo River
Date May 4–21, 1864 Location Yazoo County, Mississippi Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
John McArthur	Wirt Adams
Units involved
Post of Vicksburg	Adams' Cavalry Brigade
Strength
2 brigades of infantry	brigade
Casualties and losses
5 killed 14 wounded	unknown

The Yazoo City expedition was a military trip by Union soldiers during the American Civil War. It happened in May 1864, led by General John McArthur. Their goal was to fight Confederate forces in central Mississippi, led by General Wirt Adams.

What Happened During the Expedition?

General McArthur's trip was planned to help another Union attack happening at the same time in northern Mississippi, led by General Samuel D. Sturgis. McArthur's main job was to pull Confederate soldiers away from Sturgis, making it easier for Sturgis to succeed.

At first, the main Confederate commander, Stephen D. Lee, didn't think these Union attacks were a big deal. He thought they were just trying to distract his forces. However, McArthur's soldiers kept pushing Adams' Confederate troops back. They had small fights, called skirmishes, at places like Benton, Luce's Plantation, and Vaughn's Station. These places were along the Mississippi Central Railroad.

When McArthur saw that many Confederate soldiers were gathering to fight him, he decided his mission was complete. He had successfully drawn attention away from Sturgis. He also destroyed parts of the Mississippi Central Railroad. McArthur then ordered Alfred W. Ellet and the Mississippi Marine Brigade to stay in Yazoo City. He returned to Vicksburg with the rest of his soldiers.

Even though McArthur met his goals, his expedition could not stop Sturgis from losing the Battle of Brices Cross Roads. Still, McArthur was happy with how strong his forces looked. He proved that Union soldiers could move deep into Mississippi whenever they wanted to.

Who Fought in the Expedition?

Union Forces

The Union forces were led by Brigadier General John McArthur. They were part of the Post of Vicksburg.

• 1st Brigade: Led by Colonel Benjamin Dornblaser.
  • 46th Illinois Infantry
  • 76th Illinois Infantry
• 2nd Brigade: Led by Colonel James Henry Coates.
  • 11th Illinois Infantry
  • 72th Illinois Infantry
  • 124th Illinois Infantry
• Artillery: Led by Captain Bolton.
  • Battery L, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery
  • 7th Ohio Battery
• Cavalry: Led by Colonel Embury D. Osband.
  • 1st Kansas Mounted Infantry
  • 5th Illinois Cavalry, a small group
  • 11th Illinois Cavalry, a small group
  • 3rd U.S. Colored Cavalry

Confederate Forces

The Confederate forces were part of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi & East Louisiana. They were led by Lieutenant General Stephen D. Lee.

• Wirt's Cavalry Brigade: Led by Brigadier General W. Wirt Adams.

Key Battles and Skirmishes

During the expedition, there were a few important fights:

• Benton (May 7–9, 1864)
• Luce's Plantation (May 13, 1864)
• Vaughn Station (May 15, 1864)