Grierson's Raid-Hazelhurst Traditional Cache
isht kinta: Since the cache owner has not responded to my reviewer log requesting the geocache be maintained, the geocache has been archived.
isht kinta
Geocaching Volunteer Reviewer
Grierson's Raid-Hazelhurst
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Magnetic
This series of Caches are all on the trail of a historic route of a Civil war Cavalry Raid called “Grierson’s Raid” It was called by General U.S Grant the most successful cavalry raid of the war, as it played a direct role in the success of the Vicksburg campaign. It tied up the majority of the Confederate cavalry in Mississippi. It was also the only Cavalry raid to carry a large cavalry force through 600 miles of hostile territory in the Heart of the Confederacy.
The raid started in LaGrange TN April 17, 1863 with 1700 horse troops and a battery of (6) 2 pound cannons. Their goal was to destroy the Southern Railroad’s Meridian- Vicksburg line at Newton Station in Central Mississippi. This he did successfully with only a Mississippi map and a Compass for navigation.
I think they may have been some of our GeoCacher ancestors, as twice They crossed large waist deep swamps. They were probably going in a straight line toward their destination, and they did return via other routes missing the swamps. Hard in easy out.
After destruction of the rail line and Depot Col. Grierson was to return to Union lines the best way he could. As Confederates were north of him, Grierson left Newton going south east to misdirect followers. He actually planned to go to Port Gibson to Help Grant with the Vicksburg Campaign. At Union Church his scouts determined the majority of the Confederate Cavalry were west of Union Church waiting to ambush Grierson’s troops. Grierson then decided to go south to Baton Rouge, which was in Union hands. He completed his raid in 16 days, on May 2 1863, in Baton Rouge, LA with 5000 Confederate troops all across Mississippi trying to capture him. Some were only 2 hours behind as He crossed last River Bridge over the Comite River into Baton Rouge.
Grierson lost 3 dead, 7 wounded and 9 men reported as missing on the Raid. The Raiders killed and wounded Over 100 Confederates, captured 500 most were paroled. The raiders destroyed over 50 miles of railroad line, destroyed 3 Railroad Depots and captured 1000 horses and mules.
Day 11 April 27 The troops moved rapidly 14 miles to Hazlehurst after crossing the Pearl River. When the lead unit first got to town they sent a Bogus telegram to Commander Pemberton in Vicksburg prepared by Col Grierson it stated "The Yankees have advanced to the Pearl River, but finding the ferry destroyed they could not cross, and left taking a northeasterly direction. It was signed commanding officer First Alabama. After it was sent the Raiders cut the wires. The rest of the troup arrived and the town was captured. They then burned the station and a large quantity of shell, ammunition and tons of quartermaster supplies in a warehouse attached to the station. When two nearby buildings caught fire the troops assisted the locals in putting out these fires. They then marched out of town toward Gallatin. After leaving Hazlehurst behind they changed direction toward Natchez via Union Church. They then called a halt at a Plantation near Hargraves and slept for the first time in 2 days.
This trail will have various size and type caches at sites on the route covered by the raiders. For history buff note it will also include some diversionary trails used by the Raiders to misdirect those following them. The posting for each will highlight the historic nature of each site. This will be a trail in process, so watch for new caches as I place them. Some locations mentioned in the history are not on most maps and may or may not get caches. Join me as we learn some History of Civil War together. $nowman.
The John Wayne movie “Horse Soldiers” was loosely based on this raid. For more information Google “Grierson’s Raid”
References used “A Just and Righteous Cause Benjamin H Grierson’s Civil War Memoir” and “Grierson’s Raid” by Tom Lalicki
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures