Grierson's Raid-Union Church Traditional Cache
Grierson's Raid-Union Church
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Camo Medium pillbottle
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. The Troops arrived at the small town of Union Church at about 2PM on day 12 April 28. They dismounted and were feeding their horses at a Plantation 2 miles west of town. When their picket line was attacked from the East by Confederate Cavalry. Discipline and training paid off and Grierson’s raiders threw a concentrated line of fire into the Rebs. The Rebels abandoned their attach and fled toward Union Church. Col. Grierson ordered his troops to pursue them. Finding no opposition in town, the brigade bivouacked waiting for an attack. This charge by 150 troopers led by Captain Stephen B. Cleveland was the first attack since The Grierson Raiders left LaGrange 11 days earlier. Only 1 Union trooper was wounded. The Confederate Cavalry rode from Natchez on orders from Pemberton. The next morning after Union spies had determined there was a large Confederate force between Union Church and Grand Gulf Col. Grierson decided to return East to the New Orleans-Jackson railroad and move south away from pursuing Rebel forces. Until this time Col Grierson had always planned to meet up with General Grant and the troops crossing the Mississippi River near Grand Gulf. This meeting may have taken place in the Union Church Presbyterian Church, which is still standing near my Cache. It was built in 1854, see the sign above the door. 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
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(Decrypt)
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