To mark the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Champion Hill, fought on the 16th of May 1863, five of us gathered a few days after the historical anniversary to refight what is often seen as one of the critical battles of the American Civil War.
Champion Hill was the pivotal field action of Ulysses S. Grant’s Vicksburg Campaign with its outcome resulting in the siege of Vicksburg. The loss of Vicksburg in turn seeing the last vestige of Rebel control over the Mississippi River. Yet for all its strategic importance the Battle of Champion Hill remains a relatively underrated engagement, at least amongst wargamers. Infrequently studied and even more infrequently refought. Indeed, we here of refights of Gettysburg or Antietam but almost never Champion Hill.
The battle starts around 10am with the Rebel forces generally deployed in their historical positions. Two Union divisions are deployed forward on the Clinton Road not far from Champion Hill. Additional Union divisions will arrive on the Clinton, Middle and Raymond Roads, though their arrival will take time and be spread over the course of the day. In this refight I have allowed the random reinforcement of Confederate forces by S.D. Lee's Division, which was historically in reserve. Eventually some 28,000 Confederate infantry would be facing some 40,000 Union troops. The following is a short summary of our refight of the battle.
Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton, commander of Confederate forces, had at his immediate disposal three divisions. Of these the largest was Carter L. Stevenson's Division which was positioned in the north of the rising ground near the intersection of the Clinton Road and Middle Road. In the south was William Wing Loring's Division, which was also deployed on the high ground east of Baker's Creek. This division however was positioned astride the Raymond Road. Between these two divisions was John S. Bowen's Division. West of the main army lay Stephen D. Lee's Division. Order's had been issued to Lee to move up and support the main army, but it was not clear when Lee would arrive on the field.
There were three main roads that the Union would be advancing along. The Union right would move along the Clinton Road while the Union left would advance along the Raymond Road. Between the two, but nearer Clinton Road, would be the Middle Road. Around 10am Grant ordered an advance towards Champion Hill. Spearheading this advance would be the Union forces on the Clinton Road, specifically Hovey’s and Logan’s Divisions. Blocking their advance was Stevenson's Confederate Division.
First to move on Champion Hill, around 10am, was Logan's Division comprising three brigades and supported by 24 guns. At the same time Hovey's smaller division of just two brigades moved north-west in preparation to push due south through the woods that obscured the Rebels. As these divisions pressed forward Osterhaus' Division moved rapidly forward along the Middle Road in march column. By 11.30pm the advanced brigade of Osterhaus' division was deploying on the eastern slopes of Champion Hill having pressed rapidly forward.
Above and below the situation in the north with Stevenson's Division in the foreground. Union forces in the top left comprise Hovey’s and Logan’s Divisions, while those on the right are from Osterhaus's 9th Division who have pushed down the Middle Road.
Below, another view, this time from behind the Union lines. A section of works astride the Middle Road was not secured and pickets here were quickly driven in.
In the south at 10am Brigadier General Andrew J. Smith pushed his 10th Division along the Raymond Road. Like Osterhaus' Division it contained just two brigades with a little over 4,000 bayonets and supported by rifled artillery. Following close behind was Blair's 2nd Division of three brigades. Yet both divisions were of different corps which compounded further the command issues of the Union forces.
Above, Smith's Division moves down the Raymond Road with some units deployed. Below, the general situation in the south with the Raymond Road in the foreground. Further north is the Middle Road and in the distance the Clinton Road. Baker Creek is off to the left and not shown.
Opposite was Loring's Division of three Confederate brigades. Specifically Tilgham's, Featherston's and Buford's Brigade. However, in a surprise move around 10.30am advanced brigades of S.D. Lee's Division began to arrive. It seemed Lee was determined to see his division engaged.
The fighting along Champion Hill was confusing and especially in the north determined. Pemberton's defence in the north was clearly calculated. He was, despite a general parity in numbers, initially unwilling to commit to counterattacks. Instead, he was keen for Grant to commit his forces to bloody assaults. As such Pemberton would progressively fall back over several hours. He would however reinforce Stevenson's division with that Bowen's Division.
As the afternoon progressed Pemberton ordered further retrograde movements, skilfully pulling brigades out of the line and falling back to a new line.
Above and below the situation in the north continues to develop.
In the south the Union divisional commander Brigadier General Andrew J. Smith was more circumspect with his advance. His division was partly deployed around 11.30am and began a limited bombardment of Rebel forces opposite in part due to the divisions rifled guns. The Confederates opposite, which it will be recalled comprised three brigades of Loring's Division, was relatively protected by the wooded thickets that marked to edge of Champion Hill. However, two Rebel batteries were forced to relocate as Union shells found their range.
The early arrival of S.D. Lee's Division provided Pemberton options. Lee's division comprised four brigades and two would reinforce Loring while two would move north to reinforce the main Rebel position. Aware of a gap between the divisions in the north and south, and the that Blair could advance through this gap, Loring ordered an advance in the south. Over the next few hours Loring and Lee would progressively push two brigades and 24 guns across further to the south and against the exposed Union left.
Above, S.D. Lee extends the Confederate right with two brigades and below, presses the Union left after crossing a minor creek separating the Confederate and Union lines.
Smith and Blair were forced to realign against this threat. With his dander up Loring now pushed his own division forward adding to the pressure on the Union left. Despite this eventually Smith and Blair would launch their own move on Loring's flank.
Above and below, the fighting in the southern sector near the Raymond Road. Above, Loring's Division moves forward, though has been flanked. While below, Smith and Blair have been again forced to realign.
The fighting in the north had meanwhile been continuing with growing ferocity. Around 2pm Hovey's Division, comprising the brigades of McGinnis and Slack, and after a several hours of desperate fighting, was exhausted. While not breaking the division played a less significant part in the action.
By 3pm it was becoming increasingly clear to Grant that the Confederate forces were not going to break despite continued attacks and constant bombardment of Union guns. Yet despite the lack of progress the attacks continued. Eventually the Confederates were forced south of the Middle Road line and now only one line of retreat was available, specifically that of the Raymond Road which headed west and across Baker's Creek. However, despite the Rebels giving ground no sooner would an opening occur the Rebels would plug it with reserves or fall back to a new defensive line. Breaking Pemberton's lines seemed an impossible task.
Above, Pemberton has ordered another retrograde movement and has formed two brigades in a wooded area, while in the distance two additional brigades deliver local counterattacks.
Despite skilful use of Confederate troops Rebel casualties were mounting. Eventually Reynold's Brigade from Stevenson's Division would break and then soon after Green's Brigade from Bowen's Division. By 5pm Rebel casualties reached a critical levels and both Stevenson's and Bowen's divisions collapsed.
Suddenly the Rebel line was unhinged and Pemberton was forced to order a retreat. While the survivors of these divisions fell back shattered those of Loring's and S.D. Lee's divisions provided a much needed rear guard to ensure Pemberton's army would escape, first to Big Black River and then to Vicksburg. Champion Hill was a Union victory but it was a hard fought battle.
Our Champion Hill scenario is based on that in the Volley & Bayonet scenario book “Battles of the American Civil War”. I have updated the scenario a little as a result of my own reading and by viewing various maps, though the latter have often proved contradictory. From a game perspective five players were involved, with two commanding Confederate forces and three Union forces. The miniatures are all from Heroics & Ros 6mm range and based for half scale, that is 1" represents 200 yards. The table used measured 4' x 3'. Miniatures are from my own collection.
Much is written about Grant and his exploits during the rest of the war and his political career after the war, yet the Vicksburg Campaign remains a testament to his military skill. For Pemberton the eventual loss of Vicksburg would shatter his career, though not his loyalty to the Confederate cause. However, as always others involved in the battle have fascinating adventures ahead, not least of which was William Wing Loring. After the Civil War Loring served for nine years in the army of Isma'il Pasha, the Khedive of Egypt, where he would see further action. He would rise to the rank of Fereek Pasha (Major General). After returning to the United States he would write a book about his Egyptian experiences, entitled "A Confederate Soldier in Egypt".
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