April 29-May 1, 1863
 
To insure that troops were not withdrawn to Grand Gulf to assist Confederates there, a combined Union army-navy force feigned an attack on Snyder’s Bluff, Mississippi. After noon, on April 29th, Lt. Cdr. K. Randolph Breese, with his eight gunboats and ten transports carrying Maj. Gen. Francis Blair’s division, inched up the Yazoo River to the mouth of Chickasaw Bayou where they spent the night. At 9:00 am, the next morning, the force, minus one gunboat, continued upriver to Drumgould’s Bluff and engaged the enemy batteries. During the fighting, Choctaw suffered more than fifty hits, but no casualties occurred. Around 6:00 pm, the troops disembarked and marched along Blake’s Levee toward the guns. As they neared Drumgould’s Bluff, a battery opened on them, creating havoc and casualties. The Union advance halted and, after dark, the men reembarked on the transports. The next morning, transports disembarked other troops. The swampy terrain and enemy heavy artillery fire forced them to retire. The gunboats opened fire again, about 3:00 pm on the 1st, causing some damage. Later, the boats’ fire slackened and stopped altogether after dark. Sherman had received orders to land his troops at Milliken’s Bend, so the gunboats returned to their anchorages at the mouth of the Yazoo. Courtesy of NPS Battle Summary

(3-96) Yazoo River from Snyder's Bluff. SH-3 approximately 1½ mi. north of Redwood, MS. View looking up river from top of the bluffs
 
Entrenchments built for the defense of Vicksburg repelled Union gunboats, Dec 27-28, 1862, and demonstration by Gen. Sherman, April 30 and May 1, 1863

(March 2008) Enlarge While exploring the base of the bluffs we found what appears to be the remains of Confederate rifle pits. If anyone can identify these works please contact Webmaster

(March 2008) Enlarge Another view of the possible rifle pits

(March 2008) Enlarge More possible Confederate earthworks at the base of  Snyder's Bluff

(March 2008) Enlarge Another view of the works in previous photo