December 29, 1862---The Battle of Chickasaw Bayou

DECEMBER 29, 1862:        

The Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs (The Battle of Chickasaw Bayou). 

Union General William T. Sherman is thwarted in his attempt to capture Vicksburg, Mississippi, when he orders a frontal assault on entrenched Rebels. 

Sherman moved into position just a few miles north of Vicksburg by December 27. He had 37,000 men while the Confederates had only 6,000 troops defending Vicksburg. However, as Sherman moved into position, another 6,000 troops arrived to reinforce the Confederates. 

The Rebels occupied strong positions on top of a river bluff with open ground in front of them, much like at Fredericksburg. The attack never had a chance of success, much like at Fredericksburg. 

When one Union brigade captured Confederate rifle pits at the foot of the bluff, they came under fire from above. No other Federal force got close to the bluff. 

Union loses totaled some 1,770 men while the Confederates lost around 200. Sherman thereafter ceased using the full frontal assault as a tactic.