May 12, 1863---The Battle of Raymond, Mississippi

MAY 12, 1863:  

The Battle of Raymond, Mississippi. A bitter fight pitted elements of the Union Army of the Tennessee against Confederate forces of  the Department of the Mississippi and East Louisiana, in which the Confederates failed to prevent the Federal troops from reaching the Southern Railroad and isolating Vicksburg, Mississippi, from reinforcement and resupply. Union casualties at Raymond were 68 killed, 341 wounded, and 37 missing. The Confederate casualties were 100 killed, 305 wounded, and 415 captured. This small-scale battle had an inordinately large strategic impact on the Vicksburg Campaign. Union interdiction of the railroad interrupted Confederate supply and troop movements. As a result, the Grays around Vicksburg were limited to three options: abandon the city, withdraw into the city and accept a siege, or fight a meeting engagement against a superior force.

Having defeated the Confederates at Raymond, U.S. Grant divides his forces; one half of the Army moves toward Vicksburg and the other half of the Army moves toward Jackson, Mississippi.