Vicksburg Campaign Trail
  Arkansas sites  
    Eunice, Chicot County
 
 

On August 28, 1862, Union Lt. Col. William H. Raynor, commanding a 200-man detachment of the 56th Ohio Infantry, led an expedition aboard the Federal gunboat Pittsburgh down the Mississippi River from Helena to Eunice to take possession of a large Confederate "wharf-boat" and tow it back to Helena. On August 29, the Pittsburgh shelled the shore at Carson's Landing, after which 175 men landed to rout a Confederate encampment 2 miles inland. Thereafter, a 50-man contingent was sent to eliminate a small band of Confederate querrillas nearby, resulting in the capture of one soldier as well as military weapons, supplies, a small quantity of cotton, and 9 horses. After scouring the countryside for more enemy soldiers, the Pittsburgh proceeded to Eunice on August 30. After dividing the "wharf-boat" in two to facilitate towing, the expedition returned to Helena arriving on September 3.

Confederates fired on Union vessels on the Mississippi River from the vicinity of Eunice on June 13-14, 1863. In retaliation, a Federal vessel shelled the town on June 14.

Evaluation

This site has local significance because it is associated with military activities and events that achieved or affected important local objectives of the Vicksburg campaign.

Recommendation

The site would be documented. Onsite interpretation and connecting the site to the Vicksburg Heritage Coalition is encouraged. The probable shifting of the Mississippi River since 1863 means the interpretation would need to be some distance from the river. The state park at Lake Village would be an appropriate venue for the Eunice story.

Kentucky sites
 
 
Mississippi sites A-CMississippi sites D-I
 
Tennessee sites