Couldnt help but notice Champions Hill below 20 and close to Warrior Trail.
It is one of the least known but most critical battles of the war. It took place east of Jackson just before the siege of Vicksburg. Shelby Foote calls it the most( or one of the most ) important battles of the war because without a Union victory Grant would not have been able to attack and lay siege to Vicksburg from the east. HIs supply lines from Grand Gulf were WAY over-extended. Had he not taken Vicksburg in July '63 Lincoln would have almost certainly lost that year's election and the Union might well have sued for a peaceful settlement with Jefferson. Speculation, yes, but plausible.
I have a family friend with supposed access to take my Dad to the site of the battle to look for relics. It is on private land and is not accessible supposedly. Any interest in going sometime?
