Good morning, Sam

I am very fortunate in that my family has been able to retain most of the land acquired in Clairborne and Adams County as early as 1830, then during the Great Depression. We found the Confederate artillery battery during the deer season of c1962-63 when we were cutting a road along Thompson's Ridge; he dozer 'clicked' into something very metallic. Turned out is was one of the four barrels found, along with the earthworks, etc. spaced about 25-30 yards apart. They were pointed toward a curve in the Big Black in such a way that if a Yankee gunboat came around a curve, they were 'dead ducks in the water.' I have the particulars of the units (artillery, cavalry, and sharpshooters) that were there on Thompson's Ridge, but abandoned the post when they rec'd news of Grant's landing on the east side of the Mississippi at Bruinsburg.

I can see why Grant and his men had such a problem at Bruinsburg (just south of our property) as it is mostly hills and hollows, tall timber and brush. Brutal environment, particularly in the spring and summer.

You can contact me directly at...scv8ms@aol.com

Regards,

Bob