Map of the Battlefield At Big Black River Bridge

 

This battle was one of the preliminary battles to the taking of Vicksburg and opening the Mississippi River by the Union Forces. The colors used in Civil War Mapping were:

Red--Lines of communication (Roads, Railroads, etc.);
Orange--Military structures (forts, redoubts, defense lines, etc.);
Blue --Water;
Dark Green -- forest;
Light Green -- Brush.

This preliminary battle was vital to the taking of Vicksburg as it was the only approach route for Union Forces, and it was where the Confederate Forces made their stand against the attack. The author of the map was F. Tonica, Engineer.

Just to the left of the vertical bayou is the Confederate defense line. The Federal Forces are at the extreme right of the map. At the top of the drawing are sectional views of the Confederate rifle pits, and batteries
"en barbette."