Battle of Champion Hill Facts, Details, and Timeline

May 16, 1863

Champion Hill Battle facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

Portrait of Ulysses S. Grant

After the Battle of Champion Hill Union commander Ulysses S. Grant (pictured here) was especially critical of Major General John A. McClernand’s performance in the field. [Wikimedia Commons]

Date and Location

  • May 16, 1863
  • East of Vicksburg, in Hinds County, Mississippi

Campaign

Principal Union Commanders

Principal Confederate Commanders

Union Forces Engaged:

  • Army of the Tennessee

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Army of Mississippi

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 32,000

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 22,000

Estimated Union Casualties

  • 2,457 (410 killed, 1,844 wounded and 187 missing/captured)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • 3,840 casualties (381 killed, 1,018 wounded and 2,441 missing/captured)

Result

  • Union victory

Significance

  • The Battle of Champion Hill was a decisive Union victory because Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s attempt to use Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton’s Army of Mississippi to halt Major General Ulysses S. Grant’s advance before reaching Vicksburg failed.
  • After the Battle of Champion Hill Union commander Ulysses S. Grant was especially critical of Major General John A. McClernand’s performance in the field.

Timeline of the Vicksburg Campaign

These are the main battles and events of the Vicksburg Campaign in order.