Raymond, Mississippi - Historic Sites & Points of Interest

Located just 17 minutes from downtown Jackson and 30 minutes from Vicksburg, the historic city of Raymond is one of the most charming communities in Mississippi.

Built around a town square that dates back to 1828, Raymond is rich in historic sites and structures. Noted for its many antebellum structures which include homes, churches and the beautiful old Hinds County Courthouse, Raymond is located along the Natchez Trace Parkway and is emerging as a major heritage destination for travelers in Mississippi.

Although the area had been settled for many years before by Choctaw Indians, the modern community of Raymond was born in 1828 when a three person commission selected the site to serve as the county seat of Hinds Couunty. General Raymond Robinson held earlier title to the town site, but gave it up for the public good and the city of Raymond was named in his honor. The Mississippi Legislature officially designated Raymond as county seat in 1829.

The community was an important economic and social center during the years leading up to the Civil War and was the scene of the bloody Battle of Raymond during that conflict.

The battle took place on May 12, 1863, as the army of General Ulysses S. Grant was closing in on the state capital of Jackson during the opening phases of his Vicksburg Campaign. His plan was to take Jackson, drive off Confederate forces in the area and then close in on Vicksburg from the rear. Waiting at Raymond, however, were 4,000 Confederate soldiers led by Brigadier General John Gregg.

As Union Major General James B. McPherson's column approached Raymond, 12,000 men strong, Gregg attacked so ferociously that a significant battle erupted. By the time the smoke cleared, more than 1,000 men had fallen and homes, churches and even the courthouse in Raymond were converted to hospitals. Gregg was unable to hold back the Federals and Grant eventually went on to take Vicksburg in one of the most significant victories of the Civil War.

Raymond today is a beautiful and charming community. To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/raymond.

Battle of Raymond, Mississippi

One of the South's newest Civil War battlefield parks can be found in Raymond, a city just off Interstate 20 between Jackson and Vicksburg and also a stop on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Raymond Military Park preserves part of the scene of the May 12, 1863, Battle of Raymond, Mississippi. Fought between 4,000 Confederates led by the aggressive Gen. John Gregg and 12,000 Federals under Gen. James B. McPherson, the engagement was a key part of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Vicksburg Campaign.

Grant was pushing northeast after crossing the Mississippi River near Port Gibson and was planning to break the railroad between Jackson and Vicksburg, then close in on Vicksburg from the rear. To the surprise of the Federals, however, Gregg launched an aggressive attack on their right column at Fourteen Mile Creek just south of Raymond.

Despite three to one odds, Gregg achieved initial success against McPherson's corps and it was not until the Union general sent the fire of 22 cannon and nearly 12,000 men crashing into the Confederate lines that the game Southern troops finally fell back.

The Raymond Military Park preserves a key section of the battlefield and features a paved walking trail, cannon, exhibits, interpretive panels and more.

To learn more about this key battle during the Vicksburg Campaign, please visit our new Battle of Raymond pages at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/raymond1.