More Civil War History in Yazoo County, Mississippi In 2015, the Yazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau took on the task of updating and making public on the web the following information based on a large collection in the Ricks Memorial Library, assembled by John E. Ellzey, of articles by Sam Olden which were published over the years by The Yazoo Herald. This page includes the full text of the articles by Mr. Olden. Yazoo owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Olden and to Mr. Ellzey for their love of Yazoo and their dedication to helping get this information to the public. You can download the full text of these articles as well as the updated Civil War Comes to Yazoo text here. Yazoo City and County have an active historical society. The following pages contain reprints of several articles from The Yazoo Herald which were published in the
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Use this map of Civil War related historical markers in Yazoo County to visit interesting sites during your sesquicentennial tours in Mississippi. View Civil War in Yazoo County, 1863-1865 in a larger map
Read More... →The Civil War Comes to Yazoo 1862-1864 Originally titled “The Battle for Yazoo,” THIS PAMPHLET (out of print but available for download) was compiled many years ago from information supplied by Glen Jones, Mississippi Chemical Corporation; Edwin C. Bearss, Research Historian, Vicksburg National Park, and Sam Olden, President, Yazoo Historical Society. It was first produced by the Yazoo County Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, the Yazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau took on the task of updating this information based on a large collection in the Ricks Memorial Library, assembled by John E. Ellzey, of articles by Sam Olden which were published over the years by The Yazoo Herald. The following information includes updates and additions to the original pamphlet along with the information from the article by Mr. Olden. Yazoo owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Olden and to Mr. Ellzey for their love of Yazoo and their dedication
Read More... →The Confederate Monument, located on the Triangle Grounds in Yazoo City, is 24 feet tall on a base and pedestal of granite with bronze figures featuring a Confederate soldier and a woman holding a flag. The unveiling took place in 1909 during a daylong celebration and parade. This memorial is erected to perpetuate the memory of the noble courage and self-sacrificing devotion of the women of the Confederacy.
Read More... →C.S.S. Arkansas West Broadway Yazoo City, Mississippi Launched on July 14, 1862 from the Navy Yard in Yazoo City, the ironclad ram “Arkansas” commanded by Lt. Isaac N. Brown successfully engaged the combined Union fleets on the Yazoo and Mississippi rivers. She met the Union vessels “Queen of the West,” “Tyler,” and “Carondelet” on July 15, 1862. The “Arkansas” ran past thirty-nine Union vessels on her way to Vicksburg, helping to end the first exclusively naval siege of Vicksburg. The ironclad was scuttled north of Baton Rouge on August 5, 1862, to prevent capture by Union forces.
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Glenwood Cemetery, located in Yazoo City, dates back to at least 1856. A stone marker notes the cemetery property was given to the city by Capt. John Willis and his wife Annie. A simple marker is placed before a large plot near the creek where the bodies of many Confederate soldiers are buried. An early newspaper article says they died in the Civil War hospital located on South Main Street. Located not far from the fountain in Glenwood is a grave surrounded by chain links. This is known as “The Witch’s Grave.” The legend of the Witch that burned Yazoo City in 1904 became famous in a book written by Willie Morris. Morris’ grave is located 13 steps south of the Witch’s grave. Tours are available for groups or individuals, but must be scheduled in advance. Fees may apply. The Yazoo County CVB (Visit Yazoo) can assist your group with
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