The Mississippi in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864

David,

The "burned" bridge was another on Sakatonchee Creek, according to some accounts at 8 miles and in other accounts at 4 miles north of THE Ellis Bridge. Ellis bridge survived the battle and was replaced by a WPA (depression era) causeway bridge that still stands today. I am hoping to someday have a photo, drawing or better written description of the historic Ellis bridge. The area where the current bridge stands is about a 1 mile wide marsh or low lying area that tends to collect water. When the account of the battle states that Jeffrey Forrest's men constructed breastworks 400 yards East of Ellis bridge, that's about the distance that the marshy ground starts east of Sakatonchee creek. When I was a kid, I lived off of Lone Oak Road about 4 miles north of Ellis Bridge. Sakatonchee creek was about 1-1/2 miles west of our house. The course of the creek is northwest to southeast. One of my reasons for interest in this battle is that I wandered all over these areas as a kid and never realized the "Wizard of the Saddle" had been nearby.

Jim

Messages In This Thread

Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864
Re: Battle of Ellis Bridge - Feb. 21, 1864