The Mississippi in the Civil War Message Board

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

John,

Here's an interesting tidbit about the "extinct" settlement of Prairie Mount, MS, alternate name for Ivey's Hill, MS.

Extract taken from Publication of the Mississippi Historical Society, By the Mississippi Historical Society, Edited by Franklin L. Riley, Secretary, Volume V, Oxford, Mississippi, 1902, pgs 327-328, from chapter entitled “Extinct Towns and Villages of Mississippi” by Franklin L. Riley

Prairie Mount – The town of Prairie Mount was situated on the edge of the prairie in the northeastern part of Chickasaw county. It was on the public road leading from Okolona to Pontotoc, and about five miles north of the former place. Prairie Mount was founded by Littleberry Gilliam, an enterprising farmer, who removed from Franklin county, Ala., and settled there about 1836. he became one of the members of the first board of police of Chickasaw county and aided in its organization. The little village was named by him in 1836. His residence was opened to the public as a wayside inn for the accommodation of travelers seeking land investments from all that part of the Tombigbee river country south of Pontotoc. There was soon established two small dry goods stores, a grog shop, a blacksmith, and a wagon repair shop, but the place was not incorporated until 1852. About the time of the permanent location of the survey of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, the beginning of the present town of Okolona was made by the erection of one or two farm residences and a saloon. It soon began to grow into a trade center for that part of the county which had hitherto contributed to the growth of Prairie Mount. At the close of the War between the States Prairie Mount became extinct. The site of this once prosperous town is now part of a farm.

Jim Martin

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