There are three versions of the Battle of Champion Hill with both a hugely expanded map and additional CSA forces, which need some comment. An otherwise capable CSA commander has only to fall back from the namesake hill and construct a very potent defense along Baker Creek, which effectively slices the battlefield nearly in half from northeast to southwest. There are three crossings: Jackson Road, Raymond Road and Mann's Bridge. Before it empties into the Big Black River, far to the southwest, there are three other crossings that would demand a a time-consuming, very wide, southern swing by a sizeable portion of the Federal forces. But by holding the three upper crossings in force the CSA commander may tightly control the battle and present a nearly impossible barrier to any Union success. The scenario ought to be more nearly labeled, Baker Creek!
_________________ General Jos. C. Meyer, ACWGC Union Army Chief of Staff Commander, Army of the Shenandoah Commander, Army of the Tennessee (2011-2014 UA CoA/GinC)
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