General Henry Halleck wrote to Ulysses S. Grant, in July 1863, shortly after the capture of Vicksburg, expressing his opinion that the regiments of freshly-recruited Black troops would be suitable for this assignment: “The Mississippi should be the base of future operations east and west.
When Port Hudson falls, the fortifications of that place, as well as of Vicksburg, should be so arranged as to be held by the smallest possible garrisons, thus leaving the mass of troops for operations in the field.
On July 4, near Coleman's Plantation, Confederate cavalry commanded by Col. Robert C. Wood attacked the Union troops.
[4] According to a Vicksburg newspaper, "The Colored troops fought like tigers...No cowardice was shown by any of the command, and all acted with the most determined bravery and coolness".
[1] The Union troops staged a fighting retreat back to their transports, having succeeded in their diversionary attack to draw the Confederates away from Jackson.